--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think by eighth grade I knew I wanted…" description: "\"I think by eighth grade I knew I wanted to be an actor. I'd done church plays and stuff, but my first actual acting class was in eighth grade. I was ob..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/155/aaron-paul-4009_acting_i-think-by-eighth-grade-i-knew-i-wanted_1057988.jpg" --- # I think by eighth grade I knew I wanted to be an actor… ![“I think by eighth grade I knew I wanted to be an actor. I'd done church plays and stuff, but my first actual acting class was in eighth grade. I was obsessed with it.” quote by Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/155/aaron-paul-4009_acting_i-think-by-eighth-grade-i-knew-i-wanted_1057988.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/155/aaron-paul-4009_acting_i-think-by-eighth-grade-i-knew-i-wanted_1057988.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/155/aaron-paul-4009_acting_i-think-by-eighth-grade-i-knew-i-wanted_1057988.jpg) > “I think by eighth grade I knew I wanted to be an actor. I'd done church plays and stuff, but my first actual acting class was in eighth grade. I was obsessed with it.” [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. Early realization of a passion for acting, leading to dedicated study and practice. **In simple terms:** He discovered his love for acting early and pursued it. Key Takeaway Follow your passion early and train diligently. Themes passion career early discovery dedication Mood inspirational reflective Type career personal When to use this quote - school plays - acting classes - career decisions - personal growth Key Concepts artistic development career planning Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take to nurture early passions? - How can you sustain motivation over time? A Different Perspective Early interest may not guarantee success without support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Acting class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-class/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actual Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actual-acting-333005/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Eighth grade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eighth-grade/) [Grade Knew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grade-knew-2225556/) [Obsessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obsessed/) [Stuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stuff/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Wanted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted/) ## Related quotes > [We plan ahead so we know what's to come. By eighth grade, we knew we would never leave each other. We talk about having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquill-griffin/we-plan-ahead-so-we-know-what-s-to-come-by-eighth-grade-we-knew-we/) [Shaquill Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquill-griffin/) > [What's beautiful about the actual acting class environment is that you can use it to push through everything: push your voice, push your inhibitions,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-olivieri/what-s-beautiful-about-the-actual-acting-class-environment-is-that/) [Dawn Olivieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-olivieri/) > [I ended up going to public school in the first grade, and that's when I knew I had to be very strategic about my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carmen-carrera/i-ended-up-going-to-public-school-in-the-first-grade-and-that-s-when/) [Carmen Carrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carmen-carrera/) > [In the first grade, I already knew the pattern of my life. I didn't know the living of it, but I knew the line……](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-berliawsky-nevelson/in-the-first-grade-i-already-knew-the-pattern-of-my-life-i-didn-t/) [Louise Berliawsky Nevelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-berliawsky-nevelson/) > [I auditioned for a play in fifth grade, and that's when I knew that I wanted to be a singer and performer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-pruitt/i-auditioned-for-a-play-in-fifth-grade-and-that-s-when-i-knew-that-i/) [Jordan Pruitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-pruitt/) > [In terms of my actual acting, I don't really like to to copy anyone or replicate anything that I've seen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dacre-montgomery/in-terms-of-my-actual-acting-i-don-t-really-like-to-to-copy-anyone-or/) [Dacre Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dacre-montgomery/) > [My favorite thing about acting is being alone and going through the scripts and working on it and getting ideas and asking myself questions,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-seymour-hoffman/my-favorite-thing-about-acting-is-being-alone-and-going-through-the/) [Philip Seymour Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-seymour-hoffman/) > [I believe over the last six years now, I've been learning in between actual acting moments on the show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/i-believe-over-the-last-six-years-now-i-ve-been-learning-in-between/) [Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) > [I have actual acting scars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-have-actual-acting-scars/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [The acting background helped a lot when I started writing. I was training for it. In acting class they teach you about the stakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-higgins-clark/the-acting-background-helped-a-lot-when-i-started-writing-i-was/) [Carol Higgins Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-higgins-clark/) > [As a kid, I was really into performing. I would do choruses, I would do musicals, whatever it was. And then, as a teenager,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matisyahu/as-a-kid-i-was-really-into-performing-i-would-do-choruses-i-would-do/) [Matisyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matisyahu/) > [When I was in school, in eighth grade, someone recognized something in me. She was an English teacher, and we read a play out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-morse/when-i-was-in-school-in-eighth-grade-someone-recognized-something-in/) [David Morse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-morse/) > [If you want to play the good roles, spend more time in in college and in acting class than you do in the gym,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendi-mclendon-covey/if-you-want-to-play-the-good-roles-spend-more-time-in-in-college-and/) [Wendi McLendon-Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendi-mclendon-covey/) > [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'm obsessed with Radiohead. They're just the greatest band on the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/i-m-obsessed-with-radiohead-they-re-just-the-greatest-band-on-the/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) ## 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/) > [I never really thought of myself as being an action hero or a leading man or any of that. I'm a character actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/i-never-really-thought-of-myself-as-being-an-action-hero-or-a-leading/) [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/) [Explore all 117 Aaron Paul quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) [Ryan Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-newman/) > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think by eighth grade I knew I wanted to be an actor. I'd done church plays and stuff, but my first actual acting class was in eighth grade. 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