Joan Fontaine Quotes & Sayings

You know, I've had a helluva life, — Joan Fontaine

The main problem in marriage is that for a man sex is a hunger like eating. If the man is hungry and can't get to a fancy French restaurant, he goes to a hot dog stand. For a woman, what is important is love and romance. — Joan Fontaine

My sister is a very peculiar lady. When we were young, I wasn't allowed to talk to her friends. Now I'm not allowed to talk to her children, nor are they permitted to see me. This is the nature of the lady. Doesn't bother me at all. — Joan Fontaine

I married first, won the Oscar before Olivia (sister Olivia de Havilland) did, and if I die first, she'll undoubtedly be livid because I beat her to it! — Joan Fontaine

Goodness knows, I tried. But I think it's virtually impossible for the right kind of man to be married to a movie star. — Joan Fontaine

Marriage, as an institution, is as dead as the dodo bird. — Joan Fontaine

Being a woman, I have found the road rougher than had I been born a man. Different defenses, different codes of ethics, different approaches to problems and personalities are a woman's lot. I have preferred to shun what is known as feminine wiles, the subterfuge of subtlety, reliance on tears and coquetry to shape my way. I am forthright, often blunt. I have learned to be a realist despite my romantic, emotional nature. I have no illusions that age, the rigors of my profession, disappointments, and unfulfilled dreams have not left their mark.

I am proud that I have carved my path on earth almost entirely by my own efforts, proud that I have compromised in my career only when I had no other recourse, when financial or contractual commitments dictated. Proud that I have never been involved in a physical liaison unless I was deeply attracted or in love. Proud that, whatever my worldly goods may be, they have been achieved by my own labors. — Joan Fontaine

If you keep marrying as I do, you learn everybody's hobby. — Joan Fontaine

The theater audience is the ultimate teacher, instructing the actor on the degree to which he has executed both the author's and the director's intent. — Joan Fontaine

I've flown in an international balloon race. I've piloted my own plane. I've ridden to the hounds. I've done a lot of exciting things. — Joan Fontaine

It's better to be on a soap opera to renew your career and following than to be on any other medium. — Joan Fontaine

It seems there's just no room left for elegance in this paper-plate, blue-jean world. And I, for one, think it's a shame. — Joan Fontaine

That Oscar can be a jinx ... It can ... damage irreparably one's relations with family, friends. It's an uneasy head that wears the crown. — Joan Fontaine

[On her troubled relationships with her daughters:] You can acquire enemies. Why give birth to them? — Joan Fontaine

I hope I'll die on stage at the age at 105, playing Peter Pan. — Joan Fontaine

One puzzling thing about men
they allow their sex instinct to drive them to where their intelligence never would take them. — Joan Fontaine