--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I'm playing someone who's smart…" description: "\"If I'm playing someone who's smart, suddenly every character I've played is smart. If I'm playing a bad guy, every character is a bad guy. I suppose it..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b97/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_bad-guy_if-i-m-playing-someone-who-s-smart-sudde_2964873.jpg" --- # If I'm playing someone who's smart, suddenly every… ![“If I'm playing someone who's smart, suddenly every character I've played is smart. If I'm playing a bad guy, every character is a bad guy. I suppose it's that thing where people want to see a through-line to understand you. I mean, you know, I have played pretty ordinary people too.” quote by Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b97/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_bad-guy_if-i-m-playing-someone-who-s-smart-sudde_2964873.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b97/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_bad-guy_if-i-m-playing-someone-who-s-smart-sudde_2964873.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b97/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_bad-guy_if-i-m-playing-someone-who-s-smart-sudde_2964873.jpg) > “If I'm playing someone who's smart, suddenly every character I've played is smart. If I'm playing a bad guy, every character is a bad guy. I suppose it's that thing where people want to see a through-line to understand you. I mean, you know, I have played pretty ordinary people too.” [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. Actors may internalize character traits, causing audiences to perceive a consistent persona across roles, highlighting typecasting and personal branding. **In simple terms:** Actors’ roles influence audience perception of their persona. Key Takeaway Balance role diversity. Themes typecasting identity performance audience perception Mood reflective analytical Type career philosophical When to use this quote - casting decisions - public relations - acting workshops - media interviews Key Concepts psychology of perception career strategy branding Questions to Reflect On - How does typecasting affect your career? - Can you separate self from character? A Different Perspective Over‑identification can limit artistic range. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-guy/) [Bad guys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-guys/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character Bad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-bad-580284/) [Guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guy/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Lines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lines/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Ordinary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ordinary/) [Ordinary people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ordinary-people/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Played Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/played-smart-4535180/) [Playing Bad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-bad/) [Playing Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-smart-1580049/) [Playing someone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-someone/) [Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smart/) [Suddenly Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suddenly-character-4535181/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [I cannot be a character in a bad movie. I can't be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mckee/i-cannot-be-a-character-in-a-bad-movie-i-can-t-be/) [Robert McKee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mckee/) > [What's the point of doing a great character in a bad film? Instead, I want audiences to thoroughly enjoy a film and remember my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hansika-motwani/what-s-the-point-of-doing-a-great-character-in-a-bad-film-instead-i/) [Hansika Motwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hansika-motwani/) > [In every film, whether it's a fictional character or not, you create an idea of the character and for me I always do a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/in-every-film-whether-it-s-a-fictional-character-or-not-you-create-an/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I love playing a smart person and not that blonde deadpan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-chaikin/i-love-playing-a-smart-person-and-not-that-blonde-deadpan/) [Carly Chaikin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-chaikin/) > [When you get to that level, it's not a matter of talent anymore - because all the players are so talented - it's about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-iverson/when-you-get-to-that-level-it-s-not-a-matter-of-talent-anymore-2/) [Allen Iverson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-iverson/) > [You don't need a ton of moves to get to where you want to be. You don't have to expend energy in a wasteful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jabari-parker/you-don-t-need-a-ton-of-moves-to-get-to-where-you-want-to-be-you-don/) [Jabari Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jabari-parker/) > [I do like playing smart women who can be sexy and are taken seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shenaz-treasury/i-do-like-playing-smart-women-who-can-be-sexy-and-are-taken-seriously/) [Shenaz Treasury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shenaz-treasury/) > [Basketball is a game and their primary reason for participating in the sport is simply for the pleasure they experience while playing. Don't be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-wootten/basketball-is-a-game-and-their-primary-reason-for-participating-in/) [Morgan Wootten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-wootten/) > [I love playing a smart, ambitious, talented woman. Who doesn't? That's really fun for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-heigl/i-love-playing-a-smart-ambitious-talented-woman-who-doesn-t-that-s/) [Katherine Heigl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-heigl/) > [I like playing smart, savvy, sexy women -- because it's so not me!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-tapping/i-like-playing-smart-savvy-sexy-women-because-it-s-so-not-me/) [Amanda Tapping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-tapping/) > [When you get to that level, it's not a matter of talent anymore - because all the players are so talented - it's about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakeem-olajuwon/when-you-get-to-that-level-it-s-not-a-matter-of-talent-anymore/) [Hakeem Olajuwon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakeem-olajuwon/) > [I like playing smart women very, very much because I definitely learn from them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autumn-reeser/i-like-playing-smart-women-very-very-much-because-i-definitely-learn/) [Autumn Reeser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-reeser/) > [I love playing smart and tough and having funny lines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-elliot/i-love-playing-smart-and-tough-and-having-funny-lines/) [Jane Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-elliot/) > [On the basis of being a woman, by playing an alien, I avoid playing someone's girlfriend here on Earth because that's a bit of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-saldana/on-the-basis-of-being-a-woman-by-playing-an-alien-i-avoid-playing/) [Zoe Saldana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-saldana/) > [There is nothing nicer than playing someone who is cooler, tougher, more virtuous and sexier than yourself and thinking, 'I can be anyone.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-isaacs/there-is-nothing-nicer-than-playing-someone-who-is-cooler-tougher/) [Jason Isaacs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-isaacs/) ## 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. Everyone's been really happy for me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/this-is-an-odd-profession-and-sometimes-people-get-jealous-but-i/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I can feel infinitely alive curled up on the sofa reading a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-can-feel-infinitely-alive-curled-up-on-the-sofa-reading-a-book/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I think with any characterization there's a point where you empathize, no matter how much of a deviance his or her actions may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-think-with-any-characterization-there-s-a-point-where-you-empathize/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [When are you ever settled enough to have kids?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/when-are-you-ever-settled-enough-to-have-kids/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [You have to sometimes just run with the problem rather than trying to solve it with hi-tech wizardry and lots of planning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/you-have-to-sometimes-just-run-with-the-problem-rather-than-trying-to/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) [Explore all 281 Benedict Cumberbatch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) ## More Bad guy quotes > [“This is what is called "honor among thieves," for the really dangerous people are those who do not recognize that they are thieves— the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-watts/this-is-what-is-called-honor-among-thieves-for-the-really-dangerous/) [Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-w-watts/) > [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/) > [Obviously I'm very grateful 'Bad Guy' is doing so well - it's shocking and surprising and gratifying - but I do think it's important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finneas/obviously-i-m-very-grateful-bad-guy-is-doing-so-well-it-s-shocking/) [Finneas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finneas/) > [“Here you can shoot the bad guys,' a mercenary says in Baghdad. 'In America we give them corporate bonuses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-robotham/here-you-can-shoot-the-bad-guys-a-mercenary-says-in-baghdad-in/) [Michael Robotham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-robotham/) > [To us, being the bad guys is cool, because we always root for the bad guys in the movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hanneman/to-us-being-the-bad-guys-is-cool-because-we-always-root-for-the-bad/) [Jeff Hanneman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hanneman/) > [In 'Gran Torino,' Eastwood moves towards the climax of the movie not by staging a shoot-out, but by putting his weapons to one side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-korda/in-gran-torino-eastwood-moves-towards-the-climax-of-the-movie-not-by/) [Michael Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-korda/) > [In order to have your best good guy, you have to be that bad guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/in-order-to-have-your-best-good-guy-you-have-to-be-that-bad-guy/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [After I did 'Brooklyn,' I did about five or six violent films in one way or another, and not always with me being the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-cohen/after-i-did-brooklyn-i-did-about-five-or-six-violent-films-in-one-way/) [Emory Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-cohen/) > [The first act is the easiest to plot. The second act is always the hardest to plot. Generally a good, you know, sometimes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-j-cannell/the-first-act-is-the-easiest-to-plot-the-second-act-is-always-the/) [Stephen J. Cannell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-j-cannell/) > [“We fall into the fallacy of believing we can litigate the complicated story before us into a black-and-white binary of good guys and bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wesley-lowery/we-fall-into-the-fallacy-of-believing-we-can-litigate-the-complicated/) [Wesley Lowery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wesley-lowery/) > [“If there was a bad guy we could appeal to the people because, like it or not, we, the huddled masses, want our public…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-carter/if-there-was-a-bad-guy-we-could-appeal-to-the-people-because-like-it/) [Bill Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-carter/) > [But the thing about bad guys is that they have the biggest bosomed blond, they have great clothes and cars, and get great death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-roberts/but-the-thing-about-bad-guys-is-that-they-have-the-biggest-bosomed/) [Eric Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-roberts/) > [I don't know what it is that I do, but when I play a really bad guy, I'm able to bring some level of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ferrer/i-don-t-know-what-it-is-that-i-do-but-when-i-play-a-really-bad-guy-i/) [Miguel Ferrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ferrer/) > [In my career, I've been lucky to do the bad guys that are more interesting, where the audience wants to spend more time with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-stormare/in-my-career-i-ve-been-lucky-to-do-the-bad-guys-that-are-more/) [Peter Stormare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-stormare/) > [Playing a bad guy is always more fun than playing the good guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margot-robbie/playing-a-bad-guy-is-always-more-fun-than-playing-the-good-guy/) [Margot Robbie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margot-robbie/) [Browse all 1,228 Bad guy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-guy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If I'm playing someone who's smart, suddenly every character I've played is smart. 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