I've always been an improviser. I was one before I knew even what the word was... And acting, that I've been doing since I was 5. Alan Arkin acthaveimproviser Change image and share on social
I love working if it's with people who are capable of having a good time. People with a little bit of enjoyment of what they do. If it's enormous pressure, and people feel that their lives are at stake, then it's agony. So I try to pick projects where I feel like I'm going to avoid those traps. Alan Arkin agonyavoidbite share on social
I wrote my epitaph: He started out a particle and ended up a wave. Alan Arkin endepitaphparticle Change image and share on social
TV has taken reflection out of the human condition. People didn't use to have a ready answer for everything, whether they knew something about it or not. People think they have to have an answer for everything because the guys on TV have an answer for everything. Alan Arkin answerconditionguy share on social
I had a hard time treating my field as if it's horse racing, putting actors in competition against each other. I see how the industry and the studios feel it's important, but I don't really have a feeling for being in competition. I want to feel sympathetic and close to others, not opposed to them. Alan Arkin actorclosecompetition share on social
Things have got to add up to 100 points. The script is part of it, the character is part of it, the people I'm working with is the third part of it - and any combination of the three has got to add up to 100 points. Alan Arkin addcharactercombination share on social
No matter what you do or where you are, you're going to be missing out on something. Alan Arkin mattermiss Change image and share on social
I'm an actor. My life as an actor depends on who sends me what. I'm just taking the best stuff that I can find that's sent my way, regardless of how big or little the paycheck is. Alan Arkin actorbigdepend Change image and share on social
For everybody, the tide comes in, the tide goes out - if you're an actor, particularly. Alan Arkin actortide Change image and share on social
If you want to be an actor and you love acting, you can do it whether you're doing something else or not. You can be connected with community theater or make your own little movies. But if you want to be a movie star, you've got a tough road ahead of you. Alan Arkin actactorahead share on social