Russell Simmons Quotes

And people are always saying: 'Well, you go to Hollywood and you get yourself a film career or a TV series, and then you can do anything you want. Because then you've got the clout.' That had always sounded like a lot of hooey to me, but now I think it's true, unfortunately.

People return my phone calls now, which is really interesting. I'll tell you what I've learned that's kind of bittersweet. So many doors have opened up. I've met everybody in the business. I'm fortunate people want to work with me.

You win the Oscar, you get to go into just about anybody's office for a month. I had a lot of meetings.

You need fans in high places, I always tell people. I don't care how talented you are.

I don't think you can get everything based on who you know, but you can't get anything until you do know the right people.

You will not find outsiders getting main, important roles in big films. The difficult part is to meet the right people.

I went to Los Angeles, because I have a manager, and - I can't remember when, but we met in London maybe six months or a year beforehand, and he said, "Listen, if you really want to get a job out of L.A., you really need to come." And I was like, "Well, can't I send a tape or something?" And he was like, "No, no, you need to come."

Be in Nashville if you want to be in country music, because everybody that can help you is here.

I'm cool with Dr. Dre, I have his phone number, and he picks up when I call.

It was kind of Saoirse Ronan who really paved the way - she's the youngest of us all, but she did. She paved the way and opened doors for all of us. We're all rising on her coat-tails and I'd take any job she doesn't want to do.

The more fights I have in the UFC, the more people I meet, the more opportunities I have to make an impact.

There is a glass ceiling for everybody until you find a way to get that connection that Cena has.

You need somebody to open your eyes, to tell you there's things that you can do, and I had that person in Brian Marwood. I think if I'm where I am today, it's because of him.

I started writing when I was trying to be an actor, and I happened to be friends with Tina Fey, who happened to have her show '30 Rock' coming out. So Tina, who happens to be a mentor to me, gave me my slot and hired me.

The world doesn't reward talent, it mostly rewards those who are connected.

I owe much of my success to Seann Walsh. He kept recommending me for Live At The Apollo until eventually the producers offered me a gig.

I made a professional decision, a step forward in my career and for Roma, who earned a huge sum.

I'm not going to deny that knowing someone in high places can sometimes get the job done. That's the name of the game. A son or daughter of someone famous will get a break. But once they're in there, they're on their own.

We were always around music and we were lucky to be in the right place at the right time, knowing the right friends.

'Power' has definitely been an immense stepping stone for me. It's opened up doors that I could only have dreamed of.

I mean, let's be honest: the right thing was for me to come be a Baltimore Raven. That was the best thing that could happen to me for my professional career.

Maybe I didn't take the advantage and become a star and get all the brands so that I could solidify my space in the world.

Having the opportunity to work with someone like Beyonce is definitely going to hopefully open a few doors.

'Torches' opened a lot of doors. Ultimately, it turned into an experience to be reckoned with.

It is about meeting the right people at the right time that makes you go where you do. And I know that in our industry, everyone works hard but not everyone gets recognition.