Philippe Petit

It's an irony to be both poor and famous, but that's what I am. As far as money goes, I'm usually in a disaster situation, just barely afloat. I helped a benefit committee raise half a million dollars, but I couldn't afford the taxi home. I get lots of offers to walk the high wire, but I choose what I say yes to. I've been a street juggler for ten years...and, yes, I pass my hat....I have no shame. Last winter, I demolished a house for $5 an hour. And I wash windows very well. [1986] Show less «

We live in a world where our senses are dulled by so many images, where we surrender ourselves to little robots. I hate my century, I hate what's going on around me, so I don't participate. I don't have a laptop, I don't have a cellphone, I can't send an email. I'm an imbecile! But I say that with pride. Show less «

I don't have respect for people who walk on the wire with any kind of safety net. I don't really like the fact that if you fall you die, but it's part of what the wire is. Show less «

[on future plans] One of those dreams of mine is to walk in that beautiful place called Easter Island and to involve my wire to encompass in the theatrical presentation the beautiful statue called the Moai and to involve in my presentation the Rapa Nui who live on the island to be part of the celebration and the show. That is the very mysterious almost mystic performance I would like to put together. For that, I need the help of producers, but by talking about it someday I will meet somebody who will say, okay, let's construct that dream. Let's make it happen.[Oct.2015] Show less «