--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only pressure, as an actor, is to…" description: "\"The only pressure, as an actor, is to step into Eric Carter's shoes and make him as fully and as complex and as flawed and as human as I could.\" — Core..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec3/corey-hawkins-9875_actor_the-only-pressure-as-an-actor-is-to-step_564263.jpg" --- # The only pressure, as an actor, is to step into Eric… ![“The only pressure, as an actor, is to step into Eric Carter's shoes and make him as fully and as complex and as flawed and as human as I could.” quote by Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec3/corey-hawkins-9875_actor_the-only-pressure-as-an-actor-is-to-step_564263.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec3/corey-hawkins-9875_actor_the-only-pressure-as-an-actor-is-to-step_564263.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec3/corey-hawkins-9875_actor_the-only-pressure-as-an-actor-is-to-step_564263.jpg) > “The only pressure, as an actor, is to step into Eric Carter's shoes and make him as fully and as complex and as flawed and as human as I could.” [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. An actor must fully inhabit another character, embracing all their complexities and flaws to portray them authentically. **In simple terms:** Acting requires deep empathy for the character. Key Takeaway Embrace the character’s humanity. Themes acting empathy character study Mood intense reflective Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - theatre - film - character rehearsal Key Concepts method acting psychology identity performance Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain self-identity while immersing in a role? - What limits should an actor set when portraying flawed characters? A Different Perspective The actor may lose personal boundaries and emotional wellbeing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Pressure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pressure/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [The challenge is making sure that every single moment is honest, no matter what. It's doing Eric Carter justice. Not trying to fill Jack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/the-challenge-is-making-sure-that-every-single-moment-is-honest-no/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) > [If people don't connect to Eric Carter's struggles, I'm sure they'll find a character in this series to connect to. That's ultimately what it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/if-people-don-t-connect-to-eric-carter-s-struggles-i-m-sure-they-ll/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) > [Eric Carter is a more raw, more emotional protagonist. He's a bit of an Everyman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/eric-carter-is-a-more-raw-more-emotional-protagonist-he-s-a-bit-of-an/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) > [I become a better actor after I step on a stage in front of, like, 500 people when it's just me, a microphone and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-greenberg/i-become-a-better-actor-after-i-step-on-a-stage-in-front-of-like-500/) [Bryan Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-greenberg/) > [The more pressure that an actor puts on himself, the harder it is to deliver behavior that's interesting, and so I just try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-levinson/the-more-pressure-that-an-actor-puts-on-himself-the-harder-it-is-to/) [Barry Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-levinson/) > [I feel that, irrespective of a hit or flop, there's always pressure on an actor. When you give a flop, there's a pressure to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naga-chaitanya/i-feel-that-irrespective-of-a-hit-or-flop-there-s-always-pressure-on/) [Naga Chaitanya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naga-chaitanya/) > [ As an actor, if you step to the side and you look at \[Thornton's performance\] technically, and you try to imagine doing what he… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-norton/as-an-actor-if-you-step-to-the-side-and-you-look-at-thornton-s/) [Edward Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-norton/) > [I'm glad to be a role model, but beyond that I'm a flawed human being, someone who continues to deal with my body image…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-ramirez/i-m-glad-to-be-a-role-model-but-beyond-that-i-m-a-flawed-human-being/) [Sara Ramirez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-ramirez/) > [“The flawed human error is expecting someone else to build the world we desire, rather than creating it for ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-stern/the-flawed-human-error-is-expecting-someone-else-to-build-the-world/) [Shawn Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-stern/) > [“Flawed Human Parents + Shit Life Throws At You = Childhood That 'Builds Character.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/flawed-human-parents-shit-life-throws-at-you-childhood-that-builds/) [Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/) > [Parents are flawed human beings who are given a role that more approximates that of God than of mere mortals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/parents-are-flawed-human-beings-who-are-given-a-role-that-more/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [“The world falls away, and we are no longer a prince and his harshest critic, but two flawed human beings needing to be understood.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-summers/the-world-falls-away-and-we-are-no-longer-a-prince-and-his-harshest/) Melanie Summers > [Some of the greatest stuff that I watch, that I'm drawn to, is deeply flawed human beings, because they're representing a part of us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-landecker/some-of-the-greatest-stuff-that-i-watch-that-i-m-drawn-to-is-deeply/) [Amy Landecker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-landecker/) > [I'm a woefully flawed human being, but I'm trying to do the best that I can with the gifts that I've been given.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-roumie/i-m-a-woefully-flawed-human-being-but-i-m-trying-to-do-the-best-that/) [Jonathan Roumie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-roumie/) > [I think you need to think of yourself as a flawed human being with aspirations for goodness and never start to think, 'Oh, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raphael-bob-waksberg/i-think-you-need-to-think-of-yourself-as-a-flawed-human-being-with/) [Raphael Bob-Waksberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raphael-bob-waksberg/) ## More by Corey Hawkins > [Growing up, we never got to see a hero who didn't have superpowers who looked like us, that you could kind of look to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/growing-up-we-never-got-to-see-a-hero-who-didn-t-have-superpowers-who/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) > [I know that people get cast based on how they look in Hollywood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/i-know-that-people-get-cast-based-on-how-they-look-in-hollywood/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) > [If you feel your rights are being abused by the authorities, and you don't say something, sometimes the cops don't know how far to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/if-you-feel-your-rights-are-being-abused-by-the-authorities-and-you/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) > [I like to surprise myself. I like to surprise my fans, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/i-like-to-surprise-myself-i-like-to-surprise-my-fans-too/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) > [I like being the underdog.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/i-like-being-the-underdog/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) > [I like being a chameleon and doing things that are just so different that people will be like, 'Oh, that's him?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/i-like-being-a-chameleon-and-doing-things-that-are-just-so-different/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) > [I'm a very private guy, so it's an adjustment for me, but a welcomed one, as long as the work remains the focus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/i-m-a-very-private-guy-so-it-s-an-adjustment-for-me-but-a-welcomed/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) > [If the challenge wasn't there, there's no reason to say 'yes' to the role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/if-the-challenge-wasn-t-there-there-s-no-reason-to-say-yes-to-the-role/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) > [I feel immensely blessed - not just that I'm working, but that I'm working on projects that I really care about and like. I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/i-feel-immensely-blessed-not-just-that-i-m-working-but-that-i-m/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) > [I'm the guy coming from Juilliard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/i-m-the-guy-coming-from-juilliard/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) > [I remember 'The Cosby Show,' but that was something completely different. Comedy. There was a lightness to it and a sort of unrealistic perfection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/i-remember-the-cosby-show-but-that-was-something-completely-different/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) > [I grew up singing, and I played on Broadway to thousands of people, you know what I mean?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/i-grew-up-singing-and-i-played-on-broadway-to-thousands-of-people-you/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) > [With '24: Legacy,' there are a lot of people who are super-excited about the show. But there are a lot of people who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/with-24-legacy-there-are-a-lot-of-people-who-are-super-excited-about/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) > [You know how trends go with television. Next year, the networks might not be open to taking risks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/you-know-how-trends-go-with-television-next-year-the-networks-might/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) > [There's no wrong choice because, whatever you choose, that's meant for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/there-s-no-wrong-choice-because-whatever-you-choose-that-s-meant-for/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) [Explore all 69 Corey Hawkins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) ## 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 only pressure, as an actor, is to step into Eric Carter's shoes and make him as fully and as complex and as flawed and as human as I could.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Corey Hawkins" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/the-only-pressure-as-an-actor-is-to-step-into-eric-carter-s-shoes-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/the-only-pressure-as-an-actor-is-to-step-into-eric-carter-s-shoes-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec3/corey-hawkins-9875_actor_the-only-pressure-as-an-actor-is-to-step_564263.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec3/corey-hawkins-9875_actor_the-only-pressure-as-an-actor-is-to-step_564263.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec3/corey-hawkins-9875_actor_the-only-pressure-as-an-actor-is-to-step_564263.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The only pressure, as an actor, is to step into Eric Carter's shoes and make him as fully and as complex and…” — Corey Hawkins", "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": "Corey Hawkins", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The only pressure, as an actor,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/the-only-pressure-as-an-actor-is-to-step-into-eric-carter-s-shoes-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/the-only-pressure-as-an-actor-is-to-step-into-eric-carter-s-shoes-and/#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 } } ] } ```