--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm not a straight man, but I play one on…" description: "\"I'm not a straight man, but I play one on television.\" — Dan Butler" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edc/dan-butler-48899_man_i-m-not-a-straight-man-but-i-play-one-on_3008486.jpg" --- # I'm not a straight man, but I play one on television. ![“I'm not a straight man, but I play one on television.” quote by Dan Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edc/dan-butler-48899_man_i-m-not-a-straight-man-but-i-play-one-on_3008486.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edc/dan-butler-48899_man_i-m-not-a-straight-man-but-i-play-one-on_3008486.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edc/dan-butler-48899_man_i-m-not-a-straight-man-but-i-play-one-on_3008486.jpg) > “I'm not a straight man, but I play one on television.” [Dan Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-butler/) ## 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 may portray a straight man on TV while identifying otherwise, highlighting performance versus personal identity. **In simple terms:** Actors can play roles different from their true selves. Key Takeaway Separate character from personal identity. Themes identity performance media Mood humorous insightful Type pop‑culture media When to use this quote - television casting - L representation - personal authenticity Key Concepts gender roles acting craft Questions to Reflect On - How does role playing affect personal perception? - What responsibilities do actors have? A Different Perspective Audiences may conflate character with actor identity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) ## Related quotes > [If a straight man dresses well, chances are he's not straight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-winkleman/if-a-straight-man-dresses-well-chances-are-he-s-not-straight/) [Claudia Winkleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-winkleman/) > [As a straight man, I love going to gay bars. People at gay bars just love to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-kazee/as-a-straight-man-i-love-going-to-gay-bars-people-at-gay-bars-just/) [Steve Kazee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-kazee/) > [If you are a young, white, straight man in today's society, you are in trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/if-you-are-a-young-white-straight-man-in-today-s-society-you-are-in/) [Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/) > [“Why are all gay men understanding and compassionate?” “Pfft.” I arced an eyebrow at her. “They're not, trust me. Its a myth.” “A straight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zathyn-priest/why-are-all-gay-men-understanding-and-compassionate-pfft-i-arced-an/) [Zathyn Priest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zathyn-priest/) > [I watched 'Ghostbusters' from the age of four. It's my favorite movie, still. Bill Murray's, like, the weirdest straight man that you've ever seen.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-lacy/i-watched-ghostbusters-from-the-age-of-four-it-s-my-favorite-movie/) Jake Lacy > [In my planet, fashion, I'm the only straight man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-cavalli/in-my-planet-fashion-i-m-the-only-straight-man/) [Roberto Cavalli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-cavalli/) > [Although in Abbott and Costello, and straight man was first. That's a very interesting concept.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-korman/although-in-abbott-and-costello-and-straight-man-was-first-that-s-a/) [Harvey Korman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-korman/) > [To a straight man, the notion of walking around as a coiffed, waxed, nail-polish-wearing, lispy dude is uproariously absurd. As people, we find absurdities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-crowder/to-a-straight-man-the-notion-of-walking-around-as-a-coiffed-waxed/) [Steven Crowder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-crowder/) > [You've got to be a really straight man to write a song like 'It's Raining Men.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-shaffer/you-ve-got-to-be-a-really-straight-man-to-write-a-song-like-it-s/) [Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) > [Of course, bring a straight man, it is intimidating to kiss another man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arjun-mathur/of-course-bring-a-straight-man-it-is-intimidating-to-kiss-another-man/) [Arjun Mathur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arjun-mathur/) > [The last time a straight man worked in the fashion industry, we got a fanny pack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-handler/the-last-time-a-straight-man-worked-in-the-fashion-industry-we-got-a/) [Chelsea Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-handler/) > [I've committed myself to perfecting the art of the straight man. I try really hard not to crack up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-braugher/i-ve-committed-myself-to-perfecting-the-art-of-the-straight-man-i-try/) [Andre Braugher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-braugher/) > [My father was invited to play on a television show when I was 17 or 18 that was an early equivalent of educational television,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sebastian/my-father-was-invited-to-play-on-a-television-show-when-i-was-17-or/) [John Sebastian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sebastian/) > [I'm loving saying 'I'm not a big movie star, but I play one on television.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnathon-schaech/i-m-loving-saying-i-m-not-a-big-movie-star-but-i-play-one-on/) [Johnathon Schaech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnathon-schaech/) > [I'm not an improv guy. I'm not a nerd, I play one on television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-armstrong/i-m-not-an-improv-guy-i-m-not-a-nerd-i-play-one-on-television/) [Curtis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-armstrong/) ## More by Dan Butler > [I'm not big on the closet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-butler/i-m-not-big-on-the-closet/) [Dan Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-butler/) > [Our responsibility as artists is to challenge ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-butler/our-responsibility-as-artists-is-to-challenge-ourselves/) [Dan Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-butler/) > [Every retailer, when they price their goods, looks at their total cost overall. When they have costs go up, they'll price their products accordingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-butler/every-retailer-when-they-price-their-goods-looks-at-their-total-cost/) [Dan Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-butler/) > [I think there are a lot of honest people doing honest business on online auctions. But the control on these Web sites is pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-butler/i-think-there-are-a-lot-of-honest-people-doing-honest-business-on/) [Dan Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-butler/) > [There are so many different camps about what being gay means. The danger comes when each one is so rigid that it sees itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-butler/there-are-so-many-different-camps-about-what-being-gay-means-the/) [Dan Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-butler/) > [Besides, I have a sister who's straight. And I want her to know that I love her and support her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-butler/besides-i-have-a-sister-who-s-straight-and-i-want-her-to-know-that-i/) [Dan Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-butler/) > [I'm an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-butler/i-m-an-actor/) [Dan Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-butler/) [Explore all 8 Dan Butler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-butler/) ## More Man quotes > [I want the municipality to be a helping hand to the man with a desire of sympathy, to help the fallen when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burns/i-want-the-municipality-to-be-a-helping-hand-to-the-man-with-a-desire/) [John Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burns/) > [That old man dies prematurely whose memory records no benefits conferred. They only have lived long who have lived virtuously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/that-old-man-dies-prematurely-whose-memory-records-no-benefits/) [Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/) > [Troy was a sweet, good man. We just were never destined to be married. We just didn't have the same values. But I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-pleshette/troy-was-a-sweet-good-man-we-just-were-never-destined-to-be-married/) [Suzanne Pleshette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-pleshette/) > [“A man who saw has turned blind, A hearer deaf, A leader now leads astray!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miriam-lichtheim/a-man-who-saw-has-turned-blind-a-hearer-deaf-a-leader-now-leads-astray/) [Miriam Lichtheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miriam-lichtheim/) > [I'm more comfortable modelling as a man because I don't get any criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain-dove/i-m-more-comfortable-modelling-as-a-man-because-i-don-t-get-any/) [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) > [If you're in a meeting and a man talks loudly over you, rather than copying that behaviour and normalising it, what you could do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-foster/if-you-re-in-a-meeting-and-a-man-talks-loudly-over-you-rather-than/) [Dawn Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-foster/) > [Man United has always had a unique aura about it, and when you watch them play everyone knows it's something special.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-glazer/man-united-has-always-had-a-unique-aura-about-it-and-when-you-watch/) [Joel Glazer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-glazer/) > [I came to Hollywood to be a movie song-and-dance man just at the time those films were going out of style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-berry/i-came-to-hollywood-to-be-a-movie-song-and-dance-man-just-at-the-time/) [Ken Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-berry/) > [Fighting's fun, man. It's a great activity, it's a great sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mitrione/fighting-s-fun-man-it-s-a-great-activity-it-s-a-great-sport/) [Matt Mitrione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mitrione/) > [I really think there's no difference between an art piece made by a man and one made by a woman. Is it a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marina-abramovic/i-really-think-there-s-no-difference-between-an-art-piece-made-by-a/) [Marina Abramovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marina-abramovic/) > [“Well, God be with you,’ she said as she finally left him. ’I’m sure He is,’ he replied. She gave a start. ’Are you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/knut-hamsun/well-god-be-with-you-she-said-as-she-finally-left-him-i-m-sure-he-is/) [Knut Hamsun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/knut-hamsun/) > [“A man's life is about keeping rules, breaking them, and making new ones.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogwo-david-emenike/a-man-s-life-is-about-keeping-rules-breaking-them-and-making-new-ones/) [Ogwo David Emenike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogwo-david-emenike/) > [“Haunted by the longing to feel something real, deep and magical; I searched for a shared ecstasy... that's when you came along.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lebo-grand/haunted-by-the-longing-to-feel-something-real-deep-and-magical-i/) [Lebo Grand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lebo-grand/) > [Elvis was sincere, and he was - he was so loyal. And he was so homespun. He loved his mother, he loved America. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-thompson/elvis-was-sincere-and-he-was-he-was-so-loyal-and-he-was-so-homespun/) [Linda Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-thompson/) > [I grew up in a blue-collar neighborhood and was raised by a man who did not emote, ever... I always cry at movies, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-quick/i-grew-up-in-a-blue-collar-neighborhood-and-was-raised-by-a-man-who/) [Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/) [Browse all 10,452 Man quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm not a straight man, but I play one on television.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dan Butler" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-butler/i-m-not-a-straight-man-but-i-play-one-on-television/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Man" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-butler/i-m-not-a-straight-man-but-i-play-one-on-television/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edc/dan-butler-48899_man_i-m-not-a-straight-man-but-i-play-one-on_3008486.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edc/dan-butler-48899_man_i-m-not-a-straight-man-but-i-play-one-on_3008486.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edc/dan-butler-48899_man_i-m-not-a-straight-man-but-i-play-one-on_3008486.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I'm not a straight man, but I play one on television.” — Dan Butler", "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": "Dan Butler", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-butler/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I'm not a straight man, but...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-butler/i-m-not-a-straight-man-but-i-play-one-on-television/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-butler/i-m-not-a-straight-man-but-i-play-one-on-television/#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 } } ] } ```