--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I had parents who were working actors…" description: "\"I had parents who were working actors, who did really well in their careers, but it was a living. So it was a reality for me growing up; it wasn't a fa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba0/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_actors_i-had-parents-who-were-working-actors-wh_1381491.jpg" --- # I had parents who were working actors, who did really well… ![“I had parents who were working actors, who did really well in their careers, but it was a living. So it was a reality for me growing up; it wasn't a fantasy. It wasn't sitting there going, "I want to be adored." It wasn't that at all. Not to say that the screams of fans aren't a smile-raiser, but…” quote by Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba0/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_actors_i-had-parents-who-were-working-actors-wh_1381491.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba0/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_actors_i-had-parents-who-were-working-actors-wh_1381491.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba0/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_actors_i-had-parents-who-were-working-actors-wh_1381491.jpg) > “I had parents who were working actors, who did really well in their careers, but it was a living. So it was a reality for me growing up; it wasn't a fantasy. It wasn't sitting there going, "I want to be adored." It wasn't that at all. Not to say that the screams of fans aren't a smile-raiser, but that was never the pull for me.” [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He grew up seeing acting as a practical profession, not a glamorous fantasy, and his motivation was personal fulfillment rather than fame. **In simple terms:** Acting was a job, not a dream of adulation. Key Takeaway Seek purpose over applause. Themes career family authenticity Mood reflective grounded Type personal career. When to use this quote - choosing a career - evaluating role models - balancing fame and personal values Key Concepts professionalism intrinsic motivation Questions to Reflect On - What drives your career choices? - How do you balance personal values with public expectations? A Different Perspective May overlook the emotional rewards of public admiration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Actors Did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors-did-842948/) [Adored](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adored/) [Adored Wasn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adored-wasn-4787875/) [Careers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/careers/) [Fans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fans/) [Fantasy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fantasy/) [Growing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing/) [Growing up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-up/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Scream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scream/) [Sitting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sitting/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Want Adored](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-adored-3562592/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) [Working Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-actors/) ## Related quotes > [When you are with the wrong person, who doesn't really love you, all you want is to be adored. It makes you more inward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marina-and-the-diamonds/when-you-are-with-the-wrong-person-who-doesn-t-really-love-you-all/) [Marina and the Diamonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marina-and-the-diamonds/) > [Whenever I talk to anyone I care about, I am always seeking approval. There is always a pleading lilt in my voice that demands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wurtzel/whenever-i-talk-to-anyone-i-care-about-i-am-always-seeking-approval/) [Elizabeth Wurtzel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wurtzel/) > [We do this for the art, not the adulation. I'd rather our music get liked and we get ignored. I don't want to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-partridge/we-do-this-for-the-art-not-the-adulation-i-d-rather-our-music-get/) [Andy Partridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-partridge/) > [I learned that the acting I really like is when the actors did a lot of bringing themselves, and where they're at at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-gavaris/i-learned-that-the-acting-i-really-like-is-when-the-actors-did-a-lot/) [Jordan Gavaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-gavaris/) > [I don't think I knew that much about camera placement and working with actors when we did 'Half Nelson.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-boden/i-don-t-think-i-knew-that-much-about-camera-placement-and-working/) [Anna Boden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-boden/) > [So way back, Jonathan and I were - we were entertainers as kids. 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One night he would serve me in a restaurant, and the next night I would serve him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-soul/paul-and-i-were-both-struggling-actors-one-night-he-would-serve-me-in/) [David Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-soul/) > [In general, I did what a lot of character actors do: I did it to get girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-fuller/in-general-i-did-what-a-lot-of-character-actors-do-i-did-it-to-get/) [Kurt Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-fuller/) > [It's only been a couple of times in my life that I've really locked horns with actors. It did not hurt the films, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-donner/it-s-only-been-a-couple-of-times-in-my-life-that-i-ve-really-locked/) [Richard Donner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-donner/) > [It's really easy to finish a movie and sort of immediately dive into the next one, because I love working with actors so much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/it-s-really-easy-to-finish-a-movie-and-sort-of-immediately-dive-into/) [Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) > [AMC has a track record for finding actors who have been working actors but not names yet and casting them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mireille-enos/amc-has-a-track-record-for-finding-actors-who-have-been-working/) [Mireille Enos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mireille-enos/) ## More by Benedict Cumberbatch > [We should have a conversation when we hang up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/we-should-have-a-conversation-when-we-hang-up/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [It's the same thing, I think, whether it's breathing or meditation or yoga. And running is a great way of doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/it-s-the-same-thing-i-think-whether-it-s-breathing-or-meditation-or/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Being someone who is of our sensual reality, Stephen Strange has a lifestyle, he has a sexuality, he's materialistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/being-someone-who-is-of-our-sensual-reality-stephen-strange-has-a/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [If you have an over-preoccupation with perception and trying to please people's expectations, then you can go mad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/if-you-have-an-over-preoccupation-with-perception-and-trying-to/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Being on set is quite difficult, because it's so big and you've got to try and relax, which isn't easy when you know you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/being-on-set-is-quite-difficult-because-it-s-so-big-and-you-ve-got-to/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I know that might sound perverse because I played Julian Assange but, honestly, I don't think it would be fair for me to judge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-know-that-might-sound-perverse-because-i-played-julian-assange-but/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Maybe it's just getting older, but I don't want to miss things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/maybe-it-s-just-getting-older-but-i-don-t-want-to-miss-things/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I think playing any iconic role when you're stepping into big shoes, into the shadow of people who have come before you and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-think-playing-any-iconic-role-when-you-re-stepping-into-big-shoes/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [ \[While voicing cartoons\] you have to lose your sanity and inhibitions and any kind of dignity and just throw yourself around a bit. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/while-voicing-cartoons-you-have-to-lose-your-sanity-and-inhibitions/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I'm not very geeky. I'm quite homespun. I would say I'm more modern rustic than gadget-orientated. I like woollen things and log fires and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-m-not-very-geeky-i-m-quite-homespun-i-would-say-i-m-more-modern/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [This is an odd profession, and sometimes people get jealous, but I haven't really experienced any of that. 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They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/) [Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/) > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [Forget the credit, they (male actors) take all the money as well. We don't get paid even one-third of what male actors get. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kangana-ranaut/forget-the-credit-they-male-actors-take-all-the-money-as-well-we-don/) [Kangana Ranaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kangana-ranaut/) > [I love film people and actors and I am in the right world because I am one of those people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewan-mcgregor/i-love-film-people-and-actors-and-i-am-in-the-right-world-because-i/) [Ewan McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ewan-mcgregor/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. 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