Kelly Reilly Quotes

Powerful Kelly Reilly for Daily Growth

About Kelly Reilly

Kelly Reilly is a versatile and accomplished British actress known for her powerful performances in various genres. Born on July 18, 1981, in London, England, Reilly developed an early interest in acting, inspired by her family's theatrical background. Her father Tim Reilly is a well-known stage actor, and her mother Suzanne Everett-Reilly was a dancer with the Royal Ballet. After attending the Arts Educational Schools London, Reilly made her professional debut on television in 1998, appearing in episodes of popular British shows like 'Foyle's War' and 'The Upper Hand'. Her breakout role came in 2005 as Zoe Reynolds in the medical drama series 'Triage', which earned her a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress. Reilly gained international recognition with her portrayal of Charlotte Weld in the 2006 film 'Primeval' and as Abby Maitland in the supernatural horror series 'Being Human'. Her performance in the critically acclaimed 2011 thriller 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows', opposite Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, further solidified her status as a formidable actress. In recent years, Reilly has delved into independent films, including the award-winning 'Eden Lake' (2008) and 'The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby' (2013). Her exceptional talent and dedication to her craft have garnered her numerous accolades, including nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Award and the British Independent Film Awards. Away from acting, Reilly is an advocate for mental health awareness and has spoken openly about her own experiences with anxiety and depression. She continues to push boundaries in her work, captivating audiences with her raw and emotive performances. With a promising career ahead, Kelly Reilly is undoubtedly one of the most compelling actresses of her generation.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I think that when people are kind and compassionate, they're actually living in their truest form."

This quote suggests that genuine kindness and compassion reflect a person's true nature or authentic self. In essence, it implies that being kind-hearted and considerate towards others is not merely an act, but rather a reflection of one's innermost character, as it aligns with the universal human qualities of empathy, understanding, and love.


"It's really important to learn how to be by yourself and not be defined by another person."

This quote by Kelly Reilly emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and individual identity in relationships. It suggests that one should strive to understand oneself independently, without relying excessively on others for validation or definition. The idea is that having a strong sense of personal identity can prevent one from being overly dependent on a romantic partner or any other person, thus fostering emotional independence and maturity in relationships.


"The great thing about acting is you can pretend to be someone else for a while."

This quote emphasizes the transformative nature of acting, where an actor assumes another person's identity temporarily to portray their experiences, emotions, and actions convincingly on stage or screen. It suggests that acting provides a unique opportunity for self-expression and exploration beyond one's own limitations, allowing individuals to step into different worlds and perspectives. By immersing themselves in diverse characters, actors can broaden their understanding of humanity, empathy, and the human condition.


"I think everyone's got a story in them, and sometimes it takes a lifetime to write it."

This quote implies that each person has a unique narrative or tale within them, and the process of fully expressing or realizing this story can take a lifetime. It suggests that personal growth, experiences, and reflection contribute significantly to the development of one's story over the course of their life.


"I'm really interested in the complexity of human beings and their relationships with each other."

This quote by Kelly Reilly indicates her curiosity and fascination towards understanding the intricate nature of humans, particularly focusing on their emotional connections and interactions with one another. It suggests a deep interest in exploring the complexities of the human psyche and the dynamics that shape relationships between individuals.


My dad is such a good man, hard-working.

- Kelly Reilly

Man, Hard-Working, Dad, A Good Man

I hate to say that my mother was 'just a housewife', because in addition to that she has had lots of part-time secretarial jobs in factories and hospitals, always working really hard for our family.

- Kelly Reilly

Always, Hospitals, Jobs, Part-Time

The British theatre and establishment is so hard to penetrate, and there are so many talented people involved in it. So, to be counted among some of those actresses... It doesn't get better than that.

- Kelly Reilly

Some, Talented People, Counted

You know, I really enjoy longevity. I see actors in their forties and they just turn out these really fabulous roles and characters. You know who they are, but you wouldn't necessarily know their names.

- Kelly Reilly

Enjoy, I See, Roles, Longevity

I'm not a show-off; I'm not an exhibitionist.

- Kelly Reilly

Exhibitionist

Auditioning is a horrible experience because you know you are being absolutely scrutinized and judged. There are days where you can do it and days where it's just not happening, and I feel like that's how it is with all artists; you have some days it kind of works.

- Kelly Reilly

Feel, Some, Works, Scrutinized

I don't want to be doing fashion shoots and being interviewed about where I shop. Who cares?

- Kelly Reilly

Doing, Cares, Shop, Shoots

You put yourself on tape as an actor a lot - and you send them off, they go out into the ether, and you have no idea what's going to come back, or when.

- Kelly Reilly

Idea, Going, Ether, Send

I act because I have to, because I need to find out whether I can do it or not - that's what drives me and excites me and lights me up.

- Kelly Reilly

Need, I Can, Out, Lights

I'd prefer to go under the radar and just do the acting without being famous for it.

- Kelly Reilly

Famous, Go, Prefer, Radar

Obviously, education is hugely important, along with healthcare. They're the basics and you're hurting your own country if you don't pour money into them.

- Kelly Reilly

Basics, Country, Hugely, Hurting

My family believe you should never be flashy about anything. Maybe that handicapped me a little bit, that extreme humility.

- Kelly Reilly

Humility, Maybe, Flashy, Handicapped

Women do well in their thirties. They put their bags down and say, 'This is who I am - like it or lump it.' There is a more relaxed quality, which I like.

- Kelly Reilly

Like, Which, Bags, Thirties

Theatre is where my heart is. It's where I can do my best work. And even if I do films and TV, that's what I want to come back to.

- Kelly Reilly

Work, TV, Films, Best Work

Literally, I don't know where life is gonna go from one day to the next, and that's as exciting as it is tiring.

- Kelly Reilly

Next, Literally, Gonna, Tiring

There is a part of me that is not fulfilled by acting. It is a self-involved life; it can feel shallow, but not very often.

- Kelly Reilly

Me, Part, Very, Shallow

I need someone who understands an artist's mentality. I couldn't be with someone who wouldn't let me have my freedom.

- Kelly Reilly

Freedom, Need, Someone, Understands

I'd love to work on a real girl piece with some fabulous actresses. I feel like I've worked with so many men.

- Kelly Reilly

Love, Some, Like, Fabulous

At my school, Shakespeare wasn't on the syllabus - at least not for me.

- Kelly Reilly

School, Me, Least, Shakespeare

When I was younger, I used to write to directors when I was unsure I could play a role. I'd say: 'You've made a terrible mistake.'

- Kelly Reilly

Mistake, Play, Role, Unsure

I love actresses who are brave and don't do what's expected of them or don't play off how they look or take risks.

- Kelly Reilly

Love, Play, Expected, Brave

Being at the pinnacle of my career is not to turn up in some multiplex blockbuster.

- Kelly Reilly

Career, Some, Pinnacle, Blockbuster

I've no wish to appear in celebrity magazines.

- Kelly Reilly

Wish, Celebrity, Magazines, Appear

My personal life, my normal life, is so important to me. To be able to go back to my personal life and leave characters behind is important; I don't keep them with me.

- Kelly Reilly

Behind, Go, Normal, Normal Life

Acting has always been such escapism for me.

- Kelly Reilly

Me, Always, Been, Escapism

I think when you're an actor and you're drawing on your emotions all the time, you need to be quite steady.

- Kelly Reilly

Think, Emotions, I Think, Steady

I'm a theater actress. I love rehearsal. I could have six weeks of rehearsal and think it's not enough. But on film, you don't get that luxury.

- Kelly Reilly

Love, Think, Actress, Luxury

I love strong women in films that are allowed to play women and not male fantasies.

- Kelly Reilly

Love, Play, Films, Strong Women

I'm not temperamentally into high comedy. I'm not a Noel Coward kind of girl.

- Kelly Reilly

Comedy, Kind, High, Coward

As an actor, you always want to keep it different, change it up, and, you know, just to keep yourself inspired and work with interesting characters.

- Kelly Reilly

Work, Want, Always, Inspired

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.