
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