Imelda Staunton Quotes

Powerful Imelda Staunton for Daily Growth

About Imelda Staunton

Imelda Mary Philippa Staunton CBE is a renowned British actress who has captivated audiences with her versatile performances on stage and screen. Born on July 9, 1956, in Hertfordshire, England, she is the daughter of Doris (née O'Brien) and John Staunton, an engineer. Staunton's love for acting was ignited at an early age, leading her to attend the Central School of Speech and Drama in London after leaving school. Her professional career began in 1975 with a small role on television before she made her West End debut in 1976 with "A Matter of Gravity." Throughout her illustrious career, Staunton has graced numerous stages and screens. She gained significant recognition for her roles as Miss Scroggs in the comedy series "Up The Creek" (1980-1983), Mrs. Bennet in the BBC's adaptation of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" (1985), and as the formidable Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter film series from 2007 to 2011. In 1986, Staunton made her Broadway debut in "The Corn is Green," for which she received a Tony Award nomination. Over the years, she has continued to excel on stage, earning acclaim for roles such as Desirée Armfeldt in "A Little Night Music" (2015) and Eliza Doolittle in "Pygmalion" (2017), both at London's West End. Staunton has been recognized with numerous awards, including a CBE for services to drama in the 2018 New Year Honours. Her talent, dedication, and enduring passion for acting have solidified her place as one of Britain's most beloved performers.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The key to acting is honesty. If you can be truthful and honest in your work, then you're going to be good."

This quote by Imelda Staunton highlights that authenticity and sincerity are essential elements for success in acting. She suggests that if an actor can convey truthfulness and honesty in their performances, they will deliver a compelling and effective portrayal. This principle transcends the world of acting; it's applicable to any creative endeavor or interpersonal interaction where authenticity is valued.


"I've always felt that if you're pretending to do something, it shows, and I don't think I could ever pretend to do anything."

This quote emphasizes Imelda Staunton's genuine nature and her commitment to authenticity in both her professional and personal life. She suggests that feigned actions or behaviors lack credibility, and she personally finds it impossible to deceive or pretend. Her conviction underscores the importance of sincerity and honesty in human interactions.


"As a child, I used to listen to the radio a lot. It was my escape from reality."

This quote expresses how Imelda Staunton found solace and an escape from the realities of her everyday life as a child by listening to the radio. The radio served as a source of entertainment, distraction, and possibly imagination, providing a momentary respite from the challenges or monotony of daily existence. This connection with music or stories on the radio allowed her to dream, explore new worlds, and temporarily leave behind the realities of her young life.


"There are times when you've got to work really hard at not making yourself too obvious, but it's very exhausting!"

This quote suggests that sometimes, one has to consciously avoid standing out or being too prominent in a situation for various reasons. However, this effort can be exhausting as it requires constant vigilance and self-restraint. It might be applied in situations where blending in is more advantageous, such as professional settings, social interactions, or even personal relationships, where being less noticeable may help achieve certain goals or maintain a desired image. The challenge lies in finding the right balance between being oneself and being discreet.


"I love that sense of community on a film set - everyone coming together and doing their part for the whole."

This quote by Imelda Staunton highlights the value she places on collaboration and camaraderie in a film production setting. She appreciates the communal spirit where everyone, from the director to the crew members, contributes their unique skills towards achieving a common goal – creating a successful film. This sense of unity and shared purpose fosters a supportive environment that allows each individual to flourish and ultimately results in a more cohesive and impactful final product.


Children should always be brave and do something about bullying. It's not okay to stand by and let it happen. Bullies thrive off secrecy. Children should tell someone if they see someone being bullied.

- Imelda Staunton

Happen, Always, Okay, Secrecy

A lot of film stars are just playing themselves in different frocks.

- Imelda Staunton

Themselves, Playing, Lot, Film Stars

I don't think it's that I don't like Sondheim. It's that I find it really... I don't know how to describe it. Doing it is the most extraordinary thing. Because it's like Shakespeare times 100 with singing. It's that satisfying - and that demanding.

- Imelda Staunton

Singing, Doing, Think, Sondheim

There are lots of wonderful actors doing animated films these days, but I prefer it when you can't recognise them - it means they've really become the character.

- Imelda Staunton

Doing, Films, Means, Animated

To me, it's really not about how I look - it's about who I can be. It is my job to bring the character to life and my duty to fit into the jigsaw in that story.

- Imelda Staunton

Look, Bring, About, Jigsaw

For everyday clothes, I love North Face and Rohan, and for smarter options, I like Whistles and Agnes b on Marylebone High Street.

- Imelda Staunton

Love, Like, North, Smarter

Chaotic people often have chaotic lives, and I think they create that. But if you try and have an inner peace and a positive attitude, I think you attract that.

- Imelda Staunton

Positive, Think, I Think, Chaotic

You could say I'm a character actress. Or maybe a character actress who does peculiar, interesting lead roles. Does that make sense?

- Imelda Staunton

Maybe, Actress, Could, Peculiar

You could say I'm a character actress. Or maybe a character actress who does peculiar, interesting lead roles.

- Imelda Staunton

Maybe, Actress, Could, Peculiar

The one good thing is that I get a lot more good scripts coming through my letterbox. 'Vera Drake' raised my profile in one way, and then 'Harry Potter' in another.

- Imelda Staunton

Through, Another, Harry, Good Scripts

If you're at an award ceremony, you're against your mates.

- Imelda Staunton

Award, Against, Mates, Ceremony

Agents and producers have to get you into a box to accommodate their limited imaginations.

- Imelda Staunton

Imaginations, Accommodate, Agents

We're all unique as actors. To yourself, you are unique. You have to think, 'I'm me. I'm not going to bunch myself with other people.' Agents and producers have to get you into a box to accommodate their limited imaginations.

- Imelda Staunton

Think, Other, Going, Agents

Looking back, there is nothing wrong with that peace, love and equality that the hippies espoused. In many ways, we have regressed because they were into organic food, back to nature, make love not war, be good to all men, share and share alike - which is what many are talking about now.

- Imelda Staunton

Love, Looking Back, About, Organic Food

Her death has had a huge effect on me. It felt like a big hole appeared on my left side - apparently your left side is your mother - which I thought could never be filled. Now I think what you have to do is fill it with yourself because your mother is part of you. I'm easing into that space, using it and being comforted by it.

- Imelda Staunton

Death, Big, I Think, Easing

Look at Judi Dench, who's brilliant in whatever bloody job she does.

- Imelda Staunton

She, Brilliant, Dench, None

At the time of Woodstock, I was just 13, but I used to see these exotic hippy creatures and I did look on with envy. How could you not? In an ideal world, I would have loved to have been a hippy - but I might have been a bit strait-laced. It was my fantasy.

- Imelda Staunton

Envy, Used, Been, Exotic

Both my parents had heart problems: my mother had type 2 diabetes, and my father had a stroke.

- Imelda Staunton

Father, Had, Both My Parents, Diabetes

Having a child makes you strong and gives you chutzpah. It relaxed my attitude to the job; my center of focus shifted, which I think is very helpful, because even if you're not a very indulgent actor you spend a lot of time thinking about yourself. I don't think that is particularly healthy.

- Imelda Staunton

Strong, I Think, Very, Indulgent

You read about poor people having Botox go wrong and you think: 'Well, what the bloody hell were you doing?' Why would you inject yourself with poison? And why are we spending so much time looking at ourselves? I just don't get it.

- Imelda Staunton

Doing, Why, About, Bloody

I worked in rep for six years, then I came to London and to the National Theatre. What's better than that?

- Imelda Staunton

London, Six, Then, Rep

A lot of me is very up, and you have to have light and shade. They are both important and you have to be able to balance them. You have to admit that sadness is part of you and that it enriches you. I use it in my work.

- Imelda Staunton

Work, Very, Use, Shade

I was brought up a Catholic, so I take no pleasure in guilt.

- Imelda Staunton

Guilt, Take, Brought, Catholic

I am a character actress. Well, let's say, I am a leading character actress who does interesting, odd parts.

- Imelda Staunton

Say, Actress, Leading, Odd

Drama school introduced me to a world I had no idea about. I wasn't brought up in a literary household at all.

- Imelda Staunton

Idea, Brought, Literary, Household

We're in a world that celebrates things: success, beauty, money. And I reckon that's really about 4 per cent of the world. The rest of us are just getting on with it.

- Imelda Staunton

Beauty, Rest, Cent, Per

Fortunately my career has never been about how I look, it's about how I can be.

- Imelda Staunton

Career, Never, How, Fortunately

I never wanted for anything. We went to Ireland for holidays every year. I was 14 when we first went to Italy. My mum was determined I was going to go to a good school. My mum was an absolute grafter. A real grafter. I got my work ethic from her.

- Imelda Staunton

Good, Year, Mum, Ethic

You can only do your best. That's all you can do. And if it isn't good enough, it isn't good enough.

- Imelda Staunton

Best, Only, Your, Do Your Best

I adore Bette Davis and Vivien Leigh, but more because they were good actresses. That's what makes me interested in them, that they didn't present themselves as idols; they were just doing their jobs.

- Imelda Staunton

Good, Doing, Idols, Leigh

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