Kevin Kline

Kevin Kline – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes

Kevin Kline (born October 24, 1947) is an acclaimed American actor of stage and screen, known for versatility in comedy and drama. Explore his early life, breakthrough roles, theatrical achievements, and his most insightful quotes.

Introduction

Kevin Kline is one of those rare actors whose work seamlessly spans Broadway, Shakespeare, Hollywood comedies, and character drama. Known for his intelligence, wit, and chameleonic versatility, Kline has won both an Academy Award and Tony Awards, earning recognition on stage and screen alike. Over a five-decade career, he has played kings, presidents, fools, lovers, teachers, and more—always bringing depth, humor, and humanity to his roles.

Early Life and Background

Kevin Delaney Kline was born on October 24, 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri. Robert Joseph Kline and Margaret Agnes (née Kirk).

In his youth, Kline lived in the suburb of Clayton, Missouri, and attended Saint Louis Priory School (graduating in 1965).

After high school, he enrolled at Indiana University Bloomington. He initially studied music and conducting, but later switched to theater and speech.

Later, Kline furthered his training by attending Juilliard School in New York, joining the newly formed Drama Division, and soon participating in the founding of The Acting Company (under John Houseman’s auspices).

Early Career & Theater Foundations

In 1972, Kline joined The Acting Company, touring the U.S. performing classical and contemporary works.

One of his early Broadway successes was On the Twentieth Century (1978), earning him his first Tony Award. The Pirates of Penzance (1981) on Broadway — his comedic flair and musicality shined and won him another Tony.

He continued to hone his Shakespearean and dramatic chops (playing Hamlet, Richard III, etc.) in New York productions and with the New York Shakespeare Festival.

Film Breakthroughs & Versatility

1980s: Turning to Film

Kline made his film debut in Sophie’s Choice (1982), acting opposite Meryl Streep.

He followed with The Big Chill (1983) and the Western Silverado (1985). Cry Freedom (1987), he tackled more serious dramatic material.

His comedic breakthrough came in A Fish Called Wanda (1988), in which he played the eccentric American ex-CIA thief Otto. His performance won him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

1990s and Beyond

Throughout the 1990s, Kline balanced comedy and drama. Some notable titles:

• The January Man (1989)

• Soapdish (1991)

• Grand Canyon (1991)

• Chaplin (1992)

• Dave (1993) — he played both Dave (the everyman) and President Mitchell.

• In & Out (1997), a comedy about sexual identity and authenticity.

• Voice roles: Captain Phoebus in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) and The Road to El Dorado (2000).

In the 2000s and 2010s, Kline continued working in film, theater, and voice work, appearing in Life As A House, The Emperor’s Club, De-Lovely, No Strings Attached, Beauty and the Beast (2017, as Maurice), and more.

On stage, he garnered further acclaim: in 2017, he starred in Present Laughter on Broadway and won his third Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.

He also continues to voice characters—since 2011, he has voiced Calvin Fischoeder on Bob’s Burgers.

Awards & Recognition

Kevin Kline’s awards and honors reflect his range and longevity:

• Academy Award (Best Supporting Actor) for A Fish Called Wanda

• Three Tony Awards (for On the Twentieth Century, The Pirates of Penzance, Present Laughter)

• He's also been nominated for BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and Emmys.

• In 2003, he was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame.

Personality, Approach & Style

Kevin Kline’s approach to acting is marked by a few consistent traits:

• Versatility and curiosity: He seems unwilling to be confined to a single type—he shifts smoothly between comedy, drama, musicals, Shakespeare, and voice roles.

• Humor rooted in sincerity: Even in farcical roles, he keeps his characters believable, never losing emotional grounding.

• Self-critique and striving: He has said he often feels less satisfied than audiences, always seeing room to improve.

• Reliance on collaboration and trust: He once said, “Nothing makes an actor feel freer and more inventive and more creative than being trusted.”

• Respect for the craft over celebrity: He has also expressed reluctance in focusing on his private life in interviews, preferring to talk about roles and process.

Famous Quotes by Kevin Kline

Here are some memorable quotes attributed to Kevin Kline:

“Nothing makes an actor feel freer and more inventive and more creative than being trusted.” “Some of my favorite characters that I’ve played have been very pompous because I love making fun of pompous people.” “I’ve got the Jewish guilt and the Irish shame and it’s a hell of a job distinguishing which is which.” “When you have satire, it has to be real. No matter how outrageous the comedy becomes, you have to believe in the characters.” “I don’t like talking about myself. I don’t like talking about my personal life.” “Most of the comedies I’ve done have been rather farcical and extravagant.” “I think every American actor wants to be a movie star. But I never wanted to do stupid movies, I wanted to do films.”

From his film roles, here are a few quotes drawn from his characters:

• From Dave: “If you’ve ever seen the look on somebody’s face the day they finally get a job, … they look like they could fly.”

• From The Emperor’s Club: “It is not living that is important, but living properly …”

Lessons from Kevin Kline’s Journey

1. Embrace breadth, not pigeonholes
   Kline shows that an actor need not specialize in a single mode; variety can be a strength.

2. Ground comedy in truth
   Even the wildest roles must contain believable emotional kernels.

3. Continuous striving
   Despite successes, maintain critical standards and never settle for comfort.

4. Value trust and collaboration
   The relationships you build with directors, co-actors, and writers shape what you can do.

5. Balance fame and privacy
   Kline’s reticence about personal life reinforces that an artist can keep a boundary.

Conclusion

Kevin Kline’s career is a testament to integrity, versatility, and the deep love of performance. Whether playing poetic kings on stage, comic eccentrics on film, or animated characters in voice work, he has consistently brought intelligence, heart, and skill to his roles. His quotes remind us that artistry is not always about showmanship but about trust, truth, and the humility to keep evolving.