Michael Moriarty Quotes

Powerful Michael Moriarty for Daily Growth

About Michael Moriarty

Michael Moriarty (born July 6, 1945), an accomplished American actor, screenwriter, and novelist, is best known for his contributions to literature as well as the small and big screen. Born in New York City, Moriarty developed a passion for acting early on, studying at the prestigious Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre alongside fellow actors John Malkovich and Harold Gould. His acting career took flight in the 1970s, with notable roles in television series such as "Law & Order" (portraying Detective Lennie Briscoe) and "Columbo" (in the episode "Publish or Perish"). Moriarty's performances earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1986. In addition to his acting endeavors, Moriarty has penned several novels, including the critically acclaimed "The Ghost Sonata" and "Ghostland." His literary works often delve into the supernatural and metaphysical realms, reflecting his interest in spirituality. The themes of these novels are said to have been influenced by authors like H.P. Lovecraft, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Edgar Allan Poe. Moriarty's life has also been marked by political activism. In the 1980s, he ran for U.S. Senate as a member of the Libertarian Party, advocating for civil liberties and individual freedoms. His unconventional campaign, which included performing Shakespearean sonnets on Capitol Hill, showcased his creative spirit and political convictions. Today, Michael Moriarty continues to act, write, and inspire through his diverse body of work that spans film, television, and literature. His legacy as a captivating actor and thought-provoking author is one that endures, leaving a lasting impact on audiences and the creative industry alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Art is a way to say something that can't be said any other way."

This quote emphasizes that art serves as an unique medium for expressing ideas, emotions, or experiences that cannot be conveyed through ordinary language or logical reasoning. In essence, it suggests that art is a powerful tool for communicating the intangible, the abstract, and the deeply personal.


"The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery."

The quote by Michael Moriarty suggests that an artist's role is not merely to provide answers or solutions, but to maintain a sense of intrigue and depth in their work. By subtly weaving layers of meaning into their art, they encourage viewers to engage more deeply, question, and perhaps find new insights about themselves and the world around them. This deepening of mystery fosters an ongoing connection between the artist and audience, inviting continuous interpretation and reflection.


"Art has its own language, and it needs no translation."

This quote emphasizes that art is a universal language, transcending the constraints of spoken or written words. It suggests that the essence and emotion behind any piece of art can be understood without needing to decipher meanings through translation. Art communicates directly with people, touching their hearts and minds in a unique, unspoken way.


"I think the role of the artist is to try to expand our sense of reality, not to narrow it."

Michael Moriarty's quote emphasizes the artist's purpose as one who pushes the boundaries of what we perceive as reality, instead of confining it. This means that artists challenge established norms, provoke thought, and introduce new perspectives to broaden our understanding of the world. By stretching our sense of reality, they encourage growth, curiosity, and empathy, ultimately making us more open-minded individuals.


"It's not the job of the actor to be himself, but to represent a character."

This quote suggests that an actor's role is not to portray themselves, but rather to embody a fictional character convincingly on stage or screen. The actor uses their skills, such as understanding emotions, body language, and speech, to bring the character to life, making it believable for the audience. This allows the viewers to become immersed in the story, forgetting that they are watching an actor. Essentially, Michael Moriarty is highlighting the importance of method acting, where an actor fully inhabits a character, rather than simply performing as themselves.


I know a lot about Canadian politics. I lived in Canadian bars for six years.

- Michael Moriarty

Politics, Six, Lot, Bars

I've become so earthy. And I never was earthy. I'm doing all kinds of different roles which are not at all like the intellectual and the legal mind of Ben Stone.

- Michael Moriarty

Mind, Doing, Which, Stone

The biggest threat to any politician is an artist. Comedians unleashed can do a great deal of damage. David Letterman can do more damage than any Republican assault by Newt Gingrich.

- Michael Moriarty

Deal, Assault, Damage, Unleashed

I'm the American Winston Churchill.

- Michael Moriarty

American, Churchill, Winston

Violent drama has been a hallmark of every great civilization. It is not the cause of the disease - it is an immunizing factor. People go to the theater to experience emotions like fear and loathing. Violent drama shows us where we come from. It makes us face our hypocrisy.

- Michael Moriarty

Civilization, Been, Violent, Factor

The attorney general should be enforcing the law, not policy.

- Michael Moriarty

Law, General, Enforcing, Attorney

Obama's IRS is not the IRS I've ever known for over seventy years as an American citizen.

- Michael Moriarty

Over, Citizen, Ever, IRS

Laws against things like drugs are inhumane, and create an inhumane society and inhumane law enforcement. I know what's causing violence in America - the damn drug laws.

- Michael Moriarty

Law, Laws, Like, Causing

I've had the most wonderful life.

- Michael Moriarty

Wonderful, Most, Had, Wonderful Life

Everybody knows my life - it's an open book.

- Michael Moriarty

Book, My Life, Everybody, Open Book

Interviews don't go to the core of my life. Everybody knows my life - it's an open book.

- Michael Moriarty

Book, My Life, Everybody, Open Book

When I got political that blew our marriage out of the water. I was not the same person and I admit that.

- Michael Moriarty

Marriage, Admit, Same, Blew

If they want to talk about aliens and anything like that... that's part of the gift God gave us. That's what makes life exciting. We're pretty stuck, you know. What gives flight to our life is our imagination.

- Michael Moriarty

Gift, Flight, Part, Stuck

The New World Order run by the United Nations ain't gonna happen. Because they've shown their hand, and at least some corner of Congress and the American people are awake to it: they've blown it all.

- Michael Moriarty

Some, United, United Nations, New World

Once the Supreme Court in 1973 decided that infanticide could be legal, it not only ended America's 'inalienable right to life,' it threw the Golden Rule right off the shores of this continent.

- Michael Moriarty

Life, Rule, Continent, Shores

When I saw Paul Scofield do 'Love's Labor's Lost at Stratford,' that's when I saw the potential of the level of truth that could go on up there on a stage. I said, 'This is what I want to do.'

- Michael Moriarty

Love, Level, Could, Paul

I'm fairly certain that the seeds of Mel Gibson's extraordinary work 'The Passion of the Christ' were sown long before Islamic fundamentalists delivered their abominable message to America and the entire Judeo-Christian civilization.

- Michael Moriarty

Christ, Before, Islamic, Fundamentalists

Anything well written with good language and clarity and honesty is worth doing. It comes out of the same tradition as Shakespeare.

- Michael Moriarty

Good, Language, Doing, Shakespeare

I hate going to L.A. and dealing with the contempt people have for television and television actors. It's unbelievable the kind of attitude people take toward what is the most exciting medium we've got right now.

- Michael Moriarty

Dealing, Going, Unbelievable, Medium

I was born first to music. But I went into acting because my father knew so much about music he intimidated me. So, I picked an art form, he knew nothing about. So I could be my own man.

- Michael Moriarty

Father, Own, About, Art Form

Film is something that came later into my life. I had a Jesuit education, and I consider acting and the theater as kind of a calling - a vocation.

- Michael Moriarty

Education, My Life, Kind, Calling

I had a Jesuit education, and I consider acting and the theater as kind of a calling - a vocation.

- Michael Moriarty

Education, Theater, Vocation, Calling

I think if you open the door to government control of television, then you let in a host of questions about rights.

- Michael Moriarty

Door, Think, I Think, Government Control

My musical influences are from the '50s: Bill Evans, Miles Davis and Ahmad Jamal.

- Michael Moriarty

Miles, Musical, Davis, Bill

As long as I'm an hour away from a major airport, I can get to that job.

- Michael Moriarty

Away, Hour, Major, Airport

Never lose your faith in the American Dream. She's a nation under God, and God has never let a good American down.

- Michael Moriarty

Faith, Lose, Nation, American Dream

I consider myself a kind of a one-man government-in-exile. I don't want to call it a government - let's call it one man's idea of American freedom in exile.

- Michael Moriarty

Myself, Kind, Idea, Exile

I'm very privileged to be the celebrity I am.

- Michael Moriarty

I Am, Celebrity, Very, Privileged

Life is best when you are in love.

- Michael Moriarty

Love, Life, You, Best

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