Vivien Leigh Quotes

Powerful Vivien Leigh for Daily Growth

About Vivien Leigh

Vivien Leigh (April 5, 1913 – July 7, 1967) was a renowned British actress of the 20th century, best known for her unforgettable portrayal of Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone with the Wind" (1939). Born in Darjeeling, India, to a British family, Leigh spent her early years moving between India and England due to her father's job as a civil servant. Inspired by her mother's love for theatre, Leigh decided to pursue an acting career at the age of 18. After studying drama at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art), she made her West End debut in 1935 and quickly rose to stardom with her performance as Hero in "Much Ado About Nothing." In 1936, Leigh landed the role that would catapult her to international fame – Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire" on stage. Her stunning portrayal of this fragile, yet strong character earned her critical acclaim and a Tony Award nomination. The following year, Leigh was cast as Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone with the Wind." This iconic role brought her an Academy Award for Best Actress, cementing her status as a Hollywood legend. Despite this success, Leigh struggled with mental health issues throughout her career and personal life. Leigh's marriage to fellow actor Laurence Olivier was marked by intense passion and public scrutiny. They worked together in several productions, including "Rebecca" (1940) and "Hamlet" (1948). Despite their tumultuous relationship, they remained married until Olivier's death in 1989. Vivien Leigh continued to act throughout the 1950s and early '60s, though her health began to decline due to tuberculosis and bipolar disorder. She passed away in 1967 at the age of 53. Despite her tragically short life, Vivien Leigh's impact on cinema and stage endures, and she remains a beloved figure in film history. In her own words, "I have a great need for things to be beautiful - the feeling I get when I see something beautiful is a sort of pleasure I can't find in any other way."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is very like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get."

This quote by Vivien Leigh suggests that life is unpredictable and full of surprises, much like a box of assorted chocolates where each piece can be different in flavor, texture, or quality. It underscores the idea that we should embrace the unknown aspects of our lives with openness and optimism, as each experience brings something new and potentially valuable.


"I was not born to be common."

Vivien Leigh's quote "I was not born to be common" reflects her deeply-held belief in individuality, personal ambition, and an aspiration to rise above the ordinary. It encapsulates a spirit of self-expression and a drive for greatness, suggesting that she felt destined for something extraordinary rather than settling for mediocrity or conforming to societal norms. The quote can inspire others to pursue their dreams relentlessly and embrace their unique talents and potential.


"There are no small parts, only small actors."

This quote emphasizes that every role, regardless of its perceived size or significance, can be significant when performed with dedication and skill. It suggests that an actor's talent and professionalism are more important than the role they are given. Essentially, it encourages actors to approach each part with equal importance and to strive for greatness in every performance.


"We think too much and feel so little: more than is necessary for us - humanity is out of balance."

Vivien Leigh suggests that humans tend to over-intellectualize at the expense of their emotions, leading to an emotional imbalance in society. She encourages a better harmony between thinking and feeling, recognizing that both are crucial for a balanced life experience.


"Some day I shall come back. Until then, goodbye."

This quote by Vivien Leigh, who famously portrayed Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind, implies a longing for a return to something or someone she deeply cares about, coupled with a temporary farewell. It suggests an unwavering hope of reunion and a resilient spirit that endures separation. The quote is poignant because it communicates a sense of bittersweet parting, where goodbye isn't necessarily final, but rather an acceptance of the current state while maintaining hope for what lies ahead.


My first husband and I are still good friends and there is no earthly reason why I should not see him. Larry and I are very much in love.

- Vivien Leigh

Love, Reason, Very, Earthly

Dear Lord, I'm so grateful I'm still loved.

- Vivien Leigh

Thankful, Grateful, Still, Dear

You know the passage where Scarlett voices her happiness that her mother is dead, so that she can't see what a bad girl Scarlett has become? Well, that's me.

- Vivien Leigh

Bad, Voices, Passage, Bad Girl

I think Edith Evans is the most marvelous actress in the world and she can look beautiful. People who aren't beautiful can look beautiful. She can look as beautiful as Diana Cooper, who was the most beautiful woman in the world.

- Vivien Leigh

Think, Actress, I Think, Marvelous

One is just an interpreter of what the playwright thinks, and therefore the greater the playwright, the more satisfying it is to act in the plays.

- Vivien Leigh

Playwright, Act, Plays, Satisfying

People think that if you look fairly reasonable, you can't possibly act, and as I only care about acting, I think beauty can be a great handicap.

- Vivien Leigh

Beauty, Think, I Think, Possibly

Shaw is like a train. One just speaks the words and sits in one's place. But Shakespeare is like bathing in the sea - one swims where one wants.

- Vivien Leigh

Sea, Words, Like, Train

Comedy is much more difficult than tragedy-and a much better training, I think. It's much easier to make people cry than to make them laugh.

- Vivien Leigh

Think, Comedy, I Think, Laugh

I've been a godmother loads of times, but being a grandmother is better than anything.

- Vivien Leigh

Better, Been, Times, Godmother

English people don't have very good diction. In France you have to pronounce very particularly and clearly, and learning French at an early age helped me enormously.

- Vivien Leigh

Learning, Very, Particularly, Diction

My parents were French and Irish and our family even has Spanish blood-and I do so love the United States and consider myself part American.

- Vivien Leigh

Love, United States, Spanish, French

When I was at school at Paris, I had special lessons from Mademoiselle Antoine, an actress at the Comedie Francaise, and I was taken to every sort of play. I felt very grand.

- Vivien Leigh

Play, Actress, Very, Lessons

Sometimes I dread the truth of the lines I say. But the dread must never show.

- Vivien Leigh

Truth, Never, Sometimes, Lines

I always know my lines.

- Vivien Leigh

Know, Always, Lines

I'm not a film star, I am an actress. Being a film star is such a false life, lived for fake values and for publicity.

- Vivien Leigh

Values, Star, Actress, Fake

A lucky thing Eva Peron was. She died at 32. I'm already 45.

- Vivien Leigh

Lucky, She, Died, Eva

My parents were absolutely delighted that I knew what I wanted to do.

- Vivien Leigh

Wanted, Were, Absolutely, Delighted

Classical plays require more imagination and more general training to be able to do. That's why I like playing Shakespeare better than anything else.

- Vivien Leigh

More, Like, Plays, Shakespeare

Every single night I'm nervous. You never know how the audience is going to react.

- Vivien Leigh

Night, Audience, Going, Single Night

I'm not young. What's wrong with that?

- Vivien Leigh

Young, Wrong

I never found accents difficult, after learning languages.

- Vivien Leigh

Never, Found, Languages, Accents

I need something truly beautiful to look at in hotel rooms.

- Vivien Leigh

Beautiful, Need, Rooms, Hotel

I know I am right for Scarlett. I can convince Mr. Selznick.

- Vivien Leigh

I Am, Scarlett, Mr, Convince

I don't know what that Method is. Acting is life, to me, and should be.

- Vivien Leigh

Me, Should, Method, Acting

Streetcar is a most wonderful, wonderful play.

- Vivien Leigh

Play, Wonderful, Most, Streetcar

I think any classical training in the theatre is of enormous value.

- Vivien Leigh

Theatre, Think, I Think, Classical

When I come into the theatre I get a sense of security. I love an audience. I love people, and I act because I like trying to give pleasure to people.

- Vivien Leigh

Love, Give, Audience, Theatre

I adore dancing.

- Vivien Leigh

Dancing, Adore

I've always been mad about cats.

- Vivien Leigh

Pet, Always, Been, Mad

I am going to be a great actress.

- Vivien Leigh

I Am, Going, Am, Actress

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