Laurence Olivier (1907 – 1989)
Oscar winning English actor and director, esteemed by many as the greatest actor of the 20th century.
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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 I you probably need a little touch of madness.
Such subtlety, such detail, biting deeper into the role than any actor of my time, or indeed any time.
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.
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.
I think that bloody old National nearly killed me.
Like coming for a living.
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