Quotes By Francesca Annis

I am not going to share my private life with millions of people. I don't find a need to do that and nobody else close to me does either.

From one till seven, when we moved to England, I spoke only Portuguese. But I can't speak a word of it now.

I have yet to see a drama that puts forward women who are successful and also have a family... they are nearly always seen as victims.

Exposure makes you famous, not just good work. Famous is being plastered everywhere.

I'm trying to learn to smoke, which is rather weird when everyone is trying to stop. I'm not a smoker. But my character only smokes as an affectation.

I am not a fanatic about anything. I do what I can do when I've got the time.

You can be revered for all sorts of qualities, but to be truly charismatic is rare. Elizabeth Taylor was, for me, one of those rarities.

I'm often asked if I regret not going to Hollywood. I'm glad I didn't go, because if I had I wouldn't have my extended family, which is the fabric of my life. Only recently have I realised how special and unusual it is.

You have to be careful not to let your fear stop you doing things. It's very exciting to test yourself.

I don't think the media circus has ever been a shock to my life seeing as I was with Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor when I was 17.

Some actors get fired up by the sound of the audience. I just want to retreat.

Roman's wife Sharon Tate had been murdered by Charles Manson the year before, but Roman had been through so much leaving the Warsaw ghetto that he was very strong and private.

I am pretty self-indulgent.

Everything is about class in England, whether it's upper, lower or middle. Why should that be?

I was asked to be in Vogue but I said no. I didn't want to advertise make-up. I didn't want to be seen as a sex symbol.

I maintain the rather old-fashioned view that this is my work and it's in the public arena, but that doesn't entitle everyone to know what happened at home before coming here.

However successful you are, there is no substitute for a close relationship. We all need them.

I didn't choose to be an actress.

I don't need a piece of paper to suggest that I can commit myself.

I've always kept fit but I've been doing gym and yoga and will be throwing my stilettoes away for a while!

Judi Dench and Ian McKellen taught me how to work hard and respect the theatre.

Each decade, I've lived in that decade, so I could easily shed the '20s, the '30s, the '40s.

I never pursued being 'famous.'

My parents were hugely supportive like that. I was always the best - it's so embarrassing, isn't it? I was always the best at everything.

Too often, older women are seen as victims, but I know lots of formidable women who have marvellous jobs as well as a full erotic life, and children and friends and family.

I was always going to be a dancer - I drifted into acting.

I don't regret the passing of time. I try to live in the present, which should mean my life's full.

The funny thing is I'm not bothered or sad about being on my own - after all I've never had a husband.

I can feel the 60S looming. In my profession, I've just moved along with my age. By thinking in decades, rather than whether someone's 42 or 47, you can give yourself a whole 10 years to turn yourself around in.

I have got a few misters interested but nobody special these days.