Olivia Colman Quotes

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Olivia Colman

Profession : Actress

Birth : January 30, 1974

I was never one of those surly teenagers who doesn't smile. My lovely godfather said it was always lovely to see me because I was the only teenager who smiled. And I was so in awe of him, I thought it was one of the best things anyone had ever said to me. So it made me want to live up to what he said.

Olivia Colman

I want everyone to know what they deserve in relationships: that they can demand equality and kindness. Because everyone will have a relationship at some point in their life. It's what we all do, every day, and we need to know how to do it.

Olivia Colman

My older brother, who was in the Army, now owns his own building company. My half-sister was a nurse and is now a psychotherapist.

Olivia Colman

I grew up in north Norfolk, which certainly used to have an enormous sense of community. There are more and more second homes there now, so I'm not sure how that has damaged it. But where I live in South London, there is a beautiful community; it's the friendliest place I have ever lived, which comes as a surprise to non-Londoners.

Olivia Colman

I had a lovely, feral, free childhood - out and then come back when you're hungry or it gets too dark. I feel slightly cruel that I'm not offering my children the same.

Olivia Colman

I don't have a process; I just feel it. My book on acting would be very short.

Olivia Colman

If I didn't have children I might be more of a lush than I am. I like booze. I struggle with smoking. And I'm a big swearer. I'm trying to rein it in but I do think it's a nice seasoning of language.

Olivia Colman

I did a forward roll for the kids the other day, thinking it'd be a breeze like it was when I was six, and I had to lie flat for about 20 minutes afterwards - 'Leave mummy alone; she's feeling a bit dizzy.'

Olivia Colman

Dementia is such a terrifying thing for all of us, and we are particularly bad at coping with old people in this country.

Olivia Colman

I eat a bit too much; my teeth aren't perfect; I've got eye bags. I look like a normal 39-year-old woman - but in England, no one minds that.

Olivia Colman

I can't bear kissing scenes.

Olivia Colman

I've been with my husband and friends for so long, I've forgotten what is unappealing to new people.

Olivia Colman

If the script's good, everything you need is in there. I just try and feel it, and do it honestly. I also don't learn things for auditions, because I feel like it's just a test of memorizing rather than being real. Maybe every other actor would think that was terrible, I don't know. But it seems to have worked for me, so far.

Olivia Colman

In general, I'm rubbish in heels. I love them, and I own a lot because it's like being in a sweet shop: they're pretty. But I'm not good in them. I don't walk nicely in heels.

Olivia Colman

To play something which is a big spectrum is so much more fun, so much more of a challenge.

Olivia Colman

I suppose I have played a lot of put-upon women, but it's never bothered me. They've never been weak - they've always got steel in them.

Olivia Colman

I want to be helpful to the charities I support. I think you can dilute it, the more you do. You have to be a bit strong about what you do... otherwise, you risk spreading yourself a bit thin, and you can be less useful.

Olivia Colman

I don't like the bullying, do-one-over style of comedy. It's so cheap.

Olivia Colman

I find Shakespeare terrifying. When Simon Russell Beale does a speech, I understand every word of it, but if I did the same speech, people would be going, 'Huh? What?'

Olivia Colman

I always assumed I would leave drama school and do 'Lady Macbeth' and all sorts of serious things. It just didn't happen.

Olivia Colman