Elaine Stritch
Fear is the base of what everybody does wrong in their lives.
My movie career - if such a thing even exists - is laughable.
Why haven't I made more movies? Nobody asked me.
I don't think there's any thrill in the world like doing work you're good at.
Certain type of actresses get younger instead of older. I always say, 'Only ingenues age.'
When I'm playing comedy, it is such a crap shoot of what will work and what won't.
You cannot tell an audience a lie. They know it before you do; before it's out of your mouth, they know it's a lie.
I don't want to see a movie twice. I don't want to do anything twice.
Audiences are not strangers to me. They're the best friends I've got in my life.
I can't explain chemistry. I really can't. I haven't got a clue what it's all about. It just happens. It's like falling in love. You can't explain why you fall in love or explain why it's this particular person.
All of the writing on '30 Rock' is a joy to go into. It's pretty hot stuff.
I always say, 'If you can't give a reason for the banana peel being in the alley, then don't have the comic slide over it.' Do you understand what I mean? First explain how the banana peel got there quickly. And then there's a reason for all the comedy.
I don't have a great talent for explaining myself in acting because I can't explain it.
Making clever speeches takes a lot of work and a lot of time.
My idea of serenity - that wonderful word that everybody's trying to get into their life - is call-waiting.
You have to be very, very good looking to get ahead in motion pictures.
I like being talked about. I think some people really don't... because they're secure enough and they don't need that.
I love Birmingham, Michigan. It's lovely - you know, it's very similar to the Hamptons.
I'm funny when I want to be. And I'm even funny when I don't want to be.
I don't have to go to a doctor and have my face changed. It terrifies me that women do that.
I'm a good acting partner for me... when I don't have anyone else, I do really well!
I love holidays in New York. I love 'em. I want to celebrate something all the time, and New York has holidays for every day of the week, practically. I like holidays in New York City.
You never know what is happening to yourself when it is happening.
I could have made a lot of money doing 'Golden Girls,' and I would have been good. But the image of it! And for me to work with Betty White every day would be like taking cyanide.
Talent is very dangerous. It alienates people.
Betty White is probably a very nice woman.
I find it easier to abstain than do a little bit of anything. I'm not a 'little bit' kind of dame. I want it all, whatever I do.
New Yorkers stop me on the street all the time to say, 'You're terrific! You're the nuts!'
Let me tell you about those convents. All that crap about extending the pinkie finger while sipping tea is a myth. Convent schools are breeding grounds for great broads and occasionally one-of-the-boys. Convent schools teach you to play against everything, which is what I'm still doing.
These performers that go on about their technique and craft - oh, puleeze! How boring! I don't know what 'technique' means. But I do know what experience is.
Talent is seductive.
There's certainly nothing lasting and definite about the theater.
All you have to do is say, 'I'm going home,' and you're the most popular girl at the party.
The terrifying thing in my life is that I am just an actress. And I have to keep pushing it and getting approval, approval, approval or I don’t think I’m worth two cents. And I am starting to get over it, thank God. And I’m just sad because I don’t have many years left and I wish I had a longer space of time to think that Elaine Stritch is okay.Collection: Thinking
People will always be around to tell you you're no good or you're wrong or unwise to keep doing what you want to do. They're wrong. They're always wrong. Keep going.Collection: People
It gets tiring being a smartass.Collection: Tire
Two drinks a day. Two drinks a day. TWO DRINKS A DAY! It doesn't work! Not when you want eleven, and not when you start shopping for wine glasses in the vase department at Bloomingdales.Collection: Wine
Everybody's got a sack of rocks.Collection: Rocks
This is a time in my life where I'm gonna behave like an elegant human being. Or not.Collection: Behave
And why not do something new every day of your life? Change! Change!Collection: Life Changing
When you're dealing with your life, my God, you gotta tell the truth.Collection: Telling The Truth
I love holidays in New York. I love `em. I want to celebrate something all the time and New York has holidays for every day of the week, practically. I like holidays in New York City.Collection: New York
I don't know what the hell I'm doing up there half the time. These performers that go on about their technique and craft - oh, puleeze! How boring! I don't know what technique means. But I do know what experience is. I know in my gut when I've done a scene right.Collection: Mean
I don't know what should have happened in my life, but I do know that I'm dancing as fast as I can.Collection: Should Have
If somebody doesn't have any talent, get off the stage! You're wasting my time.Collection: Talent
I don't dislike the way I look. I think I look fine. I think I look extraordinary for 88. And I've got energy. Out of my way.Collection: Thinking
New York is like a disco, but without the musicCollection: New York
I’d like to discover life. Quite frankly I don’t know how to be happy. I have not a clue. I only serve — and I don’t say that with any grandeur. I just serve others through entertaining. That’s when I am happy. I’m not just delighted with myself when I’m entertaining, but I’m happier than when I’m not.Collection: Clue
I felt that I committed myself too much. I promised too much. But that way it's exciting.Collection: Too Much