I didn't have any idea that I would be able to have a career in film.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the unexpected and unplanned nature of achieving a successful career in film.
Philip Seymour Hoffman expresses the surprise and unanticipated journey of his career in the film industry. This statement highlights how life can lead us to fulfilling paths often without our initial understanding or foresight, emphasizing the importance of embracing opportunities as they arise.
In practice
In a graduation speech to inspire students about unexpected career paths.
I think I would have drank myself to death, literally, if I didn't just stop, once and for all when I did. I am not ever going to preach to anyone about drugs or drinking. But, for me, when they were around, I had no self control.
Study, find all the good teachers and study with them, get involved in acting to act, not to be famous or for the money. Do plays. It's not worth it if you are just in it for the money. You have to love it.
Well, in the theater, I think you're actually more responsible for what is going on onstage as a director than you are in film.
I've had to make the transition from sweeping in for 15 minutes, doing my stuff and clearing out, to carrying a movie for the duration - in a dress.
I had insecurities and fears like everybody does, and I got over it. But I was interested in the parts of me that struggled with those things.
Thereβs a period of time in your life when I kind of look back, and Iβm like, was I happy, or was I just not aware?
I have known lots of millionaires who were not happy men; they had not got all they wanted and therefore had failed to find success in life. A Singalese proverb says: "He who is happy is rich, but it does not follow that he who is rich is happy." The really rich man is the man who has fewest wants.
I would sooner fail than not be among the greatest.
I certainly wanted my name in lights. I wanted my name on a marquee. I wanted recognition on Broadway.
An investor needs to do very few things right as long as he or she avoids big mistakes.
Self-acceptanc e leads to success, not the other way around.
It takes a lot of discipline to become and stay champion. It also takes a lot of discipline to stop while still feeling that you're in the best physical and mental shape of your life, but I've always planned to leave the sport when I'm at the top and in good health.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.