--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People told me I couldn't kill Nicholson…" description: "\"People told me I couldn't kill Nicholson, so I cast him in two roles and killed him off twice.\" — Tim Burton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95d/tim-burton-2476_nicholson_people-told-me-i-couldn-t-kill-nicholson_1866402.png" --- # People told me I couldn't kill Nicholson, so I cast him in… ![“People told me I couldn't kill Nicholson, so I cast him in two roles and killed him off twice.” quote by Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95d/tim-burton-2476_nicholson_people-told-me-i-couldn-t-kill-nicholson_1866402.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95d/tim-burton-2476_nicholson_people-told-me-i-couldn-t-kill-nicholson_1866402.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95d/tim-burton-2476_nicholson_people-told-me-i-couldn-t-kill-nicholson_1866402.png) > “People told me I couldn't kill Nicholson, so I cast him in two roles and killed him off twice.” [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Shows playful defiance, turning criticism into creative control over a character. **In simple terms:** Turn criticism into creative control. Key Takeaway Own your narrative. Themes creativity defiance control Mood playful rebellious Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - film - writing - artistic direction Key Concepts character manipulation authorial power Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond to limits? - What does “killing” a character symbolize? A Different Perspective Risk of over‑reliance on controversy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [I don't want to just die a normal death, I wanna be killed twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eminem/i-don-t-want-to-just-die-a-normal-death-i-wanna-be-killed-twice/) [Eminem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eminem/) > [Jack Nicholson is a textbook actor who's very intuitive. He is absolutely brilliant at going as far as you can go, always pushing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/jack-nicholson-is-a-textbook-actor-who-s-very-intuitive-he-is/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [I couldn't kill a fly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-miles/i-couldn-t-kill-a-fly/) Vera Miles > [It couldn't kill Van Statten, it couldn't kill me. It's changing. What about you, Doctor? What the hell are you changing into?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-tyler/it-couldn-t-kill-van-statten-it-couldn-t-kill-me-it-s-changing-what/) [Rose Tyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-tyler/) > [I couldn't kill him. I couldn't live with that on my conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ozzy-osbourne/i-couldn-t-kill-him-i-couldn-t-live-with-that-on-my-conscience/) [Ozzy Osbourne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ozzy-osbourne/) > [“Supposedly she’d died, but here she was again–somewhat changed, but you couldn’t kill her. Not when the truest part of her hadn’t even been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-johnson/supposedly-she-d-died-but-here-she-was-again-somewhat-changed-but-you/) [Denis Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-johnson/) > [The weather for me is nothing special. The weather couldn't kill me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-na/the-weather-for-me-is-nothing-special-the-weather-couldn-t-kill-me/) [Li Na](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-na/) > [“You’re not a killer, Seirin.” Sweat coated his face, speckled his clothes. “You couldn’t kill Vissyus, and you can’t kill me.” Seirin grinned maliciously.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-yatsuhashi/you-re-not-a-killer-seirin-sweat-coated-his-face-speckled-his-clothes/) Keith Yatsuhashi > [“He tried to turn me into a buffet?” I gritted my teeth. “Before he killed me? He couldn’t kill me first and then eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-thurman/he-tried-to-turn-me-into-a-buffet-i-gritted-my-teeth-before-he-killed/) [Rob Thurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-thurman/) > [“He couldn’t kill that little boy. No one knows why, or how, but they’re saying that when he couldn’t kill Harry Potter, Voldemort’s power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/he-couldn-t-kill-that-little-boy-no-one-knows-why-or-how-but-they-re/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [I couldn't kill myself. I would be afraid the minute I did it; something really good would happen and I'd miss it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/i-couldn-t-kill-myself-i-would-be-afraid-the-minute-i-did-it/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [I couldn't kill a chicken, I couldn't kill a cow - I was a vegetarian too at that time - so I thought, well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-burstyn/i-couldn-t-kill-a-chicken-i-couldn-t-kill-a-cow-i-was-a-vegetarian/) [Ellen Burstyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-burstyn/) > [I would love to work with Jack Nicholson, Saoirse Ronan, Michael Shannon and James Franco in the future. I think those actors are amazing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-turner/i-would-love-to-work-with-jack-nicholson-saoirse-ronan-michael/) [Sophie Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-turner/) > [One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' is a movie that I just find flawless. Jack Nicholson... I just saw 'The Shining' again the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-biehn/one-flew-over-the-cuckoo-s-nest-is-a-movie-that-i-just-find-flawless/) [Michael Biehn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-biehn/) > [ Brad \[Dourif\] would tell himself that he was not intentionally trying to mimic Jack Nicholson in any way. I think that actually bothers him… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-kirschner/brad-dourif-would-tell-himself-that-he-was-not-intentionally-trying/) [David Kirschner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-kirschner/) ## More by Tim Burton > [I grew up watching monster movies and horror movies, which I felt were like fairy tales and I think this always spoke to me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/i-grew-up-watching-monster-movies-and-horror-movies-which-i-felt-were/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [I find that the most special thing to me is if you've connected to people in some way: If someone comes up to you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/i-find-that-the-most-special-thing-to-me-is-if-you-ve-connected-to/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [Minister: Welcome, brother! Do you reject Satan and all his works? Bunny Breckinridge: Sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/minister-welcome-brother-do-you-reject-satan-and-all-his-works-bunny/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [I've always been more comfortable making my decisions from the subconscious level, or more emotionally, because I find it is more truthful to me;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/i-ve-always-been-more-comfortable-making-my-decisions-from-the/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [I don't really dream, I space out during the day - that's one of my problems wonder off when someone's talking to me. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/i-don-t-really-dream-i-space-out-during-the-day-that-s-one-of-my/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [I'm not a big fan of spiders, rats, especially if they're like - I got up one morning on a holiday recently, and there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/i-m-not-a-big-fan-of-spiders-rats-especially-if-they-re-like-i-got-up/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [I don't look at my films or my old drawings much, so that was an interesting way to kind of reconnect with myself a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/i-don-t-look-at-my-films-or-my-old-drawings-much-so-that-was-an/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [Some people get therapy, some people get to make movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/some-people-get-therapy-some-people-get-to-make-movies/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [My name is Jimmy, but my friends just call me the hideous penguin boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/my-name-is-jimmy-but-my-friends-just-call-me-the-hideous-penguin-boy/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [One of the things I loved about the musical was that you listened to the soundtrack and it told you the story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/one-of-the-things-i-loved-about-the-musical-was-that-you-listened-to/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [I never really got nightmares from movies. In fact, I recall my father saying when I was three years old that I would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/i-never-really-got-nightmares-from-movies-in-fact-i-recall-my-father/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [Things that I grew up with stay with me. You start a certain way, and then you spend your whole life trying to find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/things-that-i-grew-up-with-stay-with-me-you-start-a-certain-way-and/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [But she knows she has a curse on her, a curse she cannot win. For if someone gets too close to her, the pins…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/but-she-knows-she-has-a-curse-on-her-a-curse-she-cannot-win-for-if/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [When I was growing up, Dr. Seuss was really my favorite. There was something about the lyrical nature and the simplicity of his work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/when-i-was-growing-up-dr-seuss-was-really-my-favorite-there-was/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [When I went to Warner Bros., there was a woman named Bonnie Lee who was an executive who helped me to get to 'Pee-wee's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/when-i-went-to-warner-bros-there-was-a-woman-named-bonnie-lee-who-was/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) [Explore all 164 Tim Burton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) ## More Nicholson quotes > [ Brad \[Dourif\] would tell himself that he was not intentionally trying to mimic Jack Nicholson in any way. I think that actually bothers him… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-kirschner/brad-dourif-would-tell-himself-that-he-was-not-intentionally-trying/) [David Kirschner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-kirschner/) > [One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' is a movie that I just find flawless. Jack Nicholson... I just saw 'The Shining' again the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-biehn/one-flew-over-the-cuckoo-s-nest-is-a-movie-that-i-just-find-flawless/) [Michael Biehn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-biehn/) > [I would love to work with Jack Nicholson, Saoirse Ronan, Michael Shannon and James Franco in the future. I think those actors are amazing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-turner/i-would-love-to-work-with-jack-nicholson-saoirse-ronan-michael/) [Sophie Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-turner/) > [If I could transform my stage life to the movies, I'd be Jack Nicholson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-dennehy/if-i-could-transform-my-stage-life-to-the-movies-i-d-be-jack-nicholson/) [Brian Dennehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-dennehy/) > [I want to keep on progressing. I definitely think acting is a long process to be one of the greats like Morgan Freeman or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-gamble/i-want-to-keep-on-progressing-i-definitely-think-acting-is-a-long/) Nathan Gamble > [New Jersey is a great place to live. And we have given some of the best talent to the world, from Jack Nicholson, John…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/queen-latifah/new-jersey-is-a-great-place-to-live-and-we-have-given-some-of-the/) [Queen Latifah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/queen-latifah/) > [And of course to work with Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton, and work with a wonderful, beautiful script directed by Nancy Meyers, it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keanu-reeves/and-of-course-to-work-with-jack-nicholson-and-diane-keaton-and-work/) [Keanu Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keanu-reeves/) > [My wife always says that I will be stuck with this forever: I am the difficult one. With Jack Nicholson they always said it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/my-wife-always-says-that-i-will-be-stuck-with-this-forever-i-am-the/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) > [I managed lots of clubs. I had more clubs than Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-gould/i-managed-lots-of-clubs-i-had-more-clubs-than-jack-nicholson/) [Bobby Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-gould/) > [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/) > [Peter Fonda was just this clean, cookie-cutter kind of a guy. Roger Corman turned him into the motorcycle man with The Wild Angels. Jack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-stapleton/peter-fonda-was-just-this-clean-cookie-cutter-kind-of-a-guy-roger/) [Alex Stapleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-stapleton/) > [What's the first image that comes to mind when you think of a mental hospital? Jack Nicholson in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-norville/what-s-the-first-image-that-comes-to-mind-when-you-think-of-a-mental/) [Deborah Norville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-norville/) > [Every country is like a particular type of person. America is like a belligerent, adolescent boy, Canada is like an intelligent, 35 year old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/every-country-is-like-a-particular-type-of-person-america-is-like-a/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [Living and working for four decades in a Bologna apartment and studio he shared with his unwed sisters, Morandi painted little but bottles, boxes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-saltz/living-and-working-for-four-decades-in-a-bologna-apartment-and-studio/) [Jerry Saltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-saltz/) > [I was in an acting class taught by Eric Morris, and Jack Nicholson was in the class. He wrote the script for 'Head', so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teri-garr/i-was-in-an-acting-class-taught-by-eric-morris-and-jack-nicholson-was/) [Teri Garr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teri-garr/) Browse all 85 Nicholson quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "People told me I couldn't kill Nicholson, so I cast him in two roles and killed him off twice.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tim Burton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/people-told-me-i-couldn-t-kill-nicholson-so-i-cast-him-in-two-roles/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Nicholson" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/people-told-me-i-couldn-t-kill-nicholson-so-i-cast-him-in-two-roles/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95d/tim-burton-2476_nicholson_people-told-me-i-couldn-t-kill-nicholson_1866402.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95d/tim-burton-2476_nicholson_people-told-me-i-couldn-t-kill-nicholson_1866402.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95d/tim-burton-2476_nicholson_people-told-me-i-couldn-t-kill-nicholson_1866402.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“People told me I couldn't kill Nicholson, so I cast him in two roles and killed him off twice.” — Tim Burton", "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": "Tim Burton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "People told me I couldn't kill...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/people-told-me-i-couldn-t-kill-nicholson-so-i-cast-him-in-two-roles/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/people-told-me-i-couldn-t-kill-nicholson-so-i-cast-him-in-two-roles/#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 } } ] } ```