Viola Davis Quotes

I try not to and I don't think I ever have just jumped at any opportunity because a company wanted me. Just because there was money on the table doesn't mean that I took it.

I've always been really picky about roles and make a point of reminding myself that it's not about the money - because, obviously, there's a lot of money to be made in this business if you're willing to do anything.

I wanted to make money very fast, and I was completely confused after college. I didn't know what career options I had. And then I had this entry point in the film industry, and I thought, 'If this is where the fast money is going to come from, let's see how it goes.'

Choosing a role is very difficult. There's no way to have a strategy.

I don't make decisions just on the character I'm supposed to play. Sometimes it's based on the director, sometimes it's based on the story, sometimes I need money, or sometimes I'm just starved to work.

Earlier in my career, there may have been compulsions for accepting films for money.

Even though I have been receiving offers left, right and centre, I have been a little choosy about my projects.

As you move along, it's about choices. Once you've gathered enough credits, you have to be more specific. You have to know what level of show you want to work on and be willing to turn down a lot of work to have the career you want.

I'm in the very fortunate position as a young actor to not have to take the first job that comes along. I'm not motivated by money at this stage in my life, I'm motivated by work.

If I want to, I can sign 20 films for ridiculous amounts of money, but I really want to do different kinds of cinema. I want creative satisfaction.

If I wanted to work financially, I would have made a series of different choices. I do get offered lots of movies which you could make a lot of money out of. And I always say, 'Why would I do that, when someone else could do it much better than me? Why would I want to do an action picture? Why?'

Film is different for me now. If the money is good and it's not totally revolting, I'll do it.

Today, I guess I give a lot more thought to the roles before I sign them.

It's hard to make a living in this business. Unions aren't as strong as they used to be. For a journeyman actor - someone who doesn't have a famous name but has consistent work in theater or film or TV - it has become harder to get through, harder to raise a family.

I never really planned a career. I've tried to avoid it. I've tried to do this stuff I felt for, the stuff I like. So, I've just been meeting these fantastic directors who've offered me a variation of different parts and different films.

All that running around in my underwear put money in my pockets. I can focus on working in interesting movies without having to worry about supporting myself.

I need to decide whether to apply for college or delay it for a couple of years while I pursue some more acting projects. Right now I'm trying to sort things out, so I can make the right choices.

I decided in my late teens that I wanted to be an actor, and my dad and I agreed that films were better. I work alongside my dad, you see. I've thought that films were better since I was a kid.

Working at a startup to make a lot of money was never a thing, and that's why I decided to just finish up school. That was way more important for me.

I'd rather do one day on a really cool movie than six months on something crap.

I have always advised people never to apply for a job you do not really want.

I am a theatre actor, but the last ten years I've taken parts in movies because it keeps me in money.

I still make more money as I do as an actor than director, however I don't want to be a commercial director.

I know there's a great deal of speculation, and while I appreciate the interest, kind of, my contract ends in May and I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do. I'm fortunate to have a couple of opportunities to think long and hard about.

I've come to realize your career is all about the choices you make. Every single one matters.