I started my own little carpet and upholstery cleaning business.

Yes — that quote is correctly attributed to Tommy Kirk, the American actor best known for his roles in classic Disney films such as Old Yeller (1957), The Shaggy Dog (1959), and The Misadventures of Merlin Jones (1964).

“I started my own little carpet and upholstery cleaning business. I've done it for 20 years. I live well.”
— Tommy Kirk

Context and Background

Tommy Kirk said this in interviews reflecting on his life after Hollywood. After his early success as a Disney child star, Kirk’s career declined in the 1960s due to both personal and professional challenges, including being blacklisted after his sexuality became public — a major issue in that era’s film industry.

Rather than dwell on fame lost, he built a successful small business in carpet and upholstery cleaning, which he ran for about two decades. The quote captures his contentment and self-reliance, showing that he found stability and peace outside the entertainment industry.

It’s a humble and honest reflection from an actor who transitioned from stardom to a simple, fulfilling life.