When I started in the theater, I'd do plays by Shakespeare or Ibsen or Chekhov, and they all created great women's roles. — Annette Bening Copy Share Image
I saw a Shakespeare play when I was - I guess I was in junior high. And I just fell in love… — Annette Bening Copy Share Image
I wanted to be a classical actress. I plodded along. I went to junior college in San Francisco, I was in a… — Annette Bening Copy Share Image
When I started, I was a theater actress, and there were roles that I couldn't imagine not playing, like Rosalind in 'As… — Annette Bening Copy Share Image
I didn't do a movie until I was almost 30. I'm grateful for that because it gave me a chance to be… — Annette Bening Copy Share Image
To me idealized characters are so boring to play, especially having grown up in the classical theater. That's a great experience, but… — Annette Bening Copy Share Image
Everybody has a public life, and they have their own private life. Everybody has their secrets. Everybody has their own private, you… — Annette Bening Copy Share Image
It's hard to make a living in this business. Unions aren't as strong as they used to be. For a journeyman actor… — Annette Bening Copy Share Image
I do have to take care of myself, not only because I'm in the movies, just for mental health reasons. I exercise for me.… — Annette Bening Copy Share Image
We all get lost along the way, but hopefully we figure out some sort of path. It helps if you can imagine the process… — Annette Bening Copy Share Image
One of the things on a very practical level as an actor or actress is that when you do a play, you do the… — Annette Bening Copy Share Image
We want to be seen for who we really are, and each person has his own complex story and reasons for doing what they… — Annette Bening Copy Share Image
I don't see myself as competing with other actresses. I mean, I went through a time when I was in New York, and I… — Annette Bening Copy Share Image
I'm lucky: almost all my family has lived to be very old. I have one grandfather who lived to be 100. — Annette Bening Copy Share Image
It's always tricky to watch yourself, always. When I first had to watch myself, it was really hard because I'd done quite a few… — Annette Bening Copy Share Image
Why I love acting is that it's totally subjective and I like that. I like that. — Annette Bening Copy Share Image
Somebody said something really smart: It's like you end up being the defense attorney for your role. Your job is to defend their point… — Annette Bening Copy Share Image