Who said “All my life, I've always wanted to be somebody, but I see now I should have been more…”?

Verified

Lily Tomlin. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe (1985)

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“All my life, I've always wanted to be somebody, but I see now I should have been more specific.”
— Lily Tomlin
VerifiedThe Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe (1985) · evidenceDetail

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe (1985).

APA

Tomlin, L. (n.d.). All my life, I've always wanted to be somebody, but I see now I should have been more specific. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13396-all-my-life-ive-always-wanted-to-be/

MLA

Tomlin, Lily. “All my life, I've always wanted to be somebody, but I see now I should have been more specific.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13396-all-my-life-ive-always-wanted-to-be/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Tomlin, Lily. “All my life, I've always wanted to be somebody, but I see now I should have been more specific.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13396-all-my-life-ive-always-wanted-to-be/.

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