33 Ava Gardner Quotes — about the Film Star's Life and Career

Those fortunate enough to cross paths with Ava Gardner had nothing but kind words to describe the beautiful Hollywood star. She lived life to the fullest and learned several lessons from her experiences, including her successful career and three marriages.

Before becoming the known superstar she is today, North Carolina-born Ava Gardner came from humble beginnings. She was studying to pursue a career as a secretary when her brother sent her photos to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

This paved the way for her to connect with MGM and begin a successful career in the entertainment industry. Gardner started her career as an actress with minor characters. In 1946, she landed her big break as Kitty Collins in "The Killers."

Following the film's success, she appeared in more films, including "The Hucksters," "The Snows of Kilimanjaro," and "Mogambo," where she received an Academy Award nomination.

Ava Gardner with her quote: "Fame gives you everything you never wanted." | Source: Getty Images

Ava Gardner Quotes about Her Life

"God knows I've got so many frailties myself. I ought to be able to understand and forgive them in others. But I don't." — Ava Gardner

"I am deeply superficial." — Ava Gardner

"When I'm old and gray, I want to have a house by the sea. And paint. With a lot of wonderful chums, good music, and booze around. And a damn good kitchen to cook in." — Ava Gardner

"I don't mind growing old. If I have to go before my time, this is how I'll go -- cigarette in one hand, glass of scotch in the other." — Ava Gardner

Ava Gardner with her quote: "I do everything for a reason. Most of the time the reason is money." | Source: Getty Images

"I must have seen more sunrises than any other actress in the history of Hollywood." — Ava Gardner

"When I lose my temper, honey, you can't find it any place." — Ava Gardner

"If I had my life to live over again, I'd live it the same way. Maybe a few changes here or there, but nothing special. The truth is, honey, I've enjoyed my life. I've had a hell of a good time." — Ava Gardner

"Although no one believes me, I have always been a country girl and still have a country girl's values." — Ava Gardner

"Doing nothing feels like floating on warm water to me. Delightful, perfect." — Ava Gardner

Ava Gardner with her quote: "I must have seen more sunrises than any other actress in the history of Hollywood." | Source: Getty Images

"The truth is that the only time I'm happy is when I'm doing absolutely nothing. I don't understand people who like to work and talk about it like it was some sort of goddamn duty. Doing nothing feels like floating on warm water to me. Delightful, perfect." — Ava Gardner

"Elizabeth Taylor is not beautiful, she is pretty – I was beautiful." — Ava Gardner

"Women's liberation as a movement makes some valid points. But in the final analysis, it doesn't matter who wears the pants – as long as there's money in the pockets." — Ava Gardner

"I either write the book or sell the jewels. And I'm kinda sentimental about the jewels." — Ava Gardner

"For the loot, honey, for the loot." — Ava Gardner

Ava Gardner with her quote: "Although no one believes me, I have always been a country girl and still have a country girl's values." | Source: Getty Images

"I've certainly never taken the care of myself that I should have. On the contrary. I've done a lot of late nights without enough sleep and all that. But I've had fun. Whatever wrinkles are there, I've enjoyed getting them." — Ava Gardner

Ava Gardner Quotes about Her Career

"Fame gives you everything you never wanted." — Ava Gardner

"Because I was promoted as a sort of a siren and played all those sexy broads, people made the mistake of thinking I was like that off the screen. They couldn't have been more wrong." — Ava Gardner

"I do everything for a reason. Most of the time, the reason is money." — Ava Gardner

"What I'd really like to say about stardom is that it gave me everything I never wanted." — Ava Gardner

"I have only one rule in acting - trust the director and give him heart and soul." — Ava Gardner

Ava Gardner with her quote: “Elizabeth Taylor is not beautiful, she is pretty – I was beautiful.” | Source: Getty Images

"I was never an actress – none of us kids at Metro were. We were just good to look at." — Ava Gardner

"I was lazy. I would have been a hell of a lot better actress had I taken it more seriously. I never had the proper respect for acting. Quite often, I learned my lines on the way to the studio." — Ava Gardner

"After my screen test, the director clapped his hands gleefully and yelled: "She can't talk! She can't act! She's sensational!" — Ava Gardner

"Don't think for a minute that bad publicity and endless criticism don't leave their claw marks on everyone concerned. Your friends try to cheer you up by saying lightly, 'I suppose you get used to it and ignore it.' You try. You try damned hard. But you never get used to it. It always wounds and hurts." — Ava Gardner

"In one scene, when I was supposed to say, 'In a pig's eye you are,' what came out was, 'In a pig's ass you are.' Old habits die awfully hard." — Ava Gardner

Ava Gardner with her quote: “It’s a pity nobody believes in simple lust anymore.” | Source: Getty Images

Ava Gardner Quotes about Love

"So this was where lust was satisfied. If I'd been an old-time miner, I'd have asked for my gold nugget back." — Ava Gardner

"I think the main reason my marriages failed is that I always loved too well but never wisely." — Ava Gardner

"Love is nothing but a pain in the ass." — Ava Gardner

"I hate cheating. I won't put up with it. I don't do it myself." — Ava Gardner

"It's a pity nobody believes in simple lust anymore." — Ava Gardner

Ava Gardner with her quote: “For the loot, honey, for the loot.” | Source: Getty Images

Behind the scenes, Gardner was living her life. After her first failed marriage to Mickey Rooney, her reputation as a party girl worsened. In 1945, Gardner had her second marriage to Artie Shaw, but their union ended after a year.

Her third and last husband was Frank Sinatra.

Frank Sinatra also had several relationships throughout his life. Some of them gave him children, including Frank Sinatra Jr. and Nancy Sinatra, who followed in his footsteps.

Like Gardner and Sinatra, comedian Dane Cook also reached fame as an entertainer. He has several interesting quotes from his dark comedy perspective.