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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 started a French degree at university, but packed it in when I realised I really wanted to be an actor.

Quotes by James Nesbitt

When the major studios flourished many years ago, an actor was groomed, developed, and worked frequently at his craft. The studios really took care of their actors.

Quotes by James MacArthur

It wasn't until I'd turned 50 and had been in the business 25 years that I realized I might actually have a career as an actor.

Quotes by James Garner

I never wanted to be an actor. I got stuck in it and kind of liked what I was doing.

Quotes by James Garner

I'm a Methodist, but not as an actor.

Quotes by James Garner

No one asked me to be an actor, so no one owed me. There was no entitlement.

Quotes by James Earl Jones

I consider myself a novice film actor.

Quotes by James Earl Jones

My definition of a character actor is - they never get the girl.

Quotes by James Cromwell

Doing Shakespeare certainly makes you a better actor.

Quotes by James Avery

You can either be a movie star or an actor. I'm an actor.

Quotes by James Avery

No one from my town has ever become a model or an actor before.

Quotes by Jacquelyn Jablonski

Actor's life is very long.

Quotes by Jackie Chan

To me, the series was the end of the actor, when the series ended.

Quotes by Jackie Cooper

Nobody deserves this much money - certainly not an actor.

Quotes by Jack Lemmon

The life of an actor is never one to get comfortable.

Quotes by Jack McBrayer

I actually didn't always want to be an actor.

Quotes by Jack Kilmer

What goes on between the actor and director is sacred.

Quotes by Jack Kilmer

The lifestyle that comes with being an actor in a successful TV show isn't something I gravitate toward.

Quotes by Jack Gleeson

Cue actor platitude, but I've been very fortunate and worked pretty consistently and have felt rather annoyingly grateful that I got to do what I got to do.

Quotes by Jack Davenport

My aunt was so attuned to commercials that she could always identify the voiceover actor.

Quotes by J. K. Simmons

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.