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Hero Quotes

On heroes, idols, and who we choose to look up to.

These quotes look at what it means to have a hero, whether that's a musician admired from the audience or a childhood icon like Mickey Mouse who fits several roles at once. Explore more in Inspiration quotes.

Fred Astaire is my hero. I love him because he was willing to kill himself to make his art look effortless. And because he proved it's possible to be an artist and a good person.

Quotes by Connie Willis

Muhammad Ali is a legend, a hero of mine.

Quotes by Conor McGregor

Yes, I was inspired by Jack London and still love reading his books. Ernie Banks is another hero because I lived in Chicago for two years as a kid, and I loved that he was the Cubs' loyal underdog and...

Quotes by Conrad Anker

Merlin is the unsung hero who is often responsible for things turning out positively, but rarely gets credit for that.

Quotes by Colin Morgan

I don't believe that a female character needs to surrender her femininity in order to be an action hero.

Quotes by Colin Trevorrow

I thought Charlize Theron was awesome in 'Mad Max,' and that was a very masculine kind of hero.

Quotes by Colin Trevorrow

It's always fun to play someone like an action hero that you always wanted to play as a child. I think every young boy loves that as a kid.

Quotes by Cole Hauser

'Balthazar' is very much about the title hero having to choose between his past and his future. For the first time in a long time, he has a chance to be happy - with Skye. But he has this terrible...

Quotes by Claudia Gray

When you're little, your father is your hero. Mine was. Then it all becomes more complicated.

Quotes by Clare Balding

But I would love to work with David Lynch, if I could. He's my hero.

Quotes by Claes Bang

Marguerite Duras was a very good friend of mine and an intellectual hero. She was also a sort of mother figure. Of course she was an influence.

Quotes by Claire Denis

What makes a good villain is someone who doesn't just challenge the hero but comes organically out of that character's history and circumstances.

Quotes by Christopher Priest

A hero is someone who, in spite of weakness, doubt or not always knowing the answers, goes ahead and overcomes anyway.

Quotes by Christopher Reeve

A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.

Quotes by Christopher Reeve

I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.

Quotes by Christopher Reeve

What makes Superman a hero is not that he has power, but that he has the wisdom and the maturity to use the power wisely. From an acting point of view, that's how I approached the part.

Quotes by Christopher Reeve

De Niro was a hero of mine. And Sean Penn. But I've realized I can't operate at that level of intensity. That's okay for movies. On TV, when you live with horror day in and day out, you have to...

Quotes by Christopher Meloni

Peter Sellers is my great comedy hero.

Quotes by Christopher Guest

I wanted 'Comme si' to immediately indicate that something changed in my life, mainly because I became the hero of my own desires instead of just dreaming about them.

Quotes by Christine and the Queens

Every masculine hero narrative I could find I wanted to steal for myself and twist to my size.

Quotes by Christine and the Queens

Frequently Asked Questions

What do these hero quotes have in common?
These quotes explore how we relate to heroes and idols - real people, cultural icons, and even fictional characters. One captures pure personal admiration: "Because he was my hero, I would visit him for inspiration," describing visits to see a performer named Bobby. For more on that feeling of being personally inspired, see Inspiration quotes.
Is there a quote about a specific real hero?
Yes - one quote is direct and heartfelt: "Glenn Gould was my hero. Glenn Gould was my idol. I loved him." It's a simple, repeated declaration of admiration for a named figure.
Do any of these quotes mention fictional heroes?
Yes. One quote points out that a hero doesn't have to come from real life: "Whether it's as the hero of an adventure story, as teacher and friend, as icon on watch, shirt or hat - everyone knows Mickey Mouse," showing how a cartoon character can fill the same role as a real-life hero.
Do heroes stay heroes forever, according to these quotes?
Not necessarily - one quote takes a more cynical, cyclical view: "The idol of today pushes the hero of yesterday out of our recollection; and will, in turn, be supplanted by his successor of tomorrow." It suggests admiration is often temporary rather than permanent, which touches on ideas found in Legacy quotes too.
Where can I read more about what makes someone heroic?
For related themes, take a look at Courage quotes and Sacrifice quotes.

Others point out that admiration doesn't stay fixed - today's idol eventually gives way to someone new. See also Courage quotes and Legacy quotes.