Denis Leary Quotes

I'm fully aware had I stayed with my art, I would be well known, respected and most likely rich.

I wanted to be famous, I wanted everybody to love me. I wanted to be a star. I worked really hard, and my dream came true.

I'm a songwriter, principally, and I was real excited that people liked my songs, but you get a bit of an ego about it.

Being famous is not something that would make me feel successful - unless one was striving for mediocrity.

In this business, until you're known as a monster you're not a star.

I think every artist wants to have that 'Grammy award winner' tag in front of their name.

I've had so much success. I had something to say, I got to say it, people heard it, and they agreed. That's every artist's dream. That's the brass ring.

I do not ever want to be a huge star.

I wanted to be famous. I guess I thought acting would make me famous.

I always wanted to be an acclaimed artist and to be at the top of my game.

I do not understand the pleasure of being so famous. I just don't get it. I love acting and doing the work. That's what it's all about for me.

It is my dream to get international acclaim. In the current scheme of things you need not go anywhere else because great films are being made in Malayalam.

When I was setting out to be an artist, I said: If I can just produce one work that some people think is good, if I can become an obscure cult artist, that's all I want. Well, I attained that. I'm an obscure cult artist, and I think now, Why didn't I say I want to be another Picasso or something? What other options were open to me? But I was convinced I couldn't achieve great things because I don't have a steady-state mind.

The art of putting into play mediocre qualities often begets more reputation than is achieved by true merit.

If I can still be successful making films and no-one will ever know me, then that would be great. Because we (actors) just like to do what we do. People who are doing it for fame, I don't know if they ever get really successful.

NOTORIETY, n. The fame of one's competitor for public honors. The kind of renown most accessible and acceptable to mediocrity. A Jacob's-ladder leading to the vaudeville stage, with angels ascending and descending.

in Los Angeles ... was the thinking-est crowd on earth: how to get ahead, how to mold a better body, how to have a better relationship, how to score, earn, fight, win, get published, be a star.

I remember I prayed to God. I was like, "Just let me be on TV." Let my friends see me on TV in a good thing. I like, if I'm funny a little bit on a commercial and then I don't need to act ever again. "Just let them see me." And then it worked. I got the commercial. I was on TV. My friends all saw me. I was a kind of a star at school for like three days. And then it faded away and I was hungry and I had to like make another deal with God. I remember it still.

I've never been the big recording star I'd love to be some day. I've had lots of hits off and on through the years but I've never had the success of other artists - one hit after another back-to-back-to-back and big hits, where every song is going to be number one. I'm not greedy or nothing. I just want everything. Is there something wrong with that?

There are tons of people who have made great music, great art, great whatever, but you don't know about them until the people lift you to a certain height so that you could even be visible and get any kind of recognition.

I remind myself Vincent van Gogh died without having sold a single painting. Like, art is not measured by the trappings that people attached to it. It's the thing itself, and so, as you know, it's been a dream of mine to write songs for Disney, and so, it's really exciting to finally hear. It's two and a half years.

To people who want to be rich and famous, I'd say, "Get rich first and see if that doesn't cover it."

All serious writers want the obvious rewards: fame, money, women, love -- and most of all, an audience!

I have gone through a long apprenticeship. I have gone through enough of being a nobody. I have decided that when I am a star, I will be every inch and every moment the star! Everybody from the studio gateman to the highest executive will know it.

I didn't feel entitled to become a star. I didn't expect it.