--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My only qualifications to be an actor…" description: "\"My only qualifications to be an actor were that I'm daring, and I'm a quick learner. I've always learnt by watching what other people do. It's the same..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ea/colman-domingo-14297_actor_my-only-qualifications-to-be-an-actor-we_3150184.jpg" --- # My only qualifications to be an actor were that I'm… ![“My only qualifications to be an actor were that I'm daring, and I'm a quick learner. I've always learnt by watching what other people do. It's the same with my writing. I write what I know. Structurally, I write in a very undisciplined way.” quote by Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ea/colman-domingo-14297_actor_my-only-qualifications-to-be-an-actor-we_3150184.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ea/colman-domingo-14297_actor_my-only-qualifications-to-be-an-actor-we_3150184.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ea/colman-domingo-14297_actor_my-only-qualifications-to-be-an-actor-we_3150184.jpg) > “My only qualifications to be an actor were that I'm daring, and I'm a quick learner. I've always learnt by watching what other people do. It's the same with my writing. I write what I know. Structurally, I write in a very undisciplined way.” [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He relies on daring, quick learning, and observational learning, admitting his writing lacks strict discipline but draws from personal experience. **In simple terms:** He learns by watching, writes from experience, and is undisciplined. Key Takeaway Embrace observation and boldness in craft. Themes learning observation creativity discipline self‑awareness Mood reflective motivational pragmatic Type creative professional When to use this quote - acting auditions - writing workshops - on‑set practice - self‑directed study Key Concepts experiential learning creative process Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance spontaneity with discipline? - What observations have most shaped your work? A Different Perspective Lack of structure may hinder consistency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Daring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daring/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [What was I qualified to do to make a living? Nothing. You don't need qualifications as an actor or a politician. And I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-garner/what-was-i-qualified-to-do-to-make-a-living-nothing-you-don-t-need/) [James Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-garner/) > [You don't need qualifications as an actor or a politician. And I didn't want to be a politician.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-garner/you-don-t-need-qualifications-as-an-actor-or-a-politician-and-i-didn/) [James Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-garner/) > [For me as an actor, daring is to tell the truth - to be yourself, no matter how the world interacts with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-schilling/for-me-as-an-actor-daring-is-to-tell-the-truth-to-be-yourself-no/) [Taylor Schilling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-schilling/) > [I'm a fairly undisciplined writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/i-m-a-fairly-undisciplined-writer/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [The ugly truth is it's the spineless parents who parade their undisciplined children around like royalty that make people dislike kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lz-granderson/the-ugly-truth-is-it-s-the-spineless-parents-who-parade-their/) [LZ Granderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lz-granderson/) > [ He \[Bernardo Bertolucci\] has the kind of talent that breaks one's heart: where can it go, what will happen to it? In this country… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauline-kael/he-bernardo-bertolucci-has-the-kind-of-talent-that-breaks-one-s-heart/) [Pauline Kael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauline-kael/) > [The Bhagavad-Gita calls on humanity to dedicate body, mind and soul to pure duty and not to become mental voluptuaries at the mercy of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/the-bhagavad-gita-calls-on-humanity-to-dedicate-body-mind-and-soul-to/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Part of Obama's persona is self-reliance. He's calm; he's cool; he's self-possessed. In many ways, he has tried to define himself in opposition to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-dee-myers/part-of-obama-s-persona-is-self-reliance-he-s-calm-he-s-cool-he-s/) [Dee Dee Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-dee-myers/) > [Why are those who are notoriously undisciplined and unmoral also most contemptuous of religion and morality? They are trying to solace their own unhappy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/why-are-those-who-are-notoriously-undisciplined-and-unmoral-also-most/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [Boys get unfairly labeled as morally defective, hyperactive, undisciplined, or 'problem children,' when quite often the problem is not with the boys but with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gurian/boys-get-unfairly-labeled-as-morally-defective-hyperactive/) [Michael Gurian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gurian/) > [I am burdened with what the Buddhists call the monkey mind. The thoughts that swing from limb to limb, stopping only to scratch themselves,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/i-am-burdened-with-what-the-buddhists-call-the-monkey-mind-the/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [The heart is not the source of negative feelings. It is the undisciplined mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-randymar/the-heart-is-not-the-source-of-negative-feelings-it-is-the/) [Joel Randymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-randymar/) > [I just took part in this camp as there was nothing better for me to do. They also didn't draft me because they thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-oneill/i-just-took-part-in-this-camp-as-there-was-nothing-better-for-me-to/) [Ed ONeill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-oneill/) > [It's possible that the clowning and the buffoonery and the entertainment are a bigger part of what's happening than we've allowed. And that Trump…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-chait/it-s-possible-that-the-clowning-and-the-buffoonery-and-the/) [Jonathan Chait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-chait/) > [The undisciplined child enters into discipline by working in the company of others; not being told he is naughty.” “Discipline is, therefore, primarily a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/the-undisciplined-child-enters-into-discipline-by-working-in-the/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) ## More by Colman Domingo > [My brothers and sister and me grew up making fun of each other, the way we'd speak or move. When we get together, everyone's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-domingo/my-brothers-and-sister-and-me-grew-up-making-fun-of-each-other-the/) [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) > [My mother sent me to speech classes, but the other kids still teased me. I was shy. I stooped. Instead of talking, I kept…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-domingo/my-mother-sent-me-to-speech-classes-but-the-other-kids-still-teased/) [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) > [I'll watch things on OWN like 'Belief,' which is about faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-domingo/i-ll-watch-things-on-own-like-belief-which-is-about-faith/) [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) > [I know how to lead a room, but I also know how to take direction and be a contributor as an artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-domingo/i-know-how-to-lead-a-room-but-i-also-know-how-to-take-direction-and/) [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) > [I have been constantly shaping and reshaping my career. I laid a foundation by doing respectful work in all media. And I am happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-domingo/i-have-been-constantly-shaping-and-reshaping-my-career-i-laid-a/) [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) > [Being on a show like 'Fear the Walking Dead,' I started to learn more about camera work, learn more about the way the crew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-domingo/being-on-a-show-like-fear-the-walking-dead-i-started-to-learn-more/) [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) > [I can't fall apart every time I mention that my mother's gone. I actually laugh about stories or things or situations. Of course there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-domingo/i-can-t-fall-apart-every-time-i-mention-that-my-mother-s-gone-i/) [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) > [I missed my entrance in a production of 'Blade to the Heat' at Thick Description in San Francisco. I came into the scene very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-domingo/i-missed-my-entrance-in-a-production-of-blade-to-the-heat-at-thick/) [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) > [I'm always watching old episodes of 'The Golden Girls' or 'The Simpsons.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-domingo/i-m-always-watching-old-episodes-of-the-golden-girls-or-the-simpsons/) [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) > [Doing multiple character work is athletic in every way - vocally, physically, spiritually, and mentally. With a show like 'Passing Strange,' I usually lose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-domingo/doing-multiple-character-work-is-athletic-in-every-way-vocally/) [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) > [I think comedy and satire are the strongest ways to deal with very serious themes and very painful themes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-domingo/i-think-comedy-and-satire-are-the-strongest-ways-to-deal-with-very/) [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) > [When I first moved to New York, I had some colleagues who said I should be my straightest self - whatever that means -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-domingo/when-i-first-moved-to-new-york-i-had-some-colleagues-who-said-i/) [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) > [Out of all of the things I've written, 'Dot' was the quickest from first thoughts to full production.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-domingo/out-of-all-of-the-things-i-ve-written-dot-was-the-quickest-from-first/) [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) > [It's an experience I'd like to add to the chorus, that these blue-collar, macho men, like my older brother, had the capacity to say:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-domingo/it-s-an-experience-i-d-like-to-add-to-the-chorus-that-these-blue/) [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) > [I believe, with the media, you must answer every question in some way. And in very, very, touchy situations, we must answer every question…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-domingo/i-believe-with-the-media-you-must-answer-every-question-in-some-way/) [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) [Explore all 47 Colman Domingo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) ## 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": "My only qualifications to be an actor were that I'm daring, and I'm a quick learner. I've always learnt by watching what other people do. It's the same with my writing. I write what I know. 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