Ava Gardner

Actress

Ava Gardner was an iconic American actress known for her captivating performances and tumultuous personal life, particularly in films like 'The Night of the Iguana'.

Born
December 24, 1922
Died
January 25, 1990
Quotes
49
Rank
#399

About Ava Gardner

Ava Gardner — Life and Legacy

Ava Gardner was a prominent American actress whose career spanned several decades, making her mark in classic films such as 'The Night of the Iguana' and 'Mogambo'. Renowned for her beauty and talent, Gardner's life was equally notable for its complexities, particularly her relationships that often mirrored the tumult of her on-screen roles. Her quotes reveal a deep understanding of love and identity, as she once remarked, 'I think that I am a very lucky person,' which reflects her recognition of the duality of her experiences—both the highs of fame and the lows of personal struggles. Gardner's perspective on fame was candid; she described it as 'a fickle friend,' illustrating her awareness of the transient nature of celebrity and the isolation it can bring. This insight into her life emphasizes the emotional conflicts she faced, as she navigated the pressures of public adoration while yearning for genuine connection. Her acknowledgment of being 'a woman who has loved' speaks to her passionate nature, revealing how her relationships shaped her identity and influenced her worldview. Today, Ava Gardner's quotes resonate with those grappling with the complexities of love and self-identity, showcasing her enduring impact on both film and the exploration of human emotion.

Quote collection

Ava Gardner quotes (page 1 of 3)

49 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Ava Gardner Actress
Popular

"Don't think for a minute that bad publicity and endless criticism don't leave their claw marks on everyone concerned. Your friends try to cheer you up by saying lightly, "I suppose you get used to it, and ignore it." You try. You try damned hard. But you never get used to it. It always wounds and hurts."

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Ava Gardner Actress
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"I wish to live to 150 years old, but the day I die, I wish it to be with a cigarette in one hand and a glass of whiskey in the other."

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Ava Gardner Actress
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"When I'm old and gray, I want to have a house by the sea. And paint. With a lot of wonderful chums, good music, and booze around. And a damn good kitchen to cook in."

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Ava Gardner Actress
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"The truth is that the only time I'm happy is when I'm doing absolutely nothing. I don't understand people who like to work and talk about it like it was some sort of goddamn duty. Doing nothing feel like floating on warm water to me. Delightful, perfect."

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Ava Gardner Actress
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"Women's liberation as a movement makes some valid points. But in the final analysis, it doesn't matter who wears the pants - as long as there's money in the pockets."

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Ava Gardner Actress
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"If I had my life to live over again, I'd live it the same way. Maybe a few changes here or there, but nothing special. The truth is, honey, I've enjoyed my life. I've had a hell of a good time."

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Ava Gardner Actress
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"When you have to face up to the fact that marriage to the man you love is really over, that's very tough, sheer agony. In that kind of harrowing situation, I always go away and cut myself off from the world. Also, I sober up immediately when there is genuine bad news in my life; I never face it with alcohol in my brain. I just rented a house in Palm Springs and sat there and just suffered for a couple of weeks. I suffered there until I was strong enough to face it."

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Ava Gardner Actress
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"Although no one believes me, I have always been a country girl and still have a country girl's values"

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Ava Gardner Actress
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"I do everything for a reason. Most of the time the reason is money."

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Ava Gardner Actress
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"I dealt with men who had tempers, and who could get violent-Lord knows how I had to defend myself against Howard Hughes and Frank Sinatra, and from Artie Shaw's verbal abuse. But George [C. Scott] was a different category of animal when he got drunk. He'd break into my hotel room, which he did in Italy, London and at the Beverly Hills Hotel, attack me to where I was frightened for my life, and scream, 'Why won't you marry me?' Well, I would never marry a man who couldn't control his liquor. Me, I'm a happy drunk. I laugh, I dance. I certainly don't break bottles and threaten to kill."

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Ava Gardner Actress
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"Elizabeth Taylor is not beautiful, she is pretty—I was beautiful."

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Ava Gardner Actress
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"What I'd really like to say about stardom is that it gave me everything I never wanted."

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Ava Gardner Actress
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"Our phone bills were astronomical, and when I found the letters Frank wrote me the other day, the total could fill a suitcase. Every single day during our relationship, no matter where in the world I was, I'd get a telegram from Frank saying he loved me and missed me. He was a man who was deseperate for companionship and love. Can you wonder that he always had mine!"

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Ava Gardner Actress
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"I don't mind growing old. If I have to go before my time, this is how I'll go-- cigarette in one hand, glass of scotch in the other."

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Ava Gardner Actress
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"Oh, what the hell did I know? I went to the set the first day in full makeup and the director told me to take it off. So I did the film without makeup. I had nothing to do with anything I did. I never understood why I was so famous."

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Ava Gardner Actress
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"When I lose my temper, honey, you can't find it any place."

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