Polly Bergen Quotes

Powerful Polly Bergen for Daily Growth

About Polly Bergen

Polly Bergen (born Pauline Restive on January 10, 1930 – March 20, 2014), was an accomplished American actress, singer, and television host who made a significant impact in the entertainment industry spanning over six decades. Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Bergen showed early promise in music and acting. She moved to New York City at age 16, working as a radio announcer before being spotted by a talent scout who helped launch her career. In 1948, she made her Broadway debut in "Lute Song" and soon after signed with Columbia Records. Bergen's breakthrough came in 1950 when she won the role of Biff Loner in the popular radio soap opera, "Stella Dallas." This led to a successful film career, including roles in "The Tender Trap" (1955) opposite Frank Sinatra, and "Cape Fear" (1962) alongside Robert Mitchum. A versatile artist, Bergen also found success on television. She hosted her own talk show, "The Polly Bergen Show," from 1957 to 1958 and later starred in the sitcom "Polly" (1963-1964). Her talent for music was showcased in various specials throughout the 1960s. Bergen's personal life was marked by tragedy, including the death of her first husband, actor Tony Martin, and the loss of her son, Jon Martin, in a helicopter crash. Despite these hardships, she remained active in the industry, appearing on Broadway in "Applause" (1970) and "Follies" (1981). In her later years, Bergen continued to perform and make guest appearances in television shows such as "Touched by an Angel," "The Practice," and "The West Wing." She also authored two books, "I'd Rather Be Me: Notes from a Real Life" (1984) and "Fine on 42nd Street: A Memoir" (2006). Polly Bergen's legacy as a talented performer and resilient spirit continues to inspire. Her versatility in music, acting, and television paved the way for future generations of entertainers.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The harder you work for something, the harder it is to let go."

This quote suggests that when we invest significant effort, time, or emotion into achieving a goal or maintaining a situation, it becomes more challenging to relinquish control or abandon those endeavors. The hard work serves as an emotional attachment, making letting go feel like a loss or failure because of the effort invested. It highlights the human tendency to cling onto things we have labored for, even when it might be best to move on.


"There's no such thing as failure. There are just results."

Polly Bergen's quote highlights a positive perspective on life outcomes, suggesting that the term "failure" is misleading because it carries negative connotations. Instead, she proposes viewing every experience or result as an opportunity for learning and growth rather than a negative event. This mindset encourages resilience, continuous improvement, and the understanding that success is not always immediate or easily achieved; it's about moving forward from each experience, regardless of its perceived "success" or "failure."


"Never let a day end without doing something that makes you happy."

This quote emphasizes the importance of daily joy in one's life. It encourages us to make time for activities or experiences that bring us happiness, ensuring each day is not only productive but also fulfilling. This perspective suggests that a life filled with moments of contentment fosters overall well-being and satisfaction.


"Success is not about how many times you fall; it's about how many times you get up and keep going."

Polly Bergen's quote highlights that success is a continuous journey, rather than a single destination. It suggests that setbacks or failures are inevitable in life, but what truly matters is resilience – the ability to pick oneself up after falling and persist in the pursuit of one's goals. In other words, it's not just about avoiding mistakes, but learning from them and pressing forward, which ultimately defines success.


"Don't give up on your dreams, or your dreams will give up on you."

This quote encourages persistence in pursuing one's goals and aspirations. It suggests that if you abandon your dreams, they may cease to be attainable due to lack of effort or commitment. Instead, the message is to maintain hope and determination, for it is through consistent action and resilience that dreams can come true.


I came to Southbury because I wanted to live a more simple life. When I was a child, I saw lots of movies about happy people living in Connecticut. And ever since then, that was where I wanted to live. I thought it would be like the movies. And it really is. It's exactly what I hoped it would be.

- Polly Bergen

Thought, Simple Life, Hoped, Connecticut

It suddenly struck me - I'm 70 years old. I wonder if I could possibly end my life the way I started it: doing the most joyful thing I ever did, which is to sing.

- Polly Bergen

My Life, Doing, Years, Struck

Baltimore is one of the most beautiful towns, really. And trust me, I don't say that about every place. There is just something so quaint, old and beautiful about this place.

- Polly Bergen

Trust, Baltimore, Quaint, Just Something

The secret I've lived by ever since I started earning money is this: Always buy a house with an extra bedroom adjoining the master. And that's always my closet.

- Polly Bergen

Always, Closet, Buy, Bedroom

The thing is, when you see your old friends, you come face to face with yourself. I run into someone I've known for 40 or 50 years, and they're old. And I suddenly realize I'm old. It comes as an enormous shock to me.

- Polly Bergen

Run, Years, Your, Old Friends

I'm one of those people who always needs a mountain to climb. When I get up a mountain as far as I think I'm going to get, I try to find another mountain.

- Polly Bergen

Think, Always, Needs, As Far As

I always said, 'A blind dog with three legs could get a standing ovation for singing 'I'm Still Here!'

- Polly Bergen

Blind, Here, Always, Ovation

As soon as my foot is in the light onstage, I am home. It is what I love to do. It is what I have always loved to do.

- Polly Bergen

Love, Always, Am, Onstage

I was fanatically ambitious. All I ever wanted was to be a star. I didn't want to be a singer. I didn't want to be an actress. I wanted to be a star.

- Polly Bergen

Actress, Wanted, Ever, Ambitious

The interesting thing about me is that I was born poor, and I've lived rich and I've lived poor, and I know how to do both. People think rich is better. I don't know.

- Polly Bergen

Interesting, Think, Born, I Was Born

You look at the road you could have taken, you know, I just think that's interesting... I've been on a lot of roads and I had to hitchhike on a couple of 'em... I have to be very honest: There's not an awful lot of regret in my life. I think that, you know, you learn from everything, and then, sometimes, you don't.

- Polly Bergen

My Life, Been, Very, Regret

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