Laurence Olivier Quotes

Powerful Laurence Olivier for Daily Growth

About Laurence Olivier

Laurence Kerr Olivier, born on May 22, 1907, in Dorking, Surrey, England, was a distinguished British actor and film director, widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century. His career spanned over six decades, making significant contributions to both the stage and screen. Olivier's passion for acting ignited early when he played Puck in a school production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." After attending Dulwich College, he pursued his acting dreams at the Central School of Speech and Drama. His first professional role was at the Old Vic Theatre, where he worked under renowned director and mentor Donald Wolfit. In 1930, Olivier made his West End debut in "Hamlet," a role he would later reprise on film in 1948, widely considered one of his most iconic performances. He also excelled in Shakespearean roles such as Richard III and Othello. Olivier's career flourished when he founded the National Theatre with director and producer Robert Helpmann and designer Joan Littlewood in 1963. As its Artistic Director, he championed the works of new playwrights while also reviving classic plays. Transitioning to film, Olivier directed and starred in the epic historical drama "Henry V" (1944), which earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. Other notable films include "Wuthering Heights" (1939), "Rebecca" (1940), and "Spent the Night Too Many" (1942). Throughout his life, Olivier was honored with numerous accolades, including an Oscar, three Tonys, two Emmys, a Grammy, and a knighthood. He passed away on July 11, 1989, leaving behind an indelible legacy in the world of theater and film. Quotes like "Acting is not about being someone different. It's finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there" encapsulate his philosophy and artistry.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Acting is all about honesty. If you can fake that, you've got it made."

This quote by Laurence Olivier emphasizes the importance of authenticity in acting. He suggests that if an actor can convincingly portray honest emotions on stage or screen, they have successfully mastered their craft. In essence, he implies that the key to great acting lies not just in technical skill, but also in the ability to emote truthfully and convincingly, making the audience believe in the character's feelings.

"The secret of good acting is simplicity."

The quote "The secret of good acting is simplicity" by Laurence Olivier emphasizes that great acting comes from a straightforward, authentic approach rather than excessive or over-dramatic expressions. It suggests that effective acting should resonate with the audience as genuine, relatable, and unpretentious. Therefore, simplicity in acting means using subtlety, naturalness, and understated emotions to convey characters, stories, and themes effectively without resorting to artificiality or exaggeration.

"To me, acting is the most marvelous, exciting, rewarding experience on earth. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."

This quote by Laurence Olivier showcases his profound passion for acting. He viewed it as an incredibly engaging, fulfilling, and valuable pursuit. In essence, he cherished acting so much that he would not exchange this life experience for anything else in the world. It suggests a deep-seated love and commitment to his craft, emphasizing the transformative power and joy that acting brings to him.

"I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, as a matter of deepest conviction and feeling."

The quote emphasizes Laurence Olivier's strong appreciation for the theater as an art form. He views it not just as a profession or entertainment, but as a deeply emotional and profound expression of human creativity. This perspective highlights his personal connection to the stage and his belief in its significant role in cultural expression.

"The stage is the only place for an actor. Films are for carpenters."

This quote by Laurence Olivier expresses his profound affinity towards the stage, regarding it as the authentic domain of actors. He considers films to be more suited for technical professionals like carpenters, implying that he sees acting on film as less fulfilling or authentic than performing live on stage. It emphasizes his appreciation and dedication to traditional theater craft over contemporary film production.

We have all, at one time or another, been performers, and many of us still are - politicians, playboys, cardinals and kings.

- Laurence Olivier

Been, Another, Still, Performers

'Richard III' is a really difficult play to film - it's involved, often obscure. I felt it absolutely necessary to do more simplification than I've ever done before.

- Laurence Olivier

Play, Necessary, Richard, III

I believe that in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, a great theater is the outward and visible sign of an inward and probable culture.

- Laurence Olivier

City, Small, Visible, Inward

We ape, we mimic, we mock. We act.

- Laurence Olivier

Act, Mimic, Mock, Ape

When you're a young man, Macbeth is a character part. When you're older, it's a straight part.

- Laurence Olivier

Character, Young, Straight, Macbeth

The office of drama is to exercise, possibly to exhaust, human emotions. The purpose of comedy is to tickle those emotions into an expression of light relief; of tragedy, to wound them and bring the relief of tears. Disgust and terror are the other points of the compass.

- Laurence Olivier

Purpose, Tears, Other, Relief

Nobody is going to pretend that I am younger than I am. Apart from anything else, it is in the papers all the damn time - every time I have a birthday.

- Laurence Olivier

Birthday, Younger, Going, Every Time

Living is strife and torment, disappointment and love and sacrifice, golden sunsets and black storms. I said that some time ago, and today I do not think I would add one word.

- Laurence Olivier

Love, Some, Add, Storms

It took me two years to walk around a chair with ease; it took me another two years to learn how to laugh onstage - and I had to learn everything.

- Laurence Olivier

Learn, Ease, Took, Laugh

I take a simple view of life: keep your eyes open and get on with it.

- Laurence Olivier

View, Keep, Take, Open

I should be soaring away with my head tilted slightly toward the gods, feeding on the caviar of Shakespeare. An actor must act.

- Laurence Olivier

Away, Gods, Slightly, Soaring

I suppose, unconsciously, I used all my wives to further my journey up the ladder.

- Laurence Olivier

Journey, Ladder, Used, My Journey

Surely we have always acted; it is an instinct inherent in all of us. Some of us are better at it than others, but we all do it.

- Laurence Olivier

Better, Always, Surely, Acted

Have a very good reason for everything you do.

- Laurence Olivier

Good, Reason, Very, Good Reason

I'd like people to remember me for a diligent expert workman. I think a poet is a workman. I think Shakespeare was a workman. And God's a workman. I don't think there's anything better than a workman.

- Laurence Olivier

Think, Diligent, Workman, Shakespeare

The actor should be able to create the universe in the palm of his hand.

- Laurence Olivier

Palm, Actor, His, Hand

If he was lost for a moment, he would dive straight back into its honey.

- Laurence Olivier

Lost, Straight, Would, Honey

I often think that could we creep behind the actor's eyes, we would find an attic of forgotten toys and a copy of the Domesday Book.

- Laurence Olivier

Think, Behind, Toys, Attic

Acting is a masochistic form of exhibitionism. It is not quite the occupation of an adult.

- Laurence Olivier

Occupation, Form, Quite, Adult

My stage successes have provided me with the greatest moments outside myself, my film successes the best moments, professionally, within myself.

- Laurence Olivier

Myself, Within, Provided, Professionally

Nine books have been written about me, and there's not a word of truth in any of them.

- Laurence Olivier

Been, Nine, Books, Written

I don't know what is better than the work that is given to the actor - to teach the human heart the knowledge of itself.

- Laurence Olivier

Work, Teach, Given, Human Heart

I can't think I've ever loved anybody quite as much... My mother was my life, really; she was my entire world.

- Laurence Olivier

My Life, Think, Anybody, Quite

Lead the audience by the nose to the thought.

- Laurence Olivier

Thought, Audience, Nose, Lead

A man's prime interest in life must be his work.

- Laurence Olivier

Work, Interest, His, Prime

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