Penny Marshall Quotes

Powerful Penny Marshall for Daily Growth

About Penny Marshall

Penny Marshall (October 18, 1942 – December 17, 2018) was an influential American actress, director, and producer, best known for her work in films like "Big" and "A League of Their Own." Born in the Bronx, New York City, to Marjorie Ward and Tony Marshall, a tap dancer, Marshall grew up surrounded by show business. Her brother, Garry Marshall, would also become a renowned actor, director, and producer. Marshall began her career as an actress on television shows like "The Odd Couple" and "Happy Days," where she met future collaborator Ron Howard. In 1977, she made her directorial debut with the hit sitcom "Laverne & Shirley," a spin-off from "Happy Days." The show ran for eight seasons and brought Marshall critical acclaim as a director. Marshall transitioned to film directing in the 1980s, beginning with the classic comedy "Jumpin' Jack Flash" (1986), starring Whoopi Goldberg. However, her most iconic work as a director is the 1988 film "Big," which starred Tom Hanks and earned Marshall an Academy Award nomination for Best Director. In 1992, she directed the critically acclaimed sports drama "A League of Their Own." Marshall's unique voice in Hollywood was shaped by her experiences growing up in a show business family, as well as her background as an actress. She was known for her ability to elicit strong performances from actors, particularly from women, and for her commitment to creating authentic, human stories. Marshall passed away in 2018 at the age of 75, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers. Quotes: 1. "I'm not going to waste a minute of my time on people who don't respect me." 2. "You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction." 3. "I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck." 4. "The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time." 5. "I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe after every night comes a dawn, and I believe in myself."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"You can't just sit around and wait for people to give you opportunities. You have to create them."

This quote encourages proactivity in one's personal and professional life, suggesting that instead of passively waiting for opportunities to come your way, it is more beneficial to actively create them. It underscores the importance of self-initiative and taking control over one's destiny rather than relying on others to provide chances for growth and advancement.


"Be nice to people on your way up because you'll meet them on your way down."

This quote by Penny Marshall emphasizes the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, regardless of one's current status or position in life. The implication is that a person's journey through life can be unpredictable and cyclical, and those who were once successful or powerful may encounter hardships later on. By being kind to people during their ascent, individuals are more likely to receive similar treatment when they themselves face challenges, as the goodwill they extended earlier will often be returned. This quote serves as a reminder that empathy, humility, and kindness should always guide our interactions with others, not just for personal gain but also because it fosters a positive and supportive community.


"Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to take the sting out of failure."

This quote by Penny Marshall emphasizes the importance of taking risks and making mistakes as key elements for personal growth and development. The idea is that these experiences, while potentially challenging or uncomfortable, ultimately serve to strengthen one's resilience and courage. The concept of "pain nourishing your courage" suggests that facing and overcoming difficult situations can fortify one's spirit, making them more capable of handling adversity in the future. In essence, the quote encourages embracing opportunities for learning and growth, even if they involve taking chances and making mistakes, as these experiences help us grow wiser and stronger.


"You can't have any kind of a successful marriage unless you enjoy spending time together."

The quote emphasizes that a successful marriage requires mutual enjoyment and shared interests between partners. It suggests that not only should partners share responsibilities, but also they should actively engage in activities they both enjoy to foster a strong bond of companionship and happiness in their relationship. This viewpoint underscores the importance of friendship, respect, and appreciation within a marital union.


"I never thought I was pretty - but I knew I was smart."

This quote highlights the character's internal perception of herself, revealing her prioritization of intelligence over physical attractiveness. Despite not considering herself 'pretty', she is confident in her intellectual abilities. The statement suggests a mature understanding that personal worth extends beyond physical appearance, emphasizing the importance of inner qualities such as intelligence and wisdom. It also implies resilience and self-awareness, demonstrating the individual's ability to find value and pride in their strengths.


I wasn't like a girly girl. I was a tomboy.

- Penny Marshall

Girl, Like, Tomboy, Girly

I do talk like a truck driver sometimes, or I curse. What can I say?

- Penny Marshall

Truck, Driver, Like, Truck Driver

Look at YouTube, how many talented people there are. It's a whole new world of how to express yourself. I don't know how to work that world, but take advantage of it.

- Penny Marshall

Work, New, YouTube, New World

Yankee Stadium was the only thing we had in the Bronx. It was an institution.

- Penny Marshall

Yankee, Institution, Bronx, Yankee Stadium

I tell stories so only the independents do that and they don't pay you that much. I'd rather do TV or an HBO movie.

- Penny Marshall

Movie, Stories, TV, Independents

I don't know one lens from another. That's not my job. It's the cinematographer's job. But I can talk to people.

- Penny Marshall

People, Lens, Another, Cinematographer

We all used to collect baseball cards that came with bubble gum. You could never get the smell of gum off your cards, but you kept your Yankees cards pristine.

- Penny Marshall

Cards, Used, Could, Gum

I have season tickets to the Lakers and the Clippers.

- Penny Marshall

Lakers, Tickets, Season

I have a strange combination of fearlessness and massive insecurity.

- Penny Marshall

Insecurity, Strange, Massive, Fearlessness

I want you to laugh and cry. That's what I do.

- Penny Marshall

Cry, Want, You, I Want You

You need to see what the actor needs. This one wants to be talked to privately. That one doesn't mind if you block it for them. Just tell me the truth and I'll adapt to it.

- Penny Marshall

Mind, Need, Needs, Privately

I was born and raised in the Bronx and my grandfather and my brother Garry were huge Yankees fans. One of my first memories is of them listening to a game on the radio and screaming at the radio. My brother would cry when they lost, and when I was really little, I didn't know why he was crying.

- Penny Marshall

Game, Why, Garry, Screaming

I have a grandson who is 20. He's a computer guy. I'm worried that he can't communicate without his machine. They have no personal contact with people. That's the bad part of technology.

- Penny Marshall

Bad, Communicate, Grandson, Worried

You had to learn at a certain age what sarcasm is, you know?

- Penny Marshall

Learn, Know, Certain Age, Sarcasm

I like arts and crafts.

- Penny Marshall

Arts, Like, Crafts

If you're not having a good time, find something else that gives you some joy in life.

- Penny Marshall

Some, Having, Something Else, Good Time

Movie stars are insecure like everyone else. That's why they go into acting!

- Penny Marshall

Movie, Like, Everyone Else, Insecure

My brother and sister were much older. They were planned. I was not planned for. I was called the mistake, amongst other things.

- Penny Marshall

Mistake, Planned, Other, Sister

I'm not someone who has had to deal with much personal drama outside of the usual: growing up with parents who hated each other, two marriages and divorces of my own. There was the cancer thing, too.

- Penny Marshall

Own, Deal, Other, Hated

I don't mind if somebody texts me but I'm not a big texter, the things are too small. I don't mind if they text, '7 o'clock,' that's fine, that's logistics but, 'What's up?' Get real! Pick up a phone!

- Penny Marshall

Technology, Small, Big, Logistics

Once I commit to something, I complete it. If I say 'no,' I mean 'no.' I just have to learn how to say 'no' more.

- Penny Marshall

Learn, How, Once, Complete

I'm very happy to watch a video at home with a friend rather than do dinner.

- Penny Marshall

Watch, Rather, Very, Dinner

I would much rather feel comfortable and feel beautiful, than to feel uncomfortable, but look fantastic.

- Penny Marshall

Beautiful, Rather, Would, Fantastic

I don't startle easily.

- Penny Marshall

Easily, Startle

People who text a lot are not my favorite thing.

- Penny Marshall

People, Text, Lot, Favorite Thing

I'll try anything. What are they gonna do, kick me out of show business?

- Penny Marshall

Business, Me, Gonna, Kick

The truth is that I am not a frump... I just enjoy being laid back.

- Penny Marshall

Truth, I Am, Laid, Laid Back

In my opinion, life is more important than show business.

- Penny Marshall

Business, Important, More, In My Opinion

I live in L.A., so I go to basketball games. But I love baseball.

- Penny Marshall

Love, Basketball, I Love, Baseball

It's better for me to go up against someone's passion with my passion and then clarifying something that he wrote. Then I know how to work around certain things.

- Penny Marshall

Work, Against, Wrote, Certain Things

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