Nelsan Ellis Quotes

Powerful Nelsan Ellis for Daily Growth

About Nelsan Ellis

Nelsan Ellis, born on November 8, 1978, in Harvey, Illinois, was an American actor best known for his poignant portrayal of Lafayette Reynolds in the HBO series 'True Blood.' Ellis's life was as vibrant and multifaceted as many of the characters he played. Raised by a single mother in a working-class neighborhood, Ellis developed a passion for performing arts at an early age. He pursued this passion, eventually earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. His breakthrough role came with 'True Blood,' where his portrayal of a wise-cracking short order cook who was also a vampire's confidante, brought him international acclaim. Ellis was not just an actor; he was a multitalented artist who explored various forms of art throughout his life. He wrote poetry, painted, and even dabbled in directing. His love for music was evident in his involvement with the rock band 'Stops Along The Way.' In 2014, Ellis made his directorial debut with a short film titled 'Six Degrees of Ellis.' The film explored themes of race and identity, reflecting Ellis's commitment to using his platform to address social issues. Tragically, Ellis passed away in July 2017 due to heart failure. His death at the age of 39 left a void in the entertainment industry, but his legacy continues to inspire. His work on 'True Blood,' as well as his commitment to using art as a tool for social change, will forever be remembered. Nelsan Ellis's life story is a testament to the transformative power of art and the resilience of the human spirit. His words continue to resonate: "Art is a means of survival for me, it's not just a hobby. I don't think I would be here without it."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"You can't run from who you are."

This quote emphasizes that it is impossible to escape one's inherent nature or identity. Trying to hide or disguise who we truly are, whether consciously or unconsciously, is futile in the long run. Embracing our authentic selves leads to personal growth, self-acceptance, and overall happiness.


"I believe in miracles. I think they're all around us."

Nelsan Ellis' quote signifies a profound belief in the extraordinary, the unexpected, and the transformative power of events in life. He suggests that we should not only accept but actively seek out instances where the ordinary is surpassed, where the impossible seems possible, or where change happens beyond our conventional understanding. This perspective invites us to embrace optimism, wonder, and openness to the mysterious and magical aspects of everyday existence.


"When the going gets tough, remember why you started. Don't stop fighting!"

This quote emphasizes resilience and persistence in the face of adversity. When challenges arise, it encourages us to recall our original motivation or purpose, which serves as a reminder of why we began on this journey. The message is not to give up but rather to keep fighting, demonstrating perseverance and determination until the desired outcome is achieved.


"Fear is just a signal that something is happening that we're not prepared for."

Nelsan Ellis' quote underscores the role of fear as an early warning system alerting us to unfamiliar or uncertain situations, prompting us to take notice, prepare, and adapt in order to navigate them effectively. In essence, fear can serve as a valuable catalyst for personal growth and resilience when acknowledged and leveraged constructively.


"We are who we are, because of where we come from."

This quote highlights the profound influence our origins have on shaping our identities. The "where we come from" refers not only to a geographical location or family background but also encompasses experiences, cultural heritage, and personal history that contribute to our unique qualities and perspectives in life. Essentially, it suggests that understanding one's roots provides valuable insights into understanding oneself.


Being different gives the world color.

- Nelsan Ellis

Color, World, Being, Being Different

Being different makes you beautiful.

- Nelsan Ellis

Beautiful, Makes, Being, Being Different

I empty myself out and fill myself with the character. I would play a devil worshipper, and I would fill myself up with whatever devil worshippers believe. Then, as myself, I empty that out and become Nelsan.

- Nelsan Ellis

Myself, Play, Devil, Worshipper

Whenever you have a character in which one of his defining qualities is his sexuality, it's always challenging, because you don't want to bring in someone who's going to play that in a phony way.

- Nelsan Ellis

Play, Always, Which, Defining

'Interview with a Vampire' is my all-time favorite. I also loved 'An American Werewolf in London.'

- Nelsan Ellis

Loved, London, Werewolf, Interview

Boot camp was the first time I got a heavy dose of discipline. It was the best thing that ever happened to me.

- Nelsan Ellis

Best, Discipline, Got, Dose

When you act with phenomenal actors, it makes your job much easier because all you have to do is react.

- Nelsan Ellis

React, Makes, Your, Phenomenal

I went from unknown to having no anonymity.

- Nelsan Ellis

Unknown, Having, Anonymity

Let gay people get married.

- Nelsan Ellis

People, Get, Married, Get Married

If you want to get married to a man, then get married to a man. If two women want to get married, they should get married. It's not hurting me.

- Nelsan Ellis

Want, Two, Then, Get Married

When you deal with Alan Ball, you're dealing with a person who is a genius in terms of how art imitates life.

- Nelsan Ellis

Art, Deal, Dealing, Alan

Alan Ball, he's good at challenging his actors, I'll say that.

- Nelsan Ellis

Say, Ball, His, Alan

Although I can be a leading man, you wouldn't look at me and go, 'He's a leading man.'

- Nelsan Ellis

Me, Leading, Although, Leading Man

Anna Paquin is marvelous, and she brings so much experience to the table.

- Nelsan Ellis

She, Brings, Marvelous, Table

I was quiet, and I was artistic. I liked writing poetry, and that was very strange, so I was bullied a lot.

- Nelsan Ellis

Writing, Very, Lot, Bullied

The beautiful thing about this country is that I can be a Christian and feel free to do so. Or somebody cannot be a Christian and do whatever that entails. Or somebody can be a Christian and still be gay, and I support it.

- Nelsan Ellis

Country, Still, Entails, Beautiful Thing

The ultimate part that I want to play in my life is Jimi Hendrix, so I guess I'm drawn to music even though I can't sing or dance very well.

- Nelsan Ellis

My Life, Play, Very, Hendrix

The sci-fi fans in America... they are die-hard. They will follow you to the ends of the Earth. Once they attach themselves to a show and believe in the show and love the characters, they're there forever, and they're unshakeable.

- Nelsan Ellis

Love, Will, Show, Attach

There were not many black students at Juilliard, unfortunately. So when you get there, you become very good friends, in particular, with the other black students.

- Nelsan Ellis

Black, Other, Very, Good Friends

The arts are suffering amongst public schools, but also, minority theater companies are struggling, and I firmly believe in freedom of expression through the arts.

- Nelsan Ellis

Through, Expression, Firmly, Minority

My mom's side, they're southern Baptist Christian.

- Nelsan Ellis

Christian, Southern, Side, Southern Baptist

I think, in this country, anybody can do whatever they want to do as long as it's not hurting anybody else or violating the laws of society.

- Nelsan Ellis

Think, Country, I Think, Hurting

At some point in my life, I wanted to be in a vampire movie.

- Nelsan Ellis

My Life, Some, Wanted, Vampire

Everybody kept saying, 'I just don't know how to sell you.' I'm odd. I don't think you can put a finger on me.

- Nelsan Ellis

Think, Finger, Everybody, Odd

When I moved to Chicago, I was coming from a school that didn't have any arts in Alabama. I essentially came from a town where the arts didn't exist and the desire for education didn't exist and wasn't valued.

- Nelsan Ellis

Education, Desire, Town, Chicago

I rejected being a lot of things that I grew up in, and yet I didn't. I got all my tactics from where I grew up... I can talk about all the people in those environments more than I can talk about the teachers at Juilliard or anyone else.

- Nelsan Ellis

Got, Rejected, Environments, Tactics

I am a vampire/werewolf and sci-fi fanatic. God is so good! I get to play in a series that has all that!

- Nelsan Ellis

Good, Play, Am, Fanatic

My idea of horses is from when I grew up on a farm. They were big, and they were dumb.

- Nelsan Ellis

Big, Idea, Were, Farm

I had no intention of being an actor.

- Nelsan Ellis

Actor, Had, Being, Intention

When you're in a position that you can comfortably give, you need to pay it forward.

- Nelsan Ellis

Forward, Give, Need, Comfortably

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