Esther Rolle Quotes & Sayings

I'm glad to take on the role of a domestic because many of your black leaders, your educators, your professionals came from domestic parents who made sacrifices to see that their children didn't go through what they did. — Esther Rolle

I ruffle a lot of feathers. And I'm also selective - that makes you a troublemaker. But so be it. I laid a cornerstone for black actors, and that makes me happy. — Esther Rolle

'Hollywood maids' are so idiotic. They grin at everything. I told Norman Lear I didn't want to play a maid because of that 'hee-hee/grin-grin' attitude, and he said, 'Who said I wanted that?' He told me he wanted two strong women that are the black and white of the same coin. I said, 'Oh, well - in that case, I'll be right there!' — Esther Rolle

I had a wonderful father, and I couldn't bear that television virtually ignored black fathers. — Esther Rolle

We feel we have to put concrete on every inch of land. It disturbs the ecology, and it takes away the experience of a child going out into the woods and seeing all of nature. — Esther Rolle

Black college-educated people got to where they are on the backs of domestic help, meaning their parents and grandparents. So people should not forget how they got to where they are. — Esther Rolle

I don't play Hollywood maids, the hee-hee kind of people who are so in love with their madam's children they have no time for their own. — Esther Rolle

My mother grew up with each of her children - whatever your age, that's the age she'd be when she listened to your stories. She never belittled our problems. It made for something permanent and reliable. — Esther Rolle

I don't take roles I can't respect. If I can't find a reason to be respectful of the character, I won't do it because I couldn't do it justice. — Esther Rolle

I told them [the producers] I couldn't compound the lie that Black fathers don't care about their children. I was proud of the family life I was able to introduce to television. — Esther Rolle

I'm not so in love with material things that I'll do anything for money. That allows me the luxury of doing things of value. — Esther Rolle