Julie Harris Quotes

Powerful Julie Harris for Daily Growth

About Julie Harris

Julie Harris (October 2, 1925 – August 24, 2013) was an acclaimed American actress, director, and author who made indelible marks on both stage and screen throughout her illustrious career spanning more than six decades. Born in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, Harris discovered her passion for acting at a young age when she performed in school plays. This early affinity led her to study drama at Bennington College, where she graduated in 1947. Harris' career took flight in the 1950s with her Broadway debut as Laura in "The Glass Menagerie," for which she won a Tony Award. She went on to earn a record-breaking six Tony Awards, surpassing any other performer in history. Some of her notable stage performances include "I Am a Camera" (1951), "The Member of the Wedding" (1950 and 1952 revival), and "Fallen Angels" (1967). Transitioning to television, Harris garnered further acclaim for her portrayal of Nurse Emily Garrow on the CBS series "Ben Casey," a role that earned her three Emmy Awards. Her memorable film roles include "Requiem for a Heavyweight" (1962), "The Bell Jar" (1979), and as Dr. Evelyn Harper in the beloved TV miniseries "Fauxtina" (1976). In addition to her acting endeavors, Harris was an accomplished author, publishing several works of fiction and non-fiction throughout her life. Her memoir, "The Hidden Heart: An Actress's Memoir," was released in 1987 and provided readers with a unique perspective on her career and personal life. Julie Harris left an indelible mark on the American theater and television industry as a consummate artist, and her legacy continues to inspire future generations of actors and storytellers.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The work an actor does is never finished. It goes on long after the curtain comes down."

This quote by Julie Harris emphasizes that an actor's role extends beyond the performance itself. The work an actor does involves not just delivering lines or embodying a character, but also in conveying emotions, telling stories, and evoking reactions from the audience. The impact of their performance lingers after the curtain falls, leaving a lasting impression on both the audience and themselves. This suggests that an actor's craft is a continuous journey of growth, reflection, and learning, long after the applause has ended.


"An actor must interpret life, and in order to do so must be willing to go to any length."

This quote emphasizes that an actor's role is not just about memorizing lines or imitating actions; it requires deep understanding and interpretation of life itself. To truly embody a character, an actor must be prepared to immerse themselves completely, pushing their boundaries and exploring the depths of human experience. This level of dedication allows them to bring authenticity and insight to their performance.


"I think of acting as a very subtle craft that has many facets to it. I find all its aspects fascinating."

This quote suggests that Julie Harris views acting as a complex, multifaceted art form. She appreciates the nuances, subtleties, and various aspects of acting, finding them all intriguing and worthy of exploration. Essentially, she's saying that there is more to acting than just delivering lines; it encompasses a wide range of skills and elements that make it captivating and rewarding.


"The theater is where the magic happens, where the impossible becomes possible. It's a place where you can soar on wings of fantasy and then crash into the depths of despair."

This quote by Julie Harris encapsulates the transformative power and emotional intensity of theater. She suggests that the stage is a realm where ordinary limits are transcended, allowing for flights of imagination and descents into despair. It's a place where illusions can be woven and stories brought to life, making the impossible seem possible, all within the span of a performance. This quote beautifully illustrates the captivating duality that theater offers - the ability to inspire hope and provoke deep emotion in its audience.


"I try to play characters who are as human as possible, with their flaws and strengths. That's what makes them interesting."

This quote by Julie Harris emphasizes her approach to character portrayal in acting, which is grounded in humanity. She believes that a character's authenticity lies not in perfection but in the balance of their flaws and strengths. By focusing on these human traits, she aims to make characters more relatable and engaging for audiences. In other words, she seeks to breathe life into her characters by making them as real and complex as actual people.


John Schlesinger had one of his friends designing it and he had never done a film before. Ten days before it started, they didn't have any costumes. I was rung up and joined up.

- Julie Harris

Before, Had, Joined, Rung

The actors nowadays, both young men and young ladies, don't always wear their period clothes as well as they might. They tend to stomp around a bit in them.

- Julie Harris

Young, Always, Period, Ladies

God comes to us in theater in the way we communicate with each other, whether it be a symphony orchestra, or a wonderful ballet, or a beautiful painting, or a play. It's a way of expressing our humanity.

- Julie Harris

Play, Communicate, Other, Orchestra

Richard Chamberlain on The Slipper and the Rose was lovely to work with. He wore the clothes so beautifully and sang his songs so well.

- Julie Harris

Work, Lovely, Richard, Chamberlain

A lot of it, as it is in any job in life, is being in the right place at the right time.

- Julie Harris

Right Place, Being, Lot, Right Time

I did a film called Dracula and it was very nice because I had lots of trips to New York on Concorde.

- Julie Harris

New, Very, Dracula, Trips

I saw a very good Hollywood film the other day. It was about Cole Porter.

- Julie Harris

Hollywood, Other, Very, None

On the speech day, the production designer, who has a lot of say in things, and sometimes I didn't agree with him but I had to do what I was told, wanted the speech day to be all in neutral colours for the women, which was a good thing.

- Julie Harris

Sometimes, Production, Had, Colours

I liked Live and Let Die, where money was no object.

- Julie Harris

Money, Die, Where, Object

I have to go back to my younger days, when I just adored Hollywood musicals.

- Julie Harris

Go, Hollywood, Younger, Musicals

There are wonderful museums with lots of photographs of 1920's musicals.

- Julie Harris

Museums, Lots, Photographs, Musicals

I liked The Slipper and the Rose, as I have already mentioned, because it was such a lovely film to do.

- Julie Harris

Rose, Lovely, Because, Mentioned

Sometimes the producer has more say and the director takes what he is given. On other occasions, you don't see the producer very much and the director is the one who it is all about.

- Julie Harris

Other, Very, Given, Producer

I got the boot once from Stanley Donen. The film was called The Little Prince.

- Julie Harris

Film, Once, Boot, Stanley

When you look at Darling and the Oscars, it has to be luck. It was a black and white film and it was the last time that there was a black and white Oscar.

- Julie Harris

Luck, Last, Oscar, Oscars

I wish we did have responsibility for the hair. I have been screwed up by the hair on many occasions.

- Julie Harris

Hair, Wish, Screwed, Occasions

That's another thing about today's stars that makes me glad that I'm not doing it any more. The stars come with ten people all around them. I don't know how you ever make any personal contact with them.

- Julie Harris

Doing, Another, About, Contact

I find shoestrings very hard work. I like big budgets.

- Julie Harris

Big, Like, Very, Budgets

I would loathe to work on modern films.

- Julie Harris

Modern, Films, Would, Loathe

I fell in love with Dorset and ended up living there for a while.

- Julie Harris

Love, Living, Fell, Ended

I really have a generation gap about modern clothes.

- Julie Harris

Generation, Modern, Gap, Generation Gap

I don't know much about football but everyone seems to say that it is all about possession.

- Julie Harris

Know, Everyone, About, Possession

You had to make sure that the tone of your dress was not the same tone as the curtains, for instance.

- Julie Harris

Dress, Same, Sure, Curtains

With the black and white films, one was concerned with tone.

- Julie Harris

White, Concerned, Films, Tone

You are lucky that I can't sing tonight because I might get carried away.

- Julie Harris

Lucky, Away, Carried, Tonight

I didn't know whether I wanted to be an actress or a singer then.

- Julie Harris

Actress, Wanted, Whether, Singer

But with period clothes, people know less so they accept the pretty drawing that I give them.

- Julie Harris

Give, Pretty, Period, Drawing

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