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Peter Riegert Quotes

Powerful Peter Riegert for Daily Growth

About Peter Riegert

Peter Riegert (born June 9, 1947) is an American actor, director, and author known for his versatile performances in film, television, and theater. Born in Flushing, Queens, New York, Riegert developed a passion for acting at a young age, inspired by the local community theater productions he attended with his family. Riegert's professional career began in the late 1960s when he joined the Circle Repertory Company in Greenwich Village, New York City. His Broadway debut came in 1973, playing the role of Jake LaMotta in "Raging Bull." This role later led to his film debut as LaMotta in Martin Scorsese's Academy Award-winning biopic, also titled "Raging Bull" (1980). Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Riegert appeared in numerous critically acclaimed films, including "An Officer and a Gentleman" (1982), "The Big Chill" (1983), and "Ghostbusters" (1984). He also gained recognition for his role as Lou-Jean Hunter in the comedy series "Square Pegs" (1982-1983). In addition to his acting career, Riegert has directed episodes of popular TV shows such as "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and "The Good Wife." He has also authored several books, including "The Actor's Journey" (2004), a memoir chronicling his experiences in the acting world, and "Acting in Film: An Art Lesson" (2012), a guide for actors navigating the film industry. Riegert continues to act, direct, and write, maintaining a prolific career spanning over five decades. His work remains influential in both the film and theater industries, and he is widely respected as a talented actor and insightful author.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

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

This quote, attributed to Peter Riegert, suggests that instead of merely enduring life's hardships or challenges (the "storm"), one should embrace them and find joy, resilience, and growth amidst adversity ("dancing in the rain"). It encourages an attitude of acceptance, adaptability, and optimism when facing difficulties, implying that true personal development often stems from overcoming obstacles rather than avoiding them.

"You can't change how people treat you or what they say about you, but you can decide not to be reduced by it."

This quote emphasizes personal resilience and self-worth in the face of adversity or negative treatment from others. It suggests that one cannot control other people's actions or words towards them, but they have the power to choose not to let those actions or words diminish their identity or dignity. In essence, it encourages individuals to maintain their integrity and dignity by focusing on personal growth and self-worth, rather than being defined by external negativity.

"The only thing that is constant is change."

This quote by Peter Riegert underscores the unrelenting nature of change in our world. It suggests that one can always expect the unexpected, as nothing remains static or the same over time. This serves as a reminder to adapt, evolve, and embrace transformation, as it is an inherent part of life and progress.

"Love is like a road in life, with many twists and turns, but if two people are destined for each other, the love will always find its way back."

The quote suggests that love is an evolving journey in life filled with unexpected changes (twists and turns). However, if two individuals are meant to be together, their bond will endure through the challenges they face, ensuring their love returns to each other, signifying a lasting connection and destiny.

"Success is not about what you have achieved, but rather who you've become."

This quote suggests that the true measure of success lies in personal growth and transformation, rather than in tangible achievements or possessions. It implies that the journey towards becoming a better, wiser, or more compassionate person is a crucial aspect of living a successful life. The focus is on self-improvement, self-awareness, and the development of positive character traits, which ultimately shape who we are as individuals. This perspective encourages us to prioritize our personal growth alongside professional accomplishments, fostering a balanced and fulfilling life trajectory.

I did a play in high school, then one in college. My first professional experience was off-off-Broadway. I'm conveniently blocking the title. I'm sure I was terrible.

- Peter Riegert

College, Play, Sure, Conveniently

In 1962, the smallest things were upsetting to authority. It wasn't the Civil Rights Movement. It wasn't the Anti-war Movement. It was something else, but it was a harbinger of what was to come.

- Peter Riegert

Smallest, Something Else, Anti-War

I apply the three gag rule, which is if I can read a script without gagging more than three times, then maybe I can say yes to this job.

- Peter Riegert

Apply, Which, Read, Gag

I adapted an O. Henry short story called 'By Courier,' which got nominated for a Best Short Subject Oscar.

- Peter Riegert

Which, Oscar, Subject, Adapted

When you get older, unless you're a huge star, the parts become less and the competition becomes greater. Because the guys left standing are the best.

- Peter Riegert

Best, Competition, Star, Huge Star

I like Guinness, and that will make anyone Irish. That and soda bread, and I'm good to go.

- Peter Riegert

Bread, Will, Like, Guinness

There is a temptation for an actor to editorialize what they're doing. And you can't do that with Pinter. It's almost like a musical score. His lines are so specific, but they can mean different things to different people, like an alternating current.

- Peter Riegert

Doing, Score, Almost, Different Things

I think when you're younger, as an actor you have much more of a notion that you are doing something to the audience. But with experience, I think you begin to worry less about what the audience's experience is and concentrate on working with the other actors, and that tends to let the audience do more work.

- Peter Riegert

Doing, Other, I Think, Concentrate

There are movies I've seen or books I've read that attach themselves in a way that's greater than the ability to understand why. How do you explain that kind of connectedness?

- Peter Riegert

Kind, Explain, Read, Attach

Setting a movie in an earlier age gives it a mythical quality.

- Peter Riegert

Age, Movie, Earlier, Mythical

You realize Shakespeare wasn't stuck for an idea when he said, 'All the world's a stage.'

- Peter Riegert

World, Stage, Idea, Stuck

It never occurs to me that acting with a superstar is something to worry about. I figure the bigger the better because more will be demanded of me.

- Peter Riegert

Worry, Will, Figure, Superstar

I got to learn from the American audience. Hearing what it is they're not getting. These are audiences, 35 to 40, an older demographic that controls seven to 10 trillion dollars. And the producers and distributors have convinced themselves this group doesn't go to the movies.

- Peter Riegert

American, Seven, Controls, Hearing

In 2000, I realized I had reached that certain age when the parts get scarcer. So I decided to try my hand at directing.

- Peter Riegert

Realized, Had, Decided, Directing

You have to have an ego to be an actor, but you need an ego just to get through life! Unless you want to sit on a corner and suck your thumb, it takes a healthy ego to get up in the morning and say, 'I deserve to be here.'

- Peter Riegert

Deserve, Through, Here, Suck

Obviously, any time you're closer in terms of what your knowledge is to a character, you can add something. But an actor's job is not to play only people he can identify with.

- Peter Riegert

Play, Add, Identify, Closer

I did 'Animal House' in 1978, then 'Local Hero' in 1983, and then in '88, 'Crossing Delancey.' And I realized that every three to five years, you need a big role to put you into the national psyche.

- Peter Riegert

Big, Role, Animal House, Crossing

Sometimes you make a connection with a writer or a piece of material, and there's not much to ask.

- Peter Riegert

Sometimes, Material, Piece, Connection

As a matter of fact, part of being Jewish is the whole question of what it is to be a Jew.

- Peter Riegert

Question, Fact, Part, Jew

A movie is a filmed rehearsal in a way. The audience doesn't know that because you're taking out the things that don't work. There's no comparison to the theater because it's live. But making a movie is just as challenging and exciting, I find. A movie is pure process. The theater is the result of process.

- Peter Riegert

Movie, Out, Pure, Challenging

It's a very neurotic time we live in, this postanalytical period where everybody goes to a shrink to solve their problems.

- Peter Riegert

Everybody, Very, Period, Solve

I've learned there is a void in adult stories across the land. Hollywood, whatever that is anymore, is losing their ability to tell those stories because they're not even thinking of that audience.

- Peter Riegert

Audience, Hollywood, Stories, Void

We don't think of them as acting, but we take on certain characteristics based on where we function, and those relationships draw out aspects of who we are as people. And that's what acting is. Different parts draw out different parts of your nature.

- Peter Riegert

Nature, Think, Based, Draw

You rely on a lot of things about learning to play a particular character.

- Peter Riegert

Character, Play, Lot, Rely

Ease is something that I think many admire in other people, in sports or whatever it may be.

- Peter Riegert

Think, Ease, Other, Admire

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