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James Cromwell Quotes

Powerful James Cromwell for Daily Growth

About James Cromwell

James Cromwell, an illustrious American actor born on January 27, 1940, in Los Angeles, California, is renowned for his transformative roles spanning over five decades in film and television. Although he may not be as celebrated for his literary contributions as some other authors, his life and career are indeed a testament to artistic passion and versatility. Cromwell's interest in acting was ignited during his years at the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied drama. However, it was his military service that provided him with an unexpected encounter with Marlon Brando, who influenced Cromwell profoundly. The meeting marked a pivotal moment in his life, as it inspired him to pursue acting professionally. Cromwell's career took off in the 1970s, with his first significant role being John Adams in the Broadway production of "1776." His big-screen debut came in 1984 with Robert Altman's "A Wedding." However, it was his portrayal of Captain John J. Dunbar in Kevin Costner's "Dances with Wolves" (1990) that brought him international acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Throughout his career, Cromwell has demonstrated a remarkable ability to embody a wide range of characters, from the gentle Dunbar to the menacing Archie Bunker's bigoted neighbor in "All in the Family." He played President Alius in "Star Trek: First Contact" (1996), and the role of farmer Arthur Halloway in Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain" (2005). More recently, he appeared as Dr. Brenner in Netflix's "Stranger Things." Cromwell's life and work demonstrate an unwavering dedication to his craft, a testament to the transformative power of art and the enduring appeal of great storytelling. While not an author in the traditional sense, Cromwell has authored some of cinema's most memorable characters and continues to inspire audiences around the world.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The time is always right to do what is right."

This quote by James Cromwell underscores the notion that there is no specific, opportune moment for acting morally or doing the right thing; every moment presents such an opportunity. It emphasizes the importance of aligning our actions with ethical principles, regardless of external circumstances or personal convenience. In essence, it encourages individuals to take responsibility for their moral behavior and strive towards righteousness consistently.

"I don't believe in killing animals and eating their corpses; and I know for a fact that man, for example, could live without eating meat."

This quote by James Cromwell highlights his ethical stance against animal cruelty and supports the concept of veganism or vegetarianism. He expresses that he personally does not believe in killing animals and suggests that humans are capable of surviving without consuming animal flesh, implying a belief in an alternative, compassionate, and sustainable lifestyle for humanity.

"The key to everything in life is patience. You should learn patience, and be able to wait for the right moment to act."

This quote by James Cromwell emphasizes the importance of patience as a fundamental life skill. It encourages individuals to cultivate patience, which allows them to anticipate and seize opportunities at the right time rather than acting impulsively or hastily. Patience not only helps in making well-informed decisions but also fosters resilience, self-control, and peace of mind.

"There's nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come."

This quote emphasizes that ideas, when their time is ripe and relevant, possess immense power to shape and transform society. It suggests that some ideas, due to societal conditions or collective consciousness, hold a profound influence. When the zeitgeist (spirit of the times) supports an idea, it can galvanize movements, spark change, and bring about significant transformation. This idea is particularly poignant in discussing social justice, innovation, or cultural shifts, where the power of an idea is not merely in its conception, but in its acceptance and implementation by the masses at the right time.

"If we could see the misery of even one living creature, it would be enough to move a wise man to tears. But every day, there are hundreds of millions whose misery is hidden from our eyes... And who will speak for them? Who?"

This quote emphasizes the importance of empathy and advocacy for all beings, regardless of whether their suffering is visible or not. James Cromwell suggests that if we could truly comprehend the pain of a single creature, it would be heartbreaking. However, he points out that there are hundreds of millions of creatures whose suffering remains hidden from our immediate sight. He poignantly asks who will speak for them, implying a call to action for humanity to extend compassion and justice beyond our immediate circle, and strive for a world where all beings are treated with dignity and care.

During the run up to the Iraq War, Mike Farrell and I did get on television kind of frequently, but then they saw that that didn't work. They really couldn't bait us into being stupid, so they stopped. You know the mainstream media, corporate media, avoids ever giving anyone who has anything to say a platform, if they can possibly help it.

- James Cromwell

Stupid, Mike, Frequently, Bait

I don't know how many parts I've lost because a lot of the politics in California are very conservative, and I'm fairly outspoken. I always tried to get as much politics in as I could, because I do believe in class struggle, and I think that's what's left out.

- James Cromwell

Politics, Conservative, Very, Outspoken

Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life.

- James Cromwell

Pet, Responsibility, Pets, Nurture

The last part of life is a spiritual concern. You need to find a context to put your life into, that will allow you to go through it with as much grace and balance as possible, even if there is rebellion and adventure and exploration and resistance.

- James Cromwell

Through, Part, Allow, Context

'Barney Miller' was a lot of fun. I'm very fond of Abe Vigoda. Most - a lot of people on that cast - I really liked.

- James Cromwell

People, Very, Barney, Abe

I don't study films particularly. I plan to direct, but I'm not watching film - I watch the entire film to see how the story goes, but I don't say, 'Oh, so he does a slow pan here, or he pulls here, watch the crane shot, or look at the composition,' because it's got to be my eye.

- James Cromwell

Study, Here, Direct, Pan

I play an 89-year-old man whose wife has Alzheimer's in a movie called 'Still.' I play a World War II veteran, I acted with my son and it's called 'Memorial Day.'

- James Cromwell

Play, Alzheimer, Still, Memorial

I think the obligation of an artist is to make a difference in the world. That is what matters most to me. I think that artists are the leaders of the world because they do not have a connection to the industrial complex, the day-to-day short-term survival that most people are involved with.

- James Cromwell

Think, Artist, I Think, Make A Difference

I started in theatre. I was at Cleveland and I went to London for the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth.

- James Cromwell

Theatre, London, Shakespeare, Cleveland

I always change my words in everything I do. I make the language fit, because I know the character from the inside out. Often character actors are not in a position to do that, but I do it. I don't change any cue and I never change anybody else's lines, but I make my own words fit my mouth.

- James Cromwell

Language, Own, Anybody, Cue

I was going to design sports cars, but my father came to my college to visit me. At the time he was making a picture in Sweden and he took me there with him. I got to see Ingmar Bergman's company and I thought, 'Gee, filmmaking is a lot more fun than sports cars,' so I decided to follow him and go into acting.

- James Cromwell

College, Thought, Gee, Bergman

The kids know me from 'Babe,' but usually it is 'L.A. Confidential' that people remember, which was the second film I did. I have worked with some really good people and the films that I've done for the most part have been good.

- James Cromwell

Some, Been, Part, Confidential

When I did 'Babe' I wanted to talk about animal rights without going through some convoluted justifications about using animal products.

- James Cromwell

Through, Some, Using, Babe

I drove through the stockyards of Texas on a motorcycle. It doesn't let you escape what surrounds you and what it smells like and feels like - and what hit me was the realization that something that was alive and had feelings will suffer before a piece of it is placed on our plates.

- James Cromwell

Through, Feels, Placed, Feelings

Until men learn to celebrate and operate on the feminine aspect of themselves and stop the oppression of women, children, the environment, other species, we don't have a world to live in. It's not a world that anyone chooses to live in.

- James Cromwell

Celebrate, Learn, Other, Chooses

I'm an animal rights activist because I believe we won't have a planet if we continue to behave toward other species the way we do.

- James Cromwell

Other, Planet, Activist, I Believe

Often we're recreating what we think we're supposed to be as human beings. What we've been told we're supposed to be, instead of who we authentically are. The key about the creation of full self-expression is to be authentically who you are, to project that.

- James Cromwell

Think, Been, About, Self-Expression

The health of the planet is at stake, because the cruelty and the waste that accompanies the slaughter of billions of animals each year literally infects us all. We could consume healthy plant-based food produced at almost infinitely less cost. What does that say, really, about us and what we're doing... to animals and to ourselves?

- James Cromwell

Doing, Year, Infinitely, Produced

The attitude we have towards our personal pets as opposed to the animals that suffer under the factory farm is hypocritical and delusional.

- James Cromwell

Pets, Factory, Opposed, Delusional

I think the relationship of indigenous people to their environment... that those were ethical omnivores.

- James Cromwell

Think, Ethical, I Think, Indigenous

I auditioned for 'Revenge Of The Nerds,' and I so did not want the picture. I didn't want it. I didn't want be in anything that had nerds anywhere.

- James Cromwell

Revenge, Want, Had, Nerds

Anybody can call me Jamie, and you have to watch it when you call me James. Then there's going to be a problem.

- James Cromwell

Problem, Watch, Call, Jamie

'Jamie' is what my mother gave me, and that takes the onus off of being big. Somebody thinks, 'Oh, Jamie - how threatening can he be?'

- James Cromwell

Big, Threatening, Being, Jamie

What is magnificent about humans is when they decide to turn and stand. If they respond with non-violence on principle and hold their ground, they are really magnificent.

- James Cromwell

Non-Violence, Principle, Respond

The Academy Awards were basically created by the industry to promote pictures. They weren't really to acknowledge the performances. Then it became sort of this a great popularity contest and now, it's an incredible show and it's seen all over the world.

- James Cromwell

Show, Industry, Became, Popularity Contest

My first films were comedy, 'Murder By Death,' and 'The Cheap Detective.' But now they won't think of me as a comedian. Now, they think of me as a bad guy, and I can't do comedy.

- James Cromwell

Death, Think, Films, Detective

I was told by my agent that a number of big stars won't work with anyone two inches taller than them and most of them are under six feet, so you have to be prepared to have trouble.

- James Cromwell

Feet, Big, Agent, Taller

There is something intrinsically, systemically wrong with white, western culture, and if we don't fix it, it won't continue.

- James Cromwell

White, Wrong, Something, Western

We don't need to eat anyone who would run, swim, or fly away if he could.

- James Cromwell

Need, Away, Could, Swim

You don't just one day say, 'That's it, I'm doing this, I'm going to throw all my shoes out and I'm not eating honey and I won't drive my car because there are animal bones in the tires...' because you'd drive yourself around the bend.

- James Cromwell

Doing, One Day, Around, Honey

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