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121 Meaningful Quotes By Michelle Pfeiffer That Teach Us To Take Life As It Comes

Famous As: Actress Best Known for Her Films: 'Dangerous Liaisons', 'The Fabulous Baker Boys' and 'Love Field'
Born On: April 29, 1958
Born In: Santa Ana, California, United States
Age: 65 Years

Michelle Pfeiffer is an American actress and producer. It may sound weird, but initially she found it hard to convince casting directors and agents that in spite of her pretty face she could actually act. Even after her breakthrough performance in ‘Scarface’, a crime film directed by Brian De Palma, her beauty continued to eclipse her acting ability. Today an internationally acclaimed actress with numerous awards to her credit, Pfeiffer cites her determination and her bloodline as the secrets behind her success. In interviews, apart from talking about her profession, she has also talked freely about her family, her ideas on happy marriage and parenting, her hobby, her addiction to cigarettes and so many other topics. Let us now look into some of her meaningful quotes on life, marriage, success, perspective, money, parents etc.

I do sometimes feel like the paparazzi are really what ran me out of L.A. They're just giving everyone a bad name.

I do sometimes feel like the paparazzi are really what ran me out of L.A. They're just giving everyone a bad name.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Most people in the world have seen more of me on-screen than my kids have.

Most people in the world have seen more of me on-screen than my kids have.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Honestly, depending on what stage I'm at in my life, my opinion on plastic surgery changes. I've never been against plastic surgery - I'm against bad plastic surgery. I'm against the overuse of plastic surgery.

Honestly, depending on what stage I'm at in my life, my opinion on plastic surgery changes. I've never been against plastic surgery - I'm against bad plastic surgery. I'm against the overuse of plastic surgery.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Well, I'm very stubborn. I think I have common sense; I'm probably at times a bit tunnel-visioned, but I'm strong.

Well, I'm very stubborn. I think I have common sense; I'm probably at times a bit tunnel-visioned, but I'm strong.

Michelle Pfeiffer
When I go to work and when I'm in the public eye, I take much better care of myself. Because when I'm not working, I do indulge more.

When I go to work and when I'm in the public eye, I take much better care of myself. Because when I'm not working, I do indulge more.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Just when you think you've got your kids figured out, they change on you. For somebody who's controlling, you can't control it. Of course, I don't think I'm controlling, but that's what I've been told!

Just when you think you've got your kids figured out, they change on you. For somebody who's controlling, you can't control it. Of course, I don't think I'm controlling, but that's what I've been told!

Michelle Pfeiffer
When you're young and have a dream, it's pretty simplistic. You don't think about or have any way of knowing everything it can be, and anticipate that.

When you're young and have a dream, it's pretty simplistic. You don't think about or have any way of knowing everything it can be, and anticipate that.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Even though I don't feel I need approval, it's still important to me to give a good performance. I'm hard on myself.

Even though I don't feel I need approval, it's still important to me to give a good performance. I'm hard on myself.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I like understanding what's underneath, what's really motivating people. When I was younger, I wanted to be a psychiatrist, so I think it has to do with that.

I like understanding what's underneath, what's really motivating people. When I was younger, I wanted to be a psychiatrist, so I think it has to do with that.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I'm good at disguising my feelings.

I'm good at disguising my feelings.

Michelle Pfeiffer
When I wasn't working I didn't know what to do with myself and sort of didn't exist, in a way, when I wasn't working, so I was like two different people. I am not like that anymore.

When I wasn't working I didn't know what to do with myself and sort of didn't exist, in a way, when I wasn't working, so I was like two different people. I am not like that anymore.

Michelle Pfeiffer
It's fun to explore areas that are taboo that you're not allowed to in real life as an actor.

It's fun to explore areas that are taboo that you're not allowed to in real life as an actor.

Michelle Pfeiffer
You can't have a favourite meal, like you can't have a favourite movie or a favourite book or a favourite child.

You can't have a favourite meal, like you can't have a favourite movie or a favourite book or a favourite child.

Michelle Pfeiffer
You've got each other's back. I think if everyone shows up with that attitude, then everybody has a great time, and I think the work is better as well.

You've got each other's back. I think if everyone shows up with that attitude, then everybody has a great time, and I think the work is better as well.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Rudeness is what gets to me [when someone being rude to me in a supermarket]. Yeah. That one does get to me, I have to say.

Rudeness is what gets to me [when someone being rude to me in a supermarket]. Yeah. That one does get to me, I have to say.

Michelle Pfeiffer
It never occurs to me that I'd be intimidating to anybody. Maybe I should consider that.

It never occurs to me that I'd be intimidating to anybody. Maybe I should consider that.

Michelle Pfeiffer
People who are rude to waiters... I don't like that sort of thing. People who take cuts in line... it doesn't fly!

People who are rude to waiters... I don't like that sort of thing. People who take cuts in line... it doesn't fly!

Michelle Pfeiffer
Actually, I think that turning 29 was more difficult, because once I turned 29, I anticipated 30 for the whole year, so by the time 30 came around it really wasn't that bad.

Actually, I think that turning 29 was more difficult, because once I turned 29, I anticipated 30 for the whole year, so by the time 30 came around it really wasn't that bad.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I still look like a duck.

I still look like a duck.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I guess I do a really good job at covering.

I guess I do a really good job at covering.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I liked getting up at 4 in the morning, driving on the freeway, and going in and stocking shelves and laughing with the stock clerks.

I liked getting up at 4 in the morning, driving on the freeway, and going in and stocking shelves and laughing with the stock clerks.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I've been working since I was 14, and my father, being very conservative, has always been strict about my having a savings account.

I've been working since I was 14, and my father, being very conservative, has always been strict about my having a savings account.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I'd been taking singing lessons and I had taken dance, because I loved to dance, but I had never considered myself a professional at all.

I'd been taking singing lessons and I had taken dance, because I loved to dance, but I had never considered myself a professional at all.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Maybe I haven't done enough movies, but haven't found that men are more difficult than women.

Maybe I haven't done enough movies, but haven't found that men are more difficult than women.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Women are brought up to think it's acceptable to pay attention to their faces. Men translate their discomfort into their behavior.

Women are brought up to think it's acceptable to pay attention to their faces. Men translate their discomfort into their behavior.

Michelle Pfeiffer
My father was very strict, but mostly I just didn't know how to behave on a date.

My father was very strict, but mostly I just didn't know how to behave on a date.

Michelle Pfeiffer
If I really want to do something, I'll go in and do whatever the director feels that he needs me to do.

If I really want to do something, I'll go in and do whatever the director feels that he needs me to do.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I don't believe men want women to have grotesque plastic surgery or be undernourished and bony. All the plastic surgery in the world can't stop you getting older.

I don't believe men want women to have grotesque plastic surgery or be undernourished and bony. All the plastic surgery in the world can't stop you getting older.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I can't imagine myself blowing up supermarkets!

I can't imagine myself blowing up supermarkets!

Michelle Pfeiffer
I still think people will find out that I’m really not very talented. I’m really not very good. It’s all been a big sham.

I still think people will find out that I’m really not very talented. I’m really not very good. It’s all been a big sham.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Being from Orange County is in a lot ways very much like being from the Midwest.

Being from Orange County is in a lot ways very much like being from the Midwest.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I never wanted to have to take a job because I didn't have any money.

I never wanted to have to take a job because I didn't have any money.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I think all actors have a sadomasochistic streak, because acting is kind of brutal, you know.

I think all actors have a sadomasochistic streak, because acting is kind of brutal, you know.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I was considered the black sheep of the family, neighbours didn't want their kids playing with me.

I was considered the black sheep of the family, neighbours didn't want their kids playing with me.

Michelle Pfeiffer
When I first started out, I said to myself, if this doesn't happen there will be something else that I can do. That seemed possible because I knew how to do so many different kinds of jobs.

When I first started out, I said to myself, if this doesn't happen there will be something else that I can do. That seemed possible because I knew how to do so many different kinds of jobs.

Michelle Pfeiffer
De Niro is a classic example of somebody who is iconic and who sort of effortlessly puts actors at ease the moment you meet him. I think it's also just something that he innately does with people.

De Niro is a classic example of somebody who is iconic and who sort of effortlessly puts actors at ease the moment you meet him. I think it's also just something that he innately does with people.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I decided I needed something that I could feel as passionate about as acting, and something in which I could completely lose myself. I started painting, and I'm still doing it.

I decided I needed something that I could feel as passionate about as acting, and something in which I could completely lose myself. I started painting, and I'm still doing it.

Michelle Pfeiffer
It's simple. Eat well, exercise and get lots of sleep but make sure you indulge occasionally. At my age , I think , what the hell , and eat a Krispy Kreme doughnut !

It's simple. Eat well, exercise and get lots of sleep but make sure you indulge occasionally. At my age , I think , what the hell , and eat a Krispy Kreme doughnut !

Michelle Pfeiffer
I'm a Taurus. To the bone.

I'm a Taurus. To the bone.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I'm a perfectionist, so I can drive myself mad - and other people, too. At the same time, I think that's one of the reasons I'm successful. Because I really care about what I do.

I'm a perfectionist, so I can drive myself mad - and other people, too. At the same time, I think that's one of the reasons I'm successful. Because I really care about what I do.

Michelle Pfeiffer
If you think hitting 40 is liberating, wait until you hit 50; and I was surprised at how liberating it was. The anticipation of something is always much worse than the reality.

If you think hitting 40 is liberating, wait until you hit 50; and I was surprised at how liberating it was. The anticipation of something is always much worse than the reality.

Michelle Pfeiffer
It's harder to live the way I live. There are certain places I like to shop and eat where I simply don't go. The paparazzi follow you.

It's harder to live the way I live. There are certain places I like to shop and eat where I simply don't go. The paparazzi follow you.

Michelle Pfeiffer
There's always an imbalance with actors and actresses in the industry. And I think because there are just fewer movies overall being made, it's that trickle down effect.

There's always an imbalance with actors and actresses in the industry. And I think because there are just fewer movies overall being made, it's that trickle down effect.

Michelle Pfeiffer
You know what I'd like to do? I'd like to play a bag lady.

You know what I'd like to do? I'd like to play a bag lady.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I think that I am a compulsive person, but now I'm learning to put those compulsions into healthy things.

I think that I am a compulsive person, but now I'm learning to put those compulsions into healthy things.

Michelle Pfeiffer
If I do a move I don't like, I don't want to get so upset with myself.

If I do a move I don't like, I don't want to get so upset with myself.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I used to do drugs in high school. I've been living in L.A. for almost 10 years, and shortly after I arrived I cleaned up pretty much. Stuff goes on on the set, stuff goes on at parties.

I used to do drugs in high school. I've been living in L.A. for almost 10 years, and shortly after I arrived I cleaned up pretty much. Stuff goes on on the set, stuff goes on at parties.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I don't really know what Hollywood is. I've never really known.

I don't really know what Hollywood is. I've never really known.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I'm always amazed at how consistent people find me and my behavior, when in fact I do feel different all the time.

I'm always amazed at how consistent people find me and my behavior, when in fact I do feel different all the time.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Men do not take to vanity, because they are taught at an early age that it is wrong to be vain.

Men do not take to vanity, because they are taught at an early age that it is wrong to be vain.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I would speak up if I see someone being rude to someone.

I would speak up if I see someone being rude to someone.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I am basically very private, and I'm really nervous about doing publicity.

I am basically very private, and I'm really nervous about doing publicity.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I've worked with very few actors who have been at all difficult.

I've worked with very few actors who have been at all difficult.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Acting is kind of brutal.

Acting is kind of brutal.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I went to court-reporting school to study stenotyping. After awhile, whenever anybody spoke, in my mind my fingers would be punching it out. Even two years after I quit, my mind still did that.

I went to court-reporting school to study stenotyping. After awhile, whenever anybody spoke, in my mind my fingers would be punching it out. Even two years after I quit, my mind still did that.

Michelle Pfeiffer
If you're working on something that isn't very demanding, isn't very fulfilling, then you have all this energy to burn, and you can go crazy.

If you're working on something that isn't very demanding, isn't very fulfilling, then you have all this energy to burn, and you can go crazy.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I've never lost my love for acting. I feel really at home on the movie set. I'm a more balanced person honestly when I'm working.

I've never lost my love for acting. I feel really at home on the movie set. I'm a more balanced person honestly when I'm working.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I know that I want to wait for something that I really feel great about.

I know that I want to wait for something that I really feel great about.

Michelle Pfeiffer
My favorite food in the world is Mexican food. I'm not a dessert person. I'm more of a crunchy, salty girl. I could live on chips and salsa. I would take a Mexican meal over some fancy French cuisine anytime.

My favorite food in the world is Mexican food. I'm not a dessert person. I'm more of a crunchy, salty girl. I could live on chips and salsa. I would take a Mexican meal over some fancy French cuisine anytime.

Michelle Pfeiffer
And I'm a really happy person, I enjoy life. I think you see that on people. I think there's nothing more aging than misery.

And I'm a really happy person, I enjoy life. I think you see that on people. I think there's nothing more aging than misery.

Michelle Pfeiffer
One of the things I love most about acting is just disappearing in the role, as much as I can. I think that's one of the things that intrigued me about it.

One of the things I love most about acting is just disappearing in the role, as much as I can. I think that's one of the things that intrigued me about it.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Love humiliates you. Hatred cradles you.

Love humiliates you. Hatred cradles you.

Michelle Pfeiffer
There are certain scenes you do in a movie that are like catching a wave, and you leave work feeling elated - almost as though you've purged something. That's rare, but you do live for those moments.

There are certain scenes you do in a movie that are like catching a wave, and you leave work feeling elated - almost as though you've purged something. That's rare, but you do live for those moments.

Michelle Pfeiffer
You have a choice. It may not be a choice you like, but it is still a choice.

You have a choice. It may not be a choice you like, but it is still a choice.

Michelle Pfeiffer
You can have it all, but you can't do it all.

You can have it all, but you can't do it all.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I find the less you focus on your flaws, the better off you are. Be yourself and be glad of who you are.

I find the less you focus on your flaws, the better off you are. Be yourself and be glad of who you are.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I relax by taking my bicycle apart and putting it back together again.

I relax by taking my bicycle apart and putting it back together again.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I do find comedy difficult. I don't know why. Maybe I think about it too much. There's a tremendous amount of pressure to be funny.

I do find comedy difficult. I don't know why. Maybe I think about it too much. There's a tremendous amount of pressure to be funny.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I worked so hard for so long - I did a lot of movies. I also worked a lot when my kids were smaller, before they were in school.

I worked so hard for so long - I did a lot of movies. I also worked a lot when my kids were smaller, before they were in school.

Michelle Pfeiffer
There is no question that the older you get, the fewer good roles there are.

There is no question that the older you get, the fewer good roles there are.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I do think that, at one time, being an actress was the equivalent almost of being a prostitute. It garnered roughly the same respect. That's changed a lot, thank goodness.

I do think that, at one time, being an actress was the equivalent almost of being a prostitute. It garnered roughly the same respect. That's changed a lot, thank goodness.

Michelle Pfeiffer
The value of a good education has never left me.

The value of a good education has never left me.

Michelle Pfeiffer
The whole celebrity thing never is normal and I think the fuller your life is, the more you are able to just kind of call a truce with it on a good day.

The whole celebrity thing never is normal and I think the fuller your life is, the more you are able to just kind of call a truce with it on a good day.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I guess I sort of just feel like I am lucky.

I guess I sort of just feel like I am lucky.

Michelle Pfeiffer
When I wasn't working I didn't know what to do with myself and sort of didn't exist, in a way, when I wasn't working, so I was like two different people. I am not like that anymore.

When I wasn't working I didn't know what to do with myself and sort of didn't exist, in a way, when I wasn't working, so I was like two different people. I am not like that anymore.

Michelle Pfeiffer
There's always an imbalance with actors and actresses in the industry. And I think because there are just fewer movies overall being made, it's that trickle down effect.

There's always an imbalance with actors and actresses in the industry. And I think because there are just fewer movies overall being made, it's that trickle down effect.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Being a parent is the hardest thing in the world... the psychological toll it takes on you because these lives are in your hands. I take it very seriously.

Being a parent is the hardest thing in the world... the psychological toll it takes on you because these lives are in your hands. I take it very seriously.

Michelle Pfeiffer
It's harder to live the way I live. There are certain places I like to shop and eat where I simply don't go. The paparazzi follow you.

It's harder to live the way I live. There are certain places I like to shop and eat where I simply don't go. The paparazzi follow you.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I say really stupid things sometimes. When I go back and watch some of my old interviews from when I was younger, I just cringe.

I say really stupid things sometimes. When I go back and watch some of my old interviews from when I was younger, I just cringe.

Michelle Pfeiffer
There have been people in my life who have told me I have to put myself out there more. But it's so hard for me to do that.

There have been people in my life who have told me I have to put myself out there more. But it's so hard for me to do that.

Michelle Pfeiffer
It takes years for me to trust; I know that about myself. A lot of it is because I am so private, and so reluctant to make myself vulnerable.

It takes years for me to trust; I know that about myself. A lot of it is because I am so private, and so reluctant to make myself vulnerable.

Michelle Pfeiffer
You know, when I am working, I take really, really good care of myself. I eat really well, and I exercise, and again, I have this team of people pulling me together every day.

You know, when I am working, I take really, really good care of myself. I eat really well, and I exercise, and again, I have this team of people pulling me together every day.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I like understanding what's underneath, what's really motivating people. When I was younger, I wanted to be a psychiatrist, so I think it has to do with that.

I like understanding what's underneath, what's really motivating people. When I was younger, I wanted to be a psychiatrist, so I think it has to do with that.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I probably would like to do more than I do, because I love working, but I can't work more than I work because I have to do some facetime with the family, and the work that I do is just all-encompassing.

I probably would like to do more than I do, because I love working, but I can't work more than I work because I have to do some facetime with the family, and the work that I do is just all-encompassing.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I'm good at disguising my feelings.

I'm good at disguising my feelings.

Michelle Pfeiffer
When I was very young I never thought I was attractive, because I was a tomboy and I was always the biggest girl in the class.

When I was very young I never thought I was attractive, because I was a tomboy and I was always the biggest girl in the class.

Michelle Pfeiffer
My walk is consistently made fun of.

My walk is consistently made fun of.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Well, I'm very stubborn. I think I have common sense; I'm probably at times a bit tunnel-visioned, but I'm strong.

Well, I'm very stubborn. I think I have common sense; I'm probably at times a bit tunnel-visioned, but I'm strong.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I'm a Taurus. To the bone.

I'm a Taurus. To the bone.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Even though I don't feel I need approval, it's still important to me to give a good performance. I'm hard on myself.

Even though I don't feel I need approval, it's still important to me to give a good performance. I'm hard on myself.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I feel less pressure to dress youthfully. I'm 50 and everyone knows I'm 50 - who are you kidding? Jeans are my uniform. I have about 15 pairs.

I feel less pressure to dress youthfully. I'm 50 and everyone knows I'm 50 - who are you kidding? Jeans are my uniform. I have about 15 pairs.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Like all parents, my husband and I just do the best we can, hold our breath and hope we've set aside enough money for our kid's therapy.

Like all parents, my husband and I just do the best we can, hold our breath and hope we've set aside enough money for our kid's therapy.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I have days when I just feel I look like a dog.

I have days when I just feel I look like a dog.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I look like a duck. It's the way my mouth curls up, or my nose tilts up. I should have played Howard the Duck.

I look like a duck. It's the way my mouth curls up, or my nose tilts up. I should have played Howard the Duck.

Michelle Pfeiffer
For me, getting comfortable with being famous was hard - that whole side of it, the loss of anonymity, the loss of privacy. Giving up that part of your life and not having control of it.

For me, getting comfortable with being famous was hard - that whole side of it, the loss of anonymity, the loss of privacy. Giving up that part of your life and not having control of it.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I do portraits. I usually do live models in a class environment, but I've been painting at home more. I really love the human form, and I love faces. I've tried to do landscapes a few times.

I do portraits. I usually do live models in a class environment, but I've been painting at home more. I really love the human form, and I love faces. I've tried to do landscapes a few times.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I'm a perfectionist, so I can drive myself mad - and other people, too. At the same time, I think that's one of the reasons I'm successful. Because I really care about what I do.

I'm a perfectionist, so I can drive myself mad - and other people, too. At the same time, I think that's one of the reasons I'm successful. Because I really care about what I do.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Everybody is vulnerable to being in relationships where they get fooled. I'm no different. It's just human nature.

Everybody is vulnerable to being in relationships where they get fooled. I'm no different. It's just human nature.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Somewhere along the line I made the switch and was able to look at the bight side rather than the dark side all the time. Now I look at everything I have and think how lucky I am.

Somewhere along the line I made the switch and was able to look at the bight side rather than the dark side all the time. Now I look at everything I have and think how lucky I am.

Michelle Pfeiffer
I used to smoke two packs a day and I just hate being a nonsmoker... but I will never consider myself a nonsmoker because I always find smokers the most interesting people at the table.

I used to smoke two packs a day and I just hate being a nonsmoker... but I will never consider myself a nonsmoker because I always find smokers the most interesting people at the table.

Michelle Pfeiffer
You know, the more you can meet people from different walks of life, the better it is for you. I think the more you can create situations and experiences that give you new perspective, the better.

You know, the more you can meet people from different walks of life, the better it is for you. I think the more you can create situations and experiences that give you new perspective, the better.

Michelle Pfeiffer
People make a lot of jokes about the empty nest. Let me tell you, it is no laughing matter. It is really hard.

People make a lot of jokes about the empty nest. Let me tell you, it is no laughing matter. It is really hard.

Michelle Pfeiffer