Laurence Olivier Quotes

8 Sourced Quotes

Shakespeare—the nearest thing in incarnation to the eye of God.

Laurence Olivier

What is acting but lying, and what is good acting but convincing lying?

Laurence Olivier

On the role of King Lear:

When you've the strength for it, you're too young; when you've the age you're too old. It's a bugger, isn't it?

Laurence Olivier

Acting is illusion, as much illusion as magic is — and not so much a matter of being real. I mean, I would probably shock Lee Strasberg.

Laurence Olivier

If I wasn't an actor, I think I'd have gone mad. You have to have extra voltage, some extra temperament to reach certain heights. Art is a little bit larger than life — it's an exhalation of life and I think you probably need a little touch of madness.

Laurence Olivier

On being praised for his performance in the play "The Dance of Death" about misery of marriage:

It wasn't difficult. There isn't a line that I haven't said to one of my three wives.

Laurence Olivier

I think that bloody old National nearly killed me.

Laurence Olivier

Acting is a masochistic form of exhibitionism. It is not quite the occupation of an adult.

Laurence Olivier

Laurence Olivier

Laurence Olivier

Creative Commons

Born: May 22, 1907

Died: July 11, 1989 (aged 82)

Bio: Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier of Brighton, Kt was an English actor who, along with his contemporaries Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud, dominated the British stage of the mid-20th century.

Known for:

Rebecca (1940)
Wuthering Heights (1939)
Hamlet (1948)
The Prince and the Showgirl (1957)
Spartacus (1960)

Laurence Olivier on Wikipedia

Suggest an edit or a new quote

Laurence Olivier Quotes

Quotes about Laurence Olivier

British Director Quotes

Director Quotes

20th-century Director Quotes