--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never really thought of myself as being…" description: "\"I never really thought of myself as being an action hero or a leading man or any of that. I'm a character actor.\" — Aaron Paul" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f7/aaron-paul-4009_action_i-never-really-thought-of-myself-as-bein_43722.jpg" --- # I never really thought of myself as being an action hero… ![“I never really thought of myself as being an action hero or a leading man or any of that. I'm a character actor.” quote by Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f7/aaron-paul-4009_action_i-never-really-thought-of-myself-as-bein_43722.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f7/aaron-paul-4009_action_i-never-really-thought-of-myself-as-bein_43722.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f7/aaron-paul-4009_action_i-never-really-thought-of-myself-as-bein_43722.jpg) > “I never really thought of myself as being an action hero or a leading man or any of that. I'm a character actor.” [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He emphasizes his identity as a versatile performer rather than a stereotypical leading figure, valuing depth over fame. **In simple terms:** Self-definition beyond hero archetype Key Takeaway Embrace supporting roles Themes identity humility craft versatility self-perception Mood reflective humble confident Type personal statement career insight When to use this quote - auditions - casting decisions - career counseling - actor workshops - industry panels Key Concepts character acting career mindset personal branding Practical Applications - career coaching for actors - film school curricula Questions to Reflect On - How does defining oneself by role type limit growth? - What benefits arise from focusing on character depth? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Action hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action-hero/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-actor/) [Hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hero/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [Honestly, when you think of any great action hero or any great hero out there or great character actor, you kind of transcend the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-stahelski/honestly-when-you-think-of-any-great-action-hero-or-any-great-hero/) [Chad Stahelski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-stahelski/) > [No action hero is more closely associated with cars than James Bond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-hammond/no-action-hero-is-more-closely-associated-with-cars-than-james-bond/) [Richard Hammond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-hammond/) > [I've heard people tell me there's never been a gay character like Agron on TV before, and some fans have even thanked me because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-feuerriegel/i-ve-heard-people-tell-me-there-s-never-been-a-gay-character-like/) [Dan Feuerriegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-feuerriegel/) > [I'm a real-life action hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-van-dam/i-m-a-real-life-action-hero/) [Rob Van Dam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-van-dam/) > [I love the idea of a movie hero in a thriller who is able to get ahead by just his brilliance, and not with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-strong/i-love-the-idea-of-a-movie-hero-in-a-thriller-who-is-able-to-get/) [Danny Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-strong/) > [I'm not your traditional action hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-stanford/i-m-not-your-traditional-action-hero/) [Aaron Stanford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-stanford/) > [I'm not a leading man. I'm a character actor. That's what I want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-bautista/i-m-not-a-leading-man-i-m-a-character-actor-that-s-what-i-want-to-be/) [Dave Bautista](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-bautista/) > [I have a problem with the term 'leading man.' It's so limiting; it involves not upsetting anyone. Obviously, we have anti-heroes now, but if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmi-simpson/i-have-a-problem-with-the-term-leading-man-it-s-so-limiting-it/) [Jimmi Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmi-simpson/) > [Narendra Modi is a dashing, dynamic, futuristic, able, respectable, acceptable, dabbang, visionary, action hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shatrughan-sinha/narendra-modi-is-a-dashing-dynamic-futuristic-able-respectable/) [Shatrughan Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shatrughan-sinha/) > [I'm trying to get my next job as a biracial action hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pooch-hall/i-m-trying-to-get-my-next-job-as-a-biracial-action-hero/) [Pooch Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pooch-hall/) > [I consider myself absolutely a character actor, and that's what I want as a career. I don't need to be the lead star or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/i-consider-myself-absolutely-a-character-actor-and-that-s-what-i-want/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [I'm a character actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/i-m-a-character-actor/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [I can play the leading man. I can play the action hero, maybe in just a different way. I look at it as, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/verne-troyer/i-can-play-the-leading-man-i-can-play-the-action-hero-maybe-in-just-a/) [Verne Troyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/verne-troyer/) > [Growing up, I'd watch 'Rambo' or 'Commando,' and so many action heroes were these huge guys with six-pack abs. It almost became a novelty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucas-till/growing-up-i-d-watch-rambo-or-commando-and-so-many-action-heroes-were/) [Lucas Till](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucas-till/) > [It was never really my choice to be an action heroine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/izabella-scorupco/it-was-never-really-my-choice-to-be-an-action-heroine/) [Izabella Scorupco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/izabella-scorupco/) ## More by Aaron Paul > [I love coming of age stories that have struggle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/i-love-coming-of-age-stories-that-have-struggle/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [A lot of people get emotional in movies that are cartoons, but not in TV shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/a-lot-of-people-get-emotional-in-movies-that-are-cartoons-but-not-in/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [I've been snowboarding my whole life. My wife's really good, and I just try to keep up with her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/i-ve-been-snowboarding-my-whole-life-my-wife-s-really-good-and-i-just/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [Is it bad that I want the singer of Alabama shakes to marry Lauren and I? Samsung you out did yourself with this one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/is-it-bad-that-i-want-the-singer-of-alabama-shakes-to-marry-lauren/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [I saw a lot of people have success handed to them that then exploited it. They didn't protect it or cherish it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/i-saw-a-lot-of-people-have-success-handed-to-them-that-then-exploited/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [I hate musicals. There, I said it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/i-hate-musicals-there-i-said-it/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [It's so nice to be part of a project that you're actually really proud of because when I first started, just to make ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/it-s-so-nice-to-be-part-of-a-project-that-you-re-actually-really/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [Today is a day to celebrate love, equality and justice. Congratulations to the supreme court for finally opening up their eyes. Way to go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/today-is-a-day-to-celebrate-love-equality-and-justice-congratulations/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [You feel like you're really a part of a movement when you're singing Journey at a karaoke bar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/you-feel-like-you-re-really-a-part-of-a-movement-when-you-re-singing/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [On a big film, there's almost no way you can meet everyone. On an indie, there are 30 people and no trailers to duck into.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/on-a-big-film-there-s-almost-no-way-you-can-meet-everyone-on-an-indie/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [This business is such a rollercoaster of crazy rejections and emotions, but I knew that going into it, so you've got to be definitely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/this-business-is-such-a-rollercoaster-of-crazy-rejections-and/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [When I was six all I could think about was ding-dongs and yo-yos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/when-i-was-six-all-i-could-think-about-was-ding-dongs-and-yo-yos/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [I have no idea but I love it. I think it's wonderful. My buddy who lives with me in my house, he won one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/i-have-no-idea-but-i-love-it-i-think-it-s-wonderful-my-buddy-who/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [I was very driven in high school. I worked a bunch of odd jobs. I never partied. I never drank. I was just a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/i-was-very-driven-in-high-school-i-worked-a-bunch-of-odd-jobs-i-never/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [I drive a 1965 Shelby Cobra. I love classic muscle cars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/i-drive-a-1965-shelby-cobra-i-love-classic-muscle-cars/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) [Explore all 117 Aaron Paul quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I never really thought of myself as being an action hero or a leading man or any of that. 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