Kevin Kline Quotes

I think every American actor wants to be a movie star. But I never wanted to do stupid movies, I wanted to do films.

The worth of a life is not determined by a single failure or a solitary success.

I'm a real pushover for animals.

The technique's many benefits for actors include minimized tension, centeredness, vocal relaxation, and responsiveness, mind/body connection and about an inch and a half of additional height.

Hindsight. It's like foresight without a future.

I've got the Jewish guilt and the Irish shame and it's a hell of a job distinguishing which is which.

I totally related to Cole Porter's magnetic pull to any piano that was in the room, which he was famous for doing, as was Gershwin. You couldn't drag them away from a piano.

But, I do think, on a very simplistic level, that we can project onto dogs because they are so innocent. They don't come with a lot of baggage.

Most of the comedies I've done have been rather farcical and extravagant.

I see God as a song-and-dance man. If I had my way, he'd be able to carry a tune, too. Preferably, one of mine.

Dogs do have feelings. I gather.

Don't kiss a man who hasn't shaved.

Just because you're not sweating doesn't mean you're not putting in the work.

Ambition without contribution is of no significance.

I've never felt completely satisfied with what I've done. I tend to see things too critically. I'm trying to get over that.

Some of my favorite characters that I've played have been very pompous because I love making fun of pompous people.

Nothing makes an actor feel freer and more inventive and more creative than being trusted.

When you have satire, it has to be real. No matter how outrageous the comedy becomes, you have to believe in the characters.

It was all completely incomprehensible to me. I was fearful of the language. You had to look up every third word.

I never went to class. That the university graduated me at all is an indictment of our educational system.

I just don't think I'm a very good singer.

Playing Shakespeare requires technique. You don't play a Bach toccata by getting in the mood.

I can play characters who sing, but I don't like singing in a nightclub or something. It's not my metier.

I had studied piano since I was 13, but I was surrounded by students who'd been playing since they were 5. I realized I was never going to be anything but mediocre.

People ask, 'What's the best role you've ever played?' The next one.

Lots of people fantasize about what it would be like if they were president... Most think they'd be decent and wouldn't be corrupted at all, that they'd remain true to themselves.

You know, actors are fans, too. And talent is very attractive to me.