Laurie Metcalf Quotes

Powerful Laurie Metcalf for Daily Growth

About Laurie Metcalf

Laurie Metcalf is an acclaimed American actress renowned for her versatility in both film and theater. Born on June 16, 1955, in Carbondale, Illinois, she grew up in a family of educators, instilling in her a strong appreciation for the arts and education. Metcalf's acting career began in earnest when she attended Illinois State University, where she honed her skills as a theater student. Her breakthrough role came in 1978 with the television series "Roseanne," portraying Jackie Harris, the sarcastic, pragmatic sister of the titular character. For her work on this show, she was nominated for multiple Emmys and eventually won in 1992 and 1996. In the world of theater, Metcalf has also achieved significant success. She made her Broadway debut in 1980 with "The Heidi Chronicles" and went on to appear in numerous productions, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Wit." For her portrayal of Monica in Edward Albee's "Three Tall Women," Metcalf won her third Tony Award in 2018. Metcalf's film career includes roles in "The Sandlot" (1993), "Internal Affairs" (1990), and "Juno" (2007), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also voiced the character of Jessie on the Pixar film series "Toy Story." Throughout her career, Laurie Metcalf has been recognized as a talented and dedicated actress who brings depth and authenticity to every role she plays. Her work continues to inspire and entertain audiences across various mediums.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The greatest thing a parent can do for their children is to love their mothers."

This quote by Laurie Metcalf highlights the profound impact that a mother's love has on her children. It suggests that the most significant act a parent can perform is to extend unconditional love towards their own mother, as this love serves as a foundation for the nurturing and emotional security that children will in turn provide to their own offspring. Essentially, it underscores the importance of cultivating strong familial bonds, particularly between mothers and their children, as these relationships have far-reaching effects on future generations.


"There's something very powerful about being in a room with other women and realizing we're all connected."

Laurie Metcalf's quote highlights the profound sense of unity and connection among women. By being in the presence of other women, she suggests that there is an opportunity to recognize shared experiences, emotions, and perspectives, which can be empowering and strengthening. This sentiment underscores the importance of women supporting one another, fostering solidarity, and building communities that celebrate and uplift feminine energy.


"I think it's important for young actresses to remember that there are no small parts, only small actors."

This quote emphasizes the idea that every role in an acting career has value, regardless of its apparent size or significance. It serves as a reminder to aspiring actresses (and artists in general) not to underestimate themselves based on the perceived importance of their roles. Instead, they should strive to deliver their best performance at all times, as each opportunity can contribute to personal growth and future success. In essence, it's not the size of the part that matters, but the attitude and ability of the actor playing it.


"Acting is such a vulnerable thing to do because you have to be willing to put your soul out there."

This quote by Laurie Metcalf highlights the emotional openness and vulnerability inherent in acting, suggesting that for an actor to effectively portray a character, they must be prepared to expose their inner self or "soul" on stage or screen. This exposure can feel risky and vulnerable because it involves allowing others to see and potentially judge one's true feelings and emotions. The courage and willingness to take such emotional risks are crucial for creating authentic and compelling performances.


"Success isn't about the number of awards or accolades. It's about being proud of the work you've done and the person you are."

Laurie Metcalf suggests that true success is not measured by the quantity of awards or recognition one receives, but rather by the pride one feels in their work and personal character. This implies a focus on internal fulfillment and self-worth, rather than external validation, as a mark of achievement. By this definition, individuals who are proud of their actions, growth, and moral compass, regardless of accolades or awards, can be considered successful.


When one thing ends, you put it away and start from scratch on the next thing.

- Laurie Metcalf

Next, Away, One Thing, Scratch

No matter how many times you've done it, the early stages of getting a show up on its feet is very hit and miss. There seem to be thousands of options on every page to discover.

- Laurie Metcalf

Feet, Discover, Very, Stages

One of the hardest things about directing is just to be patient and remind yourself that you've been in Week 1 of a rehearsal process yourself, and you know what it feels like.

- Laurie Metcalf

Process, Been, Feels, Be Patient

I don't like working in front of a camera.

- Laurie Metcalf

Working, Like, Front, Camera

I'm not trying to blow out a camera lens or make the audience's hair go straight back from my sheer volume, sheer energy level.

- Laurie Metcalf

Audience, Go, Level, Camera

I don't like the camera. I get very self-conscious with it and then spend way too much time not looking self-conscious instead of being free, as I do on stage, to do my work.

- Laurie Metcalf

Like, Very, Self-Conscious, Camera

I had accidentally gotten a laugh on a line in a play I was in during high school. I got hooked, but I had no idea I would ever be able to support myself by acting. I knew no one in the business. I was from the Midwest. No one within a radius of a thousand miles was doing anything like that.

- Laurie Metcalf

Play, Doing, Gotten, Accidentally

When I get a beautifully written piece of material, I immediately start imagining how I would interpret it. I love just daydreaming about it for months, breaking it down, seeing where I can spin something. How I can turn this into the most fun ride for the audience that I can make it? That's my job.

- Laurie Metcalf

Love, About, Immediately, Interpret

I want to be thinking as quickly as I need to as soon as I hit the stage. I want to have a vocal warm-up.

- Laurie Metcalf

Need, Stage, Hit, Warm-Up

I watch episodes of 'Rosanne' now where I don't even know what the ending's going to be.

- Laurie Metcalf

Ending, Watch, Even, Episodes

I was horribly shy all through grade school and high school. But somehow I got up the nerve to audition for one play in high school - 'Auntie Mame.' I got a small part as the fiancee who comes on in the end. I got laughs. I wasn't shy at all doing the part. I can do anything on stage and write it off as a character.

- Laurie Metcalf

Small, Play, Through, Grade School

I can't even call it work. I'm a creative-a-holic. I love the tearing into new material.

- Laurie Metcalf

Love, Work, New, New Material

Onstage I'm the one in control - I'm not at the mercy of how an editor chooses to put the scene together later. I can do things onstage that I would never do in real life. It's very freeing.

- Laurie Metcalf

Control, Editor, Very, Mercy

I'm so thrilled to be here on the set of 'Supergirl!'

- Laurie Metcalf

Here, Set, Thrilled

I work just as hard and have just as much fun whether in a 50-seat house or in a 1000-seat house. It's a luxury to be in a tiny space every once in a while and a rush to be on a giant stage every once in a while.

- Laurie Metcalf

Work, House, While, Just As Much

Really, I'll go anywhere at any time to continue working in theater - it's a passion that I'm thankful I still have. It keeps me creative and on my toes and meeting great people. I can't imagine a better way of working than on a play.

- Laurie Metcalf

Thankful, Play, Anywhere, Great People

'Three Tall Women' is kind of fascinating. I had never seen it itself, and I imagine the audience will find it very intriguing to watch the reveal of who these people are and how they interact in the second act.

- Laurie Metcalf

Reveal, Very, Interact, Intriguing

I wasn't turning down film roles, let's put it that way. I was never really on that radar.

- Laurie Metcalf

Never, Turning, Roles, Radar

Theater opened up a whole new world for me. It was a freedom I'd never known before.

- Laurie Metcalf

New, Before, Opened, New World

You know, if a TV show dropped into my lap out of the blue, I would have a hard time turning it down because there just isn't the money in theater that there is on TV.

- Laurie Metcalf

Show, TV, TV Show, Lap

That was the beauty of 'Roseanne' and Roseanne herself. It could go dark; it could do issues.

- Laurie Metcalf

Beauty, Go, Could, Herself

I watch the Oscars in my pajamas like everybody else.

- Laurie Metcalf

Watch, Like, Everybody, Pajamas

I was always a secretary in the early days, before we decided we were brave enough to join Equity and see if this thing has any legs.

- Laurie Metcalf

Always, Before, Early Days, Brave

I'm hideously shy as myself, but on stage I can run around naked and bite the heads off fish.

- Laurie Metcalf

Myself, Run, Shy, Heads

My profession is about as far away from growing up in southern Illinois as you can get.

- Laurie Metcalf

Away, Southern, Profession, Far Away

I tend to root for characters who have a lot of negative qualities, but what's driving them forward is their passion. They're on a mission, and maybe their approach is misguided, but you can't fault them for giving 150%.

- Laurie Metcalf

Forward, Fault, Maybe, Qualities

I like contemporary, bare-boned writing. I don't like having the language that I barely understand get in the way of me interpreting it over to an audience. It's this barrier that I don't want to have to attack.

- Laurie Metcalf

Audience, Over, Having, Contemporary

I like to play a wide range of characters. The more they're unlike me, the better I like it.

- Laurie Metcalf

Play, Better, Characters, Unlike

I don't know if ISU helped me become what I am, but I know that if I hadn't gone there, I wouldn't be what I am today.

- Laurie Metcalf

I Am, Gone, Am, Helped

I've loved every minute of every hour I've spent doing theatre.

- Laurie Metcalf

Theatre, Loved, Doing, Minute

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