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145 Inspiring Quotes By Mary Steenburgen For The Ones Who Need A Little Push

Famous As: Actress and Comedian Best Known for Her Films: ‘Goin' South’, ‘Melvin and Howard’ and ‘Ragtime’
Born On: February 8, 1953
Born In: Newport, Arkansas, United States
Age: 70 Years

Mary Steenburgen is an American actress, songwriter, singer and comedian. She bagged in a ‘Golden Globe Award’ and an ‘Academy Award’ for her performance in ‘Melvin and Howard.’ She earned a ‘BAFTA’ nomination for ‘Tender Is the Night,’ a ‘Golden Globe’ nomination for ‘Ragtime,’ and an ‘Emmy’ nomination for ‘The Attic: The Hiding of Anne Frank.’ Zoom through the treasure trove of famous quotes by Mary Steenburgen on growing-up, comedy, love, arrogance, fear, mother, difficulties, success, work, acting, relationship, music, writing, women, money, business, decision, family, battles and more.

We tend to love things that are left of center anyway.

We tend to love things that are left of center anyway.

Mary Steenburgen
People that want it to just be funny should not despair, because there is so much true crazy comedy coming up.

People that want it to just be funny should not despair, because there is so much true crazy comedy coming up.

Mary Steenburgen
It just seemed like a lot of my work centered around England for a number of years.

It just seemed like a lot of my work centered around England for a number of years.

Mary Steenburgen
I'd never studied film. I had movies that I loved and movie stars that I looked up to, but I really had not seen a lot of the great classic films that he felt like he wanted me to see before I took on such a huge role.

I'd never studied film. I had movies that I loved and movie stars that I looked up to, but I really had not seen a lot of the great classic films that he felt like he wanted me to see before I took on such a huge role.

Mary Steenburgen
I wanted it to be a wonderful combination of being able to dance a little bit, not being especially good, but also playing a character who says the line,

I wanted it to be a wonderful combination of being able to dance a little bit, not being especially good, but also playing a character who says the line, "I love to dance".

Mary Steenburgen
I think I did a couple of test commercials that didn't even make it on the air. That's how little I had really done. I knew almost nothing about the camera. In fact, I actually did know nothing about the camera.

I think I did a couple of test commercials that didn't even make it on the air. That's how little I had really done. I knew almost nothing about the camera. In fact, I actually did know nothing about the camera.

Mary Steenburgen
I still try to do what I've always said I would do, which is say yes to the things that make my heart beat faster, particularly if there's something scary about it.

I still try to do what I've always said I would do, which is say yes to the things that make my heart beat faster, particularly if there's something scary about it.

Mary Steenburgen
I love being in the business I'm in-I do love being a part of a group of people that work well together. I love it when there's a connection.

I love being in the business I'm in-I do love being a part of a group of people that work well together. I love it when there's a connection.

Mary Steenburgen
I have loved by far the majority of the people I've worked with and the experiences I've had.

I have loved by far the majority of the people I've worked with and the experiences I've had.

Mary Steenburgen
Dancing in the strip club, Not the dancing, but the being naked was excruciatingly scary for me.

Dancing in the strip club, Not the dancing, but the being naked was excruciatingly scary for me.

Mary Steenburgen
Ain't no money like music money, because music money don't stop.

Ain't no money like music money, because music money don't stop.

Mary Steenburgen
You've never seen anything until you've seen David Mamet be an Edwardian lady. He always conveys what he means, but he's so... masculine.

You've never seen anything until you've seen David Mamet be an Edwardian lady. He always conveys what he means, but he's so... masculine.

Mary Steenburgen
You don't get to make Westerns every day.

You don't get to make Westerns every day.

Mary Steenburgen
Writing is essentially an internal process.

Writing is essentially an internal process.

Mary Steenburgen
Will Forte is such a nice, extraordinarily creative human being. Utterly fearless.

Will Forte is such a nice, extraordinarily creative human being. Utterly fearless.

Mary Steenburgen
Wii on Nintendo is amazing.

Wii on Nintendo is amazing.

Mary Steenburgen
Whenever we start a new TV series, there's also a lot of question marks, and part of that is finding who you are.

Whenever we start a new TV series, there's also a lot of question marks, and part of that is finding who you are.

Mary Steenburgen
When you spend three months of your life doing a movie, it's important to enjoy yourself.

When you spend three months of your life doing a movie, it's important to enjoy yourself.

Mary Steenburgen
When you read books, you kind of create that whole world in your mind, and you go on a journey with the author of that book. I think that's really a good thing.

When you read books, you kind of create that whole world in your mind, and you go on a journey with the author of that book. I think that's really a good thing.

Mary Steenburgen
When I was going through sad times, I'd watch 'Cheers' at the end of the day to make me feel better.

When I was going through sad times, I'd watch 'Cheers' at the end of the day to make me feel better.

Mary Steenburgen
What a mother I am. I can't even make popcorn.

What a mother I am. I can't even make popcorn.

Mary Steenburgen
We're all very fond of a black box in our living room that works on diminishment of images, that spoons somebody up in a very limited way. It can be a reduction at its worst.

We're all very fond of a black box in our living room that works on diminishment of images, that spoons somebody up in a very limited way. It can be a reduction at its worst.

Mary Steenburgen
We tell our kids to try for what they want. We cheer them on. But at some point, we stop doing this for ourselves. We shouldn't be so quick to close doors.

We tell our kids to try for what they want. We cheer them on. But at some point, we stop doing this for ourselves. We shouldn't be so quick to close doors.

Mary Steenburgen
We don't want to be reminded that life ends at some point, so they don't put older people on the screen.

We don't want to be reminded that life ends at some point, so they don't put older people on the screen.

Mary Steenburgen
Ultimately, there are only two emotions: love and fear. And pretty much anything else you want to name can be broken down into one of those.

Ultimately, there are only two emotions: love and fear. And pretty much anything else you want to name can be broken down into one of those.

Mary Steenburgen
There's something inside of me that just connects or doesn't connect with the project.

There's something inside of me that just connects or doesn't connect with the project.

Mary Steenburgen
There's no strategy involved in my career decisions. I do whatever roles make my heart beat faster.

There's no strategy involved in my career decisions. I do whatever roles make my heart beat faster.

Mary Steenburgen
There's just such a premium on hurrying, and the camera is the be all and end all, and the actors had better hurry up and get it right and get it done.

There's just such a premium on hurrying, and the camera is the be all and end all, and the actors had better hurry up and get it right and get it done.

Mary Steenburgen
There's just a total boatload of crazy that goes with singing live for the first time when you're 60 years old.

There's just a total boatload of crazy that goes with singing live for the first time when you're 60 years old.

Mary Steenburgen
There's a style to doing period pieces, and you can't do a Western without understanding 'My Darling Clementine.'

There's a style to doing period pieces, and you can't do a Western without understanding 'My Darling Clementine.'

Mary Steenburgen
There's a grace about the South and a toughness about it, too.

There's a grace about the South and a toughness about it, too.

Mary Steenburgen
There's a certain freedom that comes when people don't expect you to be sexy.

There's a certain freedom that comes when people don't expect you to be sexy.

Mary Steenburgen
There's a certain arrogance to an actor who will look at a script and feel like, because the words are simple, maybe they can paraphrase it and make it better.

There's a certain arrogance to an actor who will look at a script and feel like, because the words are simple, maybe they can paraphrase it and make it better.

Mary Steenburgen
There are no worse cliches than southern cliches. They make my skin crawl.

There are no worse cliches than southern cliches. They make my skin crawl.

Mary Steenburgen
The sights and sounds and smells, the whole genre of Westerns - I love them.

The sights and sounds and smells, the whole genre of Westerns - I love them.

Mary Steenburgen
The accordion came from just having a desire to play music. Somehow, I have slowly taught myself.

The accordion came from just having a desire to play music. Somehow, I have slowly taught myself.

Mary Steenburgen
That's my name. I know it's difficult, and it's not pretty, but it's my name.

That's my name. I know it's difficult, and it's not pretty, but it's my name.

Mary Steenburgen
Reading is how I became an actor because I didn't grow up in a house where there was an awareness of film or theater. I also grew up in a house full of teachers, so reading was big in our world.

Reading is how I became an actor because I didn't grow up in a house where there was an awareness of film or theater. I also grew up in a house full of teachers, so reading was big in our world.

Mary Steenburgen
Our culture loves movies and TV, which is wonderful, but there's something a little bit passive sometimes about watching, because you're looking at other people's imagination at work.

Our culture loves movies and TV, which is wonderful, but there's something a little bit passive sometimes about watching, because you're looking at other people's imagination at work.

Mary Steenburgen
New York had this wild beat that anybody could dance to. It was very nurturing to young people.

New York had this wild beat that anybody could dance to. It was very nurturing to young people.

Mary Steenburgen
My son, he has a film group, a bunch of film nerds that sit around and screen movies, and when they had Mary Steenburgen Night, the two movies they screened were 'Melvin And Howard' and 'Clifford.'

My son, he has a film group, a bunch of film nerds that sit around and screen movies, and when they had Mary Steenburgen Night, the two movies they screened were 'Melvin And Howard' and 'Clifford.'

Mary Steenburgen
My mother was a gorgeous person with no vanity, but she was a really good soul.

My mother was a gorgeous person with no vanity, but she was a really good soul.

Mary Steenburgen
My heritage, many generations back, is Dutch and it was fun to go where nobody asked me how to pronounce my name.

My heritage, many generations back, is Dutch and it was fun to go where nobody asked me how to pronounce my name.

Mary Steenburgen
My family didn't have money to travel, so reading was how I knew about the world. It made me hungry to have more experiences than just what I could possibly experience in Arkansas.

My family didn't have money to travel, so reading was how I knew about the world. It made me hungry to have more experiences than just what I could possibly experience in Arkansas.

Mary Steenburgen
My dad had a series of heart attacks when I was a little girl, and our world was shaped by these huge, traumatic events.

My dad had a series of heart attacks when I was a little girl, and our world was shaped by these huge, traumatic events.

Mary Steenburgen
My agents and managers deserve a special Emmy award for scheduling.

My agents and managers deserve a special Emmy award for scheduling.

Mary Steenburgen
Like most people, I have a dark side, but because of roles I played early on, people tend not to guess that.

Like most people, I have a dark side, but because of roles I played early on, people tend not to guess that.

Mary Steenburgen
Life is about surviving loss.

Life is about surviving loss.

Mary Steenburgen
Let me put it this way. There is more to acting than just acting like somebody. I like to act in such a way that other people get some notion of what it's like to be somebody.

Let me put it this way. There is more to acting than just acting like somebody. I like to act in such a way that other people get some notion of what it's like to be somebody.

Mary Steenburgen
It's very easy to approach a character like that - a so-called strong woman who overcomes the odds - and give a one-note performance, playing that strength alone. Strength is only one thing a person has.

It's very easy to approach a character like that - a so-called strong woman who overcomes the odds - and give a one-note performance, playing that strength alone. Strength is only one thing a person has.

Mary Steenburgen
It's usually, my people speak to your people and then they speak around each other and trade calls for weeks.

It's usually, my people speak to your people and then they speak around each other and trade calls for weeks.

Mary Steenburgen
In my business, guys may age, but it's not even a question they're valued. But women my age are supposed to disappear.

In my business, guys may age, but it's not even a question they're valued. But women my age are supposed to disappear.

Mary Steenburgen
If you're not growing, you're dying, and I'm not ready for that.

If you're not growing, you're dying, and I'm not ready for that.

Mary Steenburgen
If you want to grow up and do what I do for a living - be an actress - my advice to you is read as much as you can.

If you want to grow up and do what I do for a living - be an actress - my advice to you is read as much as you can.

Mary Steenburgen
If there's an addiction in the Clinton family, it's to problem solving.

If there's an addiction in the Clinton family, it's to problem solving.

Mary Steenburgen
I've never been able to write a movie script. I respect that skill so much, but it's not been the way my brain works.

I've never been able to write a movie script. I respect that skill so much, but it's not been the way my brain works.

Mary Steenburgen
I've had battles with writers who live in L.A. and were writing southern characters, because they felt like if they wrote 'Sugar' and 'Honey' at the end of every sentence, that would make it southern.

I've had battles with writers who live in L.A. and were writing southern characters, because they felt like if they wrote 'Sugar' and 'Honey' at the end of every sentence, that would make it southern.

Mary Steenburgen
I've had a great time doing it - being able to say yes to a couple of amazing shows.

I've had a great time doing it - being able to say yes to a couple of amazing shows.

Mary Steenburgen
I've found that most people who studied when they were little, even if they never took another tap class, it's percussive, so it stays in your body, the muscle memory of it.

I've found that most people who studied when they were little, even if they never took another tap class, it's percussive, so it stays in your body, the muscle memory of it.

Mary Steenburgen
I've done little things, including Botox, but it didn't feel right for me.

I've done little things, including Botox, but it didn't feel right for me.

Mary Steenburgen
I'm real strong, and I'm also real feminine, and I don't find a struggle having those two things under one roof.

I'm real strong, and I'm also real feminine, and I don't find a struggle having those two things under one roof.

Mary Steenburgen
I'm not saying it's easy, and it's definitely harder for women. Because there is definitely a double standard about gorgeous older men, and it's different for older women.

I'm not saying it's easy, and it's definitely harder for women. Because there is definitely a double standard about gorgeous older men, and it's different for older women.

Mary Steenburgen
I'm not a great horse person, but I love horses, and I love all of it. The sights and sounds and smells, the whole genre of Westerns - I love them.

I'm not a great horse person, but I love horses, and I love all of it. The sights and sounds and smells, the whole genre of Westerns - I love them.

Mary Steenburgen
I'm kind of a laugh junkie. It's what I appreciate in life, because life is rich and sometimes it's hard, and I really, really love to laugh and gravitate towards people who make me laugh.

I'm kind of a laugh junkie. It's what I appreciate in life, because life is rich and sometimes it's hard, and I really, really love to laugh and gravitate towards people who make me laugh.

Mary Steenburgen
I'm a very musical person.

I'm a very musical person.

Mary Steenburgen
I'm a late bloomer.

I'm a late bloomer.

Mary Steenburgen
I'm a chameleon when it comes to languages.

I'm a chameleon when it comes to languages.

Mary Steenburgen
I'd already made the decision before I'd even read it-just because it was John Sayles. Then when I read it, the themes were actually themes that have been a big part of my life.

I'd already made the decision before I'd even read it-just because it was John Sayles. Then when I read it, the themes were actually themes that have been a big part of my life.

Mary Steenburgen
I wrote my first song when I was 54 years old.

I wrote my first song when I was 54 years old.

Mary Steenburgen
I would say that the things that have really left a mark on me have more to do with my family and my children's lives rather than a film role.

I would say that the things that have really left a mark on me have more to do with my family and my children's lives rather than a film role.

Mary Steenburgen
I would like to think that in America, as time goes on, you gain freedom, not lose freedom.

I would like to think that in America, as time goes on, you gain freedom, not lose freedom.

Mary Steenburgen
I wish sometimes people wouldn't underestimate me. But it's a fleeting wish. It's not where I live.

I wish sometimes people wouldn't underestimate me. But it's a fleeting wish. It's not where I live.

Mary Steenburgen
I wasn't making any money, but I didn't feel unsuccessful because of that. You can do that in New York but not in Hollywood. In Hollywood, it is how much money you make.

I wasn't making any money, but I didn't feel unsuccessful because of that. You can do that in New York but not in Hollywood. In Hollywood, it is how much money you make.

Mary Steenburgen
I was this person with this weird last name from New York that no one had ever heard of. But my screen test I guess, according to him, was the best. So I got the part, which was incredible.

I was this person with this weird last name from New York that no one had ever heard of. But my screen test I guess, according to him, was the best. So I got the part, which was incredible.

Mary Steenburgen
I was excited to turn 60.

I was excited to turn 60.

Mary Steenburgen
I was a waitress for six years in New York. I actually got fascinated to see how fast and how good a waitress I could be. I was doing it, so I tried to do it as well as I could.

I was a waitress for six years in New York. I actually got fascinated to see how fast and how good a waitress I could be. I was doing it, so I tried to do it as well as I could.

Mary Steenburgen
I wanted a relationship like the one my mother and father had. It wasn't perfect; they had to work on it. But there was an unbelievable mutual respect.

I wanted a relationship like the one my mother and father had. It wasn't perfect; they had to work on it. But there was an unbelievable mutual respect.

Mary Steenburgen
I want women, especially young women, to create a world where your success is not based on being young.

I want women, especially young women, to create a world where your success is not based on being young.

Mary Steenburgen
I used to think I was going to die wise, and now, the one wisdom I have is I know very little.

I used to think I was going to die wise, and now, the one wisdom I have is I know very little.

Mary Steenburgen
I think, as an actor, you're constantly confronted with your fear of sticking your neck out.

I think, as an actor, you're constantly confronted with your fear of sticking your neck out.

Mary Steenburgen
I think the secret to what Jim Henson did, ultimately, is that he understood how to cut through to the... I know this sounds corny... but the child inside of you.

I think the secret to what Jim Henson did, ultimately, is that he understood how to cut through to the... I know this sounds corny... but the child inside of you.

Mary Steenburgen
I think that we need to look hard at our beliefs and be responsible about how we speak out.

I think that we need to look hard at our beliefs and be responsible about how we speak out.

Mary Steenburgen
I take the fact that films cost a lot of money very seriously, but once in a while to have somebody say, This is a big scene, take your time with it, is important. That's John Sayles.

I take the fact that films cost a lot of money very seriously, but once in a while to have somebody say, This is a big scene, take your time with it, is important. That's John Sayles.

Mary Steenburgen
I studied with Sandy Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse. I was in the last class to study with him before he had his larynx removed, so I actually remember the sound of his voice. He was an incredible teacher.

I studied with Sandy Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse. I was in the last class to study with him before he had his larynx removed, so I actually remember the sound of his voice. He was an incredible teacher.

Mary Steenburgen
I started in improv and went into different kinds of things.

I started in improv and went into different kinds of things.

Mary Steenburgen
I panic at parties. I don't like talking absolutely nothing and pretending, so I'm quite odd socially.

I panic at parties. I don't like talking absolutely nothing and pretending, so I'm quite odd socially.

Mary Steenburgen
I love writing music.

I love writing music.

Mary Steenburgen
I love to play horrible, evil, mean people.

I love to play horrible, evil, mean people.

Mary Steenburgen
I love to paint. And I have another profession - an interior design business.

I love to paint. And I have another profession - an interior design business.

Mary Steenburgen
I love dark chocolate, 70 percent and up.

I love dark chocolate, 70 percent and up.

Mary Steenburgen
I like being part of a team.

I like being part of a team.

Mary Steenburgen
I learned so much about life and other human beings - then about myself.

I learned so much about life and other human beings - then about myself.

Mary Steenburgen
I learned not to care what other people think.

I learned not to care what other people think.

Mary Steenburgen
I know this is kind of corny, but we thought about renewing our vows again because I think my mom would really love it if we did that in Arkansas, where I came from.

I know this is kind of corny, but we thought about renewing our vows again because I think my mom would really love it if we did that in Arkansas, where I came from.

Mary Steenburgen
I know that's why I became an actress. In my dream world, I could get mad and scream and yell, and if somebody died, they got up again. In real life, I didn't dare try it.

I know that's why I became an actress. In my dream world, I could get mad and scream and yell, and if somebody died, they got up again. In real life, I didn't dare try it.

Mary Steenburgen
I helped found Artists for New South Africa, but it used to be called Artists for Free South Africa. Alfre Woodard and a bunch of us started this.

I helped found Artists for New South Africa, but it used to be called Artists for Free South Africa. Alfre Woodard and a bunch of us started this.

Mary Steenburgen
I have never had any success in planning my life, really.

I have never had any success in planning my life, really.

Mary Steenburgen
I have never been able to sing in the shower, much less in front of anybody.

I have never been able to sing in the shower, much less in front of anybody.

Mary Steenburgen
I have hundreds of songs.

I have hundreds of songs.

Mary Steenburgen
I had two wonderful teachers: Sanford Melsner and Fred Kareman.

I had two wonderful teachers: Sanford Melsner and Fred Kareman.

Mary Steenburgen
I had a sense of mortality since I was a little girl, which has to do with my father, who nearly died eight times in my childhood. He had eight heart attacks.

I had a sense of mortality since I was a little girl, which has to do with my father, who nearly died eight times in my childhood. He had eight heart attacks.

Mary Steenburgen
I grew up believing in Santa Claus, and we still treat our house at Christmas with a huge reverence for that belief - even though our children are 19 through 23.

I grew up believing in Santa Claus, and we still treat our house at Christmas with a huge reverence for that belief - even though our children are 19 through 23.

Mary Steenburgen