April 7: Notable Births, with Quotes
Explore memorable and revealing quotes from public figures, past and present, who were born on April 7.
Russell Crowe, actor (April 7, 1964–present)
“To me, it’s all about fresh ground. It always has been. If I’m reading something, and it feels similar to something I’ve already done, then I immediately turn off it.” —Russell Crowe
Leadbeater, Alex. “Russell Crowe Interview: Unhinged.” Screen Rant, August 26, 2020, https://screenrant.com/russell-crowe-interview-unhinged/.
“When I was younger and I was first doing lead roles and feature films, I spent a lot of extra time constructing the knowledge I had of a particular person or trying to live the life of that person. As you move with any job that you have a passion for, the more you do it, the more refined you’re going to be at how you get to the point of doing your gig.” —Russell Crowe
Leadbeater, Alex. “Russell Crowe Interview: Unhinged.” Screen Rant, August 26, 2020, https://screenrant.com/russell-crowe-interview-unhinged/.
Jackie Chan, actor and martial artist (April 7, 1954–present)
“I love doing voice dubbing, like ‘Kung Fu Panda 1, 2, and 3.’ I think voice dubbing is more difficult than live action. You have to use your imagination to make-believe that you are your animated character.” —Jackie Chan
Watson, Stephanie. “10 Questions: Jackie Chan.” WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/questions-jackie-chan.
“The audience loves to see me do my own stunts. And I can do my fight sequences in one shot, without having to edit them.” —Jackie Chan
Watson, Stephanie. “10 Questions: Jackie Chan.” WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/questions-jackie-chan.
Francis Ford Coppola, director (April 7, 1939–present)
“Although it seems as though I’ve been a rebel against Hollywood, in fact I am a Hollywood creature. I was created by Hollywood and I’m very proud of being part of the Hollywood tradition.” —Francis Ford Coppola
Riley, Jenelle. “In a Rare Interview, Francis Ford Coppola Opens Up About ‘Godfather’s’ Legacy: ‘I Thought It Was Going to Be a Special Failure.’” Variety, March 20, 2022, https://variety.com/2022/film/awards/francis-coppola-godfather-anniversary-walk-of-fame-1235204672/.
“If you look at all my pictures, you’ll always see I put the writer above the title. It’s ‘John Grisham’s The Rainmaker,’ it’s ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula.’ And it really should be ‘John Milius’ Apocalyse Now.’ Because the writer does the heavy lifting.” —Francis Ford Coppola
Riley, Jenelle. “In a Rare Interview, Francis Ford Coppola Opens Up About ‘Godfather’s’ Legacy: ‘I Thought It Was Going to Be a Special Failure.’” Variety, March 20, 2022, https://variety.com/2022/film/awards/francis-coppola-godfather-anniversary-walk-of-fame-1235204672/.
Ravi Shankar, sitarist (April 7, 1920–December 11, 2012)
“The message I’m trying to get through is that our music is very sacred to us and is not meant for people who are alcoholic, or who are addicts, or who misbehave, because it is a music which has been handed down from our religious background for our listeners.” —Ravi Shankar
KRLA Beat. “Ravi Shankar: ‘Our music is sacred’ – a classic interview from the vaults.” The Guardian, December 12, 2012, https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/dec/12/ravi-shankar-classic-interview.
“Many people, especially young people, have started listening to sitar since George Harrison, one of the Beatles, became my disciple. He is a beautiful person. His attitude toward our music is very sincere. He’s very humble, and becoming better and better. His love for India and its philosophy and spiritual values is something outstanding.” —Ravi Shankar
KRLA Beat. “Ravi Shankar: ‘Our music is sacred’ – a classic interview from the vaults.” The Guardian, December 12, 2012, https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/dec/12/ravi-shankar-classic-interview.
Billie Holiday, singer (April 7, 1915–July 17, 1959)
“I wanted Louis Armstrong’s feeling and I wanted the big volume that Bessie Smith got. But I found it didn’t work with me, because I didn’t have a big voice, you know? So, anyway, between the two of ‘em, I sort of got Billie Holiday.” —Billie Holiday
Conover, Willie. “Music U.S.A. Interview with Billie Holiday.” UNT Digital Library, February 15, 1956, https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc770636/.
“I tell you a song I’d like to sing, and it doesn’t have any lyrics to it, I don’t think, and that’s ‘Our Waltz’ – David Rose. You know, things like that. Something nobody else does.” —Billie Holiday
Conover, Willie. “Music U.S.A. Interview with Billie Holiday.” UNT Digital Library, February 15, 1956, https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc770636/.
William Wordsworth, poet (April 7, 1770–April 23, 1850)
“I wandered lonely as a cloud that floats on high o’er vales and hills, when all at once I saw a crowd, a host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, fluttering and dancing in the breeze.” —William Wordsworth
Wordsworth, William. “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud.” Poetry Foundation, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45521/i-wandered-lonely-as-a-cloud.
“To her fair works did Nature link the human soul that through me ran; And much it grieved my heart to think what man has made of man.” —William Wordsworth
Wordsworth, William. “Lines Written in Early Spring.” Poetry Foundation, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/51001/lines-written-in-early-spring.
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