Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

139 Claire Danes Quotes

Famous As: Known for Her Performance in TV Series 'Homeland'
Born On: April 12, 1979
Born In: Manhattan, New York, United States
Age: 43 Years

Claire Danes is an American actress, best known for playing ‘Angela Chase’ in the television show ‘My So-Called Life’ (1994). She has also starred in several films, such as ‘Little Women’ (1994), ‘Romeo+ Juliet’ (1996), ‘The Rainmaker’ (1997), ‘The Hours’ (2002), ‘Stardust’ (2007), and ‘A Kid Like Jake’ (2018). She is a three-time ‘Emmy Award’ winner. She has won four ‘Golden Globe Awards’ and two ‘Screen Actors Guild Awards’ as well. She received a star on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame’ in 2015. Danes is a feminist, and stands up for women rights. She is also an active supporter of charities such as ‘Afghan Hands’ and ‘Donorchoose.org.’ We have curated some of Claire Danes' quotes on acting, women, love, health, passion, and relationships. 

I have plenty of vanity in my life. I want to look pretty in the world. But it can be this bottomless pit.

I have plenty of vanity in my life. I want to look pretty in the world. But it can be this bottomless pit.

Claire Danes
I'm very vain about my performance. I want to give as honest a performance as I can. But I'm not so worried about being regarded as beautiful when I'm playing a character.

I'm very vain about my performance. I want to give as honest a performance as I can. But I'm not so worried about being regarded as beautiful when I'm playing a character.

Claire Danes
I exercise more for mental relaxation than anything else.

I exercise more for mental relaxation than anything else.

Claire Danes
I try to eat sensibly. I cheat, but for the most part, I eat in a clean way.

I try to eat sensibly. I cheat, but for the most part, I eat in a clean way.

Claire Danes
I eat in moderation and try not to worry about it.

I eat in moderation and try not to worry about it.

Claire Danes
I don't want to be an actress. I want to be doing good work that is well written and has good people in it.

I don't want to be an actress. I want to be doing good work that is well written and has good people in it.

Claire Danes
I just want to be a sane person. I wanna be a person who has a life and who acts.

I just want to be a sane person. I wanna be a person who has a life and who acts.

Claire Danes
I think you can become dependent on fame and be as known as you want to be, you know?

I think you can become dependent on fame and be as known as you want to be, you know?

Claire Danes
It's a very young mistake to assume that life is very serious. I get the joke now.

It's a very young mistake to assume that life is very serious. I get the joke now.

Claire Danes
I do feel like I've gotten younger as I've aged.

I do feel like I've gotten younger as I've aged.

Claire Danes
When somebody asks me who I'm wearing, I always see myself with a BabyBjoern, carrying a little tiny Karl Lagerfeld, like, 'I'm wearing Chanel.'

When somebody asks me who I'm wearing, I always see myself with a BabyBjoern, carrying a little tiny Karl Lagerfeld, like, 'I'm wearing Chanel.'

Claire Danes
Working gives you this new perspective. You don't take everything too seriously, and you realise that if you don't do too well on a history test, it's not the end of the world.

Working gives you this new perspective. You don't take everything too seriously, and you realise that if you don't do too well on a history test, it's not the end of the world.

Claire Danes
I was an actor who happened to be a kid.

I was an actor who happened to be a kid.

Claire Danes
It's been a great privilege to see how interwoven nations are and how incredibly complex these relationships are. It's so elaborate.

It's been a great privilege to see how interwoven nations are and how incredibly complex these relationships are. It's so elaborate.

Claire Danes
I wouldn't say that I'm a naturally political beast.

I wouldn't say that I'm a naturally political beast.

Claire Danes
Germany's fascinating. It's a really rich landscape to film and dramatise.

Germany's fascinating. It's a really rich landscape to film and dramatise.

Claire Danes
I love Berlin.

I love Berlin.

Claire Danes
I would be a terrible CIA officer in real life.

I would be a terrible CIA officer in real life.

Claire Danes
I've never been interested or particularly good at censoring my experience.

I've never been interested or particularly good at censoring my experience.

Claire Danes
I still have a book club with my friends from when I was 5. That's the privilege of growing up in a place where people want to remain. It's a huge gift.

I still have a book club with my friends from when I was 5. That's the privilege of growing up in a place where people want to remain. It's a huge gift.

Claire Danes
You have to come to work from a place of love.

You have to come to work from a place of love.

Claire Danes
I think people are made uncomfortable by uncensored expressions of emotion.

I think people are made uncomfortable by uncensored expressions of emotion.

Claire Danes
The twenties are a deceptively challenging-slash-painful time. I'm just glad to be out of that phase.

The twenties are a deceptively challenging-slash-painful time. I'm just glad to be out of that phase.

Claire Danes
I am a feminist.

I am a feminist.

Claire Danes
I care about being formally physically attractive in my life, and I think that I am quite vain about my performance. I'm just not vain about how I look while I give the performance.

I care about being formally physically attractive in my life, and I think that I am quite vain about my performance. I'm just not vain about how I look while I give the performance.

Claire Danes
I love sitting in the makeup trailer and getting my makeup done in 15 minutes as opposed to an hour and a half.

I love sitting in the makeup trailer and getting my makeup done in 15 minutes as opposed to an hour and a half.

Claire Danes
If I hadn't been an actress, I was thinking seriously about going into psychology. It's just really what I'm interested in: the human psyche and how we process information.

If I hadn't been an actress, I was thinking seriously about going into psychology. It's just really what I'm interested in: the human psyche and how we process information.

Claire Danes
I was a pretty nerdy kid. I was pretty nerdy. I'm still kind of nerdy. I have all of the worst qualities of being a nerd - all of the affect and none of the smarts. I'm a useless nerd! That's pretty bad.

I was a pretty nerdy kid. I was pretty nerdy. I'm still kind of nerdy. I have all of the worst qualities of being a nerd - all of the affect and none of the smarts. I'm a useless nerd! That's pretty bad.

Claire Danes
Television lets audiences deeply connect with characters.

Television lets audiences deeply connect with characters.

Claire Danes
My first offer was when I was 12, and it was for a soap opera. And I turned it down because I knew that I was an unformed actor, and I didn't want to develop bad habits.

My first offer was when I was 12, and it was for a soap opera. And I turned it down because I knew that I was an unformed actor, and I didn't want to develop bad habits.

Claire Danes
I have to say that my dad's face is very malleable. He's barely got any cartilage in his face. I think I maybe inherited that Play-Doh-like physicality from him.

I have to say that my dad's face is very malleable. He's barely got any cartilage in his face. I think I maybe inherited that Play-Doh-like physicality from him.

Claire Danes
So much of my job is about finding another job, and that's really boring.

So much of my job is about finding another job, and that's really boring.

Claire Danes
Growing up in New York City, I was always encouraged to question authority, and I think I confused patriotism with jingoism.

Growing up in New York City, I was always encouraged to question authority, and I think I confused patriotism with jingoism.

Claire Danes
I would not say that secret-keeping is one of my finer skills, actually.

I would not say that secret-keeping is one of my finer skills, actually.

Claire Danes
I'm just a big old nerd.

I'm just a big old nerd.

Claire Danes
I was a serious kid to an absurd degree. I was overwhelmed with responsibility. You know, trying to play grown up. I overdid it.

I was a serious kid to an absurd degree. I was overwhelmed with responsibility. You know, trying to play grown up. I overdid it.

Claire Danes
I don't know any celebrated people that register in a big way who aren't unique.

I don't know any celebrated people that register in a big way who aren't unique.

Claire Danes
I guess I stopped acting when I was 18 and didn't pick it up again until I was 21. That wasn't the plan, though. When I first started at Yale, the plan was to do a movie each summer.

I guess I stopped acting when I was 18 and didn't pick it up again until I was 21. That wasn't the plan, though. When I first started at Yale, the plan was to do a movie each summer.

Claire Danes
By the time I went to Yale, I'd been acting for a long time and I was really tired of it. I was restless - and a little bored - and I was really eager to investigate different parts of myself.

By the time I went to Yale, I'd been acting for a long time and I was really tired of it. I was restless - and a little bored - and I was really eager to investigate different parts of myself.

Claire Danes
I'm just always learning lines. I've learned to flag the really crucial scenes, and I start figuring them out and committing them to memory as soon as I get them.

I'm just always learning lines. I've learned to flag the really crucial scenes, and I start figuring them out and committing them to memory as soon as I get them.

Claire Danes
I was a very confident child. I knew I wanted to be an actress from the age of 5.

I was a very confident child. I knew I wanted to be an actress from the age of 5.

Claire Danes
My parents never condescended to me. As a child, I always sat at the head of our dinner table. I was always given a lot of responsibility.

My parents never condescended to me. As a child, I always sat at the head of our dinner table. I was always given a lot of responsibility.

Claire Danes
It's very difficult to judge yourself. Extreme self-doubt is only attractive when it's fictionalized. Which is why people love the movies. They are so reassuring.

It's very difficult to judge yourself. Extreme self-doubt is only attractive when it's fictionalized. Which is why people love the movies. They are so reassuring.

Claire Danes
I like marriage. I feel very secure. It helps when you are in love with the person you are married to.

I like marriage. I feel very secure. It helps when you are in love with the person you are married to.

Claire Danes
I could truly have gone through life thinking that women were these venomous creatures. Turns out, they're not.

I could truly have gone through life thinking that women were these venomous creatures. Turns out, they're not.

Claire Danes
I've always very earnestly tried to do my best, so I just have to trust that and forgive myself for being fallible.

I've always very earnestly tried to do my best, so I just have to trust that and forgive myself for being fallible.

Claire Danes
I discovered Christopher Isherwood in college. His writing style is so direct, warm, and inclusive.

I discovered Christopher Isherwood in college. His writing style is so direct, warm, and inclusive.

Claire Danes
Acting is a humiliating job, from start to finish.

Acting is a humiliating job, from start to finish.

Claire Danes
Oliver Stone's strategy is to unnerve the actors so as to make them alert and alive.

Oliver Stone's strategy is to unnerve the actors so as to make them alert and alive.

Claire Danes
College was just so essential for my sense of self and my development.

College was just so essential for my sense of self and my development.

Claire Danes
I would rather not work than be a neurotic mess.

I would rather not work than be a neurotic mess.

Claire Danes
Every time I make a movie, I'm prepared for it to become influential and career-defining - but I have no control over these things.

Every time I make a movie, I'm prepared for it to become influential and career-defining - but I have no control over these things.

Claire Danes
I particularly love Israel. I've had fantastic experiences there.

I particularly love Israel. I've had fantastic experiences there.

Claire Danes
If I took my characters home with me, half of my life would be a misery, I think. No, I tend to compartmentalize work from my life. I'm not terribly method.

If I took my characters home with me, half of my life would be a misery, I think. No, I tend to compartmentalize work from my life. I'm not terribly method.

Claire Danes
I discovered Orson Welles in college; my freshman English professor screened 'Citizen Kane' for us, and I wound up writing a 20-page term paper on it.

I discovered Orson Welles in college; my freshman English professor screened 'Citizen Kane' for us, and I wound up writing a 20-page term paper on it.

Claire Danes
In New York City, everybody goes into therapy.

In New York City, everybody goes into therapy.

Claire Danes
I was very driven to act from a very young age, and my parents were not only tolerant of that drive but also encouraging.

I was very driven to act from a very young age, and my parents were not only tolerant of that drive but also encouraging.

Claire Danes
People confuse fame with validation or love. But fame is not the reward. The reward is getting fulfillment out of doing the thing you love.

People confuse fame with validation or love. But fame is not the reward. The reward is getting fulfillment out of doing the thing you love.

Claire Danes
Actors want to surprise themselves. When it's really good, you kind of transcend yourself, and that happens infrequently. Very, very rarely.

Actors want to surprise themselves. When it's really good, you kind of transcend yourself, and that happens infrequently. Very, very rarely.

Claire Danes
I'm exceptionally open with my own parents, and they're exceptionally open with me.

I'm exceptionally open with my own parents, and they're exceptionally open with me.

Claire Danes
I got an agent when I was 12, and I started working in more amateur productions well before that. But even as a kid, I never felt like a kid actor, you know? I always took myself kind of absurdly seriously.

I got an agent when I was 12, and I started working in more amateur productions well before that. But even as a kid, I never felt like a kid actor, you know? I always took myself kind of absurdly seriously.

Claire Danes
I actually haven't been approached a whole lot for television, believe it or not.

I actually haven't been approached a whole lot for television, believe it or not.

Claire Danes
We just can't shake monogamy. It definitely demands a kind of rigor and discipline and selflessness. But it's also fun.

We just can't shake monogamy. It definitely demands a kind of rigor and discipline and selflessness. But it's also fun.

Claire Danes
It's funny with jeans now, because if they don't feel like a pair of sweatpants, I don't have patience for them anymore! I think I'm becoming increasingly lazy.

It's funny with jeans now, because if they don't feel like a pair of sweatpants, I don't have patience for them anymore! I think I'm becoming increasingly lazy.

Claire Danes
When I was a kid, I was one of those really obnoxious 'oooh oooh' girls, with my hand up in the air constantly. I've learned over the years that that's not so attractive, so I've censored that.

When I was a kid, I was one of those really obnoxious 'oooh oooh' girls, with my hand up in the air constantly. I've learned over the years that that's not so attractive, so I've censored that.

Claire Danes
I am not a genius. But I am nerdy.

I am not a genius. But I am nerdy.

Claire Danes
I think I would make a lousy stay-at-home mom. It just wouldn't suit me.

I think I would make a lousy stay-at-home mom. It just wouldn't suit me.

Claire Danes
You have to stay hydrated when you have crying scenes.

You have to stay hydrated when you have crying scenes.

Claire Danes
You have to pick your battles on set.

You have to pick your battles on set.

Claire Danes
I can get a dance party started pretty much anywhere and anytime.

I can get a dance party started pretty much anywhere and anytime.

Claire Danes
Autism does exist on a spectrum, and there are so many manifestations of it, so many kinds of expressions of it. And every case is particular.

Autism does exist on a spectrum, and there are so many manifestations of it, so many kinds of expressions of it. And every case is particular.

Claire Danes
Most people assume that autistic people are not capable of empathy.

Most people assume that autistic people are not capable of empathy.

Claire Danes
I should be so lucky to be a misfit. I aspire to be a misfit.

I should be so lucky to be a misfit. I aspire to be a misfit.

Claire Danes
I think people who make movies and have invested a lot of money in them get frightened that if they challenge an audience they are going to repel them. And I think the opposite; it's really true.

I think people who make movies and have invested a lot of money in them get frightened that if they challenge an audience they are going to repel them. And I think the opposite; it's really true.

Claire Danes
Voice over can be tricky. It can be dangerous because it's over-used or inappropriately used.

Voice over can be tricky. It can be dangerous because it's over-used or inappropriately used.

Claire Danes
I think 'Breaking Bad' is incredible.

I think 'Breaking Bad' is incredible.

Claire Danes
Any story is better with a little love in it, right?

Any story is better with a little love in it, right?

Claire Danes
When you really get it right in acting, it's an act of empathy. You feel less distant from others, and that is really exciting.

When you really get it right in acting, it's an act of empathy. You feel less distant from others, and that is really exciting.

Claire Danes
I like reading novels because it provides insight into human behavior.

I like reading novels because it provides insight into human behavior.

Claire Danes
Steve Martin is one of my favorite performers, writers, artists of all time.

Steve Martin is one of my favorite performers, writers, artists of all time.

Claire Danes
I'm so impressed by Jennifer Lawrence and Carey Mulligan. They have this exquisite taste. They are very gifted in their ability to make great choices.

I'm so impressed by Jennifer Lawrence and Carey Mulligan. They have this exquisite taste. They are very gifted in their ability to make great choices.

Claire Danes
On a film you can really get away with learning the scene the night before and that's often just not possible with TV, so you have to be a little bit more prepared a little bit more in advance.

On a film you can really get away with learning the scene the night before and that's often just not possible with TV, so you have to be a little bit more prepared a little bit more in advance.

Claire Danes
Psychology and acting are very closely linked. It's just about studying people and how they work. It can be an incredible discipline and exercise.

Psychology and acting are very closely linked. It's just about studying people and how they work. It can be an incredible discipline and exercise.

Claire Danes
The first time I realised I was patriotic was after September 11th.

The first time I realised I was patriotic was after September 11th.

Claire Danes
I think it's important to never play 'crazy' - you have to know what kind of crazy you're playing.

I think it's important to never play 'crazy' - you have to know what kind of crazy you're playing.

Claire Danes
I became very successful at a young age... I had lots of opportunities and lots of power and had no idea how to focus it.

I became very successful at a young age... I had lots of opportunities and lots of power and had no idea how to focus it.

Claire Danes
However, I'm at a very comfortable place in my career and celebrity, in that I don't have to audition as extensively as I used to for roles but yet I'm not immediately recognizable.

However, I'm at a very comfortable place in my career and celebrity, in that I don't have to audition as extensively as I used to for roles but yet I'm not immediately recognizable.

Claire Danes
I hadn't been free from adult responsibilities since I was 12, and I needed to experience that. I really needed to just be a kid again.

I hadn't been free from adult responsibilities since I was 12, and I needed to experience that. I really needed to just be a kid again.

Claire Danes
I know, it's true. I've played these tortured teenagers. I can't wait to shed that image.

I know, it's true. I've played these tortured teenagers. I can't wait to shed that image.

Claire Danes
I really liked Yale, although it was extremely intimidating. When I visited the campus, I was hiding behind trees, I felt so unworthy.

I really liked Yale, although it was extremely intimidating. When I visited the campus, I was hiding behind trees, I felt so unworthy.

Claire Danes
I think because I am as earnest as I am, people were accepting of my evolving into a certified, legitimate, and grown up and I did take three years off.

I think because I am as earnest as I am, people were accepting of my evolving into a certified, legitimate, and grown up and I did take three years off.

Claire Danes
I took three years off. I differentiated myself from the industry. Found my identity - sort of... I haven't graduated yet. I'm not legitimately educated yet, but maybe one day.

I took three years off. I differentiated myself from the industry. Found my identity - sort of... I haven't graduated yet. I'm not legitimately educated yet, but maybe one day.

Claire Danes
I would sign on for projects that were meant to shoot in July, and then they would postponed and they would bleed into the following semester, and then I'd take a semester off, and then the movie would collapse.

I would sign on for projects that were meant to shoot in July, and then they would postponed and they would bleed into the following semester, and then I'd take a semester off, and then the movie would collapse.

Claire Danes
I'm only realizing now that I was a child actress because I always took myself so seriously.

I'm only realizing now that I was a child actress because I always took myself so seriously.

Claire Danes
Maybe philosophy - I love talking about ideas. Or maybe art history. I was thinking about psychology, then I got really afraid because everybody says it's terribly boring.

Maybe philosophy - I love talking about ideas. Or maybe art history. I was thinking about psychology, then I got really afraid because everybody says it's terribly boring.

Claire Danes
My character was kidnapped by the Terminator and I was kidnapped by the Terminator production.

My character was kidnapped by the Terminator and I was kidnapped by the Terminator production.

Claire Danes
There's certainly something very uncomfortable about the voyeurism involved in being in the press, being an actor, where people have a seemingly insatiable curiosity about, you.

There's certainly something very uncomfortable about the voyeurism involved in being in the press, being an actor, where people have a seemingly insatiable curiosity about, you.

Claire Danes
You know, let a few years go by until I hit my midlife crisis. Then that can be documented on film.

You know, let a few years go by until I hit my midlife crisis. Then that can be documented on film.

Claire Danes
You don't realize how useful a therapist is until you see yourself on e and discover you have more problems than you ever dreamed of.

You don't realize how useful a therapist is until you see yourself on e and discover you have more problems than you ever dreamed of.

Claire Danes
I really have never been concerned about being beautiful on-screen. That's just not my jam.

I really have never been concerned about being beautiful on-screen. That's just not my jam.

Claire Danes
Narciso Rodriguez was my first fashion big brother. He made my wedding dress, which was wonderful.

Narciso Rodriguez was my first fashion big brother. He made my wedding dress, which was wonderful.

Claire Danes
Oh, I'm full of fear. I care about things; therefore, I have fears. I like to think that I'm brave, which is different. Brave means you're able to admit that you care. If you care, you are vulnerable.

Oh, I'm full of fear. I care about things; therefore, I have fears. I like to think that I'm brave, which is different. Brave means you're able to admit that you care. If you care, you are vulnerable.

Claire Danes