Chiwetel Ejiofor quotes

I wanted to be an actor ever since I got on stage for the first time, aged 13. Before that, I thought I might follow in the medical footsteps of my parents: my father was a doctor, my mother a pharmacist. (Chiwetel Ejiofor)

It's a strange thing, but you get this click in your brain; the wonderful feeling that the entirety of a character is suddenly available and accessible to you.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

This is going to sound completely absurd, but I do sometimes feel like the enjoyment of an awards ceremony or the pride in the finished article hasn't ever surpassed the joy of doing the work, of making it. The doing it is really the bit I'm there for.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Ive just tried to keep my eyes open, tried to read everything you can, and tried to see whether I see myself within it. If I do, then I can get excited about it.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

I was the classic middle child in some ways, the one who could have been a priest in an alternate universe.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Solomon Northup is one of the most remarkable people Ive ever encountered in my life; one of the most amazing stories I have ever been in any kind of contact with. To not tell that story would have been disgraceful, in my opinion.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Dividing everybody into genders and sexuality and races and religions, and I think its important to have films out there, to have discussions out there which really try to get to grips with where that kind of thing can lead.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Depending on what your interest in theater is, I always recommend working on plays. It's a great way to be introduced to the field, and also a great way to be seen by agents and representation. I'm also a great advocate for studying acting at a drama school or a college.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

I wouldnt be the same actor if I couldnt do theater.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

When I first had my eyebrows waxed, I was pretty disturbed.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

I became an actor by doing school plays and youth theaters, and then National Youth Theatre of Great Britain. And then I did study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. For me that was a good way to enter the field, to work in the theater. (Chiwetel Ejiofor)

I enjoy doing everything, comedy and drama. I just look for the characters really and what they offer.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

I was already devouring literature and I was the ripe old age of 15 when I decided to be an actor. I just thought plays were the most fantastic way of expressing life. I thought I'd discovered Shakespeare - 'hey, there's a new guy in town, don't know if anyone's read him.' I was just excited about the whole thing, from day one.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

In England, theres no acknowledgement the invention of slavery came from Britain.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

I was attracted to 'Half of a Yellow Sun' because of the story.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

I don't tend to offer up a critique unless I have a clearly formulated alternative, because there's nothing worse than people on a set or any kind of artistic life who critique something but who don't have anything to offer.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

I had done a couple of auditions for 'Amistad' and didn't feel it was going to go any further - and then the call came about heading to Los Angeles to work with Steven Spielberg. It was surreal: exciting, challenging, overwhelming.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

I like to disappear into a role. I equate the success of it with a feeling of being chemically changed. That's the only way I can express it.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

I think I enjoy working obviously as a lead, but also you know I feel I'm also a character actor as well, so I enjoy approaching various projects in all sort of capacities. Any film I have been able to do I feel very fortunate to have been a part of.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

David Mamet was great to work with. He was everything that I thought he would be as a director. He's incredibly articulate, an easy collaborator. Extraordinarily knowledgeable about film and writing.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

I've always liked the idea of being a father. And I've always romanticised it, because I lost my father when I was young. In a way, all of the complications that come with my career are about that. (Chiwetel Ejiofor)

I'd never really considered film. If I'd thought about film more growing up, I probably would have changed my name. I had no concept of my name in lights.

Chiwetel Ejiofor