On acting to daughter Isabella Rossellini: Keep it simple. Make a blank face and the music and the story will fill it in.
In Hollywood, you’re never any better than your last picture.
I regret the things I didn’t do, not what I did.
I thank God who slowly dressed me in a heavy skin, otherwise I would now be dead.
The theater was my mother and my father.
I hate Sunday, I can’t wait for Monday so I can go back to work again.
I’m only interested in two kinds of people, those who can entertain me and those who can advance my career.
I always felt guilty. My whole life.
Never again! I can see no reason for marriage – ever at all. I’ve had it. Three times is enough.
It is not whether you really cry. It’s whether the audience thinks you are crying.
Until 45 I can play a woman in love. After 55 I can play grandmothers. But between those ten years, it is difficult for an actress.
I don’t think anyone has the right to intrude in your life, but they do. I would like people to separate the actress and the woman.
I do not know how to kiss, or I would kiss you. Where do the noses go?
I remember one day sitting at the pool and suddenly the tears were streaming down my cheeks. Why was I so unhappy? I had success. I had security. But it wasn’t enough. I was exploding inside.
A kiss is a secret told to the mouth instead of the ear; kisses are the messengers of love and tenderness.
The first time an autograph hunter told me, ‘You are my mother’s favorite actress,’ I aged twenty years.
There’s nothing like a love song to give you a good laugh.
I don’t worry about it because we are all growing old. If I were the only one I would worry. But we’re all in the same boat, and all of my friends are coming with me. We all go toward old age. How many years left we don’t know. We just have to accept it.
Just give the Italians a chance for drama and they take it with both hands.
I didn’t choose acting. It chose me.