--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was the Marlon Brando of my generation." description: "\"I was the Marlon Brando of my generation.\" — Bette Davis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13f/bette-davis-2218_brando_i-was-the-marlon-brando-of-my-generation_2223671.jpg" --- # I was the Marlon Brando of my generation. ![“I was the Marlon Brando of my generation.” quote by Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13f/bette-davis-2218_brando_i-was-the-marlon-brando-of-my-generation_2223671.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13f/bette-davis-2218_brando_i-was-the-marlon-brando-of-my-generation_2223671.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13f/bette-davis-2218_brando_i-was-the-marlon-brando-of-my-generation_2223671.jpg) > “I was the Marlon Brando of my generation.” [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. I considered myself the leading actor of my era, like Marlon Brando. **In simple terms:** I saw myself as a top performer of my time. Key Takeaway Strive for excellence and confidence in your craft. Themes confidence self-perception acting legacy Mood confident reflective Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - audition prep - role selection - public image - award seasons Key Concepts star power career ambition industry standards Questions to Reflect On - How do you define personal success? - What does legacy mean to you? A Different Perspective Self-comparisons can be limiting. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generation/) ## Related quotes > [I was the female Marlon Brando of my generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/i-was-the-female-marlon-brando-of-my-generation/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [Next to my husband, and along with Marlon Brando, I think that Yves Montand is the most attractive man I've ever met.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-monroe/next-to-my-husband-and-along-with-marlon-brando-i-think-that-yves/) [Marilyn Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-monroe/) > [I know this'll sound obnoxious, but acting was very much an accident for me. I didn't have, like, posters of Marlon Brando in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-shannon/i-know-this-ll-sound-obnoxious-but-acting-was-very-much-an-accident/) [Michael Shannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shannon/) > [I've never thought it was a good idea to act back-to-back. If you are going to have any chance of replicating life, you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-friend/i-ve-never-thought-it-was-a-good-idea-to-act-back-to-back-if-you-are/) [Rupert Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-friend/) > [You know one scene I always think about is in 'The Godfather', when Marlon Brando's in the hospital. Al Pacino arrives there and enlists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garret-dillahunt/you-know-one-scene-i-always-think-about-is-in-the-godfather-when/) [Garret Dillahunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garret-dillahunt/) > [In fact, I think I have had a ghost in my house. Although not active lately, unexplainable things would happen and the kitties were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tippi-hedren/in-fact-i-think-i-have-had-a-ghost-in-my-house-although-not-active/) [Tippi Hedren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tippi-hedren/) > [Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, Sean Connery and Robert Redford, Mel Gibson - at least in the Road Warrior films - and Harrison Ford are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/marlon-brando-jack-nicholson-sean-connery-and-robert-redford-mel/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I think what I'm doing is quintessentially American because I'm not American - even though I am on the verge of getting my American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italo-zucchelli/i-think-what-i-m-doing-is-quintessentially-american-because-i-m-not/) [Italo Zucchelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italo-zucchelli/) > [The most realistic blood I've seen is when Marlon Brando gets beat up in On The Waterfront.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-romero/the-most-realistic-blood-i-ve-seen-is-when-marlon-brando-gets-beat-up/) [George A. Romero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-romero/) > [I said to Tennessee, this thing is becoming the Marlon Brando show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elia-kazan/i-said-to-tennessee-this-thing-is-becoming-the-marlon-brando-show/) [Elia Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elia-kazan/) > ['The Simpsons' is like Charlie Parker or Marlon Brando or Richard Pryor: Comedy couldn't go back to the way it was after 'The Simpsons'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-andre/the-simpsons-is-like-charlie-parker-or-marlon-brando-or-richard-pryor/) [Eric Andre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-andre/) > [Marlon Brando said any guy can become an actor. It takes a real man to quit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-davis/marlon-brando-said-any-guy-can-become-an-actor-it-takes-a-real-man-to/) Clifton Davis > [I used to go over to Gene Kelly's house and play volleyball, and Paul Newman and Marlon Brando were always there. You kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-collins/i-used-to-go-over-to-gene-kelly-s-house-and-play-volleyball-and-paul/) [Joan Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-collins/) > [I mean, the actors that I admired were Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, an actress named Barbara Harris. And Greta Garbo. They were great actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-de-niro/i-mean-the-actors-that-i-admired-were-marlon-brando-montgomery-clift/) [Robert De Niro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-de-niro/) > [If Fred Astaire is the Cary Grant of dance, I'm the Marlon Brando.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/if-fred-astaire-is-the-cary-grant-of-dance-i-m-the-marlon-brando/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) ## More by Bette Davis > [In this business, until you're known as a monster you're not a star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/in-this-business-until-you-re-known-as-a-monster-you-re-not-a-star/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [You will never be happier than you expect. To change your happiness, change your expectation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/you-will-never-be-happier-than-you-expect-to-change-your-happiness/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [The male ego with few exceptions is elephantine to start with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/the-male-ego-with-few-exceptions-is-elephantine-to-start-with/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [“Oh Jerry, don't let's ask for the moon. We have the stars. - Now, Voyager”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/oh-jerry-don-t-let-s-ask-for-the-moon-we-have-the-stars-now-voyager/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [Almost as many inhumanities are committed in the name of love as in the name of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/almost-as-many-inhumanities-are-committed-in-the-name-of-love-as-in/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [I have eyes like a bullfrog, a neck like an ostrich and long, limp hair. You just have to be good to survive with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/i-have-eyes-like-a-bullfrog-a-neck-like-an-ostrich-and-long-limp-hair/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [Dramatic art in her opinion is knowing how to fill a sweater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/dramatic-art-in-her-opinion-is-knowing-how-to-fill-a-sweater/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [I do not regret one professional enemy I have made. Any actor who doesn't dare to make an enemy should get out of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/i-do-not-regret-one-professional-enemy-i-have-made-any-actor-who/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [I never did pal around with actresses. Their talk usually bored me to tears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/i-never-did-pal-around-with-actresses-their-talk-usually-bored-me-to/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [The secret of marriage is: separate bedrooms and separate bathrooms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/the-secret-of-marriage-is-separate-bedrooms-and-separate-bathrooms/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [I was never very interested in boys - and there were plenty of them - vying with one another to see how many famous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/i-was-never-very-interested-in-boys-and-there-were-plenty-of-them/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [The only way you can become a legend is in your coffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/the-only-way-you-can-become-a-legend-is-in-your-coffin/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [If Hollywood didn't work out, I was prepared to be the best secretary in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/if-hollywood-didn-t-work-out-i-was-prepared-to-be-the-best-secretary/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [Everybody has a heart. Except some people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/everybody-has-a-heart-except-some-people/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [I've been lucky. I'll be lucky again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/i-ve-been-lucky-i-ll-be-lucky-again/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) [Explore all 176 Bette Davis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) ## More Brando quotes > ['Whatever it takes' is my opinion of method acting and, indeed, any other kind of acting. Look at Brando and De Niro. But it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holm/whatever-it-takes-is-my-opinion-of-method-acting-and-indeed-any-other/) [Ian Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holm/) > [I see film roles as lovely presents that come along now and again. I feel really lucky and say thank you very much. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gambon/i-see-film-roles-as-lovely-presents-that-come-along-now-and-again-i/) [Michael Gambon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gambon/) > [If Fred Astaire is the Cary Grant of dance, I'm the Marlon Brando.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/if-fred-astaire-is-the-cary-grant-of-dance-i-m-the-marlon-brando/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [ I at least felt the obligation to speak clearly \[in 'The Last Tycoon'\]. This is pre-Brando and pre-James Dean. Nobody mumbled back then. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-bomer/i-at-least-felt-the-obligation-to-speak-clearly-in-the-last-tycoon/) [Matt Bomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-bomer/) > [I travel to work on my motorcycle, so it's jeans, boots and a brown Aero leather jacket that weighs as much as I do.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-laurie/i-travel-to-work-on-my-motorcycle-so-it-s-jeans-boots-and-a-brown/) [Hugh Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-laurie/) > [ \[Marlon\] Brando was the only guy who could step out of that shadow at the end of that movie and be worth the wait. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ebert/marlon-brando-was-the-only-guy-who-could-step-out-of-that-shadow-at/) [Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ebert/) > [I mean, the actors that I admired were Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, an actress named Barbara Harris. And Greta Garbo. They were great actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-de-niro/i-mean-the-actors-that-i-admired-were-marlon-brando-montgomery-clift/) [Robert De Niro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-de-niro/) > [I used to go over to Gene Kelly's house and play volleyball, and Paul Newman and Marlon Brando were always there. You kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-collins/i-used-to-go-over-to-gene-kelly-s-house-and-play-volleyball-and-paul/) [Joan Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-collins/) > [Marlon Brando said any guy can become an actor. It takes a real man to quit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-davis/marlon-brando-said-any-guy-can-become-an-actor-it-takes-a-real-man-to/) Clifton Davis > ['The Simpsons' is like Charlie Parker or Marlon Brando or Richard Pryor: Comedy couldn't go back to the way it was after 'The Simpsons'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-andre/the-simpsons-is-like-charlie-parker-or-marlon-brando-or-richard-pryor/) [Eric Andre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-andre/) > [I said to Tennessee, this thing is becoming the Marlon Brando show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elia-kazan/i-said-to-tennessee-this-thing-is-becoming-the-marlon-brando-show/) [Elia Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elia-kazan/) > [The most realistic blood I've seen is when Marlon Brando gets beat up in On The Waterfront.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-romero/the-most-realistic-blood-i-ve-seen-is-when-marlon-brando-gets-beat-up/) [George A. Romero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-romero/) > [I think what I'm doing is quintessentially American because I'm not American - even though I am on the verge of getting my American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italo-zucchelli/i-think-what-i-m-doing-is-quintessentially-american-because-i-m-not/) [Italo Zucchelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italo-zucchelli/) > [“Dodie: "Mama, Jamie's up on the hill and he's f\*\*\*g a goat!" Mama: "Well, it's Jamie's goat, ain't it?" -Peter Manso illustrates the brash…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-manso/dodie-mama-jamie-s-up-on-the-hill-and-he-s-f-g-a-goat-mama-well-it-s/) Peter Manso > [Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, Sean Connery and Robert Redford, Mel Gibson - at least in the Road Warrior films - and Harrison Ford are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/marlon-brando-jack-nicholson-sean-connery-and-robert-redford-mel/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) Browse all 103 Brando quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was the Marlon Brando of my generation.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bette Davis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/i-was-the-marlon-brando-of-my-generation/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Brando" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/i-was-the-marlon-brando-of-my-generation/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13f/bette-davis-2218_brando_i-was-the-marlon-brando-of-my-generation_2223671.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13f/bette-davis-2218_brando_i-was-the-marlon-brando-of-my-generation_2223671.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13f/bette-davis-2218_brando_i-was-the-marlon-brando-of-my-generation_2223671.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I was the Marlon Brando of my generation.” — Bette Davis", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bette Davis", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I was the Marlon Brando of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/i-was-the-marlon-brando-of-my-generation/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/i-was-the-marlon-brando-of-my-generation/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```