Nolan North Quotes

Powerful Nolan North for Daily Growth

About Nolan North

Nolan North, born on October 31, 1970, is an accomplished American actor renowned for his versatile voice acting work in video games, animation, and various other media. Nicknamed "The King of Voice Acting" by fans, he has lent his distinctive voice to numerous iconic characters, including Nathan Drake in the Uncharted series, Desmond Miles in Assassin's Creed, Ghost in Destiny, and many more. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, North's early life was marked by a passion for acting and performing. He pursued his interest at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama. His career took off in the 90s, starting with roles on television shows like Star Trek: Voyager and Seinfeld. However, it was his entry into video game voice acting that truly propelled him to fame. His breakthrough role as Desmond Miles in Assassin's Creed II established him as a force to be reckoned with in the gaming world. Since then, North has become a household name for gamers around the globe, with his rich and dynamic voice gracing countless video games. North's work is heavily influenced by his passion for storytelling and his ability to immerse himself completely in each character he portrays. His commitment to the craft is evident in the depth and authenticity he brings to every role. Apart from his prolific career, North is also known for his philanthropic endeavors, supporting various charities and advocating for mental health awareness. In a career spanning over three decades, Nolan North continues to captivate audiences with his exceptional talent, making him one of the most beloved figures in the world of voice acting.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Adversity introduces a man to himself."

The quote suggests that difficult times or adversity serve as a mirror, revealing one's true character and inner strength. Adversity challenges us and pushes us out of our comfort zones, helping us discover our resilience, courage, and resourcefulness. It provides an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery, allowing individuals to understand their true selves better.


"There is no such thing as failure. There are only lessons learned."

This quote emphasizes that setbacks, mistakes, or apparent "failures" in life are not true failures but opportunities to learn valuable lessons. It suggests a positive outlook on adversity, encouraging resilience and growth rather than despair or defeatism. The underlying message is that every experience contributes to personal development and wisdom.


"Life's not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain."

The quote by Nolan North, "Life's not about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain," implies that instead of waiting for challenges or hardships to end before we truly live, we should find a way to enjoy life despite the adversities we face. It encourages resilience and optimism, suggesting that we can find joy and meaning even amidst difficult situations, and that these experiences can help us grow and appreciate life more fully.


"Success isn't final, failure isn't fatal: it's the courage to continue that counts." (This quote is actually by Winston Churchill, but often attributed to North due to his voice work as Nathan Drake in Uncharted)

This quote emphasizes the importance of resilience in the face of both success and failure. It suggests that temporary achievements should not be taken for granted and that setbacks are not disqualifications, but rather opportunities to demonstrate courage and perseverance. Success is fleeting, while failure does not have to be fatal if one has the courage to keep going and learn from mistakes. This sentiment highlights a growth mindset, where progress and learning are valued over final outcomes, fostering an attitude of determination, adaptability, and continuous improvement in personal and professional endeavors.


"Every moment presents an opportunity for greatness or mediocrity, the choice is yours."

This quote emphasizes that every moment in life provides a chance to excel or settle for less, the decision lies with each individual. It underscores the power of personal responsibility and self-determination - the ability to make choices that can lead to greatness rather than mediocrity. The message encourages one to seize opportunities, make conscious decisions, and strive for excellence in all aspects of life.


I'm proud of the versatility I've had since I was in high school, getting in trouble for all these voices. What happened was that there were so many of these big heroes I played - in 'Dark Void,' 'Assassin's Creed,' 'Shadow Complex,' 'Uncharted,' and 'Prince of Persia' - and they all showed up at about the same time. It got a little ridiculous.

- Nolan North

Shadow, Big, About, Versatility

I studied journalism at The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. I did my graduate work at Emerson in Boston, and I was actually a reporter for a year in New York and New Jersey. It dawned on me that I wasn't cut out for that line of work. I mean... there's a certain thing that really good reports have that I just didn't.

- Nolan North

Boston, Dawned, Reports, Chapel Hill

There's something known as the Uncanny Valley where things look a little too real and you're not quite sure what you're looking at. It becomes weird like it did in 'The Polar Express,' where the eyes seem so realistic, and yet you know it's animated.

- Nolan North

Eyes, Express, Seem, Animated

I eventually became an actor, starting with doing stand-up comedy in New York and then theater wherever they would let me. Finally, I moved out here to Los Angeles and got on a show.

- Nolan North

Doing, Here, Became, Starting

I don't think 'Call Of Duty: Black Ops' sells 25 million plus copies and makes of a billion dollars because of their great storytelling. It's the multiplayer aspect of that type of game, where people get together to shoot each other and have fun. And it's very much gameplay; it's like 'Gran Turismo' or one of these racing games.

- Nolan North

Game, Storytelling, Very, Billion Dollars

My first motion capture game was with Sony - 'NBA: The Life.' It was very ahead of its time. Brandon Akiaten, he was the writer and director. He had a real vision of what this game was meant to be; it was a basketball game where I was the Jerry Maguire sports agent type guy. And it was great!

- Nolan North

Game, Very, Agent, Sony

I'm an actor. Whether I'm on stage, in front of a camera or a microphone, what I do is the same - although with videogames it requires a lot of imagination.

- Nolan North

Imagination, Actor, Lot, Camera

I revel in my anonymity. But when I'm at a specific event and gamers are there, they'll recognise me.

- Nolan North

Me, Specific, Recognise, Anonymity

The really best acting is children in a playground or in a backyard. They're just lost in their imagination. The backyard isn't a pirate ship or a jungle, in the same way that the soundstage isn't Shambala.

- Nolan North

Best, Ship, Pirate, Jungle

Of all the games I've done, the only time I've ever lost my voice was on 'Call Of Duty 2,' playing a rasping Russian captain on the Stalingrad level.

- Nolan North

Voice, Level, Russian, Only Time

Harrison Ford has always been one of my favorite actors. I grew up with Han Solo and Indiana Jones, and 'Regarding Henry' is one of my favorite movies of all time.

- Nolan North

Always, Been, Solo, Favorite Movies

When we did the first 'Uncharted,' we weren't able to capture the audio with the performances. We would go back and do A.D.R. - Automated Dialogue Replacement - in which you would hear yourself and then repeat your line. Even when we were doing that, there was a slight disconnect because you were trying to recreate a performance.

- Nolan North

Doing, Line, Disconnect, Automated

The tailor from 'Avatar' actually made my suit for 'Uncharted 3.' And no, it's not a hand-me-down from Sam Worthington. My 11-year-old would fit in Sam Worthington's. I'm 6' 1", 180 pounds.

- Nolan North

Made, Tailor, Actually, Avatar

Because Naughty Dog relies on their facial team to hand animate the faces of each game character and they do such a remarkable job, I think you can be more realistic with your acting. It gives the story and what's happening to you the feeling that it's a game.

- Nolan North

Game, I Think, Your, Faces

In 'Uncharted,' we do the scenes the same way you would do a film or television show. The motion capture - the performance-capture process - is what makes such a difference for this franchise. So I don't approach it any differently. The other actors and I go in and rehearse scenes together, and then we go in the next day and perform.

- Nolan North

Next, Other, Franchise, Uncharted

'Uncharted' is the best job I've ever had. Film, television, whatever - it's without doubt the best. It's changed my life.

- Nolan North

My Life, Doubt, Television, Uncharted

One thing that's unique to 'Uncharted' is something called 'chasing picture,' where Naughty Dog run a section of gameplay and I'm allowed to ad-lib over it. We call it 'panning for gold.'

- Nolan North

Over, Over It, Chasing, Uncharted

I don't think there's room in video games for people to bring an ego. It's very frustrating for any actor to have someone who's a celebrity take over your place. Like the 'Uncharted' film, they're trying to find someone to play Nathan Drake. And it's like, why do they not think of us? We do this.

- Nolan North

Play, Celebrity, Very, Uncharted

There was a time when all the actors were saying, 'We should get residuals on videogames.' I just kept going, 'You don't have any idea what goes into making a game, do you?'

- Nolan North

Game, Making, Going, Videogames

I've always had a penchant for dialects. I remember getting detention and being told, 'Have a think about where doing these funny voices might get you someday.'

- Nolan North

Think, I Remember, Always, Detention

I know a lot of games have been going to the facial capture. And movies like 'TinTin' are using it, as well.

- Nolan North

Going, Been, Using, Capture

I am a person who believes in the good of people and who may have had things influence them to a certain degree, but deep down I think most people are good and would like to be good.

- Nolan North

Deep, I Think, Had, Certain Degree

I've found a lot of the thinking in America is that a lot of people become actors to become famous. At least from my experience, I have a dozen or so British friends who are actors, and if you look at their body of work, and they'll go do theatre, and they'll go do this and this. They work, and they're always honing and trying to be better.

- Nolan North

Experience, British, Least, Dozen

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