Dina Merrill Quotes

Certainly, when I walk into an audition, a lot of people already know who I am.

It's awesome when people even notice that I'm an actor.

Wanting to be an actor and wanting to be famous are different.

When you're poor, you are invisible. Every poor person will tell you nobody sees you. So being famous was me just wanting to be seen.

When people say, 'I know you. What have I seen you in?' I respond, 'Well, it depends on how old you are.'

I was just this little theater geek. I joined the drama program my freshman year. I read the morning announcements my sophomore year. I didn't have to eat in the cafeteria with everyone else because my drama teacher was cool. Everybody knew who I was, and that's all I ever wanted as a theater kid.

I've never thought of myself as an actor, so somebody recognizing me for that would be a real shock.

As a kid, I was playing a character, so the film was not on my shoulders. I did 11 films out of which three were appreciated and remembered. At that time no one was following my career, so it was easier. But now when you are a mature adult, it's a different experience.

It's terrible when I go somewhere, and I'm not recognized.

For the first time in my life, in my mid-20s, I started to question things. Had I been deceived? I thought I had been destined for something great - to be Whitney Houston or Jennifer Holliday or Phylicia Rashad. I started to realize that a lot of people think that, and it doesn't happen for almost everyone.

I remember being on this film once, and people said, 'You're not on Instagram or Facebook - what's your deal?' They said, 'In this industry, if you want to do well, people want to invest in who you are.' I said, 'I'm an actor, not a celebrity - they watch my acting, and hopefully that's enough.'

As much as I like being part of commercial films that give me visibility with a wide audience, and love being the glamourous girl, at the end of the day, I am an actor, and nothing can be more satisfying than being appreciated for my craft.

I don't know why, but if I was walking down the street, the same people who called me freak would probably ask for a picture. It's a real strange thing.

Some people have such strong memories of me as a young actor, that it's hard to see me as anything else.

Nobody tells you how to be famous.

I don't want to become a star. I never wished to become an actor, even when I am here. When you decide to become an actor, you've to choose why you're doing it. Are you doing it to become an actor or because you want to be famous? I am doing it because I love being in front of the camera.

I would really like it if someone knows me more for a character that I've played. If they call out the character's name instead of mine by mistake, it would be lovely.

Of course I want to do films. But to me, television is equally important. It is where I got recognition.

When I look back over my career, I just feel pleased that I'm still working and getting some good roles. It's been 30 years now, and a generation has grown up with me. There are kids who don't have a clue who I am, but they queue up and ask for my autograph and admit their mums love me! It's all good - I am having a ball.

I didn't always know that I want to be an actor, but I always knew I wanted to be famous in anything that I do.

I'm sorely disappointed that girls don't recognise me in a normal tee and jeans.

I've done a lot of different characters, but people never recognize me. I'm not joking.

The pin-up thing took us completely by surprise. I found it hard because I got singled out, and I didn't like it. There was a lot of disillusionment.

There's probably somebody out there who has been dying to be Tony Stark, their whole life, and it will never happen. And then, it comes to me because I happened to do 'Heroes.' I mean, I love it. I'm totally respectful of the position, but I wasn't pursuing it.

Some people say, 'Oh, you look just like the guy from 'Stranger Things.' And I'm like, 'I am the guy.' And they think I'm totally joking.