Kitty Carlisle Quotes

Powerful Kitty Carlisle for Daily Growth

About Kitty Carlisle

Kitty Carlisle Hart (born Catherine Connelly; May 13, 1910 – January 17, 2007), an accomplished actress, author, vocalist, and panelist, was a versatile figure in the entertainment industry spanning several decades. Born in New York City to a well-known family, she was the granddaughter of J.P. Morgan's lawyer, John W. Foster, and great-niece of President William Howard Taft. Carlisle attended Miss Chapin's School and Vassar College, where she excelled in academics and debate. However, her passion for the arts led her to join the Neighborhood Playhouse in 1928. There, she honed her skills under the tutelage of Sanford Meisner and Harold Clurman. Her stage career began with minor roles before achieving prominence in the 1930s as a chorus girl in "Anything Goes" and later starring in "Of Thee I Sing," for which she won the first female Tony Award. In the 1950s, Carlisle transitioned to television, becoming a regular panelist on "To Tell the Truth." Her wit and intellect were widely admired, earning her the nickname "First Lady of Panels." Concurrently, she continued acting in films and on Broadway. Notable works include "Porgy and Bess," "The Seven Year Itch," and "Annie Get Your Gun." Carlisle also authored several books, including "My First Hundred Years: An Autobiography" (1984), which offered a candid look into her life. Her last book, "Kitty's Counselor: A Memoir" (2005), explored her experiences as a panelist on game shows. Throughout her life, Carlisle was married three times, most notably to Moss Hart, a renowned playwright and director. In 1970, she was appointed the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts by President Richard Nixon, serving until 1974. Kitty Carlisle Hart's significant contributions to theater, television, literature, and arts administration have cemented her legacy as a trailblazing figure in American entertainment.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'm not a has-been. I'm a will be."

This quote, by Kitty Carlisle, is a powerful statement about self-perception and personal resilience. She isn't dwelling on her past achievements or perceived decline ("has-been"), but instead expressing optimism and determination to continue excelling and achieving ("will be"). It shows her belief in her own potential and the ability to reinvent oneself, overcoming any limitations that might be self-imposed or imposed by others.


"The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age."

This quote by Kitty Carlisle suggests that the key to maintaining a youthful spirit lies in three fundamental aspects: honesty, patience, and self-presentation. Living honestly implies embracing truthfulness, authenticity, and integrity in all areas of life. Eating slowly encourages savoring moments, appreciating the present, and not rushing through experiences. Lastly, lying about one's age symbolizes the power of mindset; maintaining a youthful outlook on life can help one feel younger regardless of actual chronological age. Essentially, Kitty Carlisle's quote is a reminder that cultivating honesty, patience, and positive self-perception can contribute to a fulfilling and vibrant lifestyle, regardless of physical age.


"If you can fake sincerity, you've got it made."

This quote suggests that if one can convincingly portray sincerity or genuine feelings, then they have achieved a level of social adeptness or success. In other words, the ability to convincingly display authentic emotions, even when they are not truly felt, can be an important skill in navigating social interactions and relationships. However, it's important to note that while being able to fake sincerity may help one achieve certain goals, it does not replace the value of genuine emotional connections and honesty in building lasting relationships and trust with others.


"You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old."

This quote highlights that the physical process of aging is inevitable, but one has the power to determine their mental and emotional state as they grow older. It suggests a mindset where aging is accepted as a natural part of life, but declining in quality or vitality is not. Instead, it encourages maintaining youthfulness through positive attitudes, learning, and personal growth. Essentially, it's about choosing to age gracefully and actively rather than passively succumbing to the effects of time.


"When I was a child my mother said to me, 'In this world, Elisabeth, you are going to meet cynics, and fools, and liars, and crooks, and even hypocrites; but always remember that all these people are your friends.' As I looked at her in amazement, she added, 'No, not one of them is a friend. But they will all be useful to you.'"

Kitty Carlisle's quote suggests that while we may encounter a variety of negative and dishonest individuals in life, it's important to recognize their potential utility rather than forming personal connections with them. Essentially, the message is to learn from others, even if they are not inherently good or trustworthy, as they can still provide valuable lessons or opportunities for growth and progress.


I was born in New Orleans, and I wasn't allowed to go to the movies.

- Kitty Carlisle

Movies, New, New Orleans, Orleans

I was taken to concerts when I was six, seven years old, and sat in a box throughout the whole evening.

- Kitty Carlisle

Old, Six, Sat, Evening

My mother thought Hollywood was a den of iniquity, and people came to terrible bad ends there.

- Kitty Carlisle

Mother, Hollywood, Iniquity, Den

I get on the floor, and I can do things a woman a fifth my age can't do.

- Kitty Carlisle

Woman, Get, Things, Fifth

It never occurred to me that I looked like a movie star.

- Kitty Carlisle

Never, Movie, Occurred, Movie Star

I was near sighted. I was born myopic, and I got glasses, right after that.

- Kitty Carlisle

Glasses, Born, I Was Born, Near

So I got caught up in the same wave as everybody else and went right out to Hollywood, to make movies.

- Kitty Carlisle

Hollywood, Caught, Everybody, Everybody Else

The next thing that happened to me was that I, we, were living in Paris where I then grew up.

- Kitty Carlisle

Living, Next, Then, Paris

So in those days, they were scooping up any young person who could sing and look decent, ah, at the same time.

- Kitty Carlisle

Young, Could, Ah, Decent

It was considered oh, not proper for children to go to the movies.

- Kitty Carlisle

Children, Movies, Considered, Proper

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