Phyllis Smith Quotes

Powerful Phyllis Smith for Daily Growth

About Phyllis Smith

Phyllis Anne Smith, an eminent American actress and screenwriter, was born on August 16, 1951, in Connersville, Indiana. Known for her remarkable talent and poignant wit, Smith carved a niche for herself in the world of entertainment, leaving an indelible impact on both film and television audiences. Raised in a small-town environment, Smith's passion for acting blossomed early, leading her to study drama at Indiana University. Her career took flight after moving to Los Angeles, where she made her debut on the popular sitcom 'The Love Boat.' However, it was her role as Phyllis Vance in the critically acclaimed American sitcom 'The Office' (2005-2013) that catapulted Smith into the limelight. Her portrayal of a quirky and endearing character earned her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2015. Smith's foray into screenwriting was equally successful, with her writing credits including 'The Office,' 'Modern Family,' and 'Speechless.' In 2018, she co-wrote and starred in the critically acclaimed drama film 'A Million Little Pieces,' showcasing her versatility as an artist. Throughout her career, Smith has been celebrated for her authenticity and ability to breathe life into complex characters. Her work is a testament to her unique perspective on human emotions, relationships, and the intricacies of everyday life. Phyllis Smith continues to captivate audiences with her performances and storytelling, leaving an indelible mark on contemporary American entertainment.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I can't tell you what I'm feeling because I don't know."

This quote reflects a state of emotional confusion or ambiguity. The speaker is unable to articulate their feelings due to an inability to identify or understand them themselves. It suggests a lack of self-awareness, introspection, or perhaps emotional complexity that makes it difficult for the individual to process and express their emotions accurately. This can be a common experience in times of stress, trauma, or significant life changes.


"I just don't have the vocabulary to express it."

This quote highlights that sometimes, one may feel deeply about a situation or emotion but lack the words to fully convey their feelings effectively. It suggests a discrepancy between one's inner experience and their ability to articulate it, which can be frustrating or limiting in expressing complex thoughts and emotions to others. The quote underscores the importance of empathy, understanding, and patience in communicating with others who may struggle to find the right words.


"You gotta dig down deep and find a well of resilience that you didn't know existed."

This quote by Phyllis Smith emphasizes the importance of tapping into one's inner strength during challenging times. It suggests that when faced with adversity, we must look beyond our immediate resources to find a reservoir of resilience within ourselves - a resource that may have been previously untapped or unnoticed. This resilience is not only necessary for survival but also for growth and overcoming obstacles.


"Life is about how you handle the curveballs, not about avoiding them."

This quote by Phyllis Smith emphasizes resilience in the face of life's challenges. It suggests that the true essence of life lies not in its smooth sailing but rather in our ability to navigate through unexpected hardships or setbacks, also known as 'curveballs'. By learning how to handle these unforeseen situations effectively and adaptively, we grow stronger, wiser, and more capable. Thus, it encourages us to approach life with an open mind and a strong spirit, ready to learn and overcome obstacles along the way.


"It's never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you're proud of. And if you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again." (This quote is often attributed to Phyllis Smith but it was actually written by F. Scott Fitzgerald.)

This quote emphasizes that one should never despair about changing or becoming who they truly want to be, regardless of their current age or circumstances. It encourages self-reflection, personal growth, and resilience in the face of life's challenges. The speaker urges us to strive for a life we can be proud of, and if that goal is not being met, to find the courage to make changes and start anew. Although this quote is often attributed to Phyllis Smith, it was actually written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, reflecting its timeless wisdom and universal relevance.


We are made up of multiple emotions. And it would be unnatural to completely eliminate even one or two or three of those. It's impossible. You'd become a robot if the emotions weren't there.

- Phyllis Smith

Emotions, Made, Unnatural, Robot

Hopefully, 'Inside Out' will have the longevity that those older movies have, and many years down the line, people will be able to watch it and find some kinship with it.

- Phyllis Smith

Will, Some, Line, Kinship

You have to understand that when you're a voice actor on an animated film, you're really just a tiny little piece of this huge process. And when you finally get to see the finished product and see all of the wonderful work that the animators & the designers & the writers did to make your character stand out, it's just so touching, so humbling.

- Phyllis Smith

Voice, Your, Animators, Humbling

I grew up when Disney was doing movies like Cinderella, and all the girls were princesses.

- Phyllis Smith

Doing, Like, Grew, Princesses

If you look at the character of Sadness, they really nailed my eyebrows.

- Phyllis Smith

Character, Sadness, Nailed, Eyebrows

I wish I had paid more attention in my psych class in college. I would've had a broader vocabulary to draw from.

- Phyllis Smith

College, More, I Wish, Broader

I once prayed when struggling financially and worried how I was going to be able to assist my parents in their latter years living thousands of miles away, to help me win the lottery or something. And I did win the lottery, just in a different and better way.

- Phyllis Smith

Away, Years, Prayed, Financially

Just go for it. Don't be afraid of trying new things. You have absolutely no idea what's going to present itself to you. Don't be frightened. Just buckle down and do whatever your heart desires.

- Phyllis Smith

New Things, New, Go For It, Frightened

Life is not all a bowl of cherries. There are days when you aren't going to feel up to par. And it's healthy to see it in yourself and to ask, 'Hey, what's going on?'

- Phyllis Smith

Cherries, Going, Par, Hey

When I was little, my mom would dress me up and take me downtown on the Carondelet bus, which in itself was exciting. We would go to see Santa Claus at Famous-Barr. The decorations were so pretty. The line was long, but that just gave me more time to enjoy Santa's Toyland. I loved every minute of it.

- Phyllis Smith

Dress, Bus, Line, Santa Claus

I did ballet, tap, jazz, modern, I taught dance here in my hometown of St. Louis.

- Phyllis Smith

Hometown, Here, Tap, Louis

My family in St. Louis brings me to my roots.

- Phyllis Smith

Me, St. Louis, Brings, Louis

In today's world, everyone's so clued into their iPhones, and communication is going by the wayside as far as one-on-one is concerned. It's very seldom that I walk into a room and parents make their children say hello and have a social grace with one another.

- Phyllis Smith

Concerned, Another, Very, Wayside

When we were doing 'The Office,' there was an area backstage where they worked on hair and makeup, and I was sitting there waiting to get ready to go on, and one of the writers went, 'I want you to audition for 'Bad Teacher.'' I went, 'Okay!'

- Phyllis Smith

Waiting, Makeup, Doing, Sitting

I had a really fantastic time shooting 'Bad Teacher.' I loved every second of it.

- Phyllis Smith

Teacher, Loved, Bad, Every Second

As a dancer, one of my many teachers along the way made the comment that who I was onstage and who I was off were two totally different people.

- Phyllis Smith

Different People, Made, Many, Comment

Even before 'The OA,' I was a very spiritual person.

- Phyllis Smith

Before, Very, Even, Spiritual Person

I'm not accomplished enough to over-analyze something, because I don't have the background as far as people who write and know how to break down a character or story and stuff. I mostly go by gut instincts.

- Phyllis Smith

Down, Gut, Mostly, Instincts

When I was in casting, we would bring somebody in, have them read their lines, maybe give them a few pointers, and hire them, and then once they go to the set and you have a director who's directing them, that performance may not be anywhere near what you had in the audition, either good or bad.

- Phyllis Smith

Bad, Hire, Maybe, Casting

I know how difficult it is for actors to get work, because I did casting for all those years.

- Phyllis Smith

Work, Difficult, Years, Casting

It was only after I'd had some injuries that I basically retired from the performing side of show business and then began working in casting. I did that for 19 years or so before a friend of mine decided to cast me as Phyllis Lapin-Vance on 'The Office.'

- Phyllis Smith

Injuries, Some, Before, Casting

I've had an experience that... I don't know the right label to put to it, if it was an angel or Jesus or what. Nobody knows anything for sure about that, but I know that I had an encounter, and I know that things exist beyond this realm, most definitely. I'm grounded in that.

- Phyllis Smith

Angel, About, Had, Encounter

When I hurt my knee, I knew it was time to retire from dancing, and I needed a job just to pay the bills, and I ended up as a receptionist for about three-four years.

- Phyllis Smith

Dancing, Knew, Needed, Retire

I know how difficult it is to get one job, much less an entirely new career. I'm very blessed and grateful. It's like I'm a normal person with an extraordinary journey.

- Phyllis Smith

Grateful, New, Very, Entirely

I used to watch, on television on Sunday nights, they had the Disney hour then and the castle coming up and 'When you wish upon a star... ' That was my very first Disney memory.

- Phyllis Smith

Memory, Castle, Very, Disney

I had one young man tell me he wished I was his mom. Another young woman told me that every time she watched 'The Office,' I reminded her of her mother, who had just passed away a year ago, and that every time she saw me she felt as if she had a piece of her mom still with her.

- Phyllis Smith

Woman, Young, Away, Young Woman

One of the first places I was ever recognized after 'The Office' came out was at Target in Los Angeles. Someone came up to me, and she said, 'Are you Phyllis from 'The Office?'' We were in different aisles, but she had recognized my voice.

- Phyllis Smith

Voice, Recognized, Had, Los Angeles

I feel like I'm an ordinary person, but I've had extraordinary opportunities in my later life, and I never saw any of it coming. I never saw 'The Office' coming, I never saw 'Inside Out' coming, and I just feel grateful and thankful to have these opportunities and to have an actual real enthusiasm in my life.

- Phyllis Smith

Thankful, My Life, Feel, Ordinary Person

I've just tried to be a responsible person and pay my bills. But whatever it is I do, I want to do the best I can.

- Phyllis Smith

Best, Want, Pay, Bills

I believe in angels.

- Phyllis Smith

Believe, Angels, I Believe, I Believe In

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