Richard O'Brien Quotes

Powerful Richard O'Brien for Daily Growth

About Richard O'Brien

Richard O'Brien, born on March 25, 1942, in Stockton-on-Tees, England, was a prolific author, playwright, musician, and filmmaker best known for creating the cult rock musical "The Rocky Horror Show" and its film adaptation, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." O'Brien's early life was marked by a love for science fiction, horror, and music. He attended Hull University to study biology but soon shifted his focus to the arts, performing in campus productions. His passion for creativity led him to London, where he became involved in the burgeoning underground theater scene of the 1960s. Influenced by the counterculture movement and artists like Jimi Hendrix, Andy Warhol, and The Beatles, O'Brien began writing "The Rocky Horror Show" in 1973. The musical, a satirical tribute to sci-fi and horror B movies, was an instant success in the London fringe theater circuit. The following year, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" was released as a film. Starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Barry Bostwick, among others, it became a midnight movie phenomenon, attracting devoted fans who would dress up and act out the script along with the film. O'Brien continued to write for television and film, including the horror comedy "Scream and Scream Again" (1970) and the science fiction series "Jake and the Fatman" (1987-1992). He also penned several novels, such as "Tenderloin" (1976), "Vampyrella" (1979), and "Sleepy" (1983). Through his unique blend of humor, horror, and music, Richard O'Brien has left an indelible mark on popular culture. His work continues to inspire new generations of artists and audiences alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Don't dream it, be it."

The quote "Don't dream it, be it" by Richard O'Brien encourages people to take action toward their dreams instead of simply fantasizing about them. It emphasizes the importance of turning one's aspirations into reality through hard work, determination, and taking steps toward achieving one's goals. In essence, it suggests that having dreams is important, but actually living them out is what truly counts.


"Time warp, time step, into the witching hour!"

The quote by Richard O'Brien from "The Rocky Horror Show" encourages a transition or leap forward in time, metaphorically moving past constraints and into an unconventional, possibly eerie or mysterious period. It suggests embracing the unknown and experiencing life boldly and unapologetically.


"We're all a little bit mad here, you and I..."

This quote by Richard O'Brien, from his work "The Rocky Horror Show," suggests that everyone has their unique quirks, idiosyncrasies, or unconventional ways of being. In a broader sense, it implies that we all possess individuality and embrace our peculiarities, which can often make us feel 'mad' or out-of-place in society's mainstream norms. Furthermore, the quote highlights the importance of accepting one another's differences, as well as celebrating the eccentricities that connect us all.


"To love is to be one half sad, one half glad."

This quote suggests that love, in its essence, involves a mix of contrasting emotions: happiness and sadness. The happiness stems from the joy, fulfillment, and connection experienced in love, while the sadness may arise from moments of heartache, separation, or anticipation of loss. This duality underscores the complexity and depth of human emotion associated with love.


"Life's a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!"

This quote emphasizes that life is rich with possibilities and opportunities (the "banquet"), but many people fail to take advantage of them ("most poor suckers are starving to death"). It suggests a call to seize the day, embrace experiences, and make the most out of life rather than allowing it to pass by unfulfilled.


I'm one of those people who never really joined the grown-ups.

- Richard O'Brien

People, Never, Joined, Grown-Ups

I've never been driven by fame or money or anything like that. It's never been part of my psyche.

- Richard O'Brien

Money, Never, Been, Psyche

I've been cushioned against having to work, with Rocky's continual bounty.

- Richard O'Brien

Against, Been, Having, Cushioned

We were a Western civilisation, an English speaking civilisation, both NZ and Australia, and we had all these influences coming from both Great Britain and America to us; sending us their culture in the shape and form of movies and television.

- Richard O'Brien

America, Had, Britain, Sending

There's something about shadows because you make your own mind up about what's lurking in them.

- Richard O'Brien

Mind, Own, Lurking, Shadows

I paid my dues at drama school and worked backstage in every Theatre in London.

- Richard O'Brien

Theatre, Drama, Worked, Dues

I never wanted to be aligned to a mature group because they go off and become politicians and stuff.

- Richard O'Brien

Never, Mature, Wanted, Aligned

I do like to be creative and I'm very lucky that I've been given different areas in which I'm able to do that - whether it be film or television or theatre or whatever. I'm also still into music and recording.

- Richard O'Brien

Lucky, Very, Which, Different Areas

Well, no. I was getting into trouble messing around with it for roles. So one night I went home, cut it down with a pair of scissors and then got in the bath and shaved it all off. I've never looked back.

- Richard O'Brien

Cut, Messing, Roles, Shaved

I've never wanted to play bank managers and real people particularly.

- Richard O'Brien

Play, Never, Real People, Managers

I would have loved to have been in The Stand. I would also loved to have been in The Mask.

- Richard O'Brien

Loved, Been, Would, Mask

I have done every job in the Theatre apart from wardrobe. I was out of work more times than I was in it.

- Richard O'Brien

Work, Done, More, Apart

I am 58 and it's difficult for people to gauge my age.

- Richard O'Brien

I Am, Difficult, Am, Gauge

With the film around for 25 years and the show being around even longer - still running and continuing to fill house all around the word - it's really an exciting and wonderful thing to be part of that.

- Richard O'Brien

Show, Part, Still, Continuing

Yes, but I think the big thing for everyone is to wear what they want and what suits them.

- Richard O'Brien

Think, Big, I Think, Big Thing

So all the rest is O.K., but fame is a hollow ground, isn't it? It's an empty kind of thing.

- Richard O'Brien

Rest, Kind, Ground, Hollow

I'm not driven by money and I'm not driven by career.

- Richard O'Brien

Money, Career, Driven

Writers never get a very good deal in Hollywood.

- Richard O'Brien

Never, Deal, Very, Good Deal

Not that I have any interest in saying goodbye to Rocky. I absolutely adore being involved and a part of something that is really a phenomenon.

- Richard O'Brien

Goodbye, Part, Being, Saying Goodbye

Well, when you do something like Rocky which is indefinable somehow, it always becomes difficult to lose that.

- Richard O'Brien

Always, Like, Which, Rocky

However, there's three reasons for doing things in this particular world. One is love, one is prestige and the other's money. If you get all three together, that's fine.

- Richard O'Brien

Love, Doing, However, Prestige

To play a role where you get to reveal intellectual change is wonderful.

- Richard O'Brien

Play, Role, Reveal, Intellectual

The first movie I appeared in was Carry On Cowboy, though not as an actor. I was just riding horses.

- Richard O'Brien

Cowboy, Actor, Appeared, Horses

I'm surrounded by it. I have so many lovely people around me who are supportive, gentle, kind and considerate. I'm so grateful for every day that I'm on the planet and that continues to be so.

- Richard O'Brien

Grateful, Lovely, Supportive, Considerate

The fact that someone came forward and offered $1.25 million to make a movie was astonishing. We were also allowed to keep many of the original stage cast.

- Richard O'Brien

Fact, Original, Movie, Offered

I absolutely adore working in the realms of fantasy.

- Richard O'Brien

Working, Fantasy, Absolutely, Adore

There is always an audience for different individuals, but critics sometimes stop the audience finding the show and the show finding the audience.

- Richard O'Brien

Audience, Always, Critics, Individuals

It is difficult to go on the next night after you receive a sandbagging.

- Richard O'Brien

Night, Go, Next, Receive

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