Lucy Lawless



Lucy Lawless (born Lucille Frances Ryan on 29 March 1968) is a New Zealand actress and singer best known for playing the title character of the television series Xena: Warrior Princess and for her role as Number Three on the series Battlestar Galactica.

Quotes

 * My voice likes rock music. My problem is, I can do a lot of things, but I have to find my own voice.
 * Jamie Sotonoff (October 5, 2007) "The soulful side of a warrior princess", Daily Herald, p. 18.


 * So yes, the roles are getting more and more like me. But that's because Xena was so entirely unlike me. Most people aren't really aware of that.
 * On her acting roles after the completion of Xena &mdash; reported in Rob Salem (October 30, 2005) "Xena vs. Mother Nature - Locusts, mutant bats, a vast flood these are the terrors that torment Lucy Lawless, writes Rob Salem", The Toronto Star, p. C05.


 * They either overcompensate for the way they feel and are incredibly sycophantic or incredibly brusque in order to prove they don't think you're superior.
 * Discussing the differences between her fans in the United States and those in New Zealand&mdash; reported in Sarah Stuart (January 12, 2003) "Superstars in our midst", Sunday Star Times, p. A1.


 * The role was very physically challenging and I am not athletic and have never wanted to be. I hate it in fact. I don't go to gyms and for me to have to stay in shape for the role became mind over matter.
 * On finishing the last episode of Xena &mdash; reported in Kylie Keogh (May 31, 2001) "Xena shoots back", The Daily Telegraph, p. T05.


 * I'm gonna walk off wearing the outfit and I'm going to drive home in it.
 * Describing what she will do with her Xena costume after the last day of filming &mdash; reported in Raymond A. Edel and Virginia Rohan (February 8, 2001) "People", The Record, p. A2.


 * What's Buffy got? A wooden stake, some garlic. Xena has a full arsenal of weapons.
 * Remarking on who would win in a fight, in a pair-up between her character Xena and Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer &mdash; reported in San Antonio Express-News staff (May 16, 2000) San Antonio Express-News, "'Dirty Dancing' sequel set", p. 4D.


 * When you decide to become an opera singer, it's a commitment that allows nothing else to interfere. Even your family - and I have a young daughter - has to take second place.
 * On her decision not to pursue a career in grand opera, in favor of acting roles in television and film &mdash; reported in Times wires (April 11, 1998) "Television Q&A", St. Petersburg Times, p. 13D.


 * At first, being a female role model really terrified me. But it hasn't turned out to be an awful burden. I get a lot of letters from women who tell me that, after watching Xena, they have bought the Harley-Davidson they always wanted or left an abusive relationship.
 * Robin Eggar (July 27, 1997) "Is it a bird? - Interview", The Sunday Times, p. Style 8.


 * They're also surprised I'm only 6 feet tall. They expect someone much bigger. They say I'm younger and prettier in person, which I like.
 * On Xena fans' impression of Lawless when they encounter her in person &mdash; reported in Larry Bonko (March 10, 1997) "Hero Worship: Hercules. Xena. They're Tough. They're Sexy. And in the World of TV Syndication, They're Muscling Out the Competition", The Virginian-Pilot, p. E1.


 * Growing up, I looked up to real women. I didn't go in for hero worship and I still don't. Everybody has feet of clay.
 * Benjamin Morrison (January 14, 1997) "Visiting Warriors - Xena and Hercules Flex Their Muscles at NATPE", The Times-Picayune, p. F1.


 * Up until I came here this week, and I met so many women and young girls who feel, to use their word - and I'm a bit embarrassed, but it's a good word - empowered, by watching. I realized this isn't a burden, this is an honor.
 * Christy Slewinski, New York Daily News (September 29, 1996) "Lucy Lawless is a Star on the Strength of 'Xena'", The Seattle Times, p. 21.


 * Feminists might identify with me because I'm unapologetic in what they think is a male-dominated world … no, I guess, what is a male-dominated world.
 * Mike O'Neill (July 26, 1996) "Someone strong", The Tampa Tribune, p. 2.


 * I never thought I'd be an action star, but now they're going to make little Xena action figures for kids. I still want to be a fine actress one day; it's just a matter of putting in the time and passion.
 * Walt Belcher (May 25, 1996) "'Reformed villain' cuts men to size", The Tampa Tribune, p. 1.


 * It took me a long time to adjust and narrow down my life. I made my shift to the mind-set … there's time for my daughter outside work and that's all. This is my new life. This is not drudgery. This is fun.
 * On balancing work and family-life &mdash; reported in Barbara Yost, The Arizona Republic (April 15, 1996) "Actress Easily Conquers Role in 'Xena: Warrior Princess'", Chicago Tribune, p. 5.

About

 * Lucy's got two feet on the ground; she's very, very strong and yet has a wonderful soft side that she reveals here. She's a dream to work with.
 * Frank von Zerneck, on her work in the CBS movie Vampire Bats &mdash; reported in Associated Press (October 28, 2005) "Lawless takes on 'Vampire Bats'", Chicago Tribune, p. 48.