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Actor Quotes

The craft, nerves, and quiet discipline of acting.

These actor quotes capture the appeal of the work itself over the discomfort of interviews, the rehearsal room as the real proving ground, and the personal risk of choosing acting as a career in the first place. See Character for more on building a role.

I'm a director's actor; I'm a storyteller's actor.

Quotes by Michael Ironside

I think every actor has their list of roles that were near misses. I've had my share.

Quotes by Michael Eklund

I think every actor has their list of roles that were near misses. I've had my share. I was very close and almost cast in Philip Seymour Hoffman's 'Capote.'

Quotes by Michael Eklund

I've always tried to kind of stretch my wings as an actor and do things that are different.

Quotes by Michael Douglas

The first actor I ever saw was The Lone Ranger. I thought, That's what I want to do.

Quotes by Michael Caine

I'll always be there because I'm a skilled professional actor. Whether or not I've any talent is beside the point.

Quotes by Michael Caine

A brick layer, lays bricks... I'm an Actor, that's what I do.

Quotes by Michael Chiklis

I'm a rapper trying to be an actor.

Quotes by Method Man

Being an actor on a movie set is like going to the playground at recess.

Quotes by Melissa Leo

An actor's life is fairly lonely.

Quotes by Melissa Leo

I'm very old-school. I like a director to direct me. I like to be the actor.

Quotes by Melissa Leo

As the lead actor, you naturally get involved with a show.

Quotes by Melina Kanakaredes

Of course, every actor wants to play as many roles on the Richter scale as they can, and Rachel Koresh certainly is very different from Supergirl, but she shares a lot of the strength that Supergirl has.

Quotes by Melissa Benoist

Well, as an actor, at least from my standpoint, I can't not like who I'm playing.

Quotes by Megan Hilty

I'm an actor. I started as an actor. I started on Broadway doing 'Hair' and Shakespeare in the Park.

Quotes by Meat Loaf

There's a tremendous amount to be gained from being a performer, and being an artist, and being an actor.

Quotes by Mayim Bialik

I'm super grateful to be an employed actor.

Quotes by Mayim Bialik

I played Li'l Abner and Batman in school plays; I wanted to be an actor to play all these different characters.

Quotes by Maz Jobrani

To be honest, I don't think I'm an actor. I'm a creator - or try to be.

Quotes by Maximilian Schell

When I'm not acting, I don't feel like an actor.

Quotes by Maxine Peake

Frequently Asked Questions

What do these quotes reveal about the life of an actor?
They touch on the simple joy of the work itself, the contrast between acting and being interviewed, the importance of rehearsal, and how big a personal shift becoming an actor can be. For more reflections on identity, see our Being quotes.
Is there a quote about enjoying the work of acting itself?
Yes — it says, "One of the things I enjoyed the most is just working as an actor."
Does one quote compare acting to being interviewed?
Yes. It says, "I believe it's easier to be an actor. Somehow, interviewing seems to be intrusive on people's lives." For more on the craft of acting, check out our Character quotes.
Is there a quote about the importance of rehearsal?
Yes — it states, "The rehearsal is where it all happens for an actor." If you enjoy quotes about dedication to a craft, our Always quotes are worth a look.
Does one quote describe becoming an actor as a big life change?
Yes, it says, "My becoming an actor was a massive shift for me, and a terrifying one." For more on embracing big life changes, see our Good quotes.

Browse Being or Good for more perspectives on performance and identity.