--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Did Anthony Hopkins really have to be a…" description: "\"Did Anthony Hopkins really have to be a serial killer to be in 'Silence of the Lambs?,' I don't think so, no. It's called acting, people.\" — Bryan Batt" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c94/bryan-batt-13697_acting_did-anthony-hopkins-really-have-to-be-a_2969137.png" --- # Did Anthony Hopkins really have to be a serial killer to… ![“Did Anthony Hopkins really have to be a serial killer to be in 'Silence of the Lambs?,' I don't think so, no. It's called acting, people.” quote by Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c94/bryan-batt-13697_acting_did-anthony-hopkins-really-have-to-be-a_2969137.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c94/bryan-batt-13697_acting_did-anthony-hopkins-really-have-to-be-a_2969137.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c94/bryan-batt-13697_acting_did-anthony-hopkins-really-have-to-be-a_2969137.png) > “Did Anthony Hopkins really have to be a serial killer to be in 'Silence of the Lambs?,' I don't think so, no. It's called acting, people.” [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acting is a craft, not a reflection of personal morality; playing a villain doesn’t make you one. **In simple terms:** Acting ≠ personal morality. Key Takeaway Separate role from identity. Themes acting ethics identity Mood thoughtful analytical Type entertainment philosophical When to use this quote - theater rehearsals - film auditions Key Concepts performance studies moral philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain personal ethics in challenging roles? - Can art influence personal belief systems? A Different Perspective Audience may conflate actor with character. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Killers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/killers/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Serial killer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serial-killer/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/) [Silence Of The Lambs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence-of-the-lambs/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Anthony Hopkins is the kindest, sweetest most creative person I've met. He did something really insane between takes of the Westworld, out of nowhere.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-sarafyan/anthony-hopkins-is-the-kindest-sweetest-most-creative-person-i-ve-met/) [Angela Sarafyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-sarafyan/) > [I remember somebody saying something to me about Frost/Nixon, when Anthony Hopkins does his famous speech, and the difference in the way Anthony did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanessa-kirby/i-remember-somebody-saying-something-to-me-about-frost-nixon-when/) [Vanessa Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanessa-kirby/) > [I remember reading an interview that Anthony Hopkins had given about how he developed Hannibal Lecter. He said he just looked in the mirror…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-benz/i-remember-reading-an-interview-that-anthony-hopkins-had-given-about/) [Julie Benz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-benz/) > [I just remember Kathy Bates getting on the stage and "The Oscar goes to Anthony Hopkins." I looked around, because I really thought Nick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/i-just-remember-kathy-bates-getting-on-the-stage-and-the-oscar-goes/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [I've got a great sense of humor. Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/i-ve-got-a-great-sense-of-humor-anthony-hopkins/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [One day I was in school, and the next I was acting opposite Jeremy Irons. That's how quickly it happened. I was in class…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-headey/one-day-i-was-in-school-and-the-next-i-was-acting-opposite-jeremy/) [Lena Headey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-headey/) > [A favorite cast? Lisa Kudrow, Anthony Hopkins, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, and my wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-macy/a-favorite-cast-lisa-kudrow-anthony-hopkins-gene-hackman-morgan/) [William H. Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-macy/) > [' Being an Atheist must be like living in a closed cell,with no window!' Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-guzaldo/being-an-atheist-must-be-like-living-in-a-closed-cell-with-no-window/) [Andrew Guzaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-guzaldo/) > [I'd love to work with Sir Anthony Hopkins, but if that doesn't happen, I'd sneak on to a film set and watch him at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-warren/i-d-love-to-work-with-sir-anthony-hopkins-but-if-that-doesn-t-happen/) [Marc Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-warren/) > [ The running joke on set \[of the Westworlds\] was that everyone at some point thinks that they're Anthony Hopkins. Like, "Guys, I think I'm… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-rachel-wood/the-running-joke-on-set-of-the-westworlds-was-that-everyone-at-some/) [Evan Rachel Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-rachel-wood/) > [I did get to work with Anthony Hopkins on 'The Human Stain.' If I ever manage to accomplish a quarter of what he's achieved,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-lohan/i-did-get-to-work-with-anthony-hopkins-on-the-human-stain-if-i-ever/) [Lindsay Lohan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-lohan/) > [Ask Anthony Hopkins how he makes his characters come to life and he just shrugs. I don't know. If I knew, I wouldn't be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-eisenberg/ask-anthony-hopkins-how-he-makes-his-characters-come-to-life-and-he/) [Larry Eisenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-eisenberg/) > [Still, it can be more effective to accomplish what you need to accomplish with the minimum effort. Watch Anthony Hopkins. He doesn't appear to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-freeman/still-it-can-be-more-effective-to-accomplish-what-you-need-to/) [Morgan Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-freeman/) > [I wanted to be Anthony Hopkins and ended up being neither a film star nor having a career on the stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-benedict/i-wanted-to-be-anthony-hopkins-and-ended-up-being-neither-a-film-star/) [Dirk Benedict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-benedict/) > [Professionally speaking, the proudest moment was when I booked the 'Human Stain.' I knew it had Nicole Kidman, Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris and Gary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wentworth-miller/professionally-speaking-the-proudest-moment-was-when-i-booked-the/) [Wentworth Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wentworth-miller/) ## More by Bryan Batt > [I didn't have any role models. I really thought I was doomed to this loveless, lonely life. I didn't know any gay people until…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/i-didn-t-have-any-role-models-i-really-thought-i-was-doomed-to-this/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) > [Some actors have to make a choice. If they have the opportunity to become these huge megastars, making millions and millions of dollars and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/some-actors-have-to-make-a-choice-if-they-have-the-opportunity-to/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) > [When I've ridden in parades, I always throw to the kids, the elderly and anyone who is smiling and having a great time. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/when-i-ve-ridden-in-parades-i-always-throw-to-the-kids-the-elderly/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) > [You know, I think I was always intrigued by theater since I was a small child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/you-know-i-think-i-was-always-intrigued-by-theater-since-i-was-a/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) > [I think there is this steely strength beneath this beautiful veneer that a lot of women possess. I can't fathom or understand it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/i-think-there-is-this-steely-strength-beneath-this-beautiful-veneer/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) > [When I did 'Ugly Betty' it was very similar to working on 'Mad Men' - great group of people in their own little world.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/when-i-did-ugly-betty-it-was-very-similar-to-working-on-mad-men-great/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) > [There are many Broadway songs that apply to moments on 'Mad Men,' and I sing them on set all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/there-are-many-broadway-songs-that-apply-to-moments-on-mad-men-and-i/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) > [God love Neil Patrick Harris - how great is that. People grew up with him; they go, 'Oh it's him, it's that little boy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/god-love-neil-patrick-harris-how-great-is-that-people-grew-up-with/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) > [My mantra is, 'Don't be afraid of color.' What did it do to you? Do a color testing in alternate kinds of light you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/my-mantra-is-don-t-be-afraid-of-color-what-did-it-do-to-you-do-a/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) > [My favorite song as a boy was definitely 'Downtown' recorded by Petula Clark. I still love it! And the original cast recording of 'Gypsy';…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/my-favorite-song-as-a-boy-was-definitely-downtown-recorded-by-petula/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) > [I tend to wake up in the middle of the night with ideas crying to be documented.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/i-tend-to-wake-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night-with-ideas-crying-to-be/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) > [When are we going to stop labeling everyone? How many times have I been referred to as 'out gay actor?' Do we say, 'out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/when-are-we-going-to-stop-labeling-everyone-how-many-times-have-i/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) > [I can't tell you the thrill and joy of when I was cast in my first Broadway show. Granted, it was 'Starlight Express' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/i-can-t-tell-you-the-thrill-and-joy-of-when-i-was-cast-in-my-first/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) > [I grew up in a very celebratory town. We celebrate everything, from life to death and everything in between. So a lot of dramatics…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/i-grew-up-in-a-very-celebratory-town-we-celebrate-everything-from/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) > [Gray is great. People think gray is a neutral, but I think it's such a moody, intense, dramatic and sexy color. It's very sleek.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/gray-is-great-people-think-gray-is-a-neutral-but-i-think-it-s-such-a/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) [Explore all 49 Bryan Batt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) ## 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 > [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. 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