Quotes from Elaine Stritch

I don't think there's any thrill in the world like doing work you're good at.

I want to settle down this last time. I say last, because I don't think I'm in any condition to live a long time from now. The bell's gonna ring pretty soon.

You never know what is happening to yourself when it is happening.

I like glasses so I can go out without my makeup. Just grab your coat and get your hat and go.

The people in New York - their humor is on a level that goes, uh, very deep, you know?

I think being boring is just the worst sin of all time.

If I see a great performance on television, onstage, in the movies, I go to work the next day with a renewed energy and less fear. These great artists take me out of my life and make me want to go there.

I could have made a lot of money doing 'Golden Girls,' and I would have been good. But the image of it! And for me to work with Betty White every day would be like taking cyanide.

The closer a part is to you, the harder it is to play. Anything else is just imitation. If I'm playing a Russian countess, I get the hat, the accent, the outrageousness. Easy. Playing a murderess? Perfect.

I love audiences. My God, the best friends in the world!

I loved being on Broadway, but performing has become exhausting, and I just don't want to live in New York anymore. I'm just sick of the competition in New York, the feeling that I always have to rehearse to keep up my performance. I don't feel like rehearsing, even though it should be my favorite thing in the world to do.

I love Birmingham, Michigan. It's lovely - you know, it's very similar to the Hamptons.

I am not influenced by other human beings. But I am inspired.

I tell the truth, and it has gotten me into a lot of trouble. My dad used to say to me, 'If you tell the truth all day long, you will end up in jail.'

I think it's the wrong way around to say, 'When you get older move to the country.' I think when you get older you move to New York.

I always say, 'If you can't give a reason for the banana peel being in the alley, then don't have the comic slide over it.' Do you understand what I mean? First explain how the banana peel got there quickly. And then there's a reason for all the comedy.

I love reviews. Anybody who tells you they don't read reviews is a liar.

All of the writing on '30 Rock' is a joy to go into. It's pretty hot stuff.

There's something about it that makes sense, Lent. You give something up, and everything's more joyful.

I love holidays in New York. I love 'em. I want to celebrate something all the time and New York has holidays for every day of the week, practically. I like holidays in New York City.

People will always be around to tell you you're no good or you're wrong or unwise to keep doing what you want to do. They're wrong. They're always wrong. Keep going.

I care about money, very much. I want it. I don't ever want to be without it. My mother once said about me, 'Elaine has to have money.'

I like celebrities. I love people who are famous. Always have.

When the hospital sends for me, when the ambulance comes and I ease my way out of the world, I'd rather be in Detroit, Michigan, than Lenox Hill.