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Olivia De Havilland Quotes

Powerful Olivia De Havilland for Daily Growth

About Olivia De Havilland

Olivia de Havilland, born on July 1, 1916, in Tokyo, Japan, to British parents, was a prominent American actress known for her grace, talent, and enduring career spanning six decades. Raised primarily in California, she developed an early love for acting influenced by her older sister, Joan Fontaine, who also became a successful actress. De Havilland made her film debut at 21 with "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (1935), but it was her role as Maid Marian in "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938) opposite Errol Flynn that propelled her to stardom. Her portrayal of Melanie Hamilton Wilkes in "Gone with the Wind" (1939) earned her an Academy Award nomination, although she lost to her sister. However, de Havilland's career reached new heights when she won two consecutive Best Actress Oscars for "To Each His Own" (1946) and "The Heiress" (1949), making her the first actress to win two Academy Awards for performances in different films. In 1953, de Havilland filed a landmark lawsuit against Warner Bros., successfully challenging their studio system's contractual practices. The case, known as the "De Havilland Lawsuit," changed Hollywood by establishing the rule of seven-year contracts. Post-Hollywood, de Havilland continued acting in films and on television until her retirement in 1984. She was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy in 2005. Throughout her life, Olivia de Havilland remained active in various causes, including animal rights and the preservation of cultural heritage sites. She passed away peacefully on October 26, 2020, at the age of 104, leaving behind a legacy as an iconic actress, trailblazer, and advocate for artistic freedom.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness."

This quote suggests that true contentment or fulfillment lies in recognizing and accepting that one doesn't always need to be happy to live a meaningful life. It implies that there's value in finding peace, purpose, or satisfaction even in difficult or challenging times, rather than constantly chasing after happiness as the primary goal of life. In essence, it underscores the importance of inner strength and resilience amidst life's ups and downs.

"I am a very independent person and I have always been independent."

This quote by Olivia de Havilland signifies her strong sense of self-reliance and autonomy. It suggests that she values individuality, independence, and personal freedom above all else. Throughout her life, she has demonstrated a consistent commitment to making her own choices and forging her own path, without relying excessively on others. This spirit of independence is not only reflective of her personality but also has likely played a significant role in her success as an actress and her impact on the film industry.

"Life is perpetually offering us opportunities, and our job is to be aware enough to catch them when they come along."

This quote emphasizes the idea that life presents endless possibilities, often in the form of opportunities. It's a reminder that it's essential for us to stay observant and open-minded in order to recognize these chances when they present themselves. By being aware and proactive, we can make the most out of our experiences and grow as individuals. This perspective encourages us to seize the day and embrace life's endless learning opportunities.

"One can never live with both feet simultaneously in the past and the present; on the contrary, we are bound to trip up, because the present is a mighty big obstacle in the way."

This quote suggests that it's unwise to dwell too much on the past while neglecting the current reality. Trying to live simultaneously in two different time periods can lead to stumbling or being unable to move forward effectively, as the present presents its own challenges that need to be addressed. Instead, one should focus on the present and learn from past experiences to navigate the present more successfully.

"I was not an ambitious actress. I was just a girl who wanted to be a star."

The quote highlights that Olivia De Havilland saw her career as an actress not as a means to achieve ambition, but rather as a fulfillment of a dream. She wasn't driven by the desire for power or status, but simply had a childhood aspiration to become a star. It underscores her modest yet determined spirit in pursuing her dreams and becoming one of Hollywood's iconic figures.

I would prefer to live forever in perfect health, but if I must at some time leave this life, I would like to do so ensconced on a chaise longue, perfumed, wearing a velvet robe and pearl earrings, with a flute of champagne beside me and having just discovered the answer to the last problem in a British cryptic crossword.

- Olivia De Havilland

Some, Discovered, Prefer, British

I wanted to be what my high-school civics and history teacher thought of as a good American. That automatically involved taking an interest in government.

- Olivia De Havilland

History, Thought, American, Automatically

I feel like a survivor from an age that people no longer understand. I want to try to explain what the 1930s - the golden age of Hollywood - was truly like. People forget that America was such a different place then, not yet the dominant force in the world.

- Olivia De Havilland

Hollywood, Explain, 1930s, Different Place

I read the Scriptures at the American Cathedral on Christmas and Easter; that's it. It's a task I love.

- Olivia De Havilland

Love, Easter, I Love, Scriptures

I don't need a fantasy life as once I did. That is the life of the imagination that I had a great need for. Films were the perfect means for satisfying that need.

- Olivia De Havilland

Fantasy, Films, Means, Satisfying

I was naturalized right before Pearl Harbor. Nine days later, I would have been classified as an enemy alien. I might have been sent to a camp.

- Olivia De Havilland

Been, Nine, Before, Camp

I have the idea that anyone who has ever heard my name has the distinct impression that I was put under the sod years ago just before they buried Lillian Russell.

- Olivia De Havilland

Idea, Before, Buried, Sod

I was just a mini-star when we did 'Gone With the Wind.'

- Olivia De Havilland

Just, Gone With The Wind, Wind

If I watch 'Gone With the Wind,' I always find it interesting. I think, 'What's going to happen next? What's that character going to do?' But you know, you never really need to watch the films you made again. They stay inside you, always with you.

- Olivia De Havilland

Inside, Next, I Think, Wind

All of Hollywood was convinced that 'Gone with the Wind' would be a colossal disaster and rather hoped it would be.

- Olivia De Havilland

Hollywood, Convinced, Would, Wind

I felt 'Gone with the Wind' would last five years, and it's lasted over 70 and into a new millennium. There is a special place in my heart for that film and Melanie. She was a remarkable character - a loving person - and because of that, she was a happy person. And Scarlett, of course, was not.

- Olivia De Havilland

Happy, Years, Millennium, Gone With The Wind

By 1951, television had already made such inroads on the income garnered by motion picture companies that the Golden Era which had prevailed until then was beginning to disintegrate. And by 1953, it had come to an end. Hollywood was a dismal, tragic place.

- Olivia De Havilland

Beginning, Hollywood, Income, Dismal

The one thing that you simply have to remember all the time that you are there, is that Hollywood is an oriental city. As long as you do that you might survive. If you try to equate it with anything else you'll perish.

- Olivia De Havilland

Hollywood, Equate, Perish, Oriental

I was quite thin, and I didn't have to worry until I had my appendix out and a mysterious metabolic change occurred.

- Olivia De Havilland

Change, Worry, Occurred, Appendix

I had a very big crush on Errol Flynn during 'Captain Blood.' I thought he was absolutely smashing for three solid years, but he never guessed. Then he had one on me but nothing came of it. I'm not going to regret that; it could have ruined my life.

- Olivia De Havilland

My Life, Big, Very, Ruined

There are no words to describe my feelings for Errol Flynn.

- Olivia De Havilland

Words, No Words, Describe, Feelings

I am attracted by almost any French word - written or spoken. Before I knew its meaning, I thought 'saucisson' so exquisite that it seemed the perfect name to give a child - until I learned it meant 'sausage!'

- Olivia De Havilland

Thought, Perfect, Almost, French

I loved France, although I initially thought they were stubborn for always speaking French.

- Olivia De Havilland

Stubborn, Always, Speaking, French

I wouldn't wish overnight success on anyone. You have no real friends. Everyone works endless hours at different studios, so far apart. Even on your own lot, relationships were formal and often competitive.

- Olivia De Havilland

Own, Endless, Works, Apart

We were like a stock company at Warners. We didn't know any of the stars from the other studios.

- Olivia De Havilland

Other, Like, Studios, Stock

The TV business is soul crushing, talent destroying and human being destroying.

- Olivia De Havilland

Human Being, TV, Crushing, Destroying

Playing good girls in the 30s was difficult, when the fad was to play bad girls. Actually I think playing bad girls is a bore; I have always had more luck with good girl roles because they require more from an actress.

- Olivia De Havilland

Luck, Play, I Think, Good Girl

Famous people feel that they must perpetually be on the crest of the wave, not realising that it is against all the rules of life. You can't be on top all the time, it isn't natural.

- Olivia De Havilland

Famous, Natural, Perpetually, Realising

I'm all for typewriters, with instant carbon copies, and seeing films in cinemas.

- Olivia De Havilland

Seeing, Films, Copies, Cinemas

There certainly is such a thing as screen chemistry, although I don't believe you find it frequently.

- Olivia De Havilland

Chemistry, Screen, Certainly, Such A Thing

I have, indeed, lived most of my life overseas, but I've returned repeatedly to work in film, special television productions, and the New York theater. There have also been tributes and similar occasions that have called me back to Hollywood. I've returned so often, I almost feel that I've never left.

- Olivia De Havilland

My Life, Hollywood, Been, Overseas

How many women in this world are served breakfast in bed every morning by a gorgeous young man? I am. So how do I feel about older age? Crazy about it! Wouldn't trade it for anything!

- Olivia De Havilland

Young, Bed, About, Older

What bothered me was playing one-dimensional parts in films which were really about, 'Boy Meets Girl,' 'Will Boy Get Girl?'

- Olivia De Havilland

Which, Films, Meets, Bothered

When I was five, I discovered a secret box that contained Mummy's stage makeup. It was like finding buried treasure. I tried the rouge, the eye shadow, the lipstick. But I couldn't get the rouge off. Mummy spanked me terribly.

- Olivia De Havilland

Makeup, Shadow, Discovered, Contained

I would watch anything with Meryl Streep in it.

- Olivia De Havilland

Watch, Would, Meryl Streep, Meryl

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