James Macarthur Quotes

Powerful James Macarthur for Daily Growth

About James Macarthur

James Macarthur Quote (1947-2015) was an American actor and writer who left a significant impact on Hollywood through his versatile roles and profound literary contributions. Born on March 26, 1947, in Los Angeles, California, he was the son of prominent actors Robert Mitchum and Chris Huston. Growing up with such illustrious parents undoubtedly had an impact on Macarthur's interest in the arts. However, he carved out his own unique path, starting his acting career in 1965 with a role in "The Raiders." In the following years, Macarthur appeared in numerous television shows and films such as "Bonanza," "Bewitched," and "The Bold Ones: The Lawyers," demonstrating a remarkable ability to portray diverse characters. In 1973, he transitioned from acting to writing, publishing his first novel, "The Hustler's Handbook." This book offered an insider's perspective on the entertainment industry and quickly became a bestseller. Macarthur continued writing throughout his life, producing works like "Screw the Movie Business" (1975) and "The Acting Teacher" (1998). Aside from his literary pursuits, Macarthur remained active in acting, with notable appearances in shows like "Magnum P.I." and "Cagney & Lacey." His roles often showcased his talent for portraying complex characters with depth and authenticity. Throughout his life, James Macarthur was known not only for his contributions to the entertainment industry but also for his candid insights into Hollywood. His works offer a unique perspective on the world of acting, blending personal experiences with a keen eye for detail and an unflinching honesty that resonates with readers even today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."

This quote emphasizes the importance of resilience in the face of both success and failure. It suggests that achieving success does not guarantee a future of uninterrupted victory, while experiencing failure doesn't condemn one to continued defeat. The true measure of character lies in the ability to summon the courage to keep moving forward despite setbacks or disappointments. Essentially, it encourages persistence and tenacity in pursuit of long-term goals.


"The great secret of success is to go through life as a man of unwearied diligence, burning with this one purposeful flame; throwing the whole of your fuel into it at every step of your march."

This quote by James Macarthur emphasizes the importance of unwavering dedication and relentless effort as key factors in achieving success. The "one purposeful flame" represents a single-minded focus on one's goal, while "unwearied diligence" suggests constant hard work without giving up or losing motivation. By pouring all energy and resources into the pursuit of this objective at each step, one can overcome obstacles and eventually reach their desired destination. In essence, Macarthur is saying that the key to success lies in persistence, determination, and relentless pursuit of one's dreams.


"Character, in fact, is much easier kept than recovered."

The quote emphasizes that it's simpler to maintain good character traits than to regain lost ones. Building and maintaining strong moral principles requires consistent effort and positive actions. Once a character flaw emerges or a misstep occurs, the damage can be difficult to undo. Therefore, the best approach is to cultivate virtues diligently in one's life to preserve personal integrity.


"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear."

This quote by James Macarthur suggests that courage doesn't stem from the lack of fear, but from the understanding that there are values or goals that outweigh the fear one might feel in a given situation. It emphasizes that true courage lies in moving forward despite the presence of fear because the importance of the action outweighs the fear itself.


"The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary."

The quote suggests that success doesn't just happen; it is the result of hard work, dedication, and effort. In other words, success isn't achieved without putting in the necessary time, energy, and commitment to make progress towards a goal or objective. The dictionary definition of success implies achievement and prosperity, but these can only be attained through diligent work.


Beating the drums for Hawaii is not hard to do... the place just grows on you.

- James MacArthur

Hawaii, Drums, Grows, Beating

It's sometimes unnerving to think of that, and I wish it were possible for all children in the world to have the good fortune I've had in having a giving and loving family.

- James MacArthur

Think, Fortune, I Wish, Unnerving

We were living in a tumultuous time, when the world was upside down. Freeman produced a show that was black and white, the good guys versus the bad guys.

- James MacArthur

Living, Bad, Good Guys, Freeman

Six years ago, I completed the premier episode of Hawaii Five-O, and Jack Lord and I immediately realized that we had a good series, that this was a success such as we'd never hoped for!

- James MacArthur

Hawaii, Six, Hoped, Jack

I am happy to have now as Danny finally a more difficult role, in which I can shoot and fight.

- James MacArthur

I Am Happy, Role, Which, Danny

But I found out that bones with flesh are more interesting than bones without.

- James MacArthur

Bones, More, Found, Flesh

A woman doesn't just love a man. She loves who he is. And, who he is is dependent on what he needs.

- James MacArthur

Love, She, Needs, Dependent

Frankly - and believe me, I say this without any pretense - when I see the road I've taken, I have to say that thanks to good luck, because without good luck one can do nothing, I've come out pretty well.

- James MacArthur

Luck, Believe, I See, Pretense

But it's hard to sustain a successful acting career today.

- James MacArthur

Today, Career, Hard, Acting Career

My mother insisted that I have a normal upbringing.

- James MacArthur

Mother, Normal, Upbringing, Insisted

In the case of Five-O, I believe it was a combination of many ingredients - timing, chemistry, Hawaii.

- James MacArthur

Timing, Chemistry, Hawaii, Ingredients

It was an hour of sanity with the good guys winning, a situation where the world was right side up.

- James MacArthur

Winning, Good Guys, Side, Right Side

Walt Disney was not a merchant of sadness.

- James MacArthur

Sadness, Merchant, Walt, Disney

I don't think anyone connected with Five-O believed the show would last as long as it did.

- James MacArthur

Think, Connected, Would, Believed

Actually, if I could find a woman who was that wonderful; that understanding, well, I'd give her everything in the world that was in my power to give. And, I'd love her more than I ever thought it possible to love any woman.

- James MacArthur

Love, Woman, Thought, If I Could

Fortunately, I've also been an electrician, and that's a happy memory for me.

- James MacArthur

Memory, Electrician, Been, Fortunately

I just sold a farm in Missouri, and I own a ski lodge in Colorado with some Honolulu partners.

- James MacArthur

Some, Ski, Sold, Farm

They all went down in droves because just scenes of palm trees and beaches can get pretty boring.

- James MacArthur

Down, Palm, Pretty, Scenes

I had accumulated some capital and was at an age at which I was interested in generating income. But even though I was risk averse, I was interested in growth stocks.

- James MacArthur

Income, Which, Averse, Stocks

If the woman in my life, the one that I felt I loved enough to want to marry, loved my children, I'd know then that her love for me was deeper than I could hope for.

- James MacArthur

Love, Woman, My Life, Deeper

You know, as I do, actors who, having become worldwide celebrities thanks to a TV series, complain of their lot and declare themselves ready to drop it all.

- James MacArthur

Drop, TV, Having, TV Series

Some people say Hawaii is spoiled, but I don't think so. It's modern. It's a part of today's world.

- James MacArthur

Think, Hawaii, Some, Spoiled

I give a percentage of the earnings to the Motion Picture Home.

- James MacArthur

Motion, Give, Earnings, Percentage

And I had an old-fashioned idea that dividends were a good thing.

- James MacArthur

Idea, A Good Thing, Were, Good Thing

And after four years, I thoroughly enjoy Hawaii and the success of the show.

- James MacArthur

Success, Four, Thoroughly, Hawaii

Who knows what kind of life I might have had had I not been fortunate enough to have the parents I've had.

- James MacArthur

Kind, Been, Might, Fortunate

For years I have played the twenty-something lover.

- James MacArthur

Years, Played, Lover

The first year we actually did a lot of night shooting and the writers weren't even allowed on location.

- James MacArthur

Year, Actually, Lot, Location

I thought even if the show only lasted a year, it would be fun.

- James MacArthur

Thought, Would, Even, Lasted

When the major studios flourished many years ago, an actor was groomed, developed, and worked frequently at his craft. The studios really took care of their actors.

- James MacArthur

Craft, Took, Frequently, Studios

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