August 17: Notable Births, with Quotes
Explore memorable and revealing quotes from public figures, past and present, who were born on August 17.
Sean Penn, actor and director (August 17, 1960–present)
“Selling a movie feels like a hustle to every bone in my body. Many actors have careers dominated by modeling. They’re all over the place. It turns me off. People who are good at what they do ought to practice something bigger.” —Sean Penn
Winfrey, Oprah. “Oprah Talks to Sean Penn.” Oprah.com, January 2005, https://www.oprah.com/omagazine/oprah-interviews-sean-penn
“I choose movies that I think will speak to what’s important. I was getting ready to make a movie when 9/11 happened. I decided to get out of it. If I have any rule, it’s that if you’re talking about yesterday, it should somehow relate to an understanding of today and tomorrow.” —Sean Penn
Winfrey, Oprah. “Oprah Talks to Sean Penn.” Oprah.com, January 2005, https://www.oprah.com/omagazine/oprah-interviews-sean-penn
Robert De Niro, actor (August 17, 1943–present)
“Any movie I did, I did. And I take full responsibility for it.” —Robert De Niro
McGurk, Stuart. “World exclusive: Robert De Niro on Martin Scorsese’s ultimate mafia masterpiece.” GQ, November 25, 2019, https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/robert-de-niro-interview
“I was just with one of my kids. They don’t want to ask you certain things. They don’t want to be bothered. They know possibly they should, but they don’t, and it’s uncomfortable, you know, and that’s how I was with my father.” —Robert De Niro
McGurk, Stuart. “World exclusive: Robert De Niro on Martin Scorsese’s ultimate mafia masterpiece.” GQ, November 25, 2019, https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/robert-de-niro-interview
Samuel Goldwyn, film producer (August 17, 1879–January 31, 1974)
“People will not see the bad films. They will see them at home on television for nothing.” —Samuel Goldwyn
“Sam Goldwyn Talks (1956).” British Pathe, April 13, 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=679SuARujb0
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