Laurence Olivier

Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, OM (22 May 1907 – 11 July 1989) was an Oscar winning English actor and director, esteemed by many as the greatest actor of the 20th century.

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Quotes

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.
- As quoted in Famous Actors and Actresses on the American Stage (1975) by William C. Young, p. 885

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.
- As quoted in Laurence Olivier (1979) by Foster Hirsch, p. 166

Never. The shot is too big for the cannon.
- On filming Shakespeare, before he did it, as quoted in Olivier (2005) by Terry Coleman

I think that bloody old National nearly killed me.
- On his period as director of the National Theatre Company (now the Royal National Theatre) in London, as quoted in Olivier (2005) by Terry Coleman

Like coming for a living.
- On acting to a live audience, as quoted in Olivier (2005) by Terry Coleman

In alphabetical order by author or source.

He could speak Shakespeare's lines as naturally as if he were actually thinking them.
- Charles Bennett, as quoted in "Laurence Olivier; Larry and the Bard" by Garrett Chaffin-Quiray, 501 Actors (2007), p. 158

[Asked "So what was the legendary actor really like in the flesh?"] He was so many different things. He could be generous, he could be quite spiteful, he could be, as a performer, quite extraordinary. I don’t think he was a better actor than a lot of his contemporaries but as a performer-magician there was nobody like him. He could pull things out of a hat that just took your breath away.
- Michael Blakemore interviewed by Sarah Hemming, as cited in "Interview: Michael Blakemore", Financial Times (13 September 2013)

Olivier smoked dope. He claimed that he didn't, but he did. I know because I gave him a joint. He got very mellow.
- Trevor Griffiths "Putting the world to rights", The Independent on Sunday (9 August 2009)
- Olivier's last stage performance in 1973 was the lead role of John Tagg in Griffiths' The Party; the National Theatre Company was based at The Old Vic at the time.

Such subtlety, such detail, biting deeper into the role than any actor of my time, or indeed any time.
- Bernard Miles, quoted in Olivier by Terry Coleman, Bloomsbury, 2005, p. 504

I'm breaking all the rules, but I have to say you have been my idol. I admit being jealous of an actor. How I would like to have been what you are. How I wish my career had approximated yours. You have never deserted or failed to serve our profession. Sir, to be presented an award by you gives me infinite pride. You, being a Lord, have raised me to a slightly higher position. I don't feel that I'm quite such a commoner. But, more important, I'm Eddie and you're Larry. And how much easier that is.
- Edward G. Robinson, portion of never-delivered acceptance speech—addressed to prospective presenter Olivier—for what eventually proved to be Robinson's posthumously awarded Honorary Oscar; All My Yesterdays: An Autobiography (1973), by Edward G. Robinson, p. 283

I think you're the only actor in the world who plays in a Shakespeare play with a special, tender familiarity as if you were keeping it in the family.
- J. D. Salinger, in a letter to Olivier dated 1 September 1951, quoted in Olivier by Coleman, p. 240

When I was young, I used to queue at the theater early in the morning to see Olivier. His performances were electrifying...I admired their originality and courage...and their terror. There is no acting like it today. He made me want to become part of the theater.
- Peter Shaffer, quoted in Theater Week Magazine 1989.

As a man and an actor he was an inspiration. I loved him.
- Dorothy Tutin, actress, quoted in Olivier by Coleman, p. 504

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Laurence Olivier