Chazz Palminteri Quotes

Well, the only way I can get a leading-man role is if I write it.

When people say to me: "Oh don't worry, if one door closes another one opens..." If one door closes for me, go through the window - I'm not interested in waiting around for people to give me opportunities. I try and make things happen and if I am given opportunities I take them and work harder.

I'm the kind of person who doesn't wait for opportunities to fall from the sky.

I started off as a model and struggled for some time until I got a break as an actress. I was too stubborn to let go and was sure I was in the right place at the right time. I just fought and I think that's how I am where I am today.

If you want something, work hard for it, go after it. I can't worry about all the 'no's, because I believe there's a yes, and I've been very fortunate to find those in my career and made the most of those opportunities.

We are told that talent creates its own opportunities. But it sometimes seems that intense desire creates not only its own opportunities, but its own talents.

I always tell my kids if you lay down, people will step over you. But if you keep scrambling, if you keep going, someone will always, always give you a hand. Always. But you gotta keep dancing, you gotta keep your feet moving.

The American dream does not come to those who fall asleep.

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them.

I had my years of struggling. Some of my shows failed miserably, and I was upset by it, and it dented my confidence. But I never stopped. I kept going for it. And when I returned to New York from Los Angeles, I mean, it was make it or not - that was my last chance. And what a great chance it was, to make it in my own hometown.

Though there is lot of struggle, nothing deterred my ambition to get into the film industry.

I work really hard and have rolled up my sleeves for a long time to get the opportunities I've had.

If you don't fight you don't give yourself a chance.

Once I started out on this journey of wanting to play in the National Football League, I've had a lot of opportunities. And with each opportunity, I've tried to make the most of it.

Life is hard enough. Life is always going to be hard, so you need to push for what you want.

I've always been a big believer in myself and that if you give me an opportunity I am going to make the most of it.

Remarkably successful people habitually do what other people won't do. They go where others won't go because there's a lot less competition and a much greater chance for success.

The main quality I have is my mentality because I never gave up - I never, ever give up. I have been like that since I was young. I knew I had to take my chance when it came. Nobody gives you anything. You have to go and take it and this was the way I think.

Backboneless employees are too ready to attribute the success of others to luck. Luck is usually the fruit of intelligent application. The man who is intent on making the most of his opportunities is too busy to bother about luck.

... all things are possible if you are willing to put yourself on the line. You cannot stand back and hope for the best. You have to act.

I am a writer who was able to direct the films that I write.

Start going the extra mile and opportunity will follow you.

If you take the time and put in the effort to write your own material and absolutely refuse to be denied the right to make your film it is difficult whatever colour you are.

I have to create opportunities for myself. But the thing I really have learned is that you gain nothing from sitting around waiting for the phone to ring - you have to do it for yourself.