Clive Owen Quotes

I felt a failure because I couldn't sustain myself from what I earned from my writing. My day jobs were what mattered, and it was hard to even get those because universities wouldn't hire me as a real writer.

I basically never believed that I was a commercial actor. Just because of the outcome of many auditions over time. No one hired me.

Next year, if no one gives me any work, that's fine. I'm not going to do well anyway. I'm not an actor, I'm just exploiting this industry.

A lot of my friends are struggling musicians. Being a struggling actor, it's just frustrating because you're not allowed to do what you want to do.

Nobody wants to sit where I'm sitting and say, 'Hey, this is the reality. I did two movies, six guest-star spots and I starred in a one-woman show, and I'm not making any money. I'm on TV every day in every country in the world, and I don't make any money.'

If I didn't get a job, between 16 and 18, that wasn't significant, I was just going to go to college. I didn't want to be a struggling actor at 36 with five kids, doing something I hated. You see the story so much. It's such a vicious business to be in when you're not meant to be in it.

I would hate to be a bitter, aging actor.

Unfortunately - as I have experienced first-hand, as many artists have - there's a gaping hole between platinum and non-existent. There's no in-between.

There never were any roles for my kind of acting. That's the story of my life.

I had quite a tumultuous start to my career. I used to have two really good games but then my form would dip. I don't think people really understood me and I ended up dropping to the bench.

A lot of talented actors still have to pay their bills.

My son tried to work in films and he ultimately gave it up, he finally couldn't make a living, he couldn't support himself. He worked all the time and he didn't make enough money to have a house, have an apartment.

You can be the best actor in the world, but if you don't have that one lucky moment, it kind of doesn't matter. There are a lot of amazing actors who will never get the chance to prove themselves because they won't have that one lucky moment.

I've honestly been really lucky. My only jobs have been babysitting and acting.

I still feel like I'm trying to make it. It's hard to shed the struggling actor thing.

My hunger and desperation, being an actor, an out of work actor - my memory of that is as fresh as an open wound.

When I was focusing on theater, I would go on for months without any work and could hardly pay the rent.

By the time I left the bar, I was 30. I was a dishwasher. They call it a bar-back, but essentially, I washed dishes for a living. I had no high-school diploma, I had no agent, and my literary successes were non-existent... but it was the only thing I ever wanted to do, so I did feel trapped.

Every actor fears unemployment - even me.

My biggest criticism is how can people be so easily satisfied? Even people with talent.

People always assume that, if you're an actor who's been on anything from which you're recognisable, that you're making all this money, and it's just not true.

For some people, it's like I can't be a good actress because I grew up with a silver spoon.

Before 'Homeland,' I had £80 in the bank and no idea what I was going to do. I seriously considered giving it all up and getting a job as a lorry driver.

I don't know if there's anything sadder than an actor who hasn't made a good picture, and at least I got a few good ones that will stand the test of time. I feel very fortunate about that.

I don't know anybody who doesn't have a lost decade.