After my screen test the director clapped his hands gleefully and yelled "She can't talk! She can't act! She's sensational!"

— Ava Gardner

And I won'tem back fair and square. So what are you going to do about it? Want to fight? Who wants the first bloody nose?

— Ava Gardner

And the news got worse. It appeared that there was this whole other person Jesus Christ whose birthday a lot of people tended to confuse with mine. I was personally outraged. It was a long time before I forgave the Lord for that.

— Ava Gardner

Don't think for a minute that bad publicity and endless criticism don't leave their claw marks on everyone concerned. Your friends try to cheer you up by saying lightly, "I suppose you get used to it, and ignore it." You try. You try damned hard. But you never get used to it. It always wounds and hurts.

— Ava Gardner

God knows I've got so many frailties myself, I ought to be able to understand and forgive them in others. But I don't.

— Ava Gardner

Go fuck yourself," I replied, always the lady. "I'm staying here.

— Ava Gardner

Great idea," I said. "Call the police. Call the fucking police.

— Ava Gardner

He always called me Daughter. It was to distinguish me from his sister Ava. I loved being called Daughter. It sounded so possessive, and to be possessed when you are a child is just a wonderful feeling. It makes you feel safe. Furthermore, it makes you feel loved.

— Ava Gardner

I have only one rule in acting - trust the director and give him heart and soul.

— Ava Gardner

I'm here to tell you, there ain't much forgiveness in that old-time religion. That particular savior was a mean son of a bitch. If you sinned, honey, he was going to get you, no doubt about it.

— Ava Gardner