Laurence Olivier Quotes

English actor and director (1907–1989)

Add quote

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.

From: Wikiquote (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Birth Name: Laurence Kerr Olivier

Alternative Names: Baron Olivier of Brighton • The Lord Olivier • Sir Laurence Olivier • Larry Olivier

From Wikidata (CC0)

Showing quotes in randomized order to avoid selection bias. Click Popular for most popular quotes.

Like coming for a living.

I think that bloody old National nearly killed me.

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.

Never. The shot is too big for the cannon.

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.