There were always moments where I'd say, 'What else can I do with my life?' But when I was 30 years old and discovered I could write - I wrote 'Black Cloud' in six weeks - it opened up a whole new world for me. Ricky Schroder More Quotes by Ricky Schroder More Quotes From Ricky Schroder There are going to be peaks and valleys in everything - in your marriage, in your job, in your life. So just enjoy the peaks and ride out the valleys. Just try not to do anything too rash. Ricky Schroder valleys trying jobs I spent my whole childhood wishing I were older and now I'm spending my adulthood wishing I were younger. Ricky Schroder spending childhood wish In the John Wayne movies, the Indians were savages that were trying to scalp you. That culture has really suffered because of the stereotype you see in those westerns. Ricky Schroder savages trying culture There's some things that you're passionate about as a director. You just know it has to be a certain way. The challenge is resolving those so everyone is happy and no one feels that they have not been heard. Ricky Schroder passionate challenges way I weren't an actor, I'd be a wildlife biologist or forest ranger. Ricky Schroder wildlife actors forests I think one of the things that saved me is that I never put all my eggs in one basket. Ricky Schroder baskets eggs thinking I feel cheesy when I see Silver Spoons. Some of it was funny, but some of it was just cheese! My kids love it, but I look at it and cringe. Ricky Schroder cheesy kids looks I asked Michael Jackson once. I said to him, 'How were you able to go from the Jackson Five to the biggest star in the world? What was your secret, Michael?' He said, 'Ricky, stay inspired. That's the hardest thing to do. If you can figure out a way to stay inspired, you can make it.' Ricky Schroder stars secret world I don't know why it is, but sometimes I feel like I'm 60. It's like I've been around for a long time. I felt that way even when I was 8. Ricky Schroder sometimes long way I didn't take the reins of my career until I was about 21, and I've been in charge since then. Ricky Schroder reins careers I did a lot of gasoline commercials - Hess, Texaco. I was part of the family in the car, the little brat in the back. Ricky Schroder gasoline car littles I'm just not a quitter and I just never, ever give up. I was forced to adapt because if I didn't, I was losing inspiration only doing what I was doing. Ricky Schroder giving-up inspiration losing I demand excellence from the people I work with. Ricky Schroder demand excellence people I have a career I am proud of as a child actor. I'm not running away from it or embarassed with anything I did. Ricky Schroder careers running children I always knew I was going to be a family man. Ricky Schroder family-man men An actor is like an instrument, tune them, play them the right way. Ricky Schroder actors play way I didn't grow up around wild horses, no. But I've appreciated their beauty and their power ever since I can remember. Ricky Schroder horse growing-up remember My career was full of struggles and dreams, disappointments and peaks and valleys. But there was no Twitter, no Facebook or TMZ. Young actors could make mistakes and not become the focus of tabloids. Ricky Schroder disappointment dream mistake Directing, I just feel comfortable. I know what I want. I know what I want from my crew. I lead by example. I have limitless energy as a director. Ricky Schroder energy example directors I can be tough on actors, but I also let them know early on in our relationship what I expect from them. Ricky Schroder our-relationship tough actors
