Always be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else.

My father's death was the most terrible thing that happened to me in my life.

'Twas not my lips you kissed but my soul.

Soon the sun beams will smile through. Before you jump out of that bed, just know, the thought of you was the first thing that hit my head. Good morning my darling.

I think that I have every right to write a book. I think I'm interesting. I have perspective about me.

I'm the original take-orders girl.

I've seen the ticket, and I still can't believe it. When I see the money, I hope I don't hit the floor.

I've never looked through a keyhole without finding someone was looking back.

It's lonely and cold on the top... lonely and cold.

In the silence of night I have often wished for just a few words of love from one man, rather than the applause of thousands of people.

I try to bring the audience's own drama -- tears and laughter they know about -- to them.

There have been a lot of stories written about me, some of them fantastically distorted.

People en masse have always been wonderful to me. I truly have a great love for an audience...I want to give them two hours of just pow.

How strange when an illusion dies. It's as though you've lost a child.

From the time I was thirteen, there was a constant struggle between MGM and me -- whether or not to eat, how much to eat, what to eat. I remember this more vividly than anything else about my childhood.

The sound of applause is delicious
It's a thrill to have the world at your feet
The praise of the crowd, it's exciting
But I've learned that's not what makes a life complete.

When I die I have visions of fags singing 'Over the Rainbow' and the flag at Fire Island being flown at half mast.

As for my feelings toward Over the Rainbow, it's become part of my life. It is so symbolic of all dreams and wishes that I'm sure that's why people sometimes get tears in their eyes when they hear it.

You are never so alone as when you are ill on stage. The most nightmarish feeling in the world is suddenly to feel like throwing up in front of four thousand people.

Hollywood is a strange place if you're in trouble. Everybody thinks it's contagious.