I can do anything - but that doesn't mean I should do that. I need to enjoy what I do. I enjoy making movies.
Jerry WeintraubThat story about the two women in my life is - a lot of people get upset, a lot of people question it. Steven Soderbergh said to me, "The story of your life is incredible. The real story of your life that's interesting, more interesting than all the other stuff - the franchises, the movies, the songs, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra - the real thing that's interesting and unbelievable is the relationship with these two women. And if you're willing to put that out there, you know then, you're going to have a great movie. Because that's the movie."
Jerry WeintraubI'm a good party guest...the problem is, I feel like I'm working all the time. "Give us an Elvis Presley story! Give us a Frank Sinatra story!"
Jerry WeintraubEvery minute doing one thing is a minute not doing something else. Every choice is another choice not made another path grown over lost.
Jerry WeintraubI am persistent about everything I believe in. If there's a film I want to do, a record, a Broadway show - I do it. Everybody can hate it but I will still do it. I am fearless that way.
Jerry WeintraubI am humble. It was an honor, and I cried the first time I saw the film His Way. Because to have people of that caliber, like Julia Roberts, take the time to sit down and give a day or two of their lives to a film about me, that they're not getting paid for, is pretty extraordinary.
Jerry WeintraubI know everybody. I make friends easily. I'm a gregarious guy, I'm open, I'm easy to get to know - I don't lock myself in an ivory tower. So I like people; I enjoy people.
Jerry WeintraubI learned I'm not a good executive, I'm an entrepreneur and I'm creative. I have to go with my gut and do what I want to do.
Jerry WeintraubThe best thing that happened from that situation when I failed was the fact that I failed and I failed because I was trying to do things that I don't like to do. I like to make movies and I like the creative process. I don't really care about the business end of it. It's not my thing. So I was all of sudden totally immersed in the business end of it and dealing with human resources, lawyers, and accountants, and so on. It wasn't for me.
Jerry WeintraubIn New York City there are interesting characters and there are interesting stories. There's a story on every street corner. I love it. I think that's what really attracts me to making films.
Jerry WeintraubTalented people have to do what they do. Someone can criticize but you do what you do.
Jerry WeintraubAs my life went on and I met Frank Sinatra and people like that, and I watched live performers on stage, I learned how to tell a story. Because if you listen to Sinatra, all of his songs are stories; there's a beginning, middle, and end. So that's where it comes from.
Jerry WeintraubGeorge Clooney says that I'm "the last of your kind." That's a nice quote. I kind of like that quote. I'm a guy who shakes your hand and will never let you down. I have a code of honor and I don't lie. I have a code of honor about life and that's what he meant. And you don't need a contract with me.
Jerry WeintraubIt’s been the structure of my life: you scheme and plan and try and fail and try again and accumulate and lose and win back, and then you tell.
Jerry WeintraubMy mother lived her life through movies and books - she read everything there was to read. And she read to me every night. I never went to sleep without her reading to me. And she fantasized about the book and she would talk about it, the place, and you would think that after she read the book and after she told you stories about it, that she had actually been there. I learned about story from her, and I learned the value of a great story, and the value of great characters.
Jerry WeintraubI do characters. I believe in that. I think people are interesting. Now, everybody that you meet in New York City thinks that their life is a movie.
Jerry WeintraubIf asked my philosophy, it would be simply this: Savor life, don't press too hard, don't worry too much.
Jerry WeintraubPauline Kael had seen Nashville, and she loved Nashville. When I called her, she immediately responded to me because we had become friends, and I told her how great this film was, and she told me, "Well, I'll have to see it for myself." So I showed it to her, and she flipped.
Jerry WeintraubDo not get attatched to the world as it is. Because the world is changing something new is coming.
Jerry Weintraub