The terrifying thing in my life is that I am just an actress. And I have to keep pushing it and getting approval, approval, approval or I don’t think I’m worth two cents. And I am starting to get over it, thank God. And I’m just sad because I don’t have many years left and I wish I had a longer space of time to think that Elaine Stritch is okay.
People will always be around to tell you you're no good or you're wrong or unwise to keep doing what you want to do. They're wrong. They're always wrong. Keep going.
It gets tiring being a smartass.
Fear is the base of what everybody does wrong in their lives.
Two drinks a day. Two drinks a day. TWO DRINKS A DAY! It doesn't work! Not when you want eleven, and not when you start shopping for wine glasses in the vase department at Bloomingdales.
Everybody's got a sack of rocks.
I don't think there's any thrill in the world like doing work you're good at.
I find it easier to abstain than do a little bit of anything. I'm not a 'little bit' kind of dame. I want it all, whatever I do.
I am not influenced by other human beings. But I am inspired.
This is a time in my life where I'm gonna behave like an elegant human being. Or not.
And why not do something new every day of your life? Change! Change!
There will always be ladies who lunch. Always. And apparently they live a long time.
When you're dealing with your life, my God, you gotta tell the truth.
I love holidays in New York. I love `em. I want to celebrate something all the time and New York has holidays for every day of the week, practically. I like holidays in New York City.
I don't know what the hell I'm doing up there half the time. These performers that go on about their technique and craft - oh, puleeze! How boring! I don't know what technique means. But I do know what experience is. I know in my gut when I've done a scene right.
You cannot tell an audience a lie. They know it before you do; before it's out of your mouth, they know it's a lie.
I don't know what should have happened in my life, but I do know that I'm dancing as fast as I can.
If somebody doesn't have any talent, get off the stage! You're wasting my time.
I’d like to discover life. Quite frankly I don’t know how to be happy. I have not a clue. I only serve — and I don’t say that with any grandeur. I just serve others through entertaining. That’s when I am happy. I’m not just delighted with myself when I’m entertaining, but I’m happier than when I’m not.
I don't dislike the way I look. I think I look fine. I think I look extraordinary for 88. And I've got energy. Out of my way.
New York is like a disco, but without the music
Why haven't I made more movies? Nobody asked me.
I felt that I committed myself too much. I promised too much. But that way it's exciting.
For my money, insecurity, depression, etc, can be healed by way of El Morocco, sad songs at 4am, and the pop of a champagne cork
You can't be funny unless you're tragic, and you can't be tragic unless you're funny.
