Rufus Sewell Quotes

Powerful Rufus Sewell for Daily Growth

About Rufus Sewell

Rufus Sewell, born on October 29, 1967, in Twickenham, London, is a versatile British actor known for his captivating performances in film and television. His acting journey began at an early age when he joined the National Youth Theatre at 14, later studying drama at the Central School of Speech and Drama. Sewell made his professional debut on television in 1987, appearing in the BBC series 'Grange Hill.' However, it was his role as Julius Caesar in the acclaimed 1990 TV serial 'Julius Caesar' that brought him international recognition. This was followed by his portrayal of Lord Randolph Churchill in the Oscar-winning film 'The Gathering Storm' (2002). Sewell's film career spans various genres, from historical dramas like 'A Knight's Tale' and 'Tristan & Isolde,' to science fiction with 'Dark City' and 'Star Trek: Nemesis.' He gained critical acclaim for his performance as Boris Pash in the Academy Award-winning film 'Apt Pupil' (1998). In recent years, Sewell has made a significant impact on television. His portrayal of Augustus Bidlow in the AMC series 'The Man in the High Castle' garnered him a Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television in 2016. Rufus Sewell continues to captivate audiences with his versatile acting, blending historical and contemporary roles effortlessly. His work reflects a deep understanding of human nature and a commitment to bringing complexity and depth to each character he portrays.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I think acting is a very good way of exploring the human condition and understanding other people."

Rufus Sewell's statement underscores the transformative power of acting as a means to delve into and comprehend the complexities of human nature. By portraying various characters, actors like Sewell can immerse themselves in different emotions, experiences, and perspectives. This process not only provides insight into the human condition but also fosters empathy, as actors strive to make their performances authentic and relatable, thereby encouraging audience members to understand others better as well.


"You have to believe in yourself as an actor, but also be humble enough to know that you're not always right."

This quote emphasizes the importance of self-belief and humility for actors, suggesting that they should maintain a healthy balance between confidence in their abilities and openness to feedback or correction. It implies that while it is crucial to have faith in oneself as an artist, it is equally important to recognize that personal opinions may not always be correct and that there is always room for growth and improvement.


"As an actor, you can either say: 'I want to do this,' or you can ask: 'Can I do this?' The former is a more passive way of doing things, and it's much less fulfilling when you get the job."

Rufus Sewell's quote emphasizes the difference between having a desire (I want to do this) versus actively pursuing an opportunity (Can I do this?). The first approach suggests passivity, while the latter exhibits proactivity and assertiveness in one's career. By choosing the latter, one not only increases their chances of getting the job but also finds more fulfillment in the process because they have taken control of their own destiny rather than waiting for opportunities to come to them.


"Acting is about listening and responding truthfully to what your scene partner is giving you."

Rufus Sewell's quote emphasizes the importance of active listening, empathy, and authentic response in acting. The "scene partner" here represents another actor with whom the speaker interacts on stage or screen. By listening attentively, an actor can understand their partner's intentions, reactions, and emotions, enabling them to respond truthfully and create a believable, engaging, and dynamic performance. This quote underscores the collaborative nature of acting, highlighting that great performances often emerge from a shared understanding and responsiveness between actors.


"I think that every single person has a story worth telling. And I try and find characters with interesting stories."

This quote by Rufus Sewell emphasizes the inherent value and uniqueness of each individual's life experiences. He suggests that everyone possesses a captivating narrative waiting to be discovered, and his commitment lies in seeking out characters whose stories are particularly engaging or intriguing. Essentially, he believes that every person is a potential protagonist in an interesting story.


I wasn't a model schoolboy. Of course, I was forced to sit through Shakespeare and I really got into some of it, though it depended on who was reading it out.

- Rufus Sewell

Through, Some, Though, Depended

Yes, years of compromise and disappointment have added depth to my acting.

- Rufus Sewell

Disappointment, Yes, Added, Depth

When I left drama school, my fear was that I'd get pigeon holed into comic acting and I did so much to counter it that I got stuck in the opposite.

- Rufus Sewell

Pigeon, Opposite, Counter, Stuck

I no longer have a style to maintain. I rent a little flat in Los Angeles, I don't take holidays, I don't dine out and I take cheap flights.

- Rufus Sewell

Rent, Maintain, Angeles, Dine

I think the only thing I've got going for me as an actor specifically is the fact that I can change.

- Rufus Sewell

Think, Fact, I Think, Specifically

I think I was a bit frightened of having to be a grownup and tried to put that off for as long as I could.

- Rufus Sewell

Think, Tried, I Think, Grownup

At times, I think of my career as a map. The closer you get to the map, the more you know where you are, but the closer I get to my career, the less happy I feel. At the same time, I have carved out the career for myself which I wanted.

- Rufus Sewell

Happy, Career, I Think, Map

People talk about opportunity knocking, but the gate was always swinging in the breeze before I got to the door.

- Rufus Sewell

Door, Always, Before, Knocking

My career has suddenly started to be the one that I'd always wanted, not in terms of level of success, but in terms of - and this is what I've been banging on about - playing different parts in different media.

- Rufus Sewell

Career, Always, Been, Banging

I was the lead in 'Interview With The Vampire', until Tom Cruise decided he was interested. I was in 'The Wings Of The Dove' with Uma Thurman, until that got cancelled. I was in 'Shakespeare In Love' with Julia Roberts, until that fell apart.

- Rufus Sewell

Love, Lead, Got, None

I do as much comedy as I possibly can, but I'm basically limited by the imagination of the secretaries who make the decisions.

- Rufus Sewell

Comedy, Secretaries, Limited, Possibly

I recognize myself to a lesser or greater extent in everything I read, good and bad, and that's part of being a human being if you're honest enough. And obviously the darker parts are the things you don't let control you.

- Rufus Sewell

Bad, Part, Extent, Lesser

Well, thing is, after they cancelled 'Zen', I didn't work for eight months. And in that case, it was not my choice. After I've done something that I'm really proud of and I think changes the way I'm perceived, the immediate reaction is: nothing.

- Rufus Sewell

Changes, I Think, Eight, Cancelled

My feelings about my mortality are less selfish than they used to be. I used to affect a cavalier attitude to death; now I see it from my son's perspective.

- Rufus Sewell

Death, Affect, About, Feelings

I'm hoping that a lifetime of compromise and disappointment will read as extra depth and layers in my work.

- Rufus Sewell

Disappointment, Hoping, Read, Extra

I was very frustrated, in a physical sense, by people seeing me in a way that I wasn't. And I was beginning to find myself boxed into a corner. Hopefully things have loosed up a bit, and I've gotten better and become more relaxed as an actor.

- Rufus Sewell

Beginning, Very, Frustrated, Boxed

'The Taming Of The Shrew' is probably the first time I've worked in this country for about ten years, apart from theatre, and it's not for want of trying. It was so fantastic to work in London - it felt really glamorous.

- Rufus Sewell

London, Country, About, Apart

I think if a character appeals to you, there are certain parts of yourself will come to the fore and other parts that will play down.

- Rufus Sewell

Play, Think, Other, Appeals

I don't think the roles that I'm necessarily known for in this country are my best work, or even anywhere near it. I didn't think I was great in 'Arcadia.' I think it's a great part and a great play and had a lot of attention.

- Rufus Sewell

Play, Country, I Think, Best Work

I was a very undisciplined person but acting was something that actually motivated me to get up in the morning. I hadn't experienced that before, but it was something that really excited me. I think I could be quite self-conscious and it gave me a release.

- Rufus Sewell

Think, Very, Self-Conscious, Experienced

I've always believed very, very strongly that the way you treat people is more important than anything, professionally or otherwise.

- Rufus Sewell

Always, Very, Otherwise, Believed

For a long time, I've had to hustle. If a film role is obviously great, then it's been difficult for me to get a look-in.

- Rufus Sewell

Difficult, Role, Been, Hustle

I'm very, very happy with my recognition/lack of recognition in England in terms of my life. In terms of household name-age. The public's memory is very short, luckily.

- Rufus Sewell

My Life, England, Very, Household

Lazy journalists, they'll read stuff and get a quote then ask the same question again hoping I'll say a similar thing; it's very tiresome.

- Rufus Sewell

Very, Similar, Read, Tiresome

If my British film career was a girl, then I'd been hanging around outside her apartment a little bit too long.

- Rufus Sewell

Career, Been, British, Hanging

It's nice when women fancy me, but I think I will only disappoint them so I prefer it if they don't know who I am.

- Rufus Sewell

Think, Fancy, I Think, Disappoint

I've discovered that I've never had much respect for money, and that has meant that money has ended up ruling me a little bit more than it should have. So I'm trying to learn - at this late stage in life! - to actually control that.

- Rufus Sewell

Discovered, Had, Bit, Ruling

Of course, I want to look good, as that helped me get jobs. But it didn't get me the jobs I wanted and it held me back.

- Rufus Sewell

Want, Jobs, Held, Helped

I don't know why the universe is so determined to keep my feet on the ground.

- Rufus Sewell

Feet, Universe, Keep, Determined

Billy is a funny, cheeky, lovely boy and I love being with him. Parenthood is terrifying though. I can barely walk past a building without panicking that it's going to collapse on his head.

- Rufus Sewell

Love, Terrifying, Billy, Parenthood

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