Quotes

"Pretending to still be the tough man of action isn't dignified for me any more. There comes a time when you're over the hill and there are plenty of great looking younger actors who can take your place. The action stars of today are making some wonderful films. There are no 'I could do it better' feelings in me. The younger they come, the better they get. That's why Olympic records are broken." (from a 1987 interview)

I want to make movies about Australia to be shown to people all over the world. It annoys me to talk to people overseas who are surprised we have not only kangaroos but telephones ... I think I've built up a pretty good international reputation - I'm lucky enough to have some sort of status - and I want to use it to help Australian films. (1968)

[on The Catered Affair (1956)] The Brooklyn accent I put on during the test so convinced the producers that I was from New York that they cast me as a Bronx boy. They didn't know I was just 18 months out of Australia until the movie was half finished.

I'm about the only Australian in movies who doesn't pretend to be something else. Flynn pretended he was American, Finch pretends he's a Pommie, Merle Oberon says she was not born in Tasmania.

I can fight, and I have, but so help me I haven't hit anybody in 20 years. Not rafts of girls any more, and no wives coming up or thought of. [Ex-]wives are at present costing me $60,000 a year. (1975)

I make love to as many women [as] will let me. If a girl gives me half a chance, I'll bed her down, and that's the truth.

When I arrived at LA airport, to be met by some Hollywood promoters, they were expecting some six foot, pretty guy. Instead they were shocked to see a five foot ten punk, with a broken nose.

Producer Cubby Broccoli wanted me to screen test for James Bond when he was preparing 'Dr No' in 1961. I refused because I thought it was beneath me. I didn't think Bond would be successful in the movies. That was one of the greatest mistakes of my career! Every time a new Bond picture became a smash hit, I tore out my hair. Cubby and I have laughed about it ever since.