--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I had a sympathetic role in…" description: "\"I had a sympathetic role in 'thirtysomething,' and in two weeks I'm going to do the role again. But in the movies, I just love the heavies. It's much m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/838/alan-king-11429_balls_i-had-a-sympathetic-role-in-thirtysometh_2271706.jpg" --- # I had a sympathetic role in 'thirtysomething,' and in two… ![“I had a sympathetic role in 'thirtysomething,' and in two weeks I'm going to do the role again. But in the movies, I just love the heavies. It's much more fun. Villains are a ball. People have been laughing at me for 50 years, so I love to sit in the back of the theater and listen to them hate me.” quote by Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/838/alan-king-11429_balls_i-had-a-sympathetic-role-in-thirtysometh_2271706.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/838/alan-king-11429_balls_i-had-a-sympathetic-role-in-thirtysometh_2271706.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/838/alan-king-11429_balls_i-had-a-sympathetic-role-in-thirtysometh_2271706.jpg) > “I had a sympathetic role in 'thirtysomething,' and in two weeks I'm going to do the role again. But in the movies, I just love the heavies. It's much more fun. Villains are a ball. People have been laughing at me for 50 years, so I love to sit in the back of the theater and listen to them hate me.” [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The performer enjoys playing villainous roles, finding humor and freedom in being disliked, contrasting with a long career of being mocked. **In simple terms:** Villains are fun to portray. Key Takeaway Embrace roles that challenge you. Themes entertainment identity audience dynamics Mood playful ironic Type comedic reflective When to use this quote - theatre - film casting - stand‑up shows Key Concepts villain archetype self‑acceptance performance art Questions to Reflect On - Why do we love to hate fictional villains? - How does playing a villain affect a performer’s self‑image? A Different Perspective It may reinforce negative stereotypes or audience hostility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Balls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balls/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Going Role](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-role-896456/) [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [Hate me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate-me/) [Heavies Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heavies-fun-5267792/) [Laughing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughing/) [Love Heavies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-heavies-5267791/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Role Movies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/role-movies-796311/) [Role Thirtysomething](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/role-thirtysomething-5267790/) [Roles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roles/) [Sympathetic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sympathetic/) [Theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theater/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Two weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two-weeks/) [Villain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/villain/) [Week](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/week/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [Heavy role in the movies that I've done that I have loved and fit my soul; A Simple Plan, Monster's Ball, Sling Blade, One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/heavy-role-in-the-movies-that-i-ve-done-that-i-have-loved-and-fit-my/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [“When my turn on the program comes, I am not nervous at all—because all this is happening out of time, out of space. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-hoffman/when-my-turn-on-the-program-comes-i-am-not-nervous-at-all-because-all/) [Eva Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-hoffman/) > [I grew up watching Hong Kong noir films. As a kid, I often imagined myself playing the lead role in such movies, performing gun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeon-yeo-been/i-grew-up-watching-hong-kong-noir-films-as-a-kid-i-often-imagined/) [Jeon Yeo-been](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeon-yeo-been/) > [I'm just going out there to do my role, the same role - defense first - and then see how the ball turns out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-m-just-going-out-there-to-do-my-role-the-same-role-defense-first/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [It's difficult to say no sometimes. I often hear, "They'll really take care of you," or "Someone else is going to take the role…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hanks/it-s-difficult-to-say-no-sometimes-i-often-hear-they-ll-really-take/) [Tom Hanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hanks/) > [The first thing I do, after I talk with the director and we agree that I'm going to do the role... My jumping off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/the-first-thing-i-do-after-i-talk-with-the-director-and-we-agree-that/) [Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/) > [If you're going to give me the role of Darna, I'll accept it. I will work hard, I will train, I will attend workshops.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pia-wurtzbach/if-you-re-going-to-give-me-the-role-of-darna-i-ll-accept-it-i-will/) [Pia Wurtzbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pia-wurtzbach/) > [I would say that 98 percent of the time you are not going to get the role you are going after. I think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-lilley/i-would-say-that-98-percent-of-the-time-you-are-not-going-to-get-the/) [Jen Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lilley/) > [When I choose a role, what I'm looking for is the ability is to tell our stories. Me being a black woman, that's just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teyonah-parris/when-i-choose-a-role-what-i-m-looking-for-is-the-ability-is-to-tell/) [Teyonah Parris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teyonah-parris/) > [“I'm beginning to think that if you're going to have a role model you should probably pick someone who's already dead so they can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dyan-sheldon/i-m-beginning-to-think-that-if-you-re-going-to-have-a-role-model-you/) [Dyan Sheldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dyan-sheldon/) > [Sometimes it takes guys time to get acclimated, especially to a good team. You try to find out what's going to be your role…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-hill/sometimes-it-takes-guys-time-to-get-acclimated-especially-to-a-good/) [George Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-hill/) > [I don't worry too much about typecasting. I just figure, one way or another, I'm going to find another role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lloyd/i-don-t-worry-too-much-about-typecasting-i-just-figure-one-way-or/) [Christopher Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lloyd/) > [With every single role, you're not going to get a role unless you invest your whole heart into it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hutcherson/with-every-single-role-you-re-not-going-to-get-a-role-unless-you/) [Josh Hutcherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-hutcherson/) > [I am not going to take a role because there's money. It might extend my checkbook, but not my integrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-rodriguez/i-am-not-going-to-take-a-role-because-there-s-money-it-might-extend/) [Gina Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-rodriguez/) > [Sometimes with auditions and going up for a role, you don't want to admit to yourself that it's everything you've ever wanted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-dynevor/sometimes-with-auditions-and-going-up-for-a-role-you-don-t-want-to/) [Phoebe Dynevor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-dynevor/) ## More by Alan King > [My mother's sister was killed in a trolley car accident, so I was raised as one of eight with my sister and six male…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-king/my-mother-s-sister-was-killed-in-a-trolley-car-accident-so-i-was/) [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) > [The ability to absorb a book and make someone else's words and story your own was exactly was I was doing on stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-king/the-ability-to-absorb-a-book-and-make-someone-else-s-words-and-story/) [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) > [I learned to cook in self-defense. My wife doesn't know what a kitchen is. In the first month of our marriage, she broiled lamb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-king/i-learned-to-cook-in-self-defense-my-wife-doesn-t-know-what-a-kitchen/) [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) > [Modesty is not one of my virtues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-king/modesty-is-not-one-of-my-virtues/) [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) > [My father was a dreamer - my hero. He was a smart, tough guy from Poland, a cutter of lady's handbags, an old socialist-unionist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-king/my-father-was-a-dreamer-my-hero-he-was-a-smart-tough-guy-from-poland/) [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) > [My brother is the youngest member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. And I wouldn't let him cut my nails.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-king/my-brother-is-the-youngest-member-of-the-college-of-physicians-and/) [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) > [And humor has always been a weapon. You want to get even on somebody? You want to attack somebody? Make fun of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-king/and-humor-has-always-been-a-weapon-you-want-to-get-even-on-somebody/) [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) > [You do live longer with bran, but you spend the last fifteen years on the toilet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-king/you-do-live-longer-with-bran-but-you-spend-the-last-fifteen-years-on/) [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) > [There's a charm, there's a rhythm, there's a soul to Jewish humor. When I first saw Richard Pryor perform, I told him, 'You're doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-king/there-s-a-charm-there-s-a-rhythm-there-s-a-soul-to-jewish-humor-when/) [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) > [Age, style, where you come from, where you were born, it's different every time, which, to me, is refreshing because it says that there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-king/age-style-where-you-come-from-where-you-were-born-it-s-different/) [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) > [Everything my mother made had to cook for 80 hours, and when she made matzoh balls she didn't know fluffy. Everything sank.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-king/everything-my-mother-made-had-to-cook-for-80-hours-and-when-she-made/) [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) > [There's nobody to believe in anymore, nobody to trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-king/there-s-nobody-to-believe-in-anymore-nobody-to-trust/) [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) > [Comedy is an amazing calling. Once you get that first laugh, it's hard to turn away. Then, of course, you're hooked and you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-king/comedy-is-an-amazing-calling-once-you-get-that-first-laugh-it-s-hard/) [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) > [Museums are good things, places to look and absorb and learn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-king/museums-are-good-things-places-to-look-and-absorb-and-learn/) [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) > [It's not easy being a father, but I've been allowed a comeback.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-king/it-s-not-easy-being-a-father-but-i-ve-been-allowed-a-comeback/) [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) [Explore all 60 Alan King quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) ## More Balls quotes > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [Once you pull the trigger, you've got to throw balls aggressively and with conviction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-smith/once-you-pull-the-trigger-you-ve-got-to-throw-balls-aggressively-and/) [Alex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-smith/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [Play small ball. Get back to basics. I would say that you need to be a conservative, but you need to maintain your independent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-tantaros/play-small-ball-get-back-to-basics-i-would-say-that-you-need-to-be-a/) [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) > [Donald Trump is a different ball of wax. I've been trying to say for I don't know how many months now that the traditional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/donald-trump-is-a-different-ball-of-wax-i-ve-been-trying-to-say-for-i/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Well, you can certainly teach free-throwing. And you can teach the boys to pass at angles and run in curves. - University of Kansas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-dawkins/well-you-can-certainly-teach-free-throwing-and-you-can-teach-the-boys/) [Darryl Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-dawkins/) > [Maybe bring in sponge balls to learn the technique and gain that experience of actually challenging for a header.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mason/maybe-bring-in-sponge-balls-to-learn-the-technique-and-gain-that/) [Ryan Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mason/) > [I like René Descartes' theory about a ball of wax. You can change its form from solid to liquid, but it's still the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmy-rossum/i-like-ren-descartes-theory-about-a-ball-of-wax-you-can-change-its/) [Emmy Rossum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmy-rossum/) > [It wasn't really touching to be young; it was touching not to be young, because you had less of life left. Touching to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-macaulay/it-wasn-t-really-touching-to-be-young-it-was-touching-not-to-be-young/) [Rose Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-macaulay/) > [This ball was so crowded that it took me - a trained professional journalist with vast experience in this area - forty five minutes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/this-ball-was-so-crowded-that-it-took-me-a-trained-professional/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [Common sense is the guy who tells you that you ought to have had your brakes relined last week before you smashed a front…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-chandler/common-sense-is-the-guy-who-tells-you-that-you-ought-to-have-had-your/) [Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-chandler/) > [Throwing a ball is not natural, whether it's overhand or underhand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennie-finch/throwing-a-ball-is-not-natural-whether-it-s-overhand-or-underhand/) [Jennie Finch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennie-finch/) > [I don't feel like I have to live up to anything because I've proven that I can play. Give me the ball and let's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clinton-portis/i-don-t-feel-like-i-have-to-live-up-to-anything-because-i-ve-proven/) [Clinton Portis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clinton-portis/) > [And if we seem nutty to you and if we seem like an odd ball to you, just remember one thing. The mighty oak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-turner/and-if-we-seem-nutty-to-you-and-if-we-seem-like-an-odd-ball-to-you/) [Glenn Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-turner/) > [You run the football for toughness. You run the ball to tell your opponent that you're as tough as they are. But you throw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-glanville/you-run-the-football-for-toughness-you-run-the-ball-to-tell-your/) [Jerry Glanville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-glanville/) [Browse all 3,005 Balls quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balls/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I had a sympathetic role in 'thirtysomething,' and in two weeks I'm going to do the role again. But in the movies, I just love the heavies. It's much more fun. Villains are a ball. 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