Tony Lip The world is full of lonely people afraid to make the first move.
Played by Viggo Mortensen 
Green Book (2018) · 21 quotes
Green Book (2018) · 21 quotes
Most-quoted character in Green Book (2018): in 17 of its 21 quotes
Most scenes with: Don Shirley (13)
You know, my father used to say, whatever you do, do it 100%. When you work, work. When you laugh, laugh. When you eat, eat like it's your last meal.
More lines from Tony Lip
3 quotes Tony Lip Tony Lip [Eating KFC in Kentucky]
Mmm. I think this is the best Kentucky Fried Chicken I ever had. But I guess it's fresher down here, right?
Tony Lip It's like what your friend the President said, "Ask not... Your country, what you could do for it. Ask what you do for yourself." Y'know?
Scenes with Tony Lip
13 scenes
I am not a medical doctor. I'm a musician. I'm about to embark on a concert tour in the Deep South. What other experience do you have?
Tony Lip Public relations.
Tony Lip You know, when you first hired me, my wife went out and bought one of your records. The one about the orphans?
Orphans?
Tony Lip Yeah. Cover had a bunch of kids sittin' around a campfire?
Orpheus.
Tony Lip ...Yeah.
Orpheus in the Underworld. It's based on a French opera. And those weren't children on the cover, those were demons in the bowels of Hell.
Tony Lip No shit! They must've been naughty kids!
I’ve been looking for you.
Tony Lip Yeah, sorry. The guys were having a little game.
Next time you need extra money, just ask me.
Tony Lip It’s more fun winning it.
And what if you lost?
Tony Lip Craps and cards. I don’t lose, Doc. I don’t lose.
So stooping down in the gravel pitching dice for pocket change makes you a winner?
Tony Lip What are you giving me shit for? Everybody was doing it.
They didn’t have a choice whether to be inside or out. You did. Now, wipe off your knees. You have dirt on them.
Before we pull out, Tony, we need to have a talk.
Tony Lip Yeah?
Oleg told me what you did.
Tony Lip What'd I do?
You stole a jade stone from the store.
Tony Lip No I didn't.
He watched you do it.
Tony Lip I didn't steal no stone.
You picked it up and put it in your pocket.
Tony Lip I picked up a rock off of the ground. I didn't steal it from a box.
Now why would you pick up a rock off the ground?
Tony Lip I don't know. Cause it ain't stealing. It's just a regular rock.
And why would you want a regular rock?
Tony Lip To have. For luck, maybe.
A lucky rock.
Tony Lip Yeah.
Let me see it. [Don holds out his hand; reluctantly Tony hands him the rock] Mm-hmm. Take it back and pay for it.
Tony Lip [swears in Italian]
I told you that Kraut was a snake. Rats me out for something I didn't even do!
Pay for the stone, Tony; you'll feel better.
Tony Lip I feel fine! And I ain't paying for no regular rock I found in the dirt. [starts to drive]
Do not drive, Mr. Vallelonga. [Tony stops] Put it back.
[after a brief pause, Tony reluctantly goes to the box, puts the stone back, and goes back to the car]
Feel better?
Tony Lip No.
If you like, Tony, I'd happily buy you the stone.
Tony Lip Don't bother. You took all the fun out of it.
What on God's green earth are you doing?
Tony Lip A letter.
Looks more like a piecemeal ransom note. May I? "Dear Dolores"... D-E-A-R. [taps paper] This is an animal. "I'm meeting all the highly leading citizens of the town. People that use big words, all of them. But you know me, I get by. I'm a good bullshitter." Two Ts in bullshitter. "As I'm writing this letter, I'm eating potato chips, and I'm starting to get thirsty. I washed my socks and dried them on the TV. I should have... brung... the iron..." You know this is pathetic, right?
Could you put out the cigarette, please?
Tony Lip Why?
I can't breathe back here.
Tony Lip What are you talkin' about? Smoke's going down my lungs. I'm doin' all the work here.
Tony Lip Ain't they supposed to be following us?
They have the itinerary. As long as they get to the show on time, I'm not worried about it, and neither should you.
Tony Lip I ain't worried about nothin'... In fact, when you see me worried? You'll know.
Tony...
Tony Lip You'll know if I'm worried...
How 'bout some quiet time? Hmm?
Tony Lip [Shrugging]
Sure. [Chuckles] It's amazing you said that. "How 'bout some quiet time?" Dolores, my wife, used to say that all the time... Well, not all the time but, y'know, she says it when, when I come home from work sometime, you know, she been with the kids all day and she'll say, "Tony? How 'bout some quiet time?" Exactly like how you said it! I mean, it's amazing...
Tony! I'm sorry about last night.
Tony Lip ...Don't worry 'bout it. I been working nightclubs in New York City my whole life. I know it's a... complicated world.
Tony Lip I dunno. Personally I think if you stuck to the classic stuff it would've been a big mistake.
A mistake? Performing the music I trained my entire life to play?
Tony Lip Trained? What are you, a seal? People love what you do! Anyone can sound like Beethoven or Joe Pan or them other guys you said. But your music, what you do? Only you can do that!
Thank you, Tony. But not everyone can play Chopin. Not like I can.
So where did this "Tony the Lip" moniker come from?
Tony Lip [laughs]
It's not "Tony the Lip", it's "Tony Lip". One word. I got it when I was a kid 'cause my friends said I was the best bullshit artist in the Bronx. [Chuckles]
Tony Lip What do you mean?
It doesn't bother you that your friends – the people closest to you – consider you a liar?
Tony Lip Who said liar? I said bullshit artist!
And what's the difference?
Tony Lip 'Cause I don't lie! Ever! I'm just good at talkin' people into... y'know, doin' things they don't wanna do... By bullshittin' 'em. [Grins]
And you're proud of that?
Tony Lip Well, it got me this job.
Tony Lip You know, if this got out, it would kill your career.
OK Tony, I need you to stop it with the phony altruism and concern for my career.
Tony Lip The hell's that mean?
You were only thinking about yourself back there because you know if I miss a show it'd come out of your pocketbook.
Tony Lip Of course I don't want you to miss a show, you ungrateful bastard! You think I'm doing this for my health? Tonight I saved your ass! So show a little appreciation, maybe! Besides, I told you never to go nowhere without me!
...I assumed you'd want this to be the exception.
Tony Lip [Surveying the snow]
This could get bad, Doc.
Yes. It's a shame we don't have something to protect us on our journey. Oh, I know. Why don't you put your lucky rock up on the dash, Tony? Come on, Tony, we need all the help we can get.
Tony Lip You're a real prick, you know that?
Tony Lip You know, Doc, something's been eating at me this whole trip.
Hmm?
Tony Lip That Titsburgh was a major disappointment. I didn't notice any difference at all. Did you?
Good night, Tony.
