David Niven was a British actor, author, and former army officer. He was known for his impeccable charm, wit, and quintessential English demeanor
Before becoming a Hollywood star, he served in the British Army and returned to service during World War II.
He gained fame in the 1930s and had a long, successful career in films like “A Matter of Life and Death” (1946), “Around the World in 80 Days” (1956), and “The Pink Panther” (1963). He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Separate Tables (1958). Off-screen, he was known for his sharp sense of humor and gentlemanly style.
He also wrote bestselling memoirs: “The Moon’s a Balloon” and “Bring on the Empty Horses”, both filled with hilarious and touching Hollywood anecdotes.
Famous Quotes, Statements, and Jokes by David Niven
1. On growing old.
“Old age has its pleasures, which, though different, are not less than the pleasures of youth.”
2. On humility:
“Keep the circus going inside you, keep it going, don’t take anything too seriously, it’ll all work out in the end.”
3. On Hollywood:
“Hollywood is a place where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.”
4. On life:
“The only way to learn a language properly, in fact, is to go to a country where the language is spoken and get arrested.”
5. On Ronald Reagan:
“He’s the only man I know who can make the phrase ‘God bless you’ sound like a threat.”
6. Oscar night joke (1974 streaker incident):
When a naked man streaked across the stage during the Academy Awards, Niven quipped without missing a beat:
“Isn’t it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?”
These two techniques, Reframing and Sensory Acuity mixed with Anchoring (from earlier blog) are integral to building strong boundaries for yourself and others.
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