Tim Robbins Quotes

I wouldn't say I'm a method actor. I do research when I feel I don't have enough experience for the part I'm playing.

I'm the kind of person who does not remember bad things.

It was dangerous to hit the wrong kid in my neighborhood, because a lot of the guys I played with had fathers in the Mafia.

Our resistance to this war should be our resistance to profit at the cost of human life. Because that is what these drums beating over Iraq are really about. This is about business.

I ran spotlight. Swept up. Did box office. Ran the lighting board. But acting was the most fun.

I've long ago compromised my eight hours a night.

I don't know if I ever really bought into the eternal damnation bit.

If you find yourself in a movie that you have questions about, it's not a compromise to your integrity.

I'm not gangly; I'm very coordinated. I do have a bit of a baby face. But I guess that just means I'll be working longer.

American people are not evil. Given information, they will do the right thing. But they're not given the information.

I don't view myself as a political leftie. I view myself as a storyteller who is fair to both sides.

I've been lucky-my looks haven't put me into one category. I don't look like a blue blood. I don't look like a criminal. I don't look like anything.

Considering the fact that I've used it in the past, and know what it is, and seen the results of it, I don't view marijuana as a dangerous drug.

I don't want people to be inspired or offended by what I do. If you determine your behavior by what [other people] want, you're screwed.

I don't think people have been able to deal with the fact that African American filmmakers can make movies about life and relationships.

What you get is what you get. What you do with what you get, that’s more the point.

My father described me as the oldest baby he'd ever seen. I apparently was very serious and reflective.

Most good actors have a huge intelligence about the human condition and a real open heart to different kinds of people and behavior.

Americans accept that gangsters are running the government.

There's always someone telling you not to do something. The main thing is just to ignore them.

You should never try irony or self-effacing humour.

Bush is very clever. When the debate should have been about the deterioration of our cities and the lack of action by government, he sent in his idiot to make an outrageous statement about Murphy Brown.

It's difficult when you have to turn down a tremendous amount of money because you don't like what the script is saying and you don't have any money.

Susan is just great. I know I'm biased, but she's a great actress.

There are a great number of Republicans who are economically conservative but have hearts and a consciousness about their country.

If you're in the position to help someone and you do it, it's very rewarding.

I think the enemy is self-censorship. In a free society the biggest danger is that you're afraid to the point where you censor yourself.

In this time when a citizenry applauds the liberation of a country as it lives in fear of its own freedom, when people all over the country fear reprisal if they use their right to free speech, it is time to get angry. It is time to get fierce.

Just because someone gets arrested doesn't mean what they are doing is wrong. Some laws are unfair and unjust.

I learned much more about acting from philosophy courses, psychology courses, history and anthropology than I ever learned in acting class.

I grew up in New York, and I have that in me, that be-honest-at-all-costs, don't b.s. me attitude. I say, If you've got something to say about me, say it to my face. And then we'll either talk about it or fight about it.

I was a sports fan, but I also went to peace marches.

Any journey in life, if not done for human reasons of understanding and love, would be a very empty and lonely one.

Directing is creating a whole. You're able to combine different elements and create a film that is unique and true to your vision.

There are dumb actors. But there are dumb politicians and dumb bakers.

Altman was told they wouldn't do the film with me. He could easily have abandoned me, but he stood by me and really bailed me out.

If you say, I'm living in America and I have freedom of speech but I choose not to use it because it's going to cost me, well, you're not living in freedom. You're not free.

Notice what no one else notices and you'll know what no one else knows.

My philosophy is, don't take no for an answer and be willing to sacrifice your entire project for freedom.

I have personal beliefs and they are sometimes reflected in the movies I make, but I also reflect other points of view.

You had to know how to fight or you had to know how to avoid a fight. I didn't enjoy fighting, so I learned how to avoid them.

When you have a person in power who punishes people for speaking their mind, it's truly dangerous.

I like Spike Lee a lot. He's incredibly gifted and I don't think he gets the credit he deserves as a filmmaker.

Toy Soldiers was my introduction to film. I certainly didn't think I was doing art by any stretch of the imagination.

There is no question that [Dan] Quayle is an uneducated idiot. But someone, somewhere cleverly realized that the best diversion from Bush is to put on a clown show.

I love iconoclasts. I love individuals. I love people that are true to themselves, whatever the cost.

I'm six foot four and a half and I have a temper. It's reserved for very important issues. If someone is asking me to make an artistic concession, then I'll become a madman.

I'm fairly competant as a director and actor, but I am Mr. Neurotic as a writer. I just don't have enough confidence in my abilities to take criticism well. I take it personally. Start with 'It's a masterpiece,' and then tell me what you think could be changed.