Quotes

In 1949, we stayed with one of my friends who had a book in which people were asked to write down their secret ambitions. Ronald Reagan wrote he'd like to be president. All those years ago!

I think I was born stubborn, that's all.

[on Operation Pacific (1951)] John Wayne had enormous appeal for the public, but I did not find him appealing in the least. I think my charms were lost on him too. He was going through marital problems, which kept him in a bad humor all the time. Duke was at odds with the director and could be a bully, particularly with a gay publicity man, who seemed to draw his wrath at every turn.

[on Gary Cooper] He was the most gorgeously attractive man. Bright, too, though some people didn't think so.

[when she heard Paul Newman died] Somebody came in and told me that Paul had died, and I was heartbroken, because he was a beautiful man. I knew that he was a little ill, and I knew that he was probably going to die, but you know it's just so heartbreaking when one hears it.

Frequently, my life has been likened to a Greek tragedy, and the actress in me cannot deny that comparison.

[her last words while on her deathbed] I've had a lovely time.

[her immortal, earth-saving line uttered to the alien robot Gort in the classic sci-fi film The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)] Gort, Klaatu barata nikto.

[2008 interview] I loved Gary Cooper, for years and years and years. And I still love him. Of course, Becky (Cooper's wife, Veronica Balfe, (Sandra Shaw) was not very happy with me. And I don't blame her. Nor was her little daughter, Maria Cooper Janis, who I guess was about 11 when we started... And I was very sorry. But Gary... I just loved Gary very much.

[on In Harm's Way (1965)] I adored John Wayne. We got along fabulously! The first time we worked together, I didn't like him at all; but in Honolulu he was a much happier man.