In the 1989 movie Dead Poets Society, John Keating, played by Robin Williams, addressed a class of young men at the prep school where he's teaching. “No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world,” he said.
The power that words hold is undeniable, and when they come from some of the most influential celebrities in the world, the impact can be astounding. Whether they are discussing mediocrity, fame, or good and evil, what they say makes its way into the mainstream.
Stacker compiled a list of 50 famous quotes from filmmakers, writers, musicians, actors and other celebrities using both entertainment and news sources, including Rolling Stone, Essence and Newsweek.
These quotes span across decades and mediums to the farthest reaches of the globe. The list includes a diverse crop of people. One television writer addresses a graduating class from her prestigious alma mater. A poet explores the grief she feels at the loss of her longtime partner. A director discusses gender and her work. There is a physicist, several billionaires, Pulitzer Prize winners, fashion designers and an artist dispensing words of wisdom about every topic from aging to the difficulties of balancing work and motherhood. No subject is off limits when it comes to their thoughts and opinions.
Sage, sassy, hysterical and raw—these celebrity quotes inspire and comfort. They make readers sigh, laugh, and squirm. They appear in commencement speeches, interviews, autobiographies, and memoirs.