--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What I like to do as an actor is…" description: "\"What I like to do as an actor is transform. It's way more fun to play characters who are completely different than me. I like playing characters who ap..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdc/carrie-preston-12501_actor_what-i-like-to-do-as-an-actor-is-transfo_796294.png" --- # What I like to do as an actor is transform. It's way more… ![“What I like to do as an actor is transform. It's way more fun to play characters who are completely different than me. I like playing characters who appear one way on the outside but are actually very different from that.” quote by Carrie Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdc/carrie-preston-12501_actor_what-i-like-to-do-as-an-actor-is-transfo_796294.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdc/carrie-preston-12501_actor_what-i-like-to-do-as-an-actor-is-transfo_796294.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdc/carrie-preston-12501_actor_what-i-like-to-do-as-an-actor-is-transfo_796294.png) > “What I like to do as an actor is transform. It's way more fun to play characters who are completely different than me. I like playing characters who appear one way on the outside but are actually very different from that.” [Carrie Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-preston/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Actors find greater joy in portraying characters vastly different from themselves, revealing hidden facets of humanity. **In simple terms:** Playing different characters is more fun and revealing. Key Takeaway Embrace roles that challenge your identity. Themes acting identity transformation Mood enthusiastic curious Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - theatre workshops - improv classes - role‑play therapy - creative writing Key Concepts method acting character study Questions to Reflect On - What unfamiliar role could you explore? - How does stepping outside yourself foster growth? A Different Perspective Some may feel discomfort when confronting alien personas. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [I enjoy playing a quintessential antihero. There's something therapeutic about playing such characters. I know it sounds corny but I feel like I learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vin-diesel/i-enjoy-playing-a-quintessential-antihero-there-s-something/) [Vin Diesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vin-diesel/) > [My fun as an actor and my task as an actor is to transform myself to become other people. I enjoy becoming characters but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suchet/my-fun-as-an-actor-and-my-task-as-an-actor-is-to-transform-myself-to/) [David Suchet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suchet/) > [Most times when people pitch you as being perfect for a part... they don't look at you as an actor who can transform. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-keener/most-times-when-people-pitch-you-as-being-perfect-for-a-part-they-don/) [Catherine Keener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-keener/) > [Coming from 'V' into 'Homeland' was a really big change and the best gift as an actor you can get - which is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morena-baccarin/coming-from-v-into-homeland-was-a-really-big-change-and-the-best-gift/) [Morena Baccarin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morena-baccarin/) > [I like to play characters that get to do it all - to have a bit of comedy here and a bit of pathos…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-shannon/i-like-to-play-characters-that-get-to-do-it-all-to-have-a-bit-of/) [Michael Shannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shannon/) > [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've sort of prided myself on playing characters with conscience. The first way I go about creating a character is looking at that area…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-toussaint/i-ve-sort-of-prided-myself-on-playing-characters-with-conscience-the/) [Lorraine Toussaint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-toussaint/) > [In my own life, I think I've always been a bit of a people pleaser. Maybe the world around me was a little chaotic,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-gardner/in-my-own-life-i-think-i-ve-always-been-a-bit-of-a-people-pleaser/) [Heidi Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-gardner/) > [Playing characters allows me to do things I may not always do, while singing in concerts allows me to really find my own voice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/playing-characters-allows-me-to-do-things-i-may-not-always-do-while/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I like playing characters who are out there on the edge, where they can explode at any moment or fall off the precipice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-lange/i-like-playing-characters-who-are-out-there-on-the-edge-where-they/) [Jessica Lange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-lange/) > [I love experimenting, playing characters that are not even remotely connected to my personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anoop-menon/i-love-experimenting-playing-characters-that-are-not-even-remotely/) [Anoop Menon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anoop-menon/) > [I find a lot of happiness in playing characters that have a lot of emotions. But even more important is the team that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sobhita-dhulipala/i-find-a-lot-of-happiness-in-playing-characters-that-have-a-lot-of/) [Sobhita Dhulipala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sobhita-dhulipala/) > [I had always enjoyed playing characters and dressing up, but it wasn't until I got to school and I started getting on stage for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-gleeson/i-had-always-enjoyed-playing-characters-and-dressing-up-but-it-wasn-t/) [Brian Gleeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-gleeson/) > [I'm attracted to playing characters that have flaws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-shahi/i-m-attracted-to-playing-characters-that-have-flaws/) [Sarah Shahi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-shahi/) > [When I'm playing any of my characters, I totally go into the realm of the character. That's when I'm able to come up with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dapaah/when-i-m-playing-any-of-my-characters-i-totally-go-into-the-realm-of/) [Michael Dapaah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dapaah/) ## More by Carrie Preston > [Everyone thinks they went to high school with me. I take it as a compliment that I look different in every role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-preston/everyone-thinks-they-went-to-high-school-with-me-i-take-it-as-a/) [Carrie Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-preston/) > [By the time I was twelve, I had started my own theater company and was doing plays in the backyard and the front yard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-preston/by-the-time-i-was-twelve-i-had-started-my-own-theater-company-and-was/) [Carrie Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-preston/) > [Auditioning is so different than doing the work in some ways. It's very much about solving the scene, I think, and coming in with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-preston/auditioning-is-so-different-than-doing-the-work-in-some-ways-it-s/) [Carrie Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-preston/) > [I got my first big paycheck for 'My Best Friend's Wedding.' This was in the days when you actually did get paid to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-preston/i-got-my-first-big-paycheck-for-my-best-friend-s-wedding-this-was-in/) [Carrie Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-preston/) > [I have a great amount of respect for what a manicurist does - now, when I go and get my own nails done at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-preston/i-have-a-great-amount-of-respect-for-what-a-manicurist-does-now-when/) [Carrie Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-preston/) > [I have a recurring role on 'Person of Interest,' which is my husband's show. I play the love of his life. It was really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-preston/i-have-a-recurring-role-on-person-of-interest-which-is-my-husband-s/) [Carrie Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-preston/) > [I really like to play these complicated characters, and I really like to transform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-preston/i-really-like-to-play-these-complicated-characters-and-i-really-like/) [Carrie Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-preston/) > [Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunscreen makes me feel like I'm getting supersonic protection because I am so, so pale and need all the help I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-preston/neutrogena-ultra-sheer-sunscreen-makes-me-feel-like-i-m-getting/) [Carrie Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-preston/) > [I owe so much to Shakespeare. Nothing is more humbling and more exhilarating than taking ahold of those sacred words and riding them like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-preston/i-owe-so-much-to-shakespeare-nothing-is-more-humbling-and-more/) [Carrie Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-preston/) > [I do like to get inspired by and support any female leads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-preston/i-do-like-to-get-inspired-by-and-support-any-female-leads/) [Carrie Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-preston/) > [I'm a character actor and I get lost in these characters, so I think it's only recently that people have begun to connect dots…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-preston/i-m-a-character-actor-and-i-get-lost-in-these-characters-so-i-think/) [Carrie Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-preston/) > [I think that in order for anything to work on television, you have to have conflict. Nothing can be too happy or it's boring.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-preston/i-think-that-in-order-for-anything-to-work-on-television-you-have-to/) [Carrie Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-preston/) > [Getting or not getting the job isn't an indicator of your abilities. You're going to get jobs when you think you sucked, and you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-preston/getting-or-not-getting-the-job-isn-t-an-indicator-of-your-abilities/) [Carrie Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-preston/) > [I tend to play every color in the Southern rainbow, and the challenge is to make each character different so I'm not doing any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-preston/i-tend-to-play-every-color-in-the-southern-rainbow-and-the-challenge/) [Carrie Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-preston/) > [It's just hard for a multi-camera show: Either they hit big, or they don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-preston/it-s-just-hard-for-a-multi-camera-show-either-they-hit-big-or-they/) [Carrie Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-preston/) [Explore all 54 Carrie Preston quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-preston/) ## 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": "What I like to do as an actor is transform. It's way more fun to play characters who are completely different than me. 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