Quotes from Pernell Roberts

I stay out of typecasting ruts.

I don't have a battery of agents to surround me in a cocoon.

I don't have the psychological stamina to last under artistic compromises over a prolonged period of time. I get hostile and vindictive. It wears me down.

As you decline in years, you decline in the marketplace.

As we get older, we become more political in terms of survival. We realize a certain amount of cunning is necessary and that you just end up a victim when you are totally honest in an environment where those around you arent. It's a matter of remaining true to yourself while continuing to move forward.

Money isn't that important to me. My needs are primarily artistic. Mainly I'm interested in my own peace of mind, in knowing who I am and what I am.

If you're locked into a philosophy of nickels and dimes, then you have a pretty limited approach to life. I don't need a lot of money to live with dignity.

The number one show on television should be the most informative, educational and exciting show. 'Bonanza' is not that show.

You don't have to have the capitalistic profit motive philosophy.

When I finish a movie, I get in my camper and drive around the country.

I didn't leave 'Bonanza' in pursuit of any particular goal. I left for my own good.

I am living with my limitations and have no intention of becoming a writer.

For a long time after I left 'Bonanza,' I was considered too independent. That meant I got the rejects other actors could afford turning down. I did theater which I loved, but it cannot pay the bills.

I've worked a lot in Europe, particularly Spain, which I like very much.

I've never been career-oriented. Did I ever want to be a star? What's a star? Is that something in the heavens? That's the only definition that comes to my mind. And the most important goals in my life have been to move gently, to be at ease with the mystery of what it's all about.

When money becomes more important than any other standard, then we're all in trouble.

I was so unhappy during the last months on 'Bonanza' I was really neurotic. I was anti-social.

I feel I am an aristocrat in my field of endeavor. My being part of 'Bonanza' was like Isaac Stern sitting in with Lawrence Welk.

There has been an obvious effort to play it safe, to make 'Bonanza' a good family show that would offend no one and hit a consistent level of mediocrity.

I wanted to work strictly as a freelance actor, and that's the way it turned out.

My problems with 'Bonanza' were problems of communication. What we discussed would be, never was. I thought it would be a sophisticated show. Instead it never went beyond the comic strip level.

Stuck as Adam Cartwright, I was only able to use about one-tenth of my ability.