Viggo Mortensen quotes - page 6

I'm certainly curious about people. As a kid, I moved around a lot. I was raised in a lot of different places, and thanks to working in the movies, I've gotten to keep traveling. I've always been interested in other cultures and languages. (Viggo Mortensen)
I don't think Adam Sandler or Will Ferrell fear competition from me in their arena.
Viggo Mortensen
The first decade of your life is really important; it's formative.
Viggo Mortensen
On a practical level, poetry isn't something anybody has really made a great living at. I might sell some books and, once in a while, someone might pay to hear me read.
Viggo Mortensen
You see people on the street yelling and think they're crazy, but maybe they're just happy and expressing what they feel at all times.
Viggo Mortensen
There's no sense in doing something, especially if it's a hard job, if you can't have a little fun.
Viggo Mortensen
A little recognition is not a bad thing because it means people appreciate your work. The only problem is when you can't walk down the street or have a meal without people looking at you. I want to be the one looking at people.
Viggo Mortensen
In a lot of places in the United States and certainly even more places around the world, the image of the cowboy has become, for some people, a negative one. The word 'cowboy' implies a strong, stubborn individual whose individualism depends on pulling down other people's individualism.
Viggo Mortensen
In terms of the movie business, being in a 'Lord of the Rings' has given me more interesting options as work.
Viggo Mortensen
With any character I have played there's infinite possibilities for how they might behave, depending on who they are talking to or how they react to things.
Viggo Mortensen
I'm not a great fan of monarchy in general, but I have to say the Danish monarchy is closer to the people; it's not as stuffy as the English one. (Viggo Mortensen)
If in my twenties I'd gotten one of the two-dozen roles that I did screen tests for and almost got, I think I would have become bored with the awards circuit, the whole hype machine.
Viggo Mortensen
I've never played a Dane in a movie. I've had offers to be in Danish movies, including for some good directors, but I either had a job at the time or, when I was available, the movie just didn't happen. Hopefully someday I'll do one.
Viggo Mortensen
I'm an optimist; I always hope that each new script is going to be a great story.
Viggo Mortensen
When I land in a country and they ask for 'occupation,' I always just put 'artist.' I think that covers all of it.
Viggo Mortensen
Sometimes a scene works and acting is the easiest thing in the world and you don't have to do much of anything - just enjoy yourself and listen to the other actor. When it doesn't work, then every actor has different ways of dealing with the impasse. Sometimes you use memories from the past. Whatever. It depends from job to job.
Viggo Mortensen
I realise how important it is to use the time I have. I respect people who want to do that by watching television. I happen to want to read books. But I know I can't read all the books or watch all the movies in one lifetime.
Viggo Mortensen
I really enjoyed working with New Zealanders as crew members, as teammates. They're great, and it's a beautiful country. It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, and I've traveled quite a bit.
Viggo Mortensen
I was raised in Argentina until I was 11 and now I go back there a lot, at least twice a year. It's a country where I feel very comfortable and it represents an important period in my life.
Viggo Mortensen
I was raised speaking English and Spanish. And I also speak Danish. And I can get by in French and Italian. I've acted in Spanish and English, but when something has to do with emotions, sometimes I feel I can get to the heart of the matter better in Spanish.
Viggo Mortensen
I know people who prepare their roles in such a way that they technically look ahead and memorize their gestures, and then they stick to it. Those that are technically proficient enough can make it seem natural, but they do that and don't really take in what other people are doing. (Viggo Mortensen)
I think, on a surface level, people are surprised to see me playing such a passive role in 'Good.'
Viggo Mortensen
In the end, the actor's main power is the power to say, 'No.'
Viggo Mortensen
I have no idea what 'method actor' means.
Viggo Mortensen
Sometimes you look at a movie and you can see that the actor or actress said, 'I'm taking this onboard because I'm making a ton of money, and not because it's going to be something special.'
Viggo Mortensen