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Helen Hayes Quotes
1900–1993 United States
Helen Hayes MacArthur (née Brown; 10 October 1900 – 17 March 1993) was an American actress whose career spanned 80 years. She eventually received the nickname "First Lady of American Theatre" and was one of 16 people who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award (an EGOT).
United States Actresses Conservatives Also known as: Hayes, Helen
Random Helen Hayes quote
13 quotes
People who refuse to rest honorably on their laurels when they reach "retirement" age seem very admirable to me.
My Life in Three Acts (1990)
An actress always knows when she’s hit it and mostly you haven’t; but once or twice I think I hit it right, so maybe that’s good enough for one life.
The worst constructed play is a Bach fugue when compared to life.
On Reflection (1968)
Actors work and slave — and it is the color of your hair that can determine your fate in the end.
On Reflection (1968)
One has to grow up with good talk in order to form the habit of it.
Egocentrics are attracted to the inept. It gives them one more excuse for patting themselves on the back.
On Reflection (1968)
Actors cannot choose the manner in which they are born. Consequently, it is the one gesture in their lives completely devoid of self-consciousness.
On Reflection (1968)
The truth [is] that there is only one terminal dignity — love. And the story of love is not important — what is important is that one is capable of love. It is perhaps the only glimpse we are permitted of eternity.
Stardom can be a gilded slavery.
On Reflection (1968)
The old-fashioned idea that the simple piling up of experiences, one on top of another, can make you an artist, is, of course, so much rubbish. If acting were just a matter of experience, then any busy harlot could make Garbo’s Camille pale.
On Reflection (1968)
The theatre demanded of its members stamina, good digestion, the ability to adjust, and a strong sense of humor. There was no discomfort an actor didn’t learn to endure. To survive, we had to be horses and we were.
On Reflection (1968)
The good die young — but not always. The wicked prevail — but not consistently. I am confused by life, and I feel safe within the confines of the theatre. O'Neil's dramas are slapstick farces, Albee's riddles are simple explanations, Pinter's threatening and threatened anti-heroes are innocent babes — next to life and the living.
On Reflection (1968)
Every human being on this earth is born with a tragedy, and it isn't original sin. He's born with the tragedy that he has to grow up. That he has to leave the nest, the security, and go out to do battle. He has to lose everything that is lovely and fight for a new loveliness of his own making, and it's a tragedy. A lot of people don't have the courage to do it.
Showcase (1966)
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