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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.

Laurence Olivier

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Laurence Olivier
Age: 82 †
Born: 1907
Born: May 22
Died: 1989
Died: July 11
Actor
Character Actor
Director
Dramaturge
Film Actor
Film Director
Film Producer
Politician
Screenwriter
Stage Actor
Television Actor
Dorking
Surrey
Baron Olivier of Brighton
The Lord Olivier
Actors
Given
Better
Human
Humans
Theatre
Heart
Actor
Work
Teach
Knowledge

More quotes by Laurence Olivier

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Scratch an actor and you'll find an actor.
Laurence Olivier
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We used to have actresses trying to become stars now we have stars trying to become actresses.
Laurence Olivier
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Don't be afraid to be outrageous the critics will shoot you down anyway.
Laurence Olivier
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We have all, at one time or another, been performers, and many of us still are - politicians, playboys, cardinals and kings.
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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
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My stage successes have provided me with the greatest moments outside myself, my film successes the best moments, professionally, within myself.
Laurence Olivier
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I am far from sure when I am acting and when I am not or, should I more frankly put it, when I am lying and when I am not. For what is acting but lying and what is good acting but convincing lying?
Laurence Olivier
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No matter how well you perform, there's always somebody of intelligent opinion who thinks it's lousy.
Laurence Olivier
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What is acting but lying and what is good lying but convincing lying?
Laurence Olivier
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Without acting, I cannot breathe.
Laurence Olivier
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Work is life for me, it is the only point of life - and with it there is almost religious belief that service is everything.
Laurence Olivier
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The art of persuasion. The actor persuades himself, first, and through himself, the audience.
Laurence Olivier
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Lead the audience by the nose to the thought.
Laurence Olivier
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I believe in the theater I believe in it as the first glamorizer of thought. It restores dramatic dynamics and their relations to life size.
Laurence Olivier
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If you're an artist, you've got to prove it.
Laurence Olivier
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There is a spirit in us that makes our brass to blare and our cymbals crash-all, of course, supported by the practicalities of trained lung power, throat, heart, guts.
Laurence Olivier
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Striving for perfection is the greatest stopper there is. You'll be afraid you can't achieve it. It's your excuse to yourself for not doing anything. Instead, strive for excellence, doing your best.
Laurence Olivier
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Shakespeare - The nearest thing in incarnation to the eye of God.
Laurence Olivier
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[May 1958, on playing Macbeth at age 30 and age 48] When you're a young man, Macbeth is a character part. When you're older, it's a straight part.
Laurence Olivier
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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.
Laurence Olivier