65 Quotes by Michael Gambon

I am a theatre actor, but the last ten years I’ve taken parts in movies because it keeps me in money.

Paul Schofield said something like, ‘If I’m not acting in a play, I don’t really exist.’ Those weren’t the exact words, but he meant it’s only when I’m acting in a play that I’ve got something to say about the world. And then why should I talk, when people can come to see it?

For an actor to remain a child is rather important. It’s a childlike, dreamy thing, acting, if you think about it. It’s the sort of thing children fantasise about, playing cowboys and Indians in the street. I think that acting is just a highly refined development of that.

I just hate the idea of being well known. I know that is almost impossible if you’re an actor who has done okay, but I’ve always fought against it.

I’m very flower-like. I love classical music. I go to ballet and I cry. There’s nothing so beautiful.

I’m an anorak. I’ve always been an obsessive collector of things. Richard Briers collects stamps. I collect cars and guns, which are much more expensive, and much more difficult to store.

I live in fear of being a contented passenger. I’d rather get parts I can’t play.

There are some actors who are rehearsal actors, and some who are not. I am not. Having said that, I don’t know what I am talking about.

Oh yeah, I’d love to be a comedian. I’ve done a lot, but always in the confines of plays.