Richard Jenkins Quotes

Powerful Richard Jenkins for Daily Growth

About Richard Jenkins

Richard Jenkins (born May 4, 1947) is an esteemed American actor and writer who has graced both stage and screen with his remarkable talent. Originally from DeKalb, Mississippi, Jenkins was raised in deaf culture as his mother was deaf and the family spoke American Sign Language at home. This unique upbringing significantly influenced his understanding and portrayal of diverse characters throughout his career. Jenkins' acting journey began in New York City where he studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, honing his craft alongside fellow actors such as Robert Duvall and Meryl Streep. His stage debut came in 1973 with the Off-Broadway production "Morning's at Seven." In 1985, Jenkins made a significant leap to television with his first major role on Broadway in "The Hostage," for which he received a Tony Award nomination. His breakout film roles included appearances in "Silverado" (1985), "Searching for Bobby Fischer" (1993), and the iconic television series "Six Feet Under" (2001-2005) as patriarch Nathaniel Fisher, earning him his first Emmy Award nomination. Jenkins continued to showcase his versatility in roles such as a troubled astronaut in "The Cabin in the Woods" (2012), a ghost haunting a small town in "The Shape of Water" (2017) - for which he received an Academy Award nomination, and the title character in "Aquaman" (2018). In addition to his acting career, Jenkins has co-written several plays, including "The Libertine" (2004), "The Clean House" (2004), and "Luna Gale" (2013). His work continues to inspire audiences with its depth, nuance, and emotional resonance. A true testament to his talent, Jenkins remains a beloved figure in the world of cinema and theatre.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."

This quote by Richard Jenkins emphasizes the profound importance of love in human life. The quote suggests that the most significant lesson we can learn is to both give and receive love. Love, in this context, transcends romantic relationships; it encompasses all connections built on empathy, understanding, and appreciation. By learning to love genuinely, one also learns about compassion, selflessness, and personal growth. In return, receiving love validates our own worthiness and fosters a sense of belonging and fulfillment in life. Essentially, the quote underscores that the ability to love and be loved is an essential part of living a meaningful, rewarding life.

"Life is a journey, and if you fall in love along the way, that's the best of all."

This quote suggests that life is an adventure, and experiencing love during this journey is the most enriching experience one can have. It emphasizes that the process of living, learning, and growing is fundamental, but finding love makes this journey even more precious and meaningful. The quote implies that if we are fortunate enough to fall in love while navigating our life's path, it signifies the pinnacle of human experiences.

"Love is a force more formidable than any other. It is invisible - it cannot be seen or measured, yet it is powerful enough to transform the hardest heart or conquer the firmest resolve."

The quote emphasizes that love is an influential and transformative power beyond physical or tangible measures. Unlike tangible forces, love has the potential to soften the toughest hearts and break down the strongest wills. This quote suggests that the impact of love is profound and far-reaching, capable of creating significant changes in individuals and relationships.

"Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions."

This quote emphasizes that true happiness is not a predetermined state, but one that originates from our personal efforts and actions. Instead of passively waiting for happiness to come, it encourages us to actively create it through the choices we make and the actions we take in life. It suggests that taking control over our lives, making positive decisions, and pursuing our goals can lead to a fulfilling and happy existence.

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do."

This quote by Richard Jenkins emphasizes the importance of passion in achieving greatness. It suggests that true fulfillment and exceptional results come from engaging in activities one genuinely loves. The implication is that one's work becomes not just a means to an end, but a source of joy, growth, and personal satisfaction. This mindset often leads to higher quality output as individuals are more invested in their projects due to their inherent love for them.

I'd like to play the whale in 'Moby Dick.' If I keep eating, I may end up getting there.

- Richard Jenkins

Play, Like, May, Moby

I understand being alone. I understand not liking it, wishing for something else.

- Richard Jenkins

Alone, Liking, Else, Wishing

I like relaxed sets. I like to feel that I can make a mistake without feeling like I'm costing somebody money. I like a sense of freedom. I like it when people are open and are willing to let you do your work.

- Richard Jenkins

Mistake, Like, Sets, Costing

Sometimes you read things that people don't even notice in a performance, that you just are moved by or understand that this actor is really living his or her life on the screen. The first time I realized that was when I watched Brando in 'On the Waterfront.'

- Richard Jenkins

Sometimes, Screen, Moved, Brando

If I'm playing a bad guy, and I'm playing him evilly - I'm making him evil; I'm being evil because I want the audience to understand that he's bad - or if I have a line that's funny, I do it in a comedic way, that, to me, is a lie. It's dead when I watch it.

- Richard Jenkins

Bad, Bad Guy, Line, Comedic

But I loved making 'Eat Pray Love,' and I loved working with Julia Roberts.

- Richard Jenkins

Love, Loved, Making, None

Losing a parent makes you realize how temporary everything is - you're looking through someone's whole life in a drawer, and they're very simply gone.

- Richard Jenkins

Parent, Temporary, Through, Drawer

In college, I was teetering on the edge: Do I want to be an actor? Do I not want to be an actor? And then I saw Michael Caine in 'Alfie,' and I thought, 'Wow, that's what I want to do with my life,' even if I knew I'd never reach that level of proficiency.

- Richard Jenkins

College, My Life, Thought, Wow

When there is tension, arguments and money problems, it's tough to do your work. Some people thrive on that. I don't.

- Richard Jenkins

Work, Some, Tension, Thrive

When I was a kid, I loved horror films. I used to stay up on Saturday night to watch.

- Richard Jenkins

Saturday, Horror, Films, Horror Films

When I was about 12, I came home from middle school and told my parents I wanted to be an actor. My father didn't say it to me, but he told my mom, 'No. I'm not going to allow that. He'll starve to death.' I grew up in a small town in Illinois where being an actor was not something people did.

- Richard Jenkins

Death, Small, Allow, Middle School

I like not knowing what's around the corner. It's always been that way, and maybe that's one of the reasons why I'm an actor.

- Richard Jenkins

Always, Been, Reasons, Not Knowing

Sometimes, I can read a great script, and I don't like the part, or I don't think I'm right for it. I mean, there are times I've read really great parts and think there's so many other actors who could do this better than me. And I just say no to it.

- Richard Jenkins

Sometimes, Other, Part, Great Script

I always loved movies. I wanted to be in them! I always saw them and said, 'How do you do that?' It seemed like going to the moon. It was not a rational thought, but that's the only thing I wanted to do.

- Richard Jenkins

Thought, Always, Seemed, Rational

The truth is you only have yourself to offer. And when you come to that realization, it's terrifying, because you think it's probably not enough.

- Richard Jenkins

Think, Come, Terrifying, Realization

I was an only child, and I spent a lot of time alone. My dad was an only child, too, so we didn't have a big family, and I was really close with both of my parents. Like any kid, I thought I knew more than they did.

- Richard Jenkins

Thought, Big, Dad, Only Child

It's like, in movies where you talk to the audience 90 percent of the time, it's - you kind of want to stay away from that stuff. But, you know - but to write exposition brilliantly is hard.

- Richard Jenkins

Audience, Away, Like, Exposition

A Western would be good. I'd love to do a Western.

- Richard Jenkins

Love, Good, Would, Western

I don't consider myself a comedian, but you work with some comedians, and sometimes these guys are incredible on their feet - it's just amazing - and that's not what I do. But it's always fun, and I don't really care as long as the character is interesting.

- Richard Jenkins

Feet, Sometimes, Some, Comedian

We all have movies for times in our lives when we really need something.

- Richard Jenkins

Movies, Times, Lives, Our Lives

'My character wouldn't do that.' That was always my favorite thing people say: 'My character wouldn't do that.' I said, 'Well, it says right here in this script your character does that.'

- Richard Jenkins

Say, Here, Always, Favorite Thing

There are so many things that go into a movie that it's amazing that anything gets made anyway.

- Richard Jenkins

Go, Movie, Made, Anyway

There's a lot of great directors that I want to work with, but as soon as I mention them, I never get a chance to work with them.

- Richard Jenkins

Work, Chance, Directors, Mention

There's a lot of jobs that you can do that you can be miserable at. Making movies should not be one of them.

- Richard Jenkins

Movies, Making, Lot, Making Movies

There's nothing like walking onto a Hollywood sound stage.

- Richard Jenkins

Stage, Hollywood, Like, Onto

I don't watch the dailies. You want to just turn in your resignation when you watch the dailies.

- Richard Jenkins

Want, Turn, Watch, Resignation

I worked with Mike Nichols. First time I worked with Mike Nichols, I just really loved this man.

- Richard Jenkins

Loved, First Time, Worked, Mike

I can't think of a lot of bad directors I've worked with, really.

- Richard Jenkins

Think, Lot, Worked, Directors

When I go to the movies, I want to see a human being dealing with their lives. That's all I ask.

- Richard Jenkins

Want, Human Being, Lives, Dealing

Rehearsal for film is tough. Until the camera's there, everything changes.

- Richard Jenkins

Changes, Film, Until, Rehearsal

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.