When an actor has money he doesn’t send letters, he sends telegrams.
Chekhov, Anton
… unless the actor is able to discourse most eloquently without opening his lips, he lacks the prime essential of a finished artist.
Marlowe, Julia
The actor should not play a part. Like the Aeolian harps that used to be hung in the trees to be played only by the breeze, the actor should be an instrument played upon by the character he depicts.
Nazimova, Alla
The art of acting consists in keeping people from coughing.
Richardson, Sir Ralph
The actor can be compared to the soldier. The former dazzled by his triumphs, sighs continually for the struggles of stage- life; the latter filled with the glory he has acquired on the battlefield, cannot resign himself to peace.
Ristori, Adelaide
The actor is too prone to exaggerate his powers; he wants to play Hamlet when his appearance is more suitable to King Lear.
Bernhardt, Sarah
As in a theatre, the eyes of men, after a well-graced actor leaves the stage, are idly bent on him that enters next.
Shakespeare, William
An actor who knows his business ought to be able to make the London telephone directory sound enthralling.
Sinden, Donald
Only a great actor finds the difficulties of the actor’s art infinite.
Terry, Ellen
The play is done; the curtain drops, Slow falling to the prompter’s bell: A moment yet the actor stops, And looks around, to say farewell. It is an irksome word and task: And, when he’s laughed and said his say, He shows, as he removes the mask, A face that’s anything but gay.
Thackery, William
