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44 James Woods Quotes

Famous As: Best Known for His Roles in the Films: 'Salvador' and 'Ghosts of Mississippi'
Born On: April 18, 1947
Born In: Vernal, Utah, United States
Age: 75 Years

James Woods initially wanted to be an eye surgeon, but recognition knocked on his door and opened his life to acting. He started small, like many other new actors, by being a part of local theatre troupes. He soon became one of the most known actors in Hollywood, starring in over 130 films. He also is notable for his voiceover work. Apart from his contribution to film and theatre, Woods is a professional poker player and a vocal Democrat who actively participates in politics. His prolific output has impressed many critics. Here is a look at his sayings and opinions on politics, business, acting, films and love compiled from his interviews, articles, and other public appearances.

I'm a pretty quiet guy, but if people want to think of me as a lady killer, I guess that's good.

I'm a pretty quiet guy, but if people want to think of me as a lady killer, I guess that's good.

James Woods
Golfers are genuinely courteous in a discourteous world. Show me a guest on The Jerry Springer Show who's a golfer.

Golfers are genuinely courteous in a discourteous world. Show me a guest on The Jerry Springer Show who's a golfer.

James Woods
Aficionado my ass...I just love to smoke cigars

Aficionado my ass...I just love to smoke cigars

James Woods
Whatever it took to get elected president of the United States, I don't think being a complete and utter moron is one of those predicates.

Whatever it took to get elected president of the United States, I don't think being a complete and utter moron is one of those predicates.

James Woods
I'm famous for being nicer to my fans than anyone on the face of the earth because I figure, a) They pay my salary, and b) It's probably like a big moment in your life to meet somebody; so I would say, 'Just come on up.'

I'm famous for being nicer to my fans than anyone on the face of the earth because I figure, a) They pay my salary, and b) It's probably like a big moment in your life to meet somebody; so I would say, 'Just come on up.'

James Woods
My second ex-wife was really kind of like a ship passing in the night. Only she turned out to be the Exxon Valdez.

My second ex-wife was really kind of like a ship passing in the night. Only she turned out to be the Exxon Valdez.

James Woods
Give Bush 10 minutes before you hammer him. I think he's going to surprise people. He sounds simple and uncomplicated, but maybe that's what we need now. He's not as stupid as everyone thinks. I like the guy.

Give Bush 10 minutes before you hammer him. I think he's going to surprise people. He sounds simple and uncomplicated, but maybe that's what we need now. He's not as stupid as everyone thinks. I like the guy.

James Woods
Just curious. Does the president of the United States have any advice for other teenage boys in America? Wounded warriors, for example . . .

Just curious. Does the president of the United States have any advice for other teenage boys in America? Wounded warriors, for example . . .

James Woods
I was able to lean on people for favors and things to help out because their budget was so low. It was half of what John Travolta's perk package is on a film. Our whole budget was half of what his staff makes on a film.

I was able to lean on people for favors and things to help out because their budget was so low. It was half of what John Travolta's perk package is on a film. Our whole budget was half of what his staff makes on a film.

James Woods
Filmmaking, like sex, isn't a polite enterprise. It involves a lot of mess and the bottom line is, if somebody ain't screaming, you're not doing your job.

Filmmaking, like sex, isn't a polite enterprise. It involves a lot of mess and the bottom line is, if somebody ain't screaming, you're not doing your job.

James Woods
It is okay to fall, but not okay to stay on the ground.

It is okay to fall, but not okay to stay on the ground.

James Woods
I'm absolutely gonna win it, because I'm ruthless. I sit at the poker table and my job is to destroy people.

I'm absolutely gonna win it, because I'm ruthless. I sit at the poker table and my job is to destroy people.

James Woods
...simple logic tells you that if somebody wants you dead you have one course of action: To get them deader sooner.

...simple logic tells you that if somebody wants you dead you have one course of action: To get them deader sooner.

James Woods
The only reason people lock their car doors when Obama walks by is they are afraid he'll tax them to death...

The only reason people lock their car doors when Obama walks by is they are afraid he'll tax them to death...

James Woods
Without a doubt, if I had it to do all over again, I would do whatever it takes to be a one-person studio. You need to learn how to write so you can control the material. If you own the material, you can do it all.

Without a doubt, if I had it to do all over again, I would do whatever it takes to be a one-person studio. You need to learn how to write so you can control the material. If you own the material, you can do it all.

James Woods
The bottom line is to be in control of your own destiny.

The bottom line is to be in control of your own destiny.

James Woods
If someone is not tech savvy, I have no time for them. I've always been a big believer in looking forward.

If someone is not tech savvy, I have no time for them. I've always been a big believer in looking forward.

James Woods
Because of who I am, when I sit at a poker table, I meet people who engage me in conversation, not only about poker, but also about the movie business and about the world of celebrities.

Because of who I am, when I sit at a poker table, I meet people who engage me in conversation, not only about poker, but also about the movie business and about the world of celebrities.

James Woods
If General Motors can't survive and run their business like a business, let them go under.

If General Motors can't survive and run their business like a business, let them go under.

James Woods
I look back on my life and have to face the fact that I have been narcissistic and selfish.

I look back on my life and have to face the fact that I have been narcissistic and selfish.

James Woods
I've had wonderfully lucrative offers to do another network series. I could do that again and have a very luscious retirement.

I've had wonderfully lucrative offers to do another network series. I could do that again and have a very luscious retirement.

James Woods
I think the iPhone was as significant an invention as the Gutenburg press, in terms of the future of humanity.

I think the iPhone was as significant an invention as the Gutenburg press, in terms of the future of humanity.

James Woods
I think that the economy, and the political system, has literally become such a disaster I don't know if it's possible to save it.

I think that the economy, and the political system, has literally become such a disaster I don't know if it's possible to save it.

James Woods
My attitude about Hollywood is that I wouldn't walk across the street to pull one of those executives out of the snow if he was bleeding to death. Not unless I was paid for it. None of them ever did me any favors.

My attitude about Hollywood is that I wouldn't walk across the street to pull one of those executives out of the snow if he was bleeding to death. Not unless I was paid for it. None of them ever did me any favors.

James Woods
Sometimes the way you respond to horrific, evil deeds is the measure of one's self as a man, as a nation, as people, as a community.

Sometimes the way you respond to horrific, evil deeds is the measure of one's self as a man, as a nation, as people, as a community.

James Woods
Celebrity - I don't even know what that means. Obviously it's the same basic word as celebration, but I don't know what's being celebrated.

Celebrity - I don't even know what that means. Obviously it's the same basic word as celebration, but I don't know what's being celebrated.

James Woods
So you can say whatever you want and quote me however you want about politics and make the next payday, and that's fine because I'm making that deal with you, but just mention the movie along the way, OK?

So you can say whatever you want and quote me however you want about politics and make the next payday, and that's fine because I'm making that deal with you, but just mention the movie along the way, OK?

James Woods
The lifeblood of my career has been independent film.

The lifeblood of my career has been independent film.

James Woods
We work in an environment where your options are to do, you know, Batman 10, so when you get to do a movie that's a really great film like this, people really step up to the plate and enjoy it.

We work in an environment where your options are to do, you know, Batman 10, so when you get to do a movie that's a really great film like this, people really step up to the plate and enjoy it.

James Woods
Do you think I want to be the one lone voice against the Hollywood liberal establishment? It's not going to do me any good.

Do you think I want to be the one lone voice against the Hollywood liberal establishment? It's not going to do me any good.

James Woods
Look, just go sit at the card table with the rest of the kids and let the adults run the country.

Look, just go sit at the card table with the rest of the kids and let the adults run the country.

James Woods
The press is like a big bass, you just stick a hook in their mouth and they'll take it.

The press is like a big bass, you just stick a hook in their mouth and they'll take it.

James Woods
No matter what it is, if you get 10 people in the business talking about something, you get 10 different opinions, but you know, they're amazingly well informed.

No matter what it is, if you get 10 people in the business talking about something, you get 10 different opinions, but you know, they're amazingly well informed.

James Woods
I'm absolutely gonna win it, because I'm ruthless. I sit at the poker table and my job is to destroy people.

I'm absolutely gonna win it, because I'm ruthless. I sit at the poker table and my job is to destroy people.

James Woods
I'm a pretty quiet guy, but if people want to think of me as a lady killer, I guess that's good.

I'm a pretty quiet guy, but if people want to think of me as a lady killer, I guess that's good.

James Woods
If you strive for the moon, maybe you'll get over the fence.

If you strive for the moon, maybe you'll get over the fence.

James Woods
If I say I'm the best actor for the part, I mean it and I'm not kidding.

If I say I'm the best actor for the part, I mean it and I'm not kidding.

James Woods
The whole world has gone back to something we are genetically engineered to do - communicating through symbols.

The whole world has gone back to something we are genetically engineered to do - communicating through symbols.

James Woods

The silent killer of all great men and women of achievement - particularly men, I don't know why, maybe it's the testosterone - I think it's narcissism. Even more than hubris. And for women, too. Narcissism is the killer.

James Woods

I am one of those guys who could do the most emotional scene and crack a joke instantly. I'm lucky. I'm just like an idiot savant. I have one enormously enjoyable, pleasurable - for me - talent, which is being able to act.

James Woods

It's a great battle, and it really is a battle, and there are people from all walks of life, you know, never judge anybody at the table: A man can be the greatest poker player and he might know all the numbers, but he might get beaten by a really savvy kid who works in a grocery store; and that's what's so great about this game.

James Woods

I'm famous for being nicer to my fans than anyone on the face of the Earth because I figure a) They pay my salary, and b) It's probably like a big moment in your life to meet somebody so I would say, just come on up.

James Woods

...if [the 9/11/01 attacks] had happened to the Russians, about three major cities in the Middle East would have been parking lots in twenty minute and they wouldn't have worried about the consequences because there would not have been any because the remaining terrorist states would have said 'we get the message.'

James Woods

Here's what I believe a soul is - at least this, I believe it's at least this. I believe that every kindness that we create in our lives, if it came because we were affected by a person we loved and lost, that person lives through that kindness. That's what a soul is.

James Woods