178 Quotes by Elaine Stritch

It’s very disconcerting to start out and to say, “I’m going to tell the truth,” and then to realize it’s that much trouble.

I don’t have a great talent for explaining myself in acting because I can’t explain it.

I certainly was not the romantic lead. I couldn’t be that, because I was not that good looking. And that is something about Hollywood that I do not like at all. Why can’t a woman who is just normally good looking fall in love? I mean, everybody in the movies is so good looking.

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 wouldn’t have a nose job. I like my nose fine.

I like to keep active. I’ve got too much energy not to.

Tony Bennett said to me, “Wow, your talent is amazing.” Maybe he’s a bore, maybe he’s a jerk, but when he said that to me, I didn’t need anything more than that.

If somebody doesn’t have any talent, get off the stage! You’re wasting my time.

Audiences are not strangers to me. They’re the best friends I’ve got in my life.