Acting Quote by Burt Reynolds
“That's a big responsibility, and the details obsess me. And, also, I no longer feel I have to do the Tonight Show every time I open my mouth. Twenty years ago, I told myself I'd rather direct than act, and it's taken me this long. You lose your passion in acting. You make too many mistakes. Maybe that's why I make so many movies; if you don't like this one, another one's opening on Tuesday. But then I spent six months of my life on 'At Long Last Love,' a picture nobody saw. I enjoyed making it, I learned from it, I grew, but that's too much time out of my life.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Late 1990s TV interview
Creative work can become burdensome when driven by external expectations rather than intrinsic passion.
In simple terms: Passion fades under pressure.
Key Takeaway
Seek projects that inspire you.
Themes
creativity
career
passion
industry
legacy
Mood
introspective
thoughtful
Type
motivational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- film directing
- acting choices
- career transitions
- personal fulfillment
- time management
Key Concepts
artistic integrity
work-life balance
self‑realization
risk tolerance
Questions to Reflect On
- What does fulfillment look like for you?
- How can you align work with deeper values?
A Different Perspective
Success measured by quantity may neglect personal satisfaction.
![“We got Sally Field onboard [in Smokey and the Bandit] and it changed the entire dynamic. About a third of the way into filming, I was in the car with Sally and there was this little moment where we kind of looked at each other, and then we both turned and looked over at Hal [Needham]. He gave us a…” quote by Burt Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8b5/burt-reynolds-9553_bandits_we-got-sally-field-onboard-in-smokey-and_551176.jpg)
![“Smokey and the Bandit was the first picture [Hal Needham ] directed, and I knew he could handle it. I had just directed Gator, and he saw my style and used that as a pattern.” quote by Burt Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6ae/burt-reynolds-9553_bandit_smokey-and-the-bandit-was-the-first-pict_596169.jpg)
