--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you're acting on TV, you want to…" description: "\"When you're acting on TV, you want to keep it real.\" — Ben Schwartz" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/ben-schwartz-20775_acting_when-you-re-acting-on-tv-you-want-to-kee_1075915.jpg" --- # When you're acting on TV, you want to keep it real. ![“When you're acting on TV, you want to keep it real.” quote by Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/ben-schwartz-20775_acting_when-you-re-acting-on-tv-you-want-to-kee_1075915.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/ben-schwartz-20775_acting_when-you-re-acting-on-tv-you-want-to-kee_1075915.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/ben-schwartz-20775_acting_when-you-re-acting-on-tv-you-want-to-kee_1075915.jpg) > “When you're acting on TV, you want to keep it real.” [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He believes authenticity on screen is essential, urging actors to stay true to themselves. **In simple terms:** Stay genuine when acting. Key Takeaway Prioritize authenticity in performance. Themes authenticity acting media Mood creative thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - film sets - live TV - improv workshops Key Concepts method acting public image Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance truth with character? A Different Perspective Realism may clash with script demands. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Acting Tv](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-tv-376530/) [Keeping it real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keeping-it-real/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Tv Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tv-want-523288/) [Tvs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tvs/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Want Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-real/) ## Related quotes > [I don't differentiate between acting on TV and in films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prachi-desai/i-don-t-differentiate-between-acting-on-tv-and-in-films/) [Prachi Desai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prachi-desai/) > [Fake tan. Fake smile. Fake nails. Fake hair. Tell me again how you want a real man?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fake-tan-fake-smile-fake-nails-fake-hair-tell-me-again-how-you-want-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Say they want real? So I'm a give em chills/ Somethin so real, somethin they could feel/ Say they want real? Say they want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tactics/say-they-want-real-so-i-m-a-give-em-chills-somethin-so-real-somethin/) [Tactics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tactics/) > [Film acting is so different from theatre acting, and TV is about letting things pay off and not winning every scene.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-gleeson/film-acting-is-so-different-from-theatre-acting-and-tv-is-about/) [Brian Gleeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-gleeson/) > [Acting is acting, whether you do it on TV, film, web, theatre or ads. It depends on the person, time and situation, what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karan-wahi/acting-is-acting-whether-you-do-it-on-tv-film-web-theatre-or-ads-it/) [Karan Wahi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karan-wahi/) > [Acting in TV as opposed to films is really difficult. What a film gets two months to do, we get eight days to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-borth/acting-in-tv-as-opposed-to-films-is-really-difficult-what-a-film-gets/) [Michelle Borth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-borth/) > [Acting on TV is ruled out. I admire those who do it, but I found it quite strenuous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hema-malini/acting-on-tv-is-ruled-out-i-admire-those-who-do-it-but-i-found-it/) [Hema Malini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hema-malini/) > [Stand-up can take you in so many different places, man. So many doors can be opened up from stand-up comedy, and the first one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hart/stand-up-can-take-you-in-so-many-different-places-man-so-many-doors/) [Kevin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hart/) > [I really enjoy acting, and whether it's TV or films, I feel lucky to be doing it at all. In the end, I'd love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-bynes/i-really-enjoy-acting-and-whether-it-s-tv-or-films-i-feel-lucky-to-be/) [Amanda Bynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-bynes/) > [If a show comes and the content is great, I would never say no to acting on TV.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-fatehi/if-a-show-comes-and-the-content-is-great-i-would-never-say-no-to/) [Nora Fatehi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-fatehi/) > [Have you imagined me acting in a TV drama? I have, when I was young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/have-you-imagined-me-acting-in-a-tv-drama-i-have-when-i-was-young/) [Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/) > [I don't mind acting on TV if I have to play a mature, contemporary character. But I can't play a lehenga-clad lady in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepti-naval/i-don-t-mind-acting-on-tv-if-i-have-to-play-a-mature-contemporary/) [Deepti Naval](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepti-naval/) > [There was a day when doing TV was like, oh my God, the end of your career. Now it's just like, we all want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-anne-moss/there-was-a-day-when-doing-tv-was-like-oh-my-god-the-end-of-your/) [Carrie-Anne Moss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-anne-moss/) > [You want to be on TV, I want to be on TV, I want to be a part of 20 million viewers, new fans.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benson-henderson/you-want-to-be-on-tv-i-want-to-be-on-tv-i-want-to-be-a-part-of-20/) [Benson Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benson-henderson/) > [I hate what I look like on TV, and I want to look better, and nothing makes the mothers more jealous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abby-lee-miller/i-hate-what-i-look-like-on-tv-and-i-want-to-look-better-and-nothing/) [Abby Lee Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abby-lee-miller/) ## More by Ben Schwartz > [At the very beginning, I was a page at Letterman, and I freelanced for any place that would let me write any word. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/at-the-very-beginning-i-was-a-page-at-letterman-and-i-freelanced-for/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [I love video games. When I was growing up, video games were very important to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/i-love-video-games-when-i-was-growing-up-video-games-were-very/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [I really like the stuff that Showtime puts out. I think that 'Homeland' is phenomenal. I think 'Dexter' is amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/i-really-like-the-stuff-that-showtime-puts-out-i-think-that-homeland/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [The anxiety of not knowing what my next gig is keeps me hungry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/the-anxiety-of-not-knowing-what-my-next-gig-is-keeps-me-hungry/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [When I got a tiny bit of success, I was petrified that I was going to lose it. I still feel it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/when-i-got-a-tiny-bit-of-success-i-was-petrified-that-i-was-going-to/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [At the very beginning, I was a page at Letterman, and I freelanced for any place that would let me write any word. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/at-the-very-beginning-i-was-a-page-at-letterman-and-i-freelanced-for-2/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [I love the idea of doing totally different types of guys for different projects. I love that I get to do this. It's so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/i-love-the-idea-of-doing-totally-different-types-of-guys-for/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [If you really want to be successful in the business, you have to make that your priority, above family and everything else. It takes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/if-you-really-want-to-be-successful-in-the-business-you-have-to-make/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [The perfect thing for me is to be on something I love, where I'm doing it and have enough money not to be poor,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/the-perfect-thing-for-me-is-to-be-on-something-i-love-where-i-m-doing/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [I never went to acting school, so improv was my training. Just being quick on your feet helps in everyday life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/i-never-went-to-acting-school-so-improv-was-my-training-just-being/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [Eight hours of sleep would be amazing. That would be the best. If I could just figure out that part of my life, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/eight-hours-of-sleep-would-be-amazing-that-would-be-the-best-if-i/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [If I play a video game, I have to get through the whole thing. Like, when the new 'Resident Evil' comes out, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/if-i-play-a-video-game-i-have-to-get-through-the-whole-thing-like/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [I was very, very into animation when I was growing up. The Simpsons is still my favorite show. I have a really strong connection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/i-was-very-very-into-animation-when-i-was-growing-up-the-simpsons-is/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [I did a lot of short films online, so I come from that background where a lot of people see your stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/i-did-a-lot-of-short-films-online-so-i-come-from-that-background/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [I really was interested in doing something for a premium channel like Showtime or HBO, just because you get to really let loose. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/i-really-was-interested-in-doing-something-for-a-premium-channel-like/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) [Explore all 30 Ben Schwartz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) ## 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": "When you're acting on TV, you want to keep it real.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ben Schwartz" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/when-you-re-acting-on-tv-you-want-to-keep-it-real/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/when-you-re-acting-on-tv-you-want-to-keep-it-real/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/ben-schwartz-20775_acting_when-you-re-acting-on-tv-you-want-to-kee_1075915.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/ben-schwartz-20775_acting_when-you-re-acting-on-tv-you-want-to-kee_1075915.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/ben-schwartz-20775_acting_when-you-re-acting-on-tv-you-want-to-kee_1075915.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When you're acting on TV, you want to keep it real.” — Ben Schwartz", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ben Schwartz", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When you're acting on TV, you...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/when-you-re-acting-on-tv-you-want-to-keep-it-real/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/when-you-re-acting-on-tv-you-want-to-keep-it-real/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```