33 Inspiring Quotes from Famous New Yorkers

Celebrities live among us in New York City.

Before I lived in New York, I didn’t realize the abundance of celebrities who call the city home. Admittedly, it’s pretty exciting to be able to walk the same streets and frequent the same places as those who win Grammys, Oscars, Tonys, and Pulitzers. And, now and then, I’m lucky enough to watch one of these famous New Yorkers in a live interview (Robert De Niro), or casually chat as one pets my dog Bogey (Eli Wallach), or have another walk up to me and say, “Hello, I’m Ina Garten,” (at my first workplace in the city).

Even if I never see another celebrity in New York, I find it inspiring to know that Lady Gaga posed for a photo with my friend, Ray, and that Tina Fey and I share the same street, and that David Bowie lived in New York because he loved the city and felt an undeniable connection. (I get it.) In NYC, celebrities live, work and play among us.

Some New Yorkers are natives and wander elsewhere while others show up for a time in their life before settling in another town. Still, others come to New York with a dream like the rest of us, and then never leave. Whatever their stories are, these celebrities weren’t always famous. At some point, they struggled too.

Here, a selection of quotes from famous New Yorkers on love, success, laughter, moving on, and having pride in oneself.

Some famous New Yorkers are born here, and others come to the city with a dream.

“Time goes on. So whatever you’re going to do, do it. Do it now. Don’t wait.”–Robert De Niro, born in Greenwich Village. Lives in Manhattan.

The lesson is that you can still make mistakes and be forgiven.“ –Robert Downey Jr, born in Manhattan, raised in Greenwich Village.

“The burden of poverty isn’t just that you don’t always have the things you need, it’s the feeling of being embarrassed every day of your life, and you’d do anything to lift that burden.”–Jay-Z, born in Brooklyn, raised in Bed-Stuy. Lives in TriBeCa.

“If the story is good enough, if it’s imaginative enough, if it’s moving enough it is going to reach deeper than the level of sheer information and change somebody’s life two degrees. That is an enormous achievement.”–David Remnick, lives on the Upper West Side.

“You’re only as good as the chances you take.”--Al Pacino, born in East Harlem.

I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay.”–Madonna, lives on the Upper East Side.

“You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you.”–Mary Tyler Moore, born in Brooklyn Heights.

“Don’t waste a minute not being happy. If one window closes, run to the next window- or break down a door.”–Brooke Shields, born in New York City. Lives in the West Village.

“Things could be worse. You remember that, and you go on with your life.” –Kevin Bacon, lives on the Upper West Side.

“Life goes by fast. Enjoy it. Calm down. It’s all funny. Next. Everyone gets so upset about the wrong things.”–Joan Rivers, born in Brooklyn. Lived on the Upper East Side.

“I want to feel my life while I’m in it.”–Meryl Streep, lives in TriBeCa.

“There is nothing more important in life than love.”–Barbra Streisand, born in Brooklyn.

“All you need is love.”--John Lennon, lived on the Upper West Side.

“I’m more interested in being good than being famous.“–Annie Leibovitz, lives in Manhattan.

“Luck is where opportunity meets preparation.”–Denzel Washington, lives on the Upper West Side.

“The big lesson in life, baby, is to never be scared of anyone or anything.”–Frank Sinatra, lived on the Upper East Side.

“Art is anything you can get away with.”–Andy Warhol, lived in various Manhattan locations.

“I have very high standards for every part of life – my work, my relationships, food, love. I can’t just pretend.”–Olivia Wilde, born in New York City. Lives in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn.

“I think we’re all good and bad, but good’s not funny. Bad is funny. Suppress the good and let the bad out, and then you can be funny.”–Larry David, born in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn

.“You can’t be that kid standing at the top of the water slide overthinking it. You have to go down the chute.”–Tina Fey, lives on the Upper West Side.

“Instead of going out to dinner, buy good food. Cooking at home shows such affection.”–Ina Garten, born in Brooklyn. Lives in Manhattan.

“Life is a lot like jazz…it’s best when you improvise.”—George Gershwin, born in Brooklyn.

“Eighty percent of success is showing up.”–Woody Allen, born in The Bronx, Raised in Brooklyn. Lives on the Upper East Side.

“You just hope that you will get the opportunity to do what you love and pay your bills, and that is being a success as an actor.”–Debra Messing, born in Brooklyn. Lives in Manhattan.

“Everything you say and do is having an impact on others.”–Barry Manilow, born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

“My parents always told me I could be anything I wanted to be.”–Carole King, born in Brooklyn.

“Too much of a good thing can be wonderful.”–Mae West, born in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

“I love what I do, I love every minute of it.”–Lena Dunham, born in New York City. Lives in the West Village.

“I’d be nothing without my wife. She’s the coolest. She’s the greatest. She is the smartest. She’s the funniest. I love her so much. She’s like the – it’s like your best friend for the rest of your life.”–Jimmy Fallon, born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Lives in Gramercy Park.

“The worst part of success is to try finding someone who is happy for you.”–Bette Midler, lives on the Upper East Side.

“I’ve learned that life is very tricky business: Each person needs to find what they want to do in life and not be dissuaded when people question them.”–Eli Wallach, lived on the Upper West Side.

“I live halfway between reality and theater at all times. And I was born this way.”-–Lady Gaga, lives in Manhattan.

“Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming.”–David Bowie, lived in SoHo.