Laurence Olivier
Laurence Olivier
Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, OMwas an English actor who, along with his contemporaries Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud, dominated the British stage of the mid-20th century. He also worked in films throughout his career, playing more than fifty cinema roles. Late in his career, he had considerable success in television roles...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionMovie Actor
Date of Birth22 May 1907
given heart human knowledge teach work
I don't know what is better than the work that is given to the actor - to teach the human heart the knowledge of itself.
intuition natural-instinct instinct
Surely we have always acted; it is an instinct inherent in all of us. Some of us are better at it than others, but we all do it.
film moments best-moments
My stage successes have provided me with the greatest moments outside myself, my film successes the best moments, professionally, within myself.
scratches actors
Scratch an actor and you'll find an actor.
critics outrageous
Don't be afraid to be outrageous; the critics will shoot you down anyway.
apes mock
We ape, we mimic, we mock. We act.
honey moments lost
If he was lost for a moment, he would dive straight back into its honey.
noses audience
Lead the audience by the nose to the thought.
theatre
I have to act to live.
sleep home feelings
What is the main problem of the actor? It is to keep the audience awake, and not let them go to sleep, then wake up and go home feeling they've wasted their money.
boredom comfort yoke
I'm rather bored by the subject - meaning me. It's a sort of a yoke, but at times you know, a yoke is a kind of comfort. And it's always there.
zest enthusiasm life-is
Life is enthusiasm, zest.
palm
The actor should be able to create the universe in the palm of his hand.
eyes open view
I take a simple view of life: keep your eyes open and get on with it.