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

22 Thought-Provoking Oscar Levant Quotes That Will Leave You Amused

Famous As: American pianist
Born On: December 27, 1906
Died On: August 14, 1972
Born In: Pittsburgh
Died At Age: 65
Oscar Levant was an American actor, comedian, piano player, writer and music composer, who rose to prominence in the 20th century as a comic on radio and a musician on the screen. Levant grew up in New York City and learnt piano under celebrated pianist Zygmunt Stojowski. Levant got his first break when he was only 18 with the short film titled ‘Ben Bernie and All The Lads’ in 1924, but it was not until he moved to Hollywood in 1928 that he really put his career on the upward curve. Levant became a music composer in Hollywood and composed the score for a slew of films over a period of around two decades. One of his noted songs include ‘Blame it on the Youth’. On the other hand, he also became a hugely popular radio personality for his witty presence as one of the panellists of ‘Information Please’, a quiz show. Levant was a multi-faceted talent who had also acted in films and some of his credits include ‘The Band Wagon’, ‘The Barkleys of Broadway’ and ‘An American in Paris’ among many others. We have compiled Levant’s quick-witted quotes from his life and work. Read on the compilation of Oscar Levant’s thoughts and quotations that will surely draw a smile on your face. 
There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line.

There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line.

Oscar Levant
I was once thrown out of a mental hospital for depressing the other patients.

I was once thrown out of a mental hospital for depressing the other patients.

Oscar Levant
The only difference between the Democrats and the Republicans is that the Democrats allow the poor to be corrupt, too.

The only difference between the Democrats and the Republicans is that the Democrats allow the poor to be corrupt, too.

Oscar Levant
Every time I look at you I get a fierce desire to be lonesome.

Every time I look at you I get a fierce desire to be lonesome.

Oscar Levant
What the world needs is more geniuses with humility, there are so few of us left.

What the world needs is more geniuses with humility, there are so few of us left.

Oscar Levant
Happiness isn't something you experience, it's something you remember.

Happiness isn't something you experience, it's something you remember.

Oscar Levant
Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm schizophrenic, and so am I.

Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm schizophrenic, and so am I.

Oscar Levant
It's not what you are, it's what you don't become that hurts.

It's not what you are, it's what you don't become that hurts.

Oscar Levant
A pun is the lowest form of humor—when you don't think of it first.

A pun is the lowest form of humor—when you don't think of it first.

Oscar Levant
Underneath this flabby exterior is an enormous lack of character.

Underneath this flabby exterior is an enormous lack of character.

Oscar Levant
Once I make up my mind, I'm full of indecision.

Once I make up my mind, I'm full of indecision.

Oscar Levant
So little time and so little to do.

So little time and so little to do.

Oscar Levant
I'm going to memorize your name and throw my head away.

I'm going to memorize your name and throw my head away.

Oscar Levant
In some situations I was difficult, in odd moments impossible, in rare moments loathsome, but at my best unapproachably great.

In some situations I was difficult, in odd moments impossible, in rare moments loathsome, but at my best unapproachably great.

Oscar Levant
I'm controversial. My friends either dislike me or hate me

I'm controversial. My friends either dislike me or hate me

Oscar Levant
First I brush my teeth and then I sharpen my tongue.

First I brush my teeth and then I sharpen my tongue.

Oscar Levant
You can't possibly hear the last movement of Beethoven's Seventh and go slow. (Oscar trying to talk his way out of a speeding ticket)

You can't possibly hear the last movement of Beethoven's Seventh and go slow. (Oscar trying to talk his way out of a speeding ticket)

Oscar Levant
There are two sides to every question: my side and the wrong side.

There are two sides to every question: my side and the wrong side.

Oscar Levant
I've changed, I'm nice to people and I'm not so self-centered. What I'm trying to do now is think of the other person. The only trouble is, I've found that the other person thinks only of himself.

I've changed, I'm nice to people and I'm not so self-centered. What I'm trying to do now is think of the other person. The only trouble is, I've found that the other person thinks only of himself.

Oscar Levant
When I can't sleep, I read a book by Steve Allen.

When I can't sleep, I read a book by Steve Allen.

Oscar Levant
Ballet is the faeries' baseball

Ballet is the faeries' baseball

Oscar Levant
It'd be nice to please everyone but I thought it would be more interesting to have a point of view.

It'd be nice to please everyone but I thought it would be more interesting to have a point of view.

Oscar Levant