Actress Quotes

The first time I acted was in high school in Florida, and when I heard that applause I felt so alive and felt that electricity go up my spine.

My mom was always pretty supportive. She saw me do plays and she'd always act out the parts I did. My aunt, who played a big part in my life, was a little bit more reserved, because if they don't see you on TV every week they think you must be starving.

I'm thinking about directing, but I know it's a lot of work and I appreciate what directors do and I would like to be good at it. The opportunity has presented itself four to five times, and I usually said no because of the script.

I would have to say honestly I was very pleased to be in a film whether it was good or bad with De Niro, Norton and Brando even if I don't have any scenes with them, I thought it was pretty good company to keep.

I like the nice guys. I like when they show the stories, the human element behind it all.

I guess I'm breaking out a little of what's comfortable and easy.

I am content that the work that I've done is wonderful.

Film is forever.

Drink a bunch of water and get facials regularly. I take care of my skin.

This is a career about images. It's celluloid; they last for ever. I'm a black woman from America. My people were slaves in America, and even though we're free on paper and in law, I'm not going to allow you to enslave me on film, in celluloid, for all to see.

I really believe that what I do as an actress is my God-given talent. This is my calling, not my career.

God made a way out of no way.

When I was in school, my mother stressed education. I am so glad she did. I graduated from Yale College and Yale University with my master's and I didn't do it by missing school.

I can give you the King's English and then I can take it to the street, but do both or do one and don't do one knowing only the street. That's going to hold you back because what comes out is going to impress people, and it will impress them negatively.

You have to be a little unreal to be in this business.

There's no doubt that becoming a mother was the greatest thing I'll ever do.

My priorities had been changing before I had Addie but after she was born they changed completely. I don't count - my daughter sort of owns me.

I'm not a real social person - I'm shy - and a lot of the business is just social.

I'm a very determined person.

I'm a very determined businesswoman... I've got lots of things to do, and I don't have time to be classified as difficult, and I don't have time.

I think any girl who comes to Hollywood with sex symbol or bombshell hanging over her has a rough road.

I remember that Jack Lemmon, who is one of my favorite actors of all time, says that the day he stops being nervous is the day he should leave the business.

I love to be nervous before a scene.

You lose your anonymity just like a helium balloon with a string. Therefore people are going to have their own opinion and they're going to write in whatever clever manner they desire.

I feel there are two people inside me - me and my intuition. If I go against her, she'll screw me every time, and if I follow her, we get along quite nicely.

The only way to be happy and be a more enjoyable person to be around is to embrace what you've got. Everyone has issues about their body, but I feel confident now. I'm healthy and happy.

It kind of irritates me that I'm seen as this pretty face. People also say I'm too thin. The truth is pretty people aren't as accepted as other people. It comes with all these stigmas.

I'm not really sure what people's preconceived notions are. I don't look at the gossip websites - it's unhealthy and I think it's a large part of what drives people in L.A. crazy.

I love to draw people's faces. I do that all the time.

I like playing dark, offbeat, quirky characters.