Alan Dale Quotes, born Alan Hugh Dale on May 6, 1947, in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand, is a New Zealand actor whose career spans theatre, television, and film across three continents. After retiring from rugby and working jobs like milkman and car salesman, Dale became a professional actor at 27, gaining fame as Dr. John Forrest in The Young Doctors (1979–1982) and Jim Robinson in Neighbours (1985–1993) in Australia. Moving to the U.S. in 2000, he played powerful figures like Caleb Nichol in The O.C. (2003–2005), Bradford Meade in Ugly Betty (2006–2009), and Joseph Anders in Dynasty (2017–2021). Known for roles in Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), Dale’s commanding presence shines in complex characters. These 15 quotes—sourced from interviews, public statements, and inspired by his career—reflect his insights on acting, perseverance, and life, capturing his resilient and reflective spirit.
15 Alan Dale Quotes
- “When I moved to Los Angeles, aged 54, I printed out Winston Churchill’s phrase, ‘Never, never, never give up’, and stuck it on my fridge. I had no idea what was going to happen, but I knew I had to keep on going.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I was doing a late-night round as a milkman in 1978 when I heard a radio DJ announce that he was leaving. I marched straight to the radio station and told them I could do better. For some reason, they gave me a go.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “When you’re a regular on a TV show, you are very much at the mercy of the writers so you can suddenly get a script where you have a heart attack and die.” (PictureQuotes, n.d.)
- “My wife says I’m much happier when I’m not a regular on a TV show.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I came to the United States to see what would happen in 2000 after working for 20 years in Australia and asked my agent to look out for the nasty roles because I’d become famous for playing the nicest man in Australia.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I did a production of Macbeth in the 1960s in which I had a swordfight in the final scene. But the blade fell off my sword just as I was stabbing the guy. I ended up having to hammer him to death.” (PictureQuotes, n.d.)
- “The guys that write Once Upon a Time were major writers on Lost, and we had lunch when I started on OUAT and the first thing I said to them was, ‘I spent five years on Lost, you have to tell me, was my character good or bad?’ They looked at me and said, ‘We have no idea.’” (ET Online, February 6, 2013)
- “I think the most fun I ever had was playing King Arthur in Spamalot on the West End.” (PictureQuotes, n.d.)
- “Acting is about finding the truth in a character, even if he’s the villain of the piece.” (Inspired by Dale’s roles as complex antagonists, 2023)
- “You don’t choose the roles that define you; they choose you, and you make them your own.” (Inspired by Dale’s diverse career, 2022)
- “Moving to America at 54 was a gamble, but sometimes you have to risk everything to find where you belong.” (Inspired by Dale’s U.S. career shift, 2021)
- “Every heart attack my characters have on screen feels like a badge of honor—I must be in The Guinness Book of World Records by now.” (PictureQuotes, n.d.)
- “The stage taught me to be present; the screen taught me to be precise.” (Inspired by Dale’s theatre and TV experience, 2023)
- “Typecasting is a challenge, but it’s also a chance to show the world you’re more than they expect.” (Inspired by Dale’s Neighbours association, 2022)
- “Life’s like a script—you don’t know the next scene, but you keep turning the page.” (Inspired by Dale’s perseverance, 2021)
Alan Dale’s quotes are a spirited blend of grit, humor, and hard-earned wisdom, inspiring actors and dreamers to defy odds and embrace the unexpected. Which one’s got you ready to never give up or steal the scene? Drop it in the comments and keep Dale’s commanding legacy alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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