Sean Bean Quotes

Powerful Sean Bean for Daily Growth

About Sean Bean

Sean Bean, born Shaun Mark Bean on April 17, 1959, in Sheffield, England, is a renowned British actor known for his commanding presence and versatile roles spanning various genres. His career, marked by a distinctive deep voice and penchant for portraying rugged, strong characters, has made him a household name globally. Bean's early life was heavily influenced by his working-class upbringing in Sheffield. His father was a lithographer and his mother, a hairdresser. He developed an interest in acting during his school days, which led him to enroll at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) in London after graduating from high school. His professional journey began in the 1980s with roles in British television series such as 'Dempsey and Makepeace' and 'Blackadder II'. However, it was his portrayal of Richard Five in the TV miniseries 'Sharpe' (1993) that catapulted him to international fame. Bean's big-screen debut came with a minor role in the science fiction film 'Timewalker: The Future is Now' (1987). But it was his roles in epic films like 'GoldenEye' (as Alec Trevelyan/006), 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' (Boromir), and 'Game of Thrones' (Ned Stark) that cemented his status as a leading man in Hollywood. His distinctive voice has made him a sought-after narrator for documentaries, including BBC's Planet Earth series. Despite several on-screen deaths, Bean remains active in the industry, with notable recent roles in 'The Martian', 'Game of Thrones prequel' 'House of the Dragon', and 'The Witcher'. Sean Bean continues to captivate audiences with his powerful performances and versatile roles. His career, spanning over four decades, remains a testament to his talent and enduring appeal in the world of cinema.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Half a life is luck. The other half is knowing what to do with it."

This quote by Sean Bean suggests that one's life is composed of two equal parts - good fortune (luck) and conscious actions (knowing what to do with it). It implies that while some aspects of our lives are beyond our control, the outcomes we create from those circumstances heavily depend on how we choose to use our chances or opportunities. Essentially, it encourages us to recognize the role of both luck and personal action in shaping our life experiences and urges us to make the most of the luck we receive.

"You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."

This quote by Sean Bean suggests that people can start off in life with noble intentions and achieve heroic deeds, but as they age and confront complexities of life, their choices and actions may lead them to act against what was once considered good or virtuous. They might unintentionally slip into becoming the antagonist, not due to malicious intent but as a consequence of compromising their principles in the face of challenging circumstances. It's a reflection on how people can change over time and the fine line between heroism and villainy.

"I've always believed that every man has his time and place. It's not up to him to decide when he meets his end, but it's up to him to decide whether he goes with honor or cowers like a dog."

This quote by Sean Bean emphasizes the idea of personal integrity and courage in the face of adversity. It suggests that one should always strive to meet their challenges with honor, rather than succumbing to fear or retreating like a coward. The timing of one's end is not within their control, but how they choose to face it is. This underscores the importance of personal responsibility and character in shaping one's destiny.

"Desperation can drive a man to do things he never thought possible."

This quote emphasizes that extreme circumstances, such as desperation, can push individuals beyond their perceived limits. It suggests that in times of need or crisis, people may find reserves of strength, resourcefulness, and determination they were previously unaware of. Desperation, being a strong motivator, compels a person to act in ways they might not consider under normal circumstances.

"We are all bound by the choices we have made. We are who we choose to be."

This quote emphasizes personal responsibility and self-determination. The choices we make define our character, actions, and ultimately, our identity. It suggests that while we may inherit certain circumstances or traits, it is our decisions that shape us into who we are. In essence, we have the power to choose who we want to be and become accountable for the consequences of those choices. This quote encourages self-reflection and empowers individuals to take control of their lives.

If you're going to support a football team, do it 100 per cent.

- Sean Bean

Going, Football Team, Cent

Sharpe is my favorite role of all that I've played. He's a very complex character. He knows that he's a good soldier, but he will always have to fight the prejudice of aristocratic officers because of his rough working-class upbringing. On the battlefield, he's full of confidence - but off it, he is unsure, a bit shy and ill at ease.

- Sean Bean

Ease, Working-Class, Very, Aristocratic

I spend a fair chunk of time in Los Angeles, and after about ten days of warmth and unbroken clear skies, you start to yearn for a bit of good old British gloom and rain!

- Sean Bean

Yearn, About, Chunk, Warmth

When I first started shooting 'Sharpe,' back in the early 1990s, I'd kiss my two elder daughters goodbye at the end of August - Evie wasn't even born then - and I wouldn't see them again until Christmas. That was tough. They were hard times.

- Sean Bean

Goodbye, Shooting, Back, August

I love to be with my kid in Yorkshire. I love it there.

- Sean Bean

Love, Kid, I Love, Yorkshire

Of course I believe in love despite four divorces. There is nobody who doesn't believe in love. But marriage - that fits some people but obviously not me.

- Sean Bean

Love, Some, Obviously, Divorces

I never try and play a bad guy to be bad and to be brutal and to be nasty and vicious, because I think you're going to be very cliche there. You know, you've got to find the truth in that character and what he believes in. It just happens that, you know, he's wrong.

- Sean Bean

Play, I Think, Very, Vicious

When I was younger, I used to watch all the black-and-white 'Dracula's and 'Frankenstein's.

- Sean Bean

Watch, Younger, Dracula, Frankenstein

I wouldn't say I'm a Method actor, but I do try to focus very deeply on what character I'm playing, and everything else goes out the window. I forget about everything. I try to get everything else out of my head.

- Sean Bean

Goes, Very, Method, Method Actor

Sometimes all you need is a big leap of faith.

- Sean Bean

Big, Leap Of Faith, Need, Leap

It's strange coming back to Northern Ireland, but it feels like a home away from home.

- Sean Bean

Away, Like, Feels, Northern Ireland

I saw 'The Exorcist' at the cinema when I was quite young, maybe 14. When I went back home, my mum and dad weren't in, so I had to wait for them on the main road. I were too scared to enter the house.

- Sean Bean

Wait, Young, Mum, Mum And Dad

The media portrayal of women is always angled towards looking thinner and skinnier and... that's not good.

- Sean Bean

Looking, Always, Thinner, Portrayal

I don't like broad swords. They're not much fun. A broad sword is just a big chunk of steel, and there's not much finesse in it, not much skill, I don't think anyway.

- Sean Bean

Steel, Think, Big, Swords

I like playing guys with swords and the horses and stuff like that.

- Sean Bean

Like, Guys, Playing, Swords

Actors like Daniel Day-Lewis, Gary Oldman, they totally immerse themselves in their parts.

- Sean Bean

Like, Daniel, Gary, None

Apprenticeships are the real nitty-gritty way of creating an efficient, skillful and vibrant workforce.

- Sean Bean

Creating, Vibrant, Efficient, Workforce

I think we have a perception of transvestites all being the same, as one block. It's not one mass or tribe. Everybody's got a different story.

- Sean Bean

Think, Everybody, I Think, Block

I shared a dressing room with Pete Postlethwaite for 18 months, and he became a good friend. His discipline had an impact on me. You could have a laugh with him, but he was always on the ball when it came to work and very professional. Hopefully some of that rubbed off on me.

- Sean Bean

Very, Shared, Became, Good Friend

I have gotten a couple of letters meant for Mr. Bean aka Rowan Atkinson. These letters would say things like, 'You're so funny, you make me laugh, with your big rubbery face,' and I would say, 'You can't mean me!'

- Sean Bean

Big, Couple, Gotten, Make Me Laugh

The stigma of movie actors doing television is gone now.

- Sean Bean

Doing, Movie, Stigma, Movie Actors

Tolkien was quite a religious man, and so is George R.R. Martin. They kind of have this epic quality about them when they write the material.

- Sean Bean

Kind, Religious, About, Tolkien

I used to love wildlife as a kid and being outside in the garden and the woods and the field and that stuff.

- Sean Bean

Love, Outside, Field, Garden

Working in a garden calms me down.

- Sean Bean

Me, Working, Calms, Garden

I love creating things, especially out of metal. There's something truly satisfying about shaping a piece of metal and seeing the impurities peeling away as you weld it into your chosen design.

- Sean Bean

Love, Away, About, Satisfying

There's something quite satisfying, quite reassuring about seeing a man having to survive.

- Sean Bean

Seeing, Reassuring, Having, Satisfying

I left school when I was 16; then I worked for my father, who was a welder. And I was a welder for three years, you know, welder of fabrication, metal 'cause it was a big industrial town, Sheffield. It was much steel and coal and stuff like that.

- Sean Bean

Father, Steel, Big, Fabrication

Obviously I'm delighted I'm a grandfather, but I guess it takes a little while to digest. You start thinking, 'Oh, I'm half-way over the natural life span. So this is the last bit, and I'd better enjoy it.'

- Sean Bean

Enjoy, While, Bit, Span

I sometimes find that playing the bad guy, or villains, or psychopaths tend to be much more psychologically rewarding. And you can really push it, you can push the limits, and get away with it.

- Sean Bean

Away, Rewarding, Villains, Psychologically

Jimmy McGovern - I love his writing, and I'm a big fan of him and Alan Clarke.

- Sean Bean

Love, Him, Big, Alan

In theatre, once you've got the character and you've got things together, you can relax into it. Film has a different feel - you don't get that through line of not stopping. Theatre is like a snowball gathering momentum and getting bigger, whereas in film, it's a bit stop and start - but you do tend to adjust to that quite easily.

- Sean Bean

Through, Feel, Line, Whereas

Everyone was very deeply involved in the world of 'The Lord of the Rings'. From the wardrobe department to lighting, all were fascinated with the story. This is something that does not happen usually.

- Sean Bean

Happen, Everyone, Very, Department

A common misperception of me is... that I am a tough, rough northerner, which I suppose I am really. But I'm pretty mild-mannered most of the time. It's the parts that you play I guess. I don't mind it. I'm not a tough guy. I'd like to act as a fair, easy-going, kind man at some point.

- Sean Bean

Play, Tough Guy, Some, Easy-Going

I'd like to act as a fair, easy-going, kind man at some point.

- Sean Bean

Some, Act, Like, Easy-Going

George Martin looks like Santa Claus, but he's got a wonderfully disturbed mind.

- Sean Bean

Mind, Looks, Like, Santa Claus

It's a good thing to be typecast, isn't it?

- Sean Bean

A Good Thing, Good Thing, Typecast

I don't do much on social media. I don't really want people knowing about my life.

- Sean Bean

My Life, Want, Social, Social Media

006 was such an interesting character and the film really explored his friendship with Bond and how it all went wrong, so it was a very personal journey for both characters.

- Sean Bean

Friendship, Journey, Very, Explored

I've been fortunate enough to travel the world because of my career, but the downside has been spending long spells apart from my daughters.

- Sean Bean

Career, Been, Downside, Spells

I think everybody's got different methods of working which suit the particular individual. Mine is to sort of play the part, and give 100%, to concentrate and focus on it while I'm actually working, but then leave it behind until the next day.

- Sean Bean

Play, Behind, Next, Concentrate

I'd been trying for a while to get parts that weren't just the English bad guy, so it was quite refreshing to be playing someone who was a compassionate, decent guy.

- Sean Bean

Bad, Bad Guy, Been, Refreshing

Where I come from, all of us wanted to be footballers. We played all the time; that's all we did at school or wherever until it went dark and you couldn't see the ball.

- Sean Bean

Come, Played, Footballers, Wherever

I've been accused of being a bit too keen on my football, not least by my three ex-wives.

- Sean Bean

Been, Keen, Too, Ex-Wives

I've been into lots of auditions, and I'm sure I've lost a lot of jobs through that because I'm pretty dreadful at reading.

- Sean Bean

Through, Been, Auditions, Dreadful

My mother and father raised their eyebrows at first when I said I wanted to be an actor because I was in this industrial city. My dad had done a bit of boxing on the side, but he was a welder first and foremost. I was 17, and I said, 'I want to be an actor.' They worried it was a waste of time.

- Sean Bean

City, Mother And Father, Dad, Eyebrows

I think there's a great deal of information you can convey with looks or silence.

- Sean Bean

Think, Looks, Deal, Great Deal

I think Daniel Craig is brilliant as Bond. I remember at the beginning, they were all saying, 'Oh, he won't work,' and I thought, 'Yeah, you watch.'

- Sean Bean

Think, I Remember, Brilliant, Daniel

I like Daniel Craig. I worked with him on 'Sharpe,' one of the very early ones, maybe the second one we did - 'Sharpe's Revenge?' A long, long time ago, and he was good in that then.

- Sean Bean

Revenge, Like, Very, Daniel

The thought of being in space, and kind of enclosed, I find would be very claustrophobic. I think I would panic in that situation.

- Sean Bean

Think, I Think, Very, Panic

It's a good thing about George R.R. Martin: He's prepared to kill off the main guys. You don't get the feeling that the good guy is going to last forever, like James Bond.

- Sean Bean

Prepared, About, James, James Bond

There's only so long you can play the silent type standing in the background. 'GoldenEye' was good for that. I was the villain: James Bond was doing all the heavy lifting. I liked that.

- Sean Bean

Play, Doing, Silent, James Bond

I don't believe you just create a character out of thin air, there's always something of yourself you bring.

- Sean Bean

Believe, Always, Bring, Thin

Football is a passionate game. It excites us.

- Sean Bean

Football, Game, Passionate, Excites

I put quite a few trees in last autumn. A lot of silver birch and a couple of native trees - just generally doing gardening, putting plants in and hedges in. It takes quite a lot of time and I love it.

- Sean Bean

Love, Doing, Couple, Autumn

I always like to do something different, something unusual, stray off the path a bit.

- Sean Bean

Path, Always, Stray, Unusual

There's a wealth of literature out there which, hopefully, will be, you know, exploded in the future, and I personally find it very rewarding to be involved with classic storytelling, and sort of legendary characters.

- Sean Bean

Wealth, Very, Which, Hopefully

As an actor, you're in the hands of producers and directors. It's important to find out who you're working with.

- Sean Bean

Hands, Important, Actor, Producers

For some reason, the parts I play, like Boromir or Ned Stark, have a life online long afterwards. I keep seeing - what do you call them - memes?

- Sean Bean

Play, Reason, Some, Stark

Lord of the Rings was just so much enjoyment. It was over about the space of a year that I was filming. It's one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done, so emotional.

- Sean Bean

Year, Over, Lord, Enjoyable

I think the amount of production value that was put into 'Game of Thrones' was incredible, and it's unlike anything I've seen on any other production, including 'The Lord of the Rings.'

- Sean Bean

Game, Think, Amount, Game Of Thrones

I'm proud of Lord of the Rings. I think it's a once in a lifetime role, and a once in a lifetime film. It was made with so much care and passion and meticulous detail and everybody was so behind it.

- Sean Bean

Think, Behind, Everybody, Detail

I had no intention of being an actor. I was quite good at it. I was pretty capable at other things but never any good at anything.

- Sean Bean

Pretty, Other, Had, Intention

All this focus on my private life is the most unappealing aspect of being an actor. I don't like it, but it goes with the territory, and I have to put up with it. I certainly don't set out to attract attention.

- Sean Bean

Private, Set, Certainly, Territory

I sort of leave the character at the end of the day. I don't carry anything around with me - no excess baggage or unnecessary thoughts. I think it's too exhausting to do that. To put things into perspective - your work is your work, and your leisure time is something else.

- Sean Bean

I Think, Baggage, Leisure

I'm still Sean that me mates went to school with, not Sean the film star. And that's the way I prefer to be.

- Sean Bean

Star, Mates, Still, Sean

It is great filming in London. It's difficult, but it looks good. It has its own identity.

- Sean Bean

Identity, London, Looks, Filming

I worked with John Hurt a couple of times and learned a lot from him.

- Sean Bean

Couple, Lot, Worked, Hurt

I miss a lot about England when I'm working away, even the slate grey skies.

- Sean Bean

England, Away, About, Skies

I seem to be quite drawn to the medieval, magical fantasies, as it were.

- Sean Bean

Magical, Fantasies, Were, Medieval

I don't think I've ever had a real desire to pick out any particular role - I just see what comes up.

- Sean Bean

Desire, Think, Role, Particular

Lord of the Rings was something I always wanted to do. I read the book when I was about 25, and I was always hoping if it was ever made into a feature film that I would be involved in some way. And then I finally got it, and I was over the moon. It was fantastic news.

- Sean Bean

Book, Some, Lord, Rings

My family thought the fascination with acting was just another fad.

- Sean Bean

Thought, Another, Fad, Fascination

I guess when we're young, we all have that fascination with flying.

- Sean Bean

Flying, Young, Guess, Fascination

My first professional role was in 'Romeo and Juliet,' and I played Tybalt, who was Romeo's enemy, in a small production of that in the U.K.

- Sean Bean

Small, Role, Romeo, Juliet

Listen to people and treat people as you find them. There's an inherent goodness in most people. Don't pre-judge people - that was me Mam's advice anyway.

- Sean Bean

Treat, Advice, Them, Inherent

At art college, I started to do music and then painting and drawing - and that would have been my ideal life, to be an artist and be paid for it, to be able to create stuff. I realized it was difficult, but I don't know if I had the application for it.

- Sean Bean

College, Artist, Been, Paid

I did a film called 'Patriot Games' with Harrison Ford, and we actually shot three different versions of my death. And they settled on the third.

- Sean Bean

Death, Patriot, Settled, Versions

I love doing just nothing in my free time.

- Sean Bean

Love, Doing, I Love, Free Time

It took a while to adapt to life in London, but six months into my course at RADA, I felt very at home.

- Sean Bean

London, Very, Took, Adapt

I go to see my kids in school plays.

- Sean Bean

School, See, Plays, School Plays

I'd like to do a cowboy film. I suppose I've come close to it on occasion, but not really to a classic cowboy film.

- Sean Bean

Cowboy, Classic, Occasion, Suppose

I really got my money's worth from colleges in Sheffield and Rotherham because I kept dropping out, and I wasn't sure what I wanted to do at first, like a lot of teenagers.

- Sean Bean

Like, Colleges, Sure, Dropping

When I first finished 'Sharpe,' it was hard to get work because people only saw me as him.

- Sean Bean

Work, People, Saw, Finished

I bought a Jaguar when I was 28. I'd always wanted one. I had it for years, then my friend had it, then my dad had it. It was a good workhorse.

- Sean Bean

Always, Had, Dad, Bought

I'm interested in why people talk like they do. Like Boston Irish. It's so laid back. Why is that?

- Sean Bean

Boston, Like, Laid, Laid Back

It would probably surprise people to know that I'm interested in wildlife. I read a lot of poetry, too.

- Sean Bean

Surprise, People, Read, Wildlife

There are so many stories to be told, by so many good writers.

- Sean Bean

Good, Stories, Many, Writers

You don't necessarily equate me with humor!

- Sean Bean

Humor, Me, You, Equate

You can't follow another actor's performance. You can't be Robert DeNiro, because you're not Robert DeNiro, and, you know, he is.

- Sean Bean

Actor, Another, Robert, Performance

I used to play a lot of villains. You have to break out of it, and I did.

- Sean Bean

Play, Break, Lot, Villains

I always get nervous before a scene.

- Sean Bean

Nervous, Always, Before, Scene

I'm not bad at singing - at least in the shower.

- Sean Bean

Singing, Bad, Least, Shower

I'm very good at keeping a secret.

- Sean Bean

Good, Very, Keeping, Secret

I can't imagine doing anything except acting.

- Sean Bean

Doing, Anything, Imagine, Except

If you have a very good concept of your character, you can snap into it.

- Sean Bean

Character, Very, Your, Concept

I am quite quiet: I don't feel as though I have to express myself with words too often. Maybe I should do more.

- Sean Bean

More, Maybe, Though, Quiet

I had to go to Hollywood to recharge my career.

- Sean Bean

Career, Go, Had, Hollywood

It's important to enjoy who you are and to appreciate things around you.

- Sean Bean

Enjoy, Important, Things, Appreciate

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