Helen Mirren quotes

Helen Mirren is an acclaimed British actress renowned for her work in film, television, and theatre. Her powerful performances have earned her major awards, including an Academy Award for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in "The Queen." She continues to be a leading figure in the acting world and an inspiration for aspiring performers. Here are 104 of her quotes:

The part never calls for it. And I've never ever used that excuse. The box office calls for it.

Helen Mirren

Where you grew up becomes a big part of who you are for the rest of your life. You can't run away from that. Well, sometimes the running away from it is what makes you who you are.

Helen Mirren

At the time of the Silver Jubilee, I was a grumpy anti-monarchist. I didn't celebrate and was appalled by the celebrations. In my idiocy, I missed out! I feel completely differently now compared with that time.

Helen Mirren

I drink just as much tea when I'm in Los Angeles as I do when I'm in London. I take my tea bags with me wherever I go.

Helen Mirren

People often ask me whether I prefer theater or film, and the answer is that I prefer the one I'm not doing: The grass is always greener.

Helen Mirren

I have never in my life found myself in a situation where I've stopped work and said, 'Thank God it's Friday.' But weekends are special even if your schedule is all over the place. Something tells you the weekend has arrived and you can indulge yourself a bit.

Helen Mirren

When you're 16, 30 seems ancient. When you're 30, 45 seems ancient. When you're 45, 60 seems ancient. When you're 60, nothing seems ancient.

Helen Mirren

I don't like the word 'strong,' because a strong character is never an interesting character. A character is made interesting by their vulnerabilities and their weaknesses.

Helen Mirren

I don't believe that if you do good, good things will happen. Everything is completely accidental and random. Sometimes bad things happen to very good people and sometimes good things happen to bad people. But at least if you try to do good things, then you're spending your time doing something worthwhile.

Helen Mirren

It's so hard when you're young to look at older people and understand that they have been where you are. It's the weirdest thing. You just can't get your head around that, can you? You can't get your head around the fact that someone who is 60 was once 16, if you're 16. But the fact is they have been, and they remember it.

Helen Mirren

You write your life story by the choices you make. You never know if they have been a mistake. Those moments of decision are so difficult.

Helen Mirren

I learned quite early on in life that we are all two people. And one of those people none of us will ever know.

Helen Mirren

The trick in life is learning how to deal with it.

Helen Mirren

I believe in meditation - it's a good tool to centre yourself, but unfortunately, I'm too lazy to do it. It's very hard work, and I prefer to watch 'Nothing To Declare' on TV!

Helen Mirren

When you're young and beautiful, you're paranoid and miserable.

Helen Mirren

I love men that love women. Morgan Freeman, who I worked with on 'RED,' was very flattering to me. But he is flattering to all women. He is a woman-charmer.

Helen Mirren

Actors are rogues and vagabonds. Or they ought to be.

Helen Mirren

Two phrases I hate in reference to female characters are 'strong' and 'feisty.' They really annoy me. It's the most condescending thing. You say that about a three-year-old. It infantilises women.

Helen Mirren

I was never a left-winger, actually. I was a pretend left-winger because it was more interesting than being a right-winger.

Helen Mirren

The control and understanding of our personal fears is one of the most important undertakings of our lives.

Helen Mirren

People become more interesting from about 25 - they develop character and their personalities come out.

Helen Mirren

It was never my intention to marry anybody. Economics are basically the only reason to get married, but I'm very glad I did it.

Helen Mirren