Sela Ward Quotes

Powerful Sela Ward for Daily Growth

About Sela Ward

Sela Ward (born July 11, 1956) is an accomplished American actress, producer, and activist who has made significant contributions to the world of cinema and television. Born in Meridian, Mississippi, Ward showed an early interest in acting, which was nurtured by her supportive family. After graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in Communications and Theatre, she moved to New York City to pursue an acting career. Ward's breakthrough role came in 1987 when she landed the part of Teddy Ruxpin in the popular children's television series 'Teddy Ruxpin.' However, it was her portrayal of Lily Mae Harrington on the acclaimed drama series 'Sisters' (1991-1996) that catapulted her to stardom. For her role in this series, she won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama in 1994 and was nominated for four Emmy Awards. In addition to 'Sisters,' Ward's notable works include roles on 'Once and Again' (2000-2002), 'CSI: NY' (2008-2012), and 'Boston Legal' (2007). She has also appeared in numerous films, such as 'The Fugitive' (1993) and 'Gone Girl' (2014). Apart from her acting career, Ward is deeply committed to various social causes. She is an advocate for breast cancer awareness, having survived the disease herself, and serves on the boards of several charitable organizations. In 2018, she co-produced 'The Kitchen,' a film that she also starred in, alongside Melissa McCarthy and Tiffany Haddish. Ward continues to act, produce, and advocate for important issues, demonstrating her versatility as an artist and her commitment to making a difference both on and off the screen.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I think the idea of being a strong woman isn't about suppressing your emotions but about not letting them overwhelm you."

Sela Ward suggests that being a strong woman is not about suppressing or ignoring one's feelings, but rather about maintaining emotional balance amidst life's challenges. It implies self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to make decisions thoughtfully even when emotions run high.


"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it."

This quote emphasizes that while external events or circumstances in life (the 10%) play a role, our response and attitude towards those events (the 90%) is what ultimately shapes our experiences and outcomes. It underscores the importance of resilience, optimism, and personal control in navigating through life's challenges.


"Success isn't just about what you accomplish in your life; it's about what you inspire others to do."

This quote by Sela Ward suggests that true success extends beyond personal achievements and encompasses the impact one has on inspiring others to achieve their own goals. In essence, success is not solely about personal advancement, but also about positively influencing others to strive for their own accomplishments and growth. The implication is that a person's success can be measured by the ripple effect they create, motivating and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps and make a difference in their own lives and the lives of those around them.


"I don't think there's anything wrong with a woman wanting more than one thing in her life, or wanting to be successful on multiple levels."

Sela Ward's quote underscores the importance of women having the freedom to pursue various aspirations and achieve success in multiple areas of their lives. It suggests that ambition, whether it concerns career, personal growth, or other aspects, is not only acceptable but also natural for women. The quote encourages society to support and empower women in their journey towards multifaceted success without limiting them based on traditional gender roles or expectations.


"I believe that the things we are passionate about, the things we enjoy, and the things we are good at are all interrelated."

Sela Ward's quote suggests a deep interconnectedness among our passions, what brings us joy, and our skills or abilities. In other words, if we find ourselves excelling in an area, it's likely that we're passionate about it and derive great pleasure from engaging in it. This perspective encourages us to pursue activities where these three elements align as they can lead to a fulfilling life and personal growth.


I had an art teacher who's the reason I got there in high school who encouraged me to go to Alabama. That's where she had gone and kept raving over their art department.

- Sela Ward

Art, Reason, Over, Raving

You do become very close like a family but because you see each other for such an intense period of time on the set everyday. You really don't end up socializing that much.

- Sela Ward

Other, Very, Period, Socializing

Billy Campbell who is... I... truly one of the most talented actors today.

- Sela Ward

Today, Most, Billy, Talented Actors

And so I was doing that and starving and somebody said you should model and I ran when they told me how much money you could make and I did a television commercial the first job.

- Sela Ward

Doing, Commercial, Starving, Ran

However, most of my part, I play a pediatrician, and most of my role had to do with being in another place, staying at the hospital and trying to save kids and stay until people could come. So, it was more based on reality.

- Sela Ward

Play, Role, However, Pediatrician

I have decided not to do the spa. Too time consuming.

- Sela Ward

Decided, Consuming, Too, Time Consuming

Which is a wonderful irony, I have property there. I go back every chance I get. One of the main reasons I actually wrote the book, agreed to write it having never wanted to do that in my life, very intimidating by the way to write a book.

- Sela Ward

My Life, Very, Reasons, Intimidating

My kids enjoy the Disney program, Lizzy McGuire.

- Sela Ward

Enjoy, Program, Kids, Disney

For me, Los Angeles, New York, where I don't know my neighbors, where people don't necessarily care if they know their neighbors, I'm missing things that truly fed my soul when I was younger, the exchanges between people, the caring and the shared history with people.

- Sela Ward

Soul, Shared, Fed, Los Angeles

Oh, definitely and I talk about all the things that I really needed to make me happy at that point in time were outside of Mississippi, and now all the things that I need to make me happy are back there.

- Sela Ward

Happy, Need, Needed, Mississippi

And so much of my life has been about returning home and longing for home, wanting my children to know about my roots. And I thought I can't be the only one to feel this way so I thought it would be an interesting topic to explore.

- Sela Ward

My Life, Been, Wanting, Longing

Most of the press is sent to my publicist so I do see most of what is written about me.

- Sela Ward

See, Most, About, Press

For example, when my mother died, the people who showed up just to put an apron on to cook, people who really do the right thing, so to speak, as my momma would always say to show that they care, a sense of community that we've lost so much in our country.

- Sela Ward

Country, Show, Died, Momma

I would consider a half hour sitcom if the script was good.

- Sela Ward

Hour, Half, Would, Sitcom

As for ABC you can't take it personally. We had three good years.

- Sela Ward

Personally, Had, Take, ABC

It's about, I did talk about my life in broad strokes and what home meant to me in order to really explore the subject of home and can you go back and what that means for people in that sense of community that we've lost.

- Sela Ward

My Life, About, Subject, Strokes

No not at all... it is rare for shows to make it as long as Once and Again... It was a pretty good run.

- Sela Ward

Pretty, Shows, Once, Pretty Good

Yes and our obsession with youth in our culture and how we, women lie about their age after 35 obsessively and no one wants to let anyone know they're getting older, et cetera.

- Sela Ward

Lie, Yes, About, Getting Older

I think things like food, the food of the south is sort of the common tie that binds us all, Black and White, the sense memories. It's a very particular part of the country.

- Sela Ward

Think, Very, Binds, Memories

I always carry Evian bottle and sunscreen.

- Sela Ward

Sunscreen, Carry, Always, Bottle

I use products from my dermatologist but the best things you can do for your skin, are not smoke always use sunscreen and drink a lot of water.

- Sela Ward

Skin, Always, Use, Sunscreen

Well I started studying to help me with these commercial auditions and I just loved it.

- Sela Ward

Help, Studying, Commercial, Auditions

I haven't heard anything about a reunion show for Sisters. But if the script was good I would do it.

- Sela Ward

Show, About, Would, Reunion

If I wasn't an actress I would run a fortune 500 company.

- Sela Ward

Run, Actress, Would, Fortune

I have a strong belief in God... I find religion to be a very personal thing... I am also very spiritual.

- Sela Ward

Strong, Personal, Very, Belief

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