Top 24 Quotes & Sayings by Penelope Wilton

Explore popular quotes and sayings by an English actress Penelope Wilton.

Last updated on April 17, 2025.

Dame Penelope Alice Wilton, styled Penelope, Lady Holm between 1998 and 2001, is an English actress. She is known for starring opposite Richard Briers in the BBC sitcom Ever Decreasing Circles (1984–1989); playing Homily in The Borrowers (1992) and The Return of the Borrowers (1993); and for her role as the widowed Isobel Crawley in the ITV drama Downton Abbey (2010–2015). She also played the recurring role of Harriet Jones in Doctor Who (2005–2008) and Anne in Ricky Gervais' Netflix dark comedy After Life.

English - Actress | Born: June 3, 1946

Source: Wikipedia

Acting attracts shy people and show-offs.

Penelope Wilton

I don't really care any longer what other people think.

Penelope Wilton

I don't think I've been in a supporting role in any of the plays I've done, ever.

Penelope Wilton

In my life, I've had estates in Russia, houses in Spain, in Norway, in the deep south of America.

Penelope Wilton

I have spent my whole life educating myself.

Penelope Wilton

I can't understand why people so readily put themselves up to be humiliated.

Penelope Wilton

People in distress behave in a stressful way. They aren't all sweetness and light. They don't behave well when they are unhappy. That's just what I've observed.

Penelope Wilton

I don't tell everyone my life history because if everyone knows your inside-leg measurement, how can you surprise them?

Penelope Wilton

Some people will never change.

Penelope Wilton

The trouble with anyone when they're unhappy or in a relationship they recognize is not working but don't know what to do about is that they can't see farther out than that. If the relationship is not working, if what was there isn't there anymore, you have to do something about it.

Penelope Wilton

The thing about being an actor is that you turn into other people. You have to hide yourself a bit in order to let that other person come out.

Penelope Wilton

When you play someone who is an iconic figure you can't go into it lightly.

Penelope Wilton

I am drawn to characters that go on journeys, characters that are real people, that have life.

Penelope Wilton

It's true, I've become one of those grumpy older women.

Penelope Wilton

Mostly in life people are trying not to have emotions.

Penelope Wilton

I find talking about acting very boring, having to come out with platitudes about how terribly nice everyone is. I would much rather just do it.

Penelope Wilton

You can't look at people being crucified. Even if you know it is just pretend.

Penelope Wilton

You need to keep on doing things you have never done before in your career. You have to have a go.

Penelope Wilton

You don't go to a comedy and try to laugh. You laugh in spite of yourself. You don't just come on stage and cry. Something has pushed you to cry.

Penelope Wilton

I've never lost a grown-up child, but I have known loss.

Penelope Wilton

I've learnt to listen. I don't think I always did listen.

Penelope Wilton

I love the drive from York to Whitby over the moors - one of the great journeys, in my book.

Penelope Wilton

I've had very close relationships with some twentieth-century writers.

Penelope Wilton

I’ve learnt to listen. I don’t think I always did listen. Not just in plays, but in life. And you have to hear what people are saying before you can respond.

Penelope Wilton

Top 24 Quotes & Sayings by Penelope Wilton

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