--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The idea was always to be an actor." description: "\"The idea was always to be an actor.\" — Caitriona Balfe" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/239/caitriona-balfe-14514_actor_the-idea-was-always-to-be-an-actor-30898_3089848.jpg" --- # The idea was always to be an actor. ![“The idea was always to be an actor.” quote by Caitriona Balfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/239/caitriona-balfe-14514_actor_the-idea-was-always-to-be-an-actor-30898_3089848.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/239/caitriona-balfe-14514_actor_the-idea-was-always-to-be-an-actor-30898_3089848.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/239/caitriona-balfe-14514_actor_the-idea-was-always-to-be-an-actor-30898_3089848.jpg) > “The idea was always to be an actor.” [Caitriona Balfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The core ambition is to become an actor, driving all efforts. **In simple terms:** Goal is to be an actor. Key Takeaway Align actions with acting ambition. Themes career ambition identity Mood motivational determined Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - audition preparation - acting classes - networking Key Concepts self‑actualization craft mastery Questions to Reflect On - What steps bring you closer to acting? - How does identity shape your craft? A Different Perspective May overlook other passions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea/) [Idea Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea-actor-390047/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [I come from Nova Scotia, and I'd never seen a theater or been inside of a theater. When I was 17, my dad asked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-sutherland/i-come-from-nova-scotia-and-i-d-never-seen-a-theater-or-been-inside/) [Donald Sutherland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-sutherland/) > [I had no idea how one became an actor. I didn't know things such as drama schools existed. It all just sort of happened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-thewlis/i-had-no-idea-how-one-became-an-actor-i-didn-t-know-things-such-as/) [David Thewlis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-thewlis/) > [ One of my career ambitions was fulfilled working with John \[Hurt\]. I loved his work long before I ever had the idea of being… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/one-of-my-career-ambitions-was-fulfilled-working-with-john-hurt-i/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [I just loved the whole idea of being an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-macfadyen/i-just-loved-the-whole-idea-of-being-an-actor/) [Matthew Macfadyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-macfadyen/) > [The idea was to become an actor. Then I found I really didn't like acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lycett/the-idea-was-to-become-an-actor-then-i-found-i-really-didn-t-like/) [Joe Lycett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lycett/) > [And I was very shy as a kid; if you sang me 'Happy Birthday,' I would cry. Quite shy. So the idea of being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-horn/and-i-was-very-shy-as-a-kid-if-you-sang-me-happy-birthday-i-would-cry/) [Cody Horn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-horn/) > [I don't see a difference between the idea of what an actor does and what someone supposes a character actor is, really.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stuhlbarg/i-don-t-see-a-difference-between-the-idea-of-what-an-actor-does-and/) [Michael Stuhlbarg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stuhlbarg/) > [I can't think of anything worse than trying to schmooze someone with the idea that you're an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-can-t-think-of-anything-worse-than-trying-to-schmooze-someone-with/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The idea of an actor is that you should be able to play anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eileen-atkins/the-idea-of-an-actor-is-that-you-should-be-able-to-play-anything/) [Eileen Atkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eileen-atkins/) > [I was entirely wrapped up in the idea of becoming an actor. I learned how to write on the job, basically out of necessity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-howerton/i-was-entirely-wrapped-up-in-the-idea-of-becoming-an-actor-i-learned/) [Glenn Howerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-howerton/) > [I was raised in the theater and I started acting when I was nine. To me, the idea of being an actor was about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-knepper/i-was-raised-in-the-theater-and-i-started-acting-when-i-was-nine-to/) [Robert Knepper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-knepper/) > [When I was younger, I had no idea that I would be an actor. I had an interest in it, but I never actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/when-i-was-younger-i-had-no-idea-that-i-would-be-an-actor-i-had-an/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [You would be surprised how many directors don't know what they want. They might not know what they want until they see it, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/you-would-be-surprised-how-many-directors-don-t-know-what-they-want/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [Once I won the roles in 'Spender' and 'First Knight' it was much easier for everyone, me included, to get their heads around the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-ineson/once-i-won-the-roles-in-spender-and-first-knight-it-was-much-easier/) [Ralph Ineson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-ineson/) > [My idea of an actor is to be different persons with different roles. Every time a script interests me, I look for interesting characters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vidya-balan/my-idea-of-an-actor-is-to-be-different-persons-with-different-roles/) [Vidya Balan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vidya-balan/) ## More by Caitriona Balfe > [So often, women are there just to be looked at and be objectified for the titillation of the male audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/so-often-women-are-there-just-to-be-looked-at-and-be-objectified-for/) [Caitriona Balfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/) > [I'm just so glad that I started acting when I did because I had this wealth of life experience. I don't know if I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/i-m-just-so-glad-that-i-started-acting-when-i-did-because-i-had-this/) [Caitriona Balfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/) > [I moved to Paris for two years, then to London, then New York in 2002. In that time, I also lived in Japan, Italy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/i-moved-to-paris-for-two-years-then-to-london-then-new-york-in-2002/) [Caitriona Balfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/) > [The hardest part when I decided to move into acting was trusting I'd made the right decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/the-hardest-part-when-i-decided-to-move-into-acting-was-trusting-i-d/) [Caitriona Balfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/) > [There's definitely stories I would like to tell; I'd like to see more films focusing on women's lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/there-s-definitely-stories-i-would-like-to-tell-i-d-like-to-see-more/) [Caitriona Balfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/) > [How do people move on after they've lost the love of their life? It's a really interesting thing to look at. It happens to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/how-do-people-move-on-after-they-ve-lost-the-love-of-their-life-it-s/) [Caitriona Balfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/) > [When I was a kid, I loved 'Little Women.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/when-i-was-a-kid-i-loved-little-women/) [Caitriona Balfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/) > [I didn't start traveling abroad until I was 17, but I spent many summers on the beaches of Donegal in Ireland.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/i-didn-t-start-traveling-abroad-until-i-was-17-but-i-spent-many/) [Caitriona Balfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/) > [I think every credit you get and every film you have your name attached to makes things a little bit easier. It definitely opens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/i-think-every-credit-you-get-and-every-film-you-have-your-name/) [Caitriona Balfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/) > [Kenzo were celebrating their 30th anniversary, and they did this big, huge show in Paris and invited back all the models who'd walked for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/kenzo-were-celebrating-their-30th-anniversary-and-they-did-this-big/) [Caitriona Balfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/) > [Doesn't everyone hate Kristen Stewart?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/doesn-t-everyone-hate-kristen-stewart/) [Caitriona Balfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/) > [When I'm not on a crazy schedule, I'll try to do yoga or the gym once or twice a week.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/when-i-m-not-on-a-crazy-schedule-i-ll-try-to-do-yoga-or-the-gym-once/) [Caitriona Balfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/) > [I would've been a really big silent movie star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/i-would-ve-been-a-really-big-silent-movie-star/) [Caitriona Balfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/) > [New York's definitely got my heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/new-york-s-definitely-got-my-heart/) [Caitriona Balfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/) > [It's great to play someone who's so unafraid of being who she is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/it-s-great-to-play-someone-who-s-so-unafraid-of-being-who-she-is/) [Caitriona Balfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/) [Explore all 46 Caitriona Balfe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/) ## More Actor 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/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [There has got to be a way for me to have a role on TV or in film that is just as normal as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adeel-akhtar/there-has-got-to-be-a-way-for-me-to-have-a-role-on-tv-or-in-film-that/) [Adeel Akhtar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adeel-akhtar/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [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/) > [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/) > [I never planned to do female roles. It just happened. I was typecast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divine/i-never-planned-to-do-female-roles-it-just-happened-i-was-typecast/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divine/) > [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/) [Browse all 21,590 Actor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The idea was always to be an actor.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Caitriona Balfe" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/the-idea-was-always-to-be-an-actor/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/the-idea-was-always-to-be-an-actor/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/239/caitriona-balfe-14514_actor_the-idea-was-always-to-be-an-actor-30898_3089848.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/239/caitriona-balfe-14514_actor_the-idea-was-always-to-be-an-actor-30898_3089848.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/239/caitriona-balfe-14514_actor_the-idea-was-always-to-be-an-actor-30898_3089848.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The idea was always to be an actor.” — Caitriona Balfe", "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": "Caitriona Balfe", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The idea was always to be...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/the-idea-was-always-to-be-an-actor/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/the-idea-was-always-to-be-an-actor/#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 } } ] } ```