Viola Davis Quotes

I won't tell you that I'm lucky to be here because I know I'm skilled, and I know I'm talented in the ring. That doesn't mean that I don't appreciate the opportunity.

There are so many actresses who struggle for years to get where I am. It's luck that's worked for me more than hard work.

I don't know if this is why everything has worked so well and I'm not sure I'd recommend this kind of thinking to anyone else, but I've always known I'd be successful in acting. I have certainly worked for it.

Once you've gotten the job, there's nothing to it. If you're an actor, you're an actor. Doing it is not the hard part. The hard part is getting to do it.

I always believed in if you give your best, people will see it, and it moves to the next level. I got my first movie, and I gave it my best. Before I was done with that movie, I was offered my first feature film.

I had the good fortune of speaking with Orson Wells many decades ago and he said 'Success is primarily luck anyway.' And I have been very lucky. Of course, Orson Wells was enormously talented and brilliant - so who am I to argue with him!

And then, as the years went on, I just kept moving along, busting into doors and getting roles, until I started to actually believe that what these other people were saying was true.

If you hang around long enough to show these people what you can do, you have a chance in this acting business.

There are lots of actors out there who are hugely, hugely talented and haven't got the breaks I've had.

It is only your passion which takes you forward. So it is my gyaan to all budding singers that keep faith in your passion and prepare yourself, because you will get that opportunity sooner or later, and if you can prove yourself, people will line up for you.

People don't believe this, but Hollywood really is a meritocracy.

I worked a long time to get good at what I'm doing, and nobody handed me a recording contract because of who my father is.

I'm ambitious. But if I weren't as talented as I am ambitious, I would be a gross monstrosity.

I absolutely love Nicole Scherzinger. She's worked really hard to get to where she is and really knows her stuff.

I always believed in my ability, but I think in any sport you need that little bit of luck.

I've been fortunate. I don't pick scripts. Scripts pick me.

I believe in myself and my art so much. I've always trusted destiny. Wherever it takes me, I just work damn hard at the opportunity.

I don't take anything for granted. I know there are a million and one dudes who are rapping, wishing they were in my shoes.

I travel around the world, and there are so many beautiful girls, but that's not going to make you a supermodel. You have to have something more than just a pretty face.

When you drop the ball, it's not about, 'Oh, he can't catch,' or none of that. If you put time into something, of course you can catch. I wouldn't have got drafted if I couldn't.

I just showed up at the Comedy Store. You keep showing up, and you keep showing up, and eventually, somebody notices.

I've been blessed with a lot of talent, and if I just continue to work hard, then I think my name will be up there with some of the best.

If I play at a really high level, opportunities will come my way.

No magic wands have been waved in my direction; I didn't win some kind of lottery to land a spot at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Patience is key. You can't get selfish, and that's the number one thing I've learned at WWE. The world continues to go round, and I just knew - given the right opportunity and the right moment - that the world would know I was good, but now the world knows that I'm great.