I never wanted to be in movies. In a sense, I'm still a failure because I wanted to be a star on the stage.

I went to Hollywood to test for Martha Ivers and I thought I was going to play the part that Van Heflin played.But they wanted me to play the part of Barbara Stanwyck's husband, so I played that. Then when I finished the movie, I went back to Broadway and did another flop.

Sometimes, the thing that ties you down sets you free.

"Hail to the Chief" was played, and the President got up and made a gracious opening remark. "I've been in this office for six years, and yet every time I hear that music, I turn around wondering who they're playing it for."

Virtue is not photogenic. What is it to be a nice guy? To be nothing, that's what. A big fat zero with a smile for everybody.

My kids never had the advantages I had. I was born poor.

Fame is as much about luck as it is about talent, perhaps more.