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126 Quotes By John Malkovich You Should Pay Heed To

Famous As: Known for His Performances in 'Dangerous Liaisons' & 'Being John Malkovich'
Born On: December 9, 1953
Born In: Christopher, Illinois, United States
Age: 69 Years
John Malkovich is a popular American director, producer and actor, who has been a part of more than 70 films in his career of three decades. He is renowned for his phenomenal performances in the films, such as ‘In the Line of Fire’ and ‘Places in the Heart’ for which he was also nominated for an ‘Academy Award.' He began his career as an actor, and thereafter made it big as a producer. His parents did not belong to the showbiz, but he was inclined towards performance arts from an early age. He displayed keen interest in acting and remained a part of a summer theatre project as a teenager. Read through the delightful, interesting and enlightening quotes and sayings by John Malkovich which have been excerpted from his movies, interviews, populace utterances, dialogues, thoughts, scripts and life. Take a look at the famous, popular, notable and quotable quotes and thoughts by John Malkovich.
I wouldn't describe myself as lacking in confidence, but I would just say that - the ghosts you chase you never catch.

I wouldn't describe myself as lacking in confidence, but I would just say that - the ghosts you chase you never catch.

John Malkovich
You can't take a play someone has directed and do whatever you want with it.

You can't take a play someone has directed and do whatever you want with it.

John Malkovich
Anybody doing something brings something to it.

Anybody doing something brings something to it.

John Malkovich
Well, I design costumes because I started with the theater in Chicago, but somehow a few lines just sort of fell to me to do it. And I studied it in school and I always liked it.

Well, I design costumes because I started with the theater in Chicago, but somehow a few lines just sort of fell to me to do it. And I studied it in school and I always liked it.

John Malkovich
It never occurred to me to be an actor.

It never occurred to me to be an actor.

John Malkovich
I was never a fanatical movie person.

I was never a fanatical movie person.

John Malkovich
Imagine how asleep or utterly unperceptive and clueless you would have to be not to see yourself as absurd for the most part.

Imagine how asleep or utterly unperceptive and clueless you would have to be not to see yourself as absurd for the most part.

John Malkovich
I don't wake up drenched in sweat because I haven't been on stage in years.

I don't wake up drenched in sweat because I haven't been on stage in years.

John Malkovich
Most films, it doesn't matter if you see them or not.

Most films, it doesn't matter if you see them or not.

John Malkovich
I go around the world, working with all kinds of people who I love.

I go around the world, working with all kinds of people who I love.

John Malkovich
I prefer to conduct my life based on how I treat people.

I prefer to conduct my life based on how I treat people.

John Malkovich
If you don't interfere with me, I'll always do something really good.

If you don't interfere with me, I'll always do something really good.

John Malkovich
I don't have a saviour or a royal family.

I don't have a saviour or a royal family.

John Malkovich
I've permitted myself to learn and to fail with some regularity. And that is probably the one thing I was given, and that I'm still grateful for.

I've permitted myself to learn and to fail with some regularity. And that is probably the one thing I was given, and that I'm still grateful for.

John Malkovich
I know fashion can be intensely goofy, but it is something I've always taken pretty seriously.

I know fashion can be intensely goofy, but it is something I've always taken pretty seriously.

John Malkovich
I believe in humans.

I believe in humans.

John Malkovich
I don't remember my life before I had children.

I don't remember my life before I had children.

John Malkovich
When you think of how history is revealed, we know certain things to be facts at certain periods of time, which turn out not to be so factual as time marches on.

When you think of how history is revealed, we know certain things to be facts at certain periods of time, which turn out not to be so factual as time marches on.

John Malkovich
I grew up in the Midwest, quite far from any ocean or any beach, a million miles. I think for kids who grew up where I did, the idea of California, surfing and beach life was so exotic and glamorous.

I grew up in the Midwest, quite far from any ocean or any beach, a million miles. I think for kids who grew up where I did, the idea of California, surfing and beach life was so exotic and glamorous.

John Malkovich
Most of the women that I like have a haunted quality - they're sort of like women who live in a haunted house all by themselves.

Most of the women that I like have a haunted quality - they're sort of like women who live in a haunted house all by themselves.

John Malkovich
I can see how, given a certain degree of sensitivities, proclivities and rage, I could have ended up differently.

I can see how, given a certain degree of sensitivities, proclivities and rage, I could have ended up differently.

John Malkovich
My father was an exceptionally strong influence on me.

My father was an exceptionally strong influence on me.

John Malkovich
I love to watch good actors who surprise and amuse me.

I love to watch good actors who surprise and amuse me.

John Malkovich
I'm more boring and more conservative.

I'm more boring and more conservative.

John Malkovich

I have driven school buses, sold egg rolls and painted houses, and I have often wondered what my life would have been like if I hadn't gone into acting. Mind you, it's a great life, going around pretending you're other people and getting paid ridiculous sums of money for it.

John Malkovich
I'm a little bit phobic about stains on my clothes, so I never travel without a little packet of organic stain remover.

I'm a little bit phobic about stains on my clothes, so I never travel without a little packet of organic stain remover.

John Malkovich
Fashion is chaotic, and it can be an aggravation, too, but it is at its best when it allows you to express yourself.

Fashion is chaotic, and it can be an aggravation, too, but it is at its best when it allows you to express yourself.

John Malkovich
I have at times spoken with my peers and the head of the actors' union about why we're not paid when we appear in, say, a 'TMZ' production, but there seems to be no real interest in combatting it.

I have at times spoken with my peers and the head of the actors' union about why we're not paid when we appear in, say, a 'TMZ' production, but there seems to be no real interest in combatting it.

John Malkovich
Theater is so ephemeral, and I love that.

Theater is so ephemeral, and I love that.

John Malkovich
We're all animals.

We're all animals.

John Malkovich
The most evocative thing to me is probably when a writer and a group of performers can collectively put together something compelling that asks the really simple question: 'How do we live?'

The most evocative thing to me is probably when a writer and a group of performers can collectively put together something compelling that asks the really simple question: 'How do we live?'

John Malkovich
I don't really go through a process, it goes through me.

I don't really go through a process, it goes through me.

John Malkovich
I'd hate to see any film I'm involved in fail, especially artistically but also business-wise.

I'd hate to see any film I'm involved in fail, especially artistically but also business-wise.

John Malkovich
The projects I look for to produce or direct would not be ones in which I would want to act.

The projects I look for to produce or direct would not be ones in which I would want to act.

John Malkovich
I don't like things too overstated in the cut or too perfect.

I don't like things too overstated in the cut or too perfect.

John Malkovich
As an actor there are no drawbacks.

As an actor there are no drawbacks.

John Malkovich
I'm not a very skeptical person.

I'm not a very skeptical person.

John Malkovich
I mean, a lot of time rehearsals are taken up with other things other than preparing a character.

I mean, a lot of time rehearsals are taken up with other things other than preparing a character.

John Malkovich
I never really did a western western.

I never really did a western western.

John Malkovich
Things are so much global and Americanised.

Things are so much global and Americanised.

John Malkovich
Every country has their problems.

Every country has their problems.

John Malkovich
Actors generally get to do things you probably shouldn't do in real life - well, at least as much as one might like to or be tempted to. Though I suppose a lot of actors just go ahead and do it, don't they?

Actors generally get to do things you probably shouldn't do in real life - well, at least as much as one might like to or be tempted to. Though I suppose a lot of actors just go ahead and do it, don't they?

John Malkovich
Politics is not really my thing.

Politics is not really my thing.

John Malkovich
If you're too smart it can limit you because you spend so much time thinking that you don't do anything.

If you're too smart it can limit you because you spend so much time thinking that you don't do anything.

John Malkovich
I think with actors, if you just don't set about trying to crush their confidence immediately, you're usually OK.

I think with actors, if you just don't set about trying to crush their confidence immediately, you're usually OK.

John Malkovich
I think I was born at a time when an American male had so many advantages and opportunities that weren't available to men before or after, just a very brief period.

I think I was born at a time when an American male had so many advantages and opportunities that weren't available to men before or after, just a very brief period.

John Malkovich
I'm very much a typical midwesterner, and I don't think the condition is curable.

I'm very much a typical midwesterner, and I don't think the condition is curable.

John Malkovich
I don't throw things or yell.

I don't throw things or yell.

John Malkovich
I'm not a control maniac.

I'm not a control maniac.

John Malkovich
It's tough to figure out how do we compete in Europe and North America, when obviously a living wage for us is very different than a living wage in Indonesia.

It's tough to figure out how do we compete in Europe and North America, when obviously a living wage for us is very different than a living wage in Indonesia.

John Malkovich
I always wanted to be fashionable.

I always wanted to be fashionable.

John Malkovich
I've done quite a few big American films.

I've done quite a few big American films.

John Malkovich
I like very much to do movies.

I like very much to do movies.

John Malkovich
I think 1973 was the nadir of fashion. When you watch the coverage from that era, you're struck by the astonishing ugliness of the clothes.

I think 1973 was the nadir of fashion. When you watch the coverage from that era, you're struck by the astonishing ugliness of the clothes.

John Malkovich
'Secretariat' was such a magnificent animal, unbelievably beautiful and powerful. It's always nice to see something that close to perfection, a reason to celebrate.

'Secretariat' was such a magnificent animal, unbelievably beautiful and powerful. It's always nice to see something that close to perfection, a reason to celebrate.

John Malkovich
You know, I'm really not interested in someone telling me that something's good or bad.

You know, I'm really not interested in someone telling me that something's good or bad.

John Malkovich
I'm not a psychiatrist. I'm not treating patients.

I'm not a psychiatrist. I'm not treating patients.

John Malkovich
I mean, anything that money can be made off will never be a problem to make, no matter what it is.

I mean, anything that money can be made off will never be a problem to make, no matter what it is.

John Malkovich
I like to direct movies, but I don't like to goof around for eight years talking about it.

I like to direct movies, but I don't like to goof around for eight years talking about it.

John Malkovich
I find it hard to pre-plan every element of everything I do. It's not my thing.

I find it hard to pre-plan every element of everything I do. It's not my thing.

John Malkovich
I don't mind what I play, really.

I don't mind what I play, really.

John Malkovich
I'm an atheist.

I'm an atheist.

John Malkovich
I don't care what other people think. I don't think it matters.

I don't care what other people think. I don't think it matters.

John Malkovich
I don't want a trillion-dollar empire to run.

I don't want a trillion-dollar empire to run.

John Malkovich
My father was a very contradictory man.

My father was a very contradictory man.

John Malkovich
I think people seem to sort of associate me with danger. And I don't see that at all.

I think people seem to sort of associate me with danger. And I don't see that at all.

John Malkovich
I was a very good baseball player and football player as a kid.

I was a very good baseball player and football player as a kid.

John Malkovich
I still have a temper, I suppose.

I still have a temper, I suppose.

John Malkovich
Where women are concerned, the rule is never to go out with anyone better dressed than you.

Where women are concerned, the rule is never to go out with anyone better dressed than you.

John Malkovich
I only have two rules for my newly born daughter: she will dress well and never have sex.

I only have two rules for my newly born daughter: she will dress well and never have sex.

John Malkovich
I wasn't really raised to be the type of person to have doubts.

I wasn't really raised to be the type of person to have doubts.

John Malkovich
I don't think my parents know what I do.

I don't think my parents know what I do.

John Malkovich
You have to do things people see or you don't get to do anything.

You have to do things people see or you don't get to do anything.

John Malkovich
You can't work in the movies. Movies are all about lighting. Very few filmmakers will concentrate on the story. You get very little rehearsal time, so anything you do onscreen is a kind of speed painting.

You can't work in the movies. Movies are all about lighting. Very few filmmakers will concentrate on the story. You get very little rehearsal time, so anything you do onscreen is a kind of speed painting.

John Malkovich
Some directors expect you to do everything; write, be producer, psychiatrist. Some just want you to die in a tragic accident during the shooting so they can get the insurance.

Some directors expect you to do everything; write, be producer, psychiatrist. Some just want you to die in a tragic accident during the shooting so they can get the insurance.

John Malkovich
Of course it's trivial, but then most things are.

Of course it's trivial, but then most things are.

John Malkovich
My life before children I don't really remember. I've heard references to it, but I really don't remember.

My life before children I don't really remember. I've heard references to it, but I really don't remember.

John Malkovich
I'm supposed to be a pretty good theater actor.

I'm supposed to be a pretty good theater actor.

John Malkovich
I'm more likely to lose my temper on a film set than almost anywhere. Often the level of idiocy is so exalted that it's impossible to comprehend.

I'm more likely to lose my temper on a film set than almost anywhere. Often the level of idiocy is so exalted that it's impossible to comprehend.

John Malkovich
I'm more comfortable with whatever's wrong with me than my father was whenever he felt he failed or didn't measure up to the standard he set.

I'm more comfortable with whatever's wrong with me than my father was whenever he felt he failed or didn't measure up to the standard he set.

John Malkovich
I wouldn't say anything I ever did in film would be something I'd use the word proud about. I've done better work in the theater.

I wouldn't say anything I ever did in film would be something I'd use the word proud about. I've done better work in the theater.

John Malkovich
I was a very good baseball and football player, but my father always told me I was much more interested in how I looked playing baseball or football than in actually playing. There's great truth in that.

I was a very good baseball and football player, but my father always told me I was much more interested in how I looked playing baseball or football than in actually playing. There's great truth in that.

John Malkovich
I haven't physically attacked anyone in a couple of years.

I haven't physically attacked anyone in a couple of years.

John Malkovich
Even if you do succeed most people wouldn't notice anyway.

Even if you do succeed most people wouldn't notice anyway.

John Malkovich
I always liked clothes; since I was very, very young, I was interested. I studied costume as part of my theatre education.

I always liked clothes; since I was very, very young, I was interested. I studied costume as part of my theatre education.

John Malkovich
I don't need to be liked.

I don't need to be liked.

John Malkovich
I brought my first fall/winter line to New York, and it was confiscated by U.S. Customs. They asked, 'What is the value of this?' I said, 'I'm not so good with existential questions.'

I brought my first fall/winter line to New York, and it was confiscated by U.S. Customs. They asked, 'What is the value of this?' I said, 'I'm not so good with existential questions.'

John Malkovich
I probably have more female friends than any man I've ever met. What I like about them is that almost always they're generally mentally tougher, and they're better listeners, and they're more capable of surviving things.

I probably have more female friends than any man I've ever met. What I like about them is that almost always they're generally mentally tougher, and they're better listeners, and they're more capable of surviving things.

John Malkovich
A dog that has rabies probably will do things it wouldn't do if it didn't have rabies. But that doesn't change the fact that it has rabies.

A dog that has rabies probably will do things it wouldn't do if it didn't have rabies. But that doesn't change the fact that it has rabies.

John Malkovich
In New York in the Forties or Fifties, everybody's in a suit, an overcoat and a hat.

In New York in the Forties or Fifties, everybody's in a suit, an overcoat and a hat.

John Malkovich
You can be a mason and build 50 buildings, but it doesn't mean you can design one.

You can be a mason and build 50 buildings, but it doesn't mean you can design one.

John Malkovich
You have to play your characters, not like them.

You have to play your characters, not like them.

John Malkovich
Scary monsters are like Hula Hoops. They come in and out of fashion.

Scary monsters are like Hula Hoops. They come in and out of fashion.

John Malkovich
The world is ruled by violence, or at least the imminent threat of violence. It always has been.

The world is ruled by violence, or at least the imminent threat of violence. It always has been.

John Malkovich
Quite often - a lot of the work I had done had been extensively with women. Most especially in the theater, but also quite often in the movies. That has its own delights, and maybe pitfalls too.

Quite often - a lot of the work I had done had been extensively with women. Most especially in the theater, but also quite often in the movies. That has its own delights, and maybe pitfalls too.

John Malkovich
I don't mind tracksuits. At the track.

I don't mind tracksuits. At the track.

John Malkovich
It's not a gift of mine, but one given to me, to be able to criticise myself and not be crushed, by myself or by others.

It's not a gift of mine, but one given to me, to be able to criticise myself and not be crushed, by myself or by others.

John Malkovich
Well, I like to have fun at work.

Well, I like to have fun at work.

John Malkovich
I'm a little bit of a fabric lunatic.

I'm a little bit of a fabric lunatic.

John Malkovich
Failure's a natural part of life.

Failure's a natural part of life.

John Malkovich
I don't understand how somebody wouldn't have a sense of humor about themselves.

I don't understand how somebody wouldn't have a sense of humor about themselves.

John Malkovich
Unlike my grandfather or my brother, I've actually been able to make some money at a racetrack.

Unlike my grandfather or my brother, I've actually been able to make some money at a racetrack.

John Malkovich