I don't have a great talent for explaining myself in acting because I can't explain it.
— Elaine Stritch
New Yorkers stop me on the street all the time to say, 'You're terrific! You're the nuts!'
— Elaine Stritch
New York is like a disco, but without the music
— Elaine Stritch
I don't know what to do with Warren Beatty. All I know is that he wasn't attracted to me. That's all right.
— Elaine Stritch
Talent is very dangerous. It alienates people.
— Elaine Stritch
This age thing is all up to you. It's like happiness is up to you. You just have to understand what it is before you get it.
— Elaine Stritch
Easy does it is what I'm looking for,
— Elaine Stritch
I wouldn't have a nose job. I like my nose fine.
— Elaine Stritch
I was so happy I didn't have to work that night. That was the truth, because show business is about the hardest profession in the world.
— Elaine Stritch
Onstage, nothing is as important as truth, nothing. As soon as you lie, they know it.
— Elaine Stritch
I like to keep active. I've got too much energy not to.
— Elaine Stritch
Diabetes is a lousy, lousy disease.
— Elaine Stritch
I like being talked about. I think some people really don't ... because they're secure enough and they don't need that.
— Elaine Stritch
When I want to do something badly enough, I do it, but there is a practical side of me that thinks I should be paid fairly.
— Elaine Stritch
And why not do something new every day of your life? Change! Change!
— Elaine Stritch
Certain type of actresses get younger instead of older. I always say, 'Only ingenues age.'
— Elaine Stritch
Talent is seductive.
— Elaine Stritch
I compare Stephen Sondheim with humor, because humor is unanalyzable. You can't analyze humor. You just have to get through it.
— Elaine Stritch
I get sick of saying how hard everything is. It's hard to get up in the morning. Everything's hard. Everything takes effort.
— Elaine Stritch
I do believe in the infallibility of the Pope, because I think we have to believe in something.
— Elaine Stritch
This is a time in my life where I'm gonna behave like an elegant human being. Or not.
— Elaine Stritch
I'm going to do less performing because I'm tired. It's hard to convince anybody that you're just going to take it easy.
— Elaine Stritch
Drama drama drama. The public wants it, so let them get the whole ugly mess. Why not?
— Elaine Stritch
It's a pain in the ass, show business. And the only time that I really enjoy it is when I'm in front of an audience and they're reacting to me.
— Elaine Stritch
I care about money, very much. I want it. I don't ever want to be without it. My mother once said about me, 'Elaine has to have money.'
— Elaine Stritch
It gets tiring being a smartass.
— Elaine Stritch
I don't have to go to a doctor and have my face changed. It terrifies me that women do that.
— Elaine Stritch
I am not influenced by other human beings. But I am inspired. — Elaine Stritch
You can't be funny unless you're tragic, and you can't be tragic unless you're funny. — Elaine Stritch
Everybody's got a sack of rocks. — Elaine Stritch
For my money, insecurity, depression, etc, can be healed by way of El Morocco, sad songs at 4am, and the pop of a champagne cork — Elaine Stritch
For me, going to London is like coming home. In fact, I've often entertained the idea of ending my days there. — Elaine Stritch
You cannot tell an audience a lie. They know it before you do; before it's out of your mouth, they know it's a lie. — Elaine Stritch
Audiences are not strangers to me. They're the best friends I've got in my life. — Elaine Stritch
My idea of serenity - that wonderful word that everybody's trying to get into their life - is call-waiting. — Elaine Stritch
My movie career - if such a thing even exists - is laughable. — Elaine Stritch
If somebody doesn't have any talent, get off the stage! you're wasting my time. — Elaine Stritch
I find it easier to abstain than do a little bit of anything. I'm not a 'little bit' kind of dame. I want it all, whatever I do. — Elaine Stritch
I have no intention of retiring. Even my blood sugar is better when I'm working. — Elaine Stritch
I think it's the wrong way around to say, 'When you get older move to the country.' I think when you get older you move to New York. — Elaine Stritch
Fear is the base of what everybody does wrong in their lives. — Elaine Stritch
It's very disconcerting to start out and to say, "I'm going to tell the truth," and then to realize it's that much trouble. — Elaine Stritch
Making clever speeches takes a lot of work and a lot of time. — Elaine Stritch
I don't think there's any thrill in the world like doing work you're good at. — Elaine Stritch
There's certainly nothing lasting and definite about the theater. — Elaine Stritch
I don't want to see a movie twice. I don't want to do anything twice. — Elaine Stritch
I felt that I committed myself too much. I promised too much. But that way it's exciting. — Elaine Stritch
I'm a good acting partner for me ... when I don't have anyone else, I do really well! — Elaine Stritch
Woody Allen is a better actor than anybody from the Actors Studio, and he can be anybody he says he is. — Elaine Stritch
As a diabetic, I'm a walking picnic. I have to eat measured amounts of food at certain times. — Elaine Stritch
I tell the truth, and it has gotten me into a lot of trouble. My dad used to say to me, 'If you tell the truth all day long, you will end up in jail.' — Elaine Stritch
Why haven't I made more movies? Nobody asked me. — Elaine Stritch
There will always be ladies who lunch. Always. And apparently they live a long time. — Elaine Stritch
I'm funny when I want to be. And I'm even funny when I don't want to be. — Elaine Stritch
I don't wear a wig. I'd feel terrible onstage with a wig. I hate to be so 'Actors Studio'-ish, but I like to feel it's me out there. — Elaine Stritch
I love audiences. My God, the best friends in the world! — Elaine Stritch
Betty White is probably a very nice woman. — Elaine Stritch
The people in New York - their humor is on a level that goes, uh, very deep, you know? — Elaine Stritch
There's something exciting about being afraid. — Elaine Stritch
I don't dislike the way I look. I think I look fine. I think I look extraordinary for 88. And I've got energy. Out of my way. — Elaine Stritch
There's something that really frightens me - and that's fear. — Elaine Stritch
I don't know what should have happened in my life, but I do know that I'm dancing as fast as I can. — Elaine Stritch
I love Birmingham, Michigan. It's lovely - you know, it's very similar to the Hamptons. — Elaine Stritch
You never know what is happening to yourself when it is happening. — Elaine Stritch
All you have to do is say, 'I'm going home,' and you're the most popular girl at the party. — Elaine Stritch
I love reviews. Anybody who tells you they don't read reviews is a liar. — Elaine Stritch
