Steve Kanaly Quotes

Powerful Steve Kanaly for Daily Growth

About Steve Kanaly

Steve Kanaly (born October 15, 1946), an American actor and musician, is best known for his roles in film and television that span over four decades. Born in Dallas, Texas, Kanaly developed a love for music at a young age, playing guitar and performing in bands throughout his teenage years. This passion led him to attend North Texas State University, where he majored in music. However, after a motorcycle accident during college, Kanaly was left with a shattered left arm, causing him to reconsider his career path. Fascinated by the acting world, he decided to pursue an acting career instead. After completing his education, he moved to Los Angeles and began auditioning for roles. Kanaly's big break came in 1972 when he was cast as Clayton 'Clay' Fairbanks in the hit TV series "The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders." This role propelled him into stardom, but it was his portrayal of Curtis Williams in the long-running daytime soap opera "Days of Our Lives" (1978–1980) that truly cemented his place in television history. In 1985, Kanaly made a successful transition to the big screen with the role of Deputy Freddy Hayek in the popular action film "Commando." He continued to act in various movies and TV shows throughout the 80s and 90s, including "Silver Spoons," "The A-Team," and "Matlock." Away from acting, Kanaly remains passionate about music. He has released several albums and continues to perform at venues across the United States. Despite his long career in entertainment, he remains humble and dedicated, always looking for new opportunities to grow as an artist. With a diverse background in both music and acting, Steve Kanaly continues to captivate audiences with his talent and versatility.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear."

This quote by Steve Kanaly highlights that courage doesn't mean being fearless; instead, it signifies acting despite fear when one perceives something as more valuable or crucial than fear itself. Courage is about overcoming the debilitating effects of fear to pursue what truly matters, demonstrating resilience and determination in the face of adversity.


"Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome."

This quote emphasizes that the process (doing) of pursuing success is as significant as the end result itself. It suggests that we should enjoy and learn from the journey towards our goals, rather than solely focusing on achieving them. The idea is that personal growth, experiences, and skills gained along the way contribute to one's success just as much as reaching the destination does. In essence, it encourages us to appreciate the path we take and not simply obsess over the final destination.


"The only way to do great work is to love what you do."

This quote by Steve Kanaly emphasizes that genuine passion for one's work is crucial to achieving greatness in any endeavor. When we love what we do, we are naturally motivated, engaged, and invested in our tasks. The enthusiasm and dedication stemming from this passion will ultimately lead to superior results and a fulfilling experience overall. In other words, the pathway to exceptional accomplishments lies in aligning our work with our passions.


"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."

This quote emphasizes that personal growth and development are not passive processes; rather, they require active engagement and creation. It suggests that one should not merely discover their identity or purpose but actively shape and mold it to make the most of life's opportunities. In essence, it encourages individuals to take control of their lives, set goals, and work towards becoming the best version of themselves.


"Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle."

This quote emphasizes self-belief and resilience as key to overcoming challenges. The speaker suggests that every individual has an inherent strength or potential, which can surpass any obstacles they may encounter in life. It encourages individuals to have faith in themselves and their abilities, as well as recognize their inner power to push through adversities. Essentially, the quote encourages self-empowerment, perseverance, and personal growth.


We'd go out in Larry's hippie van and drive out all around Dallas. He loved Chinese food, he'd go in and say. Remember me Major Nelson, me and my friends here are making this show called Dallas, have you got a table for us? It would work every time.

- Steve Kanaly

Dallas, Here, Show, Hippie

When a show becomes a mega hit internationally, you lose a lot of privacy, you become a hider. It's not a human condition we are exposed to very often.

- Steve Kanaly

Human Condition, Very, Mega, Internationally

I had a traditional interview based on a phone call from an agent. He says there's a show and they would like to see you and its called Dallas. With very little knowledge I go over to this meeting at Warner Brothers.

- Steve Kanaly

Dallas, Very, Agent, Interview

We were all thrown together on this show very rapidly, there was casting then a few days later a meeting where we all got to read the scripts and meet each other. Literally days after that we were on our way to Dallas.

- Steve Kanaly

Dallas, Other, Very, Casting

It was far more fun than work doing those shows for all those years, we all loved each other and loved going to work, we all understood how fortunate we were to be in that place, to have achieved that success worldwide.

- Steve Kanaly

Doing, Other, Going, Understood

I grew up with the television product being old Western serials like Roy Rogers, and John Wayne and Gary Cooper, and many others were my favorites when I was a young person going to films.

- Steve Kanaly

Young, Favorites, Rogers, Roy

Ray would be in trouble, he would get drunk, he would try and kill J.R on three different occasions, he would make mistakes with financial affairs, and have various human problems, but he didn't have any mean bones in his body! That was a little bit of what the show was about.

- Steve Kanaly

Financial, Show, About, Affairs

The best part of being on a television series for all those years is that you really get to hone your craft.

- Steve Kanaly

Television, Craft, Part, Best Part

If you stay in this business long enough, you're liable to hit it big.

- Steve Kanaly

Business, Big, Hit, Liable

I have English family in Northhampton and have been to England numerous times.

- Steve Kanaly

England, Been, Times, Numerous Times

As an actor I think sometimes producers need a little bit of encouragement to see you in a particular role, they may not have as much imagination as you would expect.

- Steve Kanaly

Think, Role, I Think, Encouragement

One thing that took a while to really adjust to was, you do it for the the art, for the money, for being together and having a good time, but you do it for all those people out there who really care about the show. We are now talking about a show we did over 20 years ago.

- Steve Kanaly

Talking, Show, About, Adjust

I was in love with this character of Ray Krebbs. I wanted the part badly. I had done several Western films in my career at that point and there wasn't much opportunity then to play Western roles on television at that time.

- Steve Kanaly

Love, Play, Badly, Western

My focus is that firearms are handled safely and that we can continue to enjoy them here in North America.

- Steve Kanaly

Here, North America, North, Safely

I came in thinking about Bobby Ewing, but I love this Ray Krebbs role.

- Steve Kanaly

Love, Role, About, Ray

Once Ray was a Ewing, all the problems were solved.

- Steve Kanaly

Once, Were, Solved, Ray

I came in with my idea of what a cowboy would wear, but then I met some real cowboys and they said that I rode the horses well, shoed the horses, but no good cowboy would be wearing a pair of Levi's. I had to get a good old pair of Wranglers.

- Steve Kanaly

Some, Idea, Wear, Rode

Despite what people think of cowboys, they take pride in how they look, and that look is important to them.

- Steve Kanaly

Think, Important, Take, Pride

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