Ron Moody Quotes

Powerful Ron Moody for Daily Growth

About Ron Moody

Ron Moody (March 16, 1924 – July 31, 2015) was an accomplished British actor, director, and writer, best known for his iconic role as Fagin in the 1968 film adaptation of "Oliver!" Born in London, England, Moody's interest in acting began at a young age. He attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he honed his skills under the tutelage of renowned acting teachers. His professional career started in the 1940s, performing in various West End productions before making his way to films. One of Moody's earliest notable roles was as the villainous Rufus Hesselius in "Carry On Screaming!" (1966), a comedy film that was a critical and commercial success. However, it was his portrayal of Fagin in the film adaptation of "Oliver!" that would solidify his place in cinematic history. Moody's performance earned him a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and he was nominated for an Academy Award as well. Moody continued to act in various films and television shows throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including "The Italian Job" (1969) and "Fawlty Towers" (1975). He also directed several episodes of popular British TV series and wrote plays. Despite his success in Hollywood, Moody remained humble and dedicated to the stage. He continued to perform onstage throughout his life, often returning to roles he had played earlier in his career. Ron Moody's legacy as a versatile and beloved actor endures, with fans still cherishing his memorable performances.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I think we're all searching for that certain something, aren't we?"

This quote suggests that humans are inherently seeking a specific, elusive element in life. That "certain something" could be interpreted as personal fulfillment, love, success, purpose, or inner peace, among other things. It implies that everyone shares this common quest for satisfaction, meaning, and understanding in their own lives. The quote underscores the universal human desire to find our place in the world and achieve a sense of contentment and happiness.

"The trouble with you is you want everything and you don't want to work for it."

This quote highlights a common human struggle between immediate gratification and delayed effort. It suggests that some people have grand aspirations or desires (wanting "everything"), yet they lack the willingness to invest the necessary time, energy, and perseverance required to achieve those goals ("not wanting to work for it"). The quote serves as a reminder that true success often comes from persistence, hard work, and patience.

"The world owes me a living. I'm Fagin, after all!"

This quote, spoken by Ron Moody as Fagin in Oliver Twist, reflects the character's self-importance and entitlement. Fagin believes that his significant role in the criminal underworld justifies his demand for financial support from society. It's a humorous commentary on people who feel they are owed something due to their perceived status or past accomplishments.

"I've lived by my wits all my life. And I'll die by them if I must."

This quote emphasizes a person's reliance on intelligence, quick thinking, and resourcefulness throughout their life. The speaker is expressing that they have always navigated through life using their intellect, and should it come to the end, they will continue to do so – suggesting a strong commitment to self-reliance and resilience. It implies that wisdom, intuition, and ingenuity are powerful tools for survival and self-expression, even in the face of adversity or impending challenges (death, in this case).

"We're not the worst of men, you and me, but we're certainly not the best, eh?" (Charley Bates)

This quote suggests a sense of self-awareness and humility. Charley Bates acknowledges that he and the person he is speaking to are neither exceptional nor flawless individuals. They possess both positive and negative qualities like most people, and they are not above making mistakes or falling short of perfection. This realization fosters empathy and understanding towards others, implying a recognition of shared human flaws and potential for growth.

Pressure makes people react in different ways. Some people plunge in, and others take the way out.

- Ron Moody

Some, Makes, Different Ways, Plunge

My portrayal of Fagin was all to do with my experience in comedy and revue.

- Ron Moody

Experience, Comedy, Portrayal

I was offered Fagin-type roles, but I wanted to do new things. I could have worked in America, but there was a recession in the British film industry, and I wanted to work in England. I've no regrets.

- Ron Moody

New Things, New, England, Film Industry

The world is always reinventing itself, and so should you. I used to say, 'I haven't started yet.' Sadly, most people don't develop their potential.

- Ron Moody

Say, Always, Sadly, Reinventing

I'd been collecting eccentric moves since I was a kid and didn't even know that the dance step I improvised in 'Be Back Soon' was called a 'pas de basque.'

- Ron Moody

Kid, Back, Been, Eccentric

I think I'm a straight actor who occasionally does musicals; most people think I'm an eccentric comedian. It's amazing how many years you can spend in this business just sorting out something as simple and basic as that.

- Ron Moody

Simple, Years, I Think, Eccentric

I never thought about settling down. I was obsessed with my career - I was blinkered. I finally met a woman who was worthy of me. Then we settled down and had many children.

- Ron Moody

Woman, Career, Obsessed, Settling

If we destroy the biosphere, then mankind will die. We all waste our time worrying about stupid wars and petty jealousy and greed, and all the time, we're sitting on a time bomb.

- Ron Moody

Stupid, Die, Waste, Petty

I grew up with music hall and revue and was used to filling in the little gaps here and there to get bigger audience reaction.

- Ron Moody

Audience, Here, Reaction, Gaps

I don't think a professional agent or theatre manager would say my career had gone as well as perhaps it should have after that first 'Oliver!' success, but then again I was never really intending to have a career in the professional theatre in the first place.

- Ron Moody

Career, Had, Agent, Intending

My proudest moment was the number 'Reviewing the Situation.' I suspect that, because I gave my all to the role and because I was working with such a fine team of people, it inhibited my future career.

- Ron Moody

Career, Role, Reviewing, Proudest

I went to the London School of Economics to study sociology and psychology on a serviceman's grant.

- Ron Moody

London, Economics, Study, Grant

I've worked with the old dames and knights - Edith Evans, Ralph Richardson - they're the most incredibly humble, kindly people because they are so big that they don't need to be unpleasant.

- Ron Moody

Humble, Knights, Ralph, Kindly

Working on a film, you don't get time to develop rivalries, but the theatre is like a little village, and the differences between me, Lionel and Georgia grew.

- Ron Moody

Differences, Like, Lionel, Georgia

I felt very insecure about whether I was up to recreating my stage 'Fagin' in front of a camera.

- Ron Moody

Very, About, Felt, Insecure

I'll never forget seeing 'Guys and Dolls' over and over. I used to sit up in the coliseum watching this magnificent musical. Brilliant.

- Ron Moody

Over, Brilliant, Musical, Never Forget

My training was that you fill in the canvas where it needs colour and polishing. You start with the words on the first night and keep adding bits of business.

- Ron Moody

Business, Canvas, Needs, Adding

The day after the Oscars, I flew back to London to film a television play for Anglia. It was a big mistake because you never really get acknowledged for wanting to work in England, as I did.

- Ron Moody

Mistake, Play, Big, Flew

Fate destined me to play Fagin. It was the part of a lifetime, and I was the only actor to be in the stage production and in the film.

- Ron Moody

Fate, Play, Production, Destined

Fate destined me to play 'Fagin.' It was the part of a lifetime.

- Ron Moody

Fate, Play, Part, Destined

For me, making the show work was getting belly laughs - like most variety artists. But the straight actor believes you fix your performance in rehearsal and that's it.

- Ron Moody

Making, Rehearsal, Belly, Variety

I always write 'Fight' on the mirrors - that goes way back to the times when you had to fight apathy.

- Ron Moody

Mirrors, Goes, Always, Apathy

Now I can see I was at fault for not being more considerate, but when we were doing the show I didn't think it was my job to be considerate to other people.

- Ron Moody

Doing, Think, Other, Considerate

My father and my uncle used to be amateur monologuists because their generation grew up with Henry Irving and the like, and they had that style of delivery, of declamation: 'The Belllllls!' What we call 'ham' now, larger than life.

- Ron Moody

Father, Uncle, Larger, Ham

Summer of 1967 was one of the happiest times of my life.

- Ron Moody

My Life, Happiest, Times, Summer

I would have liked to have been a professor of sociology.

- Ron Moody

Professor, Been, Would, Sociology

Playing Fagin in the play and film was a small miracle.

- Ron Moody

Small, Play, Playing, Miracle

I've no regrets. You take responsibility for your actions.

- Ron Moody

Regrets, No Regrets, Take, Responsibility

I was a stage-struck child from about 5 years onward.

- Ron Moody

Child, Years, About, Onward

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