376 Quotes by viggo mortensen

Joseph Campbell said the privilege of a lifetime is being yourself. That’s his feeling. And I guess it’s mine too.

In the end, the actor’s main power is the power to say, ‘No.’

Yes, I would agree that America, just like Spain was in the 17th Century, is the main empire of the world and they are the ones who, on the surface, are the most pushy: pushing their language, pushing their culture – or what there is of it – pushing by force their system on others.

It doesn’t take that many years for a kid to realise that they’re going to die. It’s always there in the back of their mind the rest of their lives.

Life is short and the older you get, the more you feel it. Indeed, the shorter it is.

It’s almost a standard tactic, really, to try to minimize any effort that people in the entertainment business or in any public occupation make to express themselves.

I prefer the smaller acting than big histrionics. It’s about reacting and looks, which is often underestimated.

I have friends who I get along with who I know get very uncomfortable being alone, unless they’re with people, talking all the time. Whether it’s on the phone, or in person, they’re never by themselves. Whereas I could be alone for months.

I’ve never played a Dane in a movie. I’ve had offers to be in Danish movies, including for some good directors, but I either had a job at the time or, when I was available, the movie just didn’t happen. Hopefully someday I’ll do one.