Laurence Olivier

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

The actor should be able to create the universe in the palm of his hand.

If he was lost for a moment, he would dive straight back into its honey.

I'd like people to remember me for a diligent expert workman. I think a poet is a workman. I think Shakespeare was a workman. And God's a workman. I don't think there's anything better than a workman.

When you're a young man, Macbeth is a character part. When you're older, it's a straight part.

I suppose, unconsciously, I used all my wives to further my journey up the ladder.

Living is strife and torment, disappointment and love and sacrifice, golden sunsets and black storms. I said that some time ago, and today I do not think I would add one word.

The office of drama is to exercise, possibly to exhaust, human emotions. The purpose of comedy is to tickle those emotions into an expression of light relief; of tragedy, to wound them and bring the relief of tears. Disgust and terror are the other points of the compass.

I can't think I've ever loved anybody quite as much... My mother was my life, really; she was my entire world.

I take a simple view of life: keep your eyes open and get on with it.

I believe that in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, a great theater is the outward and visible sign of an inward and probable culture.

A man's prime interest in life must be his work.