--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Actors like to play bad guys because…" description: "\"Actors like to play bad guys because they're more fun. They also win more awards.\" — Dean Norris" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69b/dean-norris-21951_actors_actors-like-to-play-bad-guys-because-the_1372294.jpg" --- # Actors like to play bad guys because they're more fun… ![“Actors like to play bad guys because they're more fun. They also win more awards.” quote by Dean Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69b/dean-norris-21951_actors_actors-like-to-play-bad-guys-because-the_1372294.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69b/dean-norris-21951_actors_actors-like-to-play-bad-guys-because-the_1372294.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69b/dean-norris-21951_actors_actors-like-to-play-bad-guys-because-the_1372294.jpg) > “Actors like to play bad guys because they're more fun. They also win more awards.” [Dean Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-norris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Playing villains is enjoyable and often leads to recognition. **In simple terms:** Villains are fun and award‑winning. Key Takeaway Explore complex characters for growth. Themes creativity recognition character work Mood enthusiastic thoughtful Type inspirational analytical When to use this quote - acting workshops - script reading - award campaigns Key Concepts psychology performance art Questions to Reflect On - Do you prefer hero or villain roles? - How does audience perception affect your choices? A Different Perspective Typecasting may limit range and future roles. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Bad guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-guy/) [Bad guys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-guys/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [Usually bad guys are much more fun to play and much more interesting to watch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gilpin/usually-bad-guys-are-much-more-fun-to-play-and-much-more-interesting/) John Gilpin > [Bad guys have more fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gallagher/bad-guys-have-more-fun/) [David Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gallagher/) > [The bad guys are the fun guys. The only people I have trouble with are the so-called normal types. Their language isn't very colorful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/the-bad-guys-are-the-fun-guys-the-only-people-i-have-trouble-with-are/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [I love playing bad guys; they're always much more fun than the good guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-bowler/i-love-playing-bad-guys-they-re-always-much-more-fun-than-the-good-guy/) [Grant Bowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grant-bowler/) > [In my experience, nice guys are boring, and bad guys are fun to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-everett-scott/in-my-experience-nice-guys-are-boring-and-bad-guys-are-fun-to-play/) [Tom Everett Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-everett-scott/) > [My label is to play bad guys of Latin origin in American movies. I'm happy with that label. I prefer to play that than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordi-molla/my-label-is-to-play-bad-guys-of-latin-origin-in-american-movies-i-m/) [Jordi Molla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordi-molla/) > [Everyone says I'm intense, or I'm mad, or I play bad guys. I don't see any of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-harris/everyone-says-i-m-intense-or-i-m-mad-or-i-play-bad-guys-i-don-t-see/) [Sean Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-harris/) > [It's great to be able to play the bad guy role because you always get a lot to do, but I'm always looking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/it-s-great-to-be-able-to-play-the-bad-guy-role-because-you-always-get/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) > [There is something, yeah, I mean traditionally it's more fun to play bad guys than it is good guys and when you're playing a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-nighy/there-is-something-yeah-i-mean-traditionally-it-s-more-fun-to-play/) [Bill Nighy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-nighy/) > [As an actor in the theater you're taught that you never play a bad guy. You have to love who you are. You can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/as-an-actor-in-the-theater-you-re-taught-that-you-never-play-a-bad/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I've kind of had to make a career of playing villains. In order to stay employed, I had to figure out how to play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pierce/i-ve-kind-of-had-to-make-a-career-of-playing-villains-in-order-to/) [Jeffrey Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pierce/) > [I've never really had a chance to play a bad guy, and that's something I've always really, really wanted to do. I wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-ludwig/i-ve-never-really-had-a-chance-to-play-a-bad-guy-and-that-s-something/) [Alexander Ludwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-ludwig/) > [Let's say you would see me in a lot more big movies had I done movies that I'd been asked to do playing bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-busey/let-s-say-you-would-see-me-in-a-lot-more-big-movies-had-i-done-movies/) [Jake Busey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-busey/) > [I came to The United States to see what would happen in 2000 after working for 20 years in Australia and asked my agent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dale/i-came-to-the-united-states-to-see-what-would-happen-in-2000-after/) [Alan Dale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dale/) > [Bad guys are always fun. It's one of the reasons why I love McKay so much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hewlett/bad-guys-are-always-fun-it-s-one-of-the-reasons-why-i-love-mckay-so/) [David Hewlett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hewlett/) ## More by Dean Norris > [Well, I was a drama kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-norris/well-i-was-a-drama-kid/) [Dean Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-norris/) > [I never had trouble getting an agent. I went out and got my first couple roles, and literally within six months I never had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-norris/i-never-had-trouble-getting-an-agent-i-went-out-and-got-my-first/) [Dean Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-norris/) > [I never had a month or so go by where I haven't had a job, but you always worry that someone will turn off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-norris/i-never-had-a-month-or-so-go-by-where-i-haven-t-had-a-job-but-you/) [Dean Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-norris/) > [Actually, I went from doing a lot of movies early on in my career, then to doing TV, and I don't know whether we'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-norris/actually-i-went-from-doing-a-lot-of-movies-early-on-in-my-career-then/) [Dean Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-norris/) > [You go into any doughnut shop and look at three cops having coffee, I guarantee I look like one of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-norris/you-go-into-any-doughnut-shop-and-look-at-three-cops-having-coffee-i/) [Dean Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-norris/) > [I earned a black belt when I was in high school. And I did a lot of boxing and full contact karate in college.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-norris/i-earned-a-black-belt-when-i-was-in-high-school-and-i-did-a-lot-of/) [Dean Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-norris/) > [Look, we're in the time of the anti-hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-norris/look-we-re-in-the-time-of-the-anti-hero/) [Dean Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-norris/) > [As a matter of fact, I am an uncle. I have nine nephews and nieces. I'm not sure if they think I'm all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-norris/as-a-matter-of-fact-i-am-an-uncle-i-have-nine-nephews-and-nieces-i-m/) [Dean Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-norris/) > [My dad's era believed that there was something noble in being a good guy - the kind of guy that lived straight and narrow,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-norris/my-dad-s-era-believed-that-there-was-something-noble-in-being-a-good/) [Dean Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-norris/) > [When I was in college I did a lot of comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-norris/when-i-was-in-college-i-did-a-lot-of-comedy/) [Dean Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-norris/) > [I think actors who take things too far are funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-norris/i-think-actors-who-take-things-too-far-are-funny/) [Dean Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-norris/) > [You know, I'm from the Midwest, man - that shapes my personality much more than having gone to Harvard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-norris/you-know-i-m-from-the-midwest-man-that-shapes-my-personality-much/) [Dean Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-norris/) > [I don't get a lot of "Hey, Harvard!" stuff. I think a lot of people who don't know me would be surprised to think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-norris/i-don-t-get-a-lot-of-hey-harvard-stuff-i-think-a-lot-of-people-who/) [Dean Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-norris/) > [The way I look at it, I'm a guy who acts to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-norris/the-way-i-look-at-it-i-m-a-guy-who-acts-to-live/) [Dean Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-norris/) > [I talked to people that I'd done theater with, older actors and stuff. There's a lot of people who go into the business, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-norris/i-talked-to-people-that-i-d-done-theater-with-older-actors-and-stuff/) [Dean Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-norris/) [Explore all 28 Dean Norris quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-norris/) ## More Actors quotes > [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/) [Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/) > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [Forget the credit, they (male actors) take all the money as well. We don't get paid even one-third of what male actors get. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kangana-ranaut/forget-the-credit-they-male-actors-take-all-the-money-as-well-we-don/) [Kangana Ranaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kangana-ranaut/) > [I love film people and actors and I am in the right world because I am one of those people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewan-mcgregor/i-love-film-people-and-actors-and-i-am-in-the-right-world-because-i/) [Ewan McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ewan-mcgregor/) > [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/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [When we watch a film as actors, you have to understand that we always see much more than what's on screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-khemu/when-we-watch-a-film-as-actors-you-have-to-understand-that-we-always/) [Kunal Khemu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-khemu/) > [As actors, you become an expert at starting over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupita-nyong-o/as-actors-you-become-an-expert-at-starting-over/) [Lupita Nyong'o](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupita-nyong-o/) > [The whole concept of stage fright is fascinating. Actors get stage fright, but they wouldn't be on the stage in the first place if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/the-whole-concept-of-stage-fright-is-fascinating-actors-get-stage/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [No actor wants to choose - they just want all of the options available to them all the time; we tend to be pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-jacobs/no-actor-wants-to-choose-they-just-want-all-of-the-options-available/) [Gillian Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-jacobs/) > [A rapper is about being completely true to yourself. Being an actor is about changing who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/a-rapper-is-about-being-completely-true-to-yourself-being-an-actor-is/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [I've been a professional actor for almost 40 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-perlman/i-ve-been-a-professional-actor-for-almost-40-years/) [Ron Perlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-perlman/) > [American actors are coy. We all have pricks and cunts, or are you different from the rest of us?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-greenaway/american-actors-are-coy-we-all-have-pricks-and-cunts-or-are-you/) [Peter Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-greenaway/) [Browse all 11,394 Actors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Actors like to play bad guys because they're more fun. 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