--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I even asked [Saniyya Sidney] why she…" description: "\"I even asked [Saniyya Sidney] why she wanted to be an actor and she said, \"I'm serious about this. These other little kids they want to play, and I don..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/661/denzel-washington-1345_actor_i-even-asked-saniyya-sidney-why-she-want_2446577.jpg" --- # I even asked \[Saniyya Sidney\] why she wanted to be an… ![“I even asked [Saniyya Sidney] why she wanted to be an actor and she said, "I'm serious about this. These other little kids they want to play, and I don't have time for that."” quote by Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/661/denzel-washington-1345_actor_i-even-asked-saniyya-sidney-why-she-want_2446577.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/661/denzel-washington-1345_actor_i-even-asked-saniyya-sidney-why-she-want_2446577.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/661/denzel-washington-1345_actor_i-even-asked-saniyya-sidney-why-she-want_2446577.jpg) > “I even asked \[Saniyya Sidney\] why she wanted to be an actor and she said, "I'm serious about this. These other little kids they want to play, and I don't have time for that."” [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He emphasizes seriousness and dedication over casual play, rejecting frivolous attitudes toward his craft. **In simple terms:** Serious commitment beats playfulness. Key Takeaway Prioritize purpose over fun. Themes dedication professionalism career focus discipline Mood determined serious Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - audition preparation - career decisions - mentor advice - self‑assessment Key Concepts work ethic identity motivation Questions to Reflect On - How does seriousness affect creativity? - What balance between play and purpose? A Different Perspective May overlook joy and spontaneity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Kids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids/) [Little kid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little-kid/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [ \[Saniyya Sidney\] was very serious about her work and her craft, and she wanted to be good, and she wanted to work on it.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/saniyya-sidney-was-very-serious-about-her-work-and-her-craft-and-she/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I didn't want to audition the kids so much; I just wanted to talk to them because I like seeing how they are because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-didn-t-want-to-audition-the-kids-so-much-i-just-wanted-to-talk-to/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [At a very young age, I was in Germany watching TV and I told my mom I wanted to be an actor. She said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khleo/at-a-very-young-age-i-was-in-germany-watching-tv-and-i-told-my-mom-i/) [Khleo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khleo/) > [When I decided I wanted to be an actor, I said I wanted to work with quality actors and directors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-decided-i-wanted-to-be-an-actor-i-said-i-wanted-to-work-with/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I always wanted to be an actor, even as a little kid. So I went to drama school in the late '60s at Carnegie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loudon-wainwright-iii/i-always-wanted-to-be-an-actor-even-as-a-little-kid-so-i-went-to/) [Loudon Wainwright III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loudon-wainwright-iii/) > [My mom says that when I was a little kid, I always used to say I wanted to be an actor, but I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-douglas/my-mom-says-that-when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-always-used-to-say-i/) [Aaron Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-douglas/) > [I think by default I wanted to be an actor because, on a movie set as a little kid, the only thing that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-stewart/i-think-by-default-i-wanted-to-be-an-actor-because-on-a-movie-set-as/) [Kristen Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-stewart/) > [When I was a little kid, I wanted to be an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ad-rock/when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-wanted-to-be-an-actor/) [Ad-Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ad-rock/) > [I found a movie called “Light in the Piazza.” I finally made the movie with Olivia de Havilland and myself, but initially there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-hamilton/i-found-a-movie-called-light-in-the-piazza-i-finally-made-the-movie/) [George Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-hamilton/) > [It wasn't like a "I know I wanted to do this," I was sort of just - I was five and my dad kinda…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake-bell/it-wasn-t-like-a-i-know-i-wanted-to-do-this-i-was-sort-of-just-i-was/) [Drake Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake-bell/) > [“A good actor,' said Sunay in a light theatrical tone, 'is a man who represents the sediment, the unexplored and unexplained powers that have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/a-good-actor-said-sunay-in-a-light-theatrical-tone-is-a-man-who/) [Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/) > [I remember seeing Aladdin when I was five or six and loving it. I looked at the big screen and said to my mum,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-criss/i-remember-seeing-aladdin-when-i-was-five-or-six-and-loving-it-i/) [Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) > [The first audition I ever went on, I was accompanied by my mother at the instruction of my father. 'You have to learn how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-lee/the-first-audition-i-ever-went-on-i-was-accompanied-by-my-mother-at/) Michele Lee > [An actor said recently that, unless you're a parent, you shouldn't play a parent in a film. I don't know who said it, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-farrell/an-actor-said-recently-that-unless-you-re-a-parent-you-shouldn-t-play/) [Colin Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-farrell/) > [About the best thing an actor can do when all is said and done is to make people laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-levine/about-the-best-thing-an-actor-can-do-when-all-is-said-and-done-is-to/) Ted Levine ## More by Denzel Washington > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [My father was a minister for 50 years with Pentecostal Church of God in Christ. We prayed about everything, every day, then he always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/my-father-was-a-minister-for-50-years-with-pentecostal-church-of-god/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Family is life; acting is making a living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/family-is-life-acting-is-making-a-living/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Talent comes from God. If you have been given some, then value it, cultivate it, work and develop it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/talent-comes-from-god-if-you-have-been-given-some-then-value-it/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [ I'll be working with Ridley's \[Scott\] brother, Tony, again, someone who needless to say we've had a great amount of success together. I trust… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-ll-be-working-with-ridley-s-scott-brother-tony-again-someone-who/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-found-that-nothing-in-life-is-worthwhile-unless-you-take-risks/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I and haven't been unemployed for 20 years. I'm an exception to the rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-and-haven-t-been-unemployed-for-20-years-i-m-an-exception-to-the/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I'm very proud to be black, but black is not all I am. That's my cultural historical background, my genetic make-up, but it's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-m-very-proud-to-be-black-but-black-is-not-all-i-am-that-s-my/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [We'll all retire from life at some point. The great thing about acting is you don't necessarily have to retire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/we-ll-all-retire-from-life-at-some-point-the-great-thing-about-acting/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [It's strictly business. If I loan you $25 million, I want my money back. I don't want to hear about the social impact. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/it-s-strictly-business-if-i-loan-you-25-million-i-want-my-money-back/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [If you have an enemy, then learn and know your enemy, don't just be mad at him or her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/if-you-have-an-enemy-then-learn-and-know-your-enemy-don-t-just-be-mad/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [“He taught us that everyone has a good story and the more of others you understand, the better your grasp of human nature, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/he-taught-us-that-everyone-has-a-good-story-and-the-more-of-others/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Religion to me is when man gets ahold of spirituality: "My god is right, yours is wrong." Religion to me is the human condition.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/religion-to-me-is-when-man-gets-ahold-of-spirituality-my-god-is-right/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I don't concern myself with award. I'd been to the party enough times to know it really didn't matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-don-t-concern-myself-with-award-i-d-been-to-the-party-enough-times/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I've just directed a film called The Great Debaters, which is inspired by a true story about a young college debating team in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-ve-just-directed-a-film-called-the-great-debaters-which-is-inspired/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) [Explore all 253 Denzel Washington quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) ## 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": "I even asked [Saniyya Sidney] why she wanted to be an actor and she said, \"I'm serious about this. 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