Ralph Richardson

“I believe in ghosts and spirits. I believe in all sorts of things that most people don't believe in.”

“Laurence Olivier was the most brilliant actor of our time, but he was also the most ruthless.”

“The art of acting consists in keeping people from coughing.”

“The most precious things in speech are the pauses.”

“The theatre is a great place to be. It's the best place to be.”

“I have a face that is a cross between a caricature of a Gila monster and a troubled archbishop.”

“An actor is a sculptor who carves in snow.”

“The best actors, I think, have a kind of innocence about them.”

“Acting is the most minor of gifts. After all, Shirley Temple could do it when she was four.”

“It takes a long time to learn to be simple.”

“I've been in a bit of a bubble. I've been in a different world to most people.”

“I'm always terrified before I go on stage. I'm still terrified.”

“I don't think I'm a very good actor. I'm a very good mimic. But I'm not a very good actor.”