--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm not interested in being a celebrity…" description: "\"I'm not interested in being a celebrity; I'm interested in being a better actor and a better director.\" — Denzel Washington" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/denzel-washington-1345_actors_i-m-not-interested-in-being-a-celebrity_1860012.jpg" --- # I'm not interested in being a celebrity; I'm interested in… ![“I'm not interested in being a celebrity; I'm interested in being a better actor and a better director.” quote by Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/denzel-washington-1345_actors_i-m-not-interested-in-being-a-celebrity_1860012.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/denzel-washington-1345_actors_i-m-not-interested-in-being-a-celebrity_1860012.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/denzel-washington-1345_actors_i-m-not-interested-in-being-a-celebrity_1860012.jpg) > “I'm not interested in being a celebrity; I'm interested in being a better actor and a better director.” [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. Focus on craft over fame; seek growth as actor and director. **In simple terms:** Prioritize skill development over celebrity. Key Takeaway Invest in continuous artistic improvement. Themes career craft humility Mood motivational determined Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - workshops - script analysis - collaborative projects Key Concepts acting technique directorial vision personal development Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take to deepen your craft? - How does humility affect creative leadership? A Different Perspective Fame can still distract from artistic goals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Directors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directors/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [I'm keen to go back to Hindi films, both as an actor and even better, as a director.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-roy/i-m-keen-to-go-back-to-hindi-films-both-as-an-actor-and-even-better/) [Rahul Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-roy/) > [I'm not interested in celebrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-not-interested-in-celebrity/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It does make you a better director and a better actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-keating/it-does-make-you-a-better-director-and-a-better-actor/) [Charles Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-keating/) > [I just want to be a better actor. You can always get better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-hoult/i-just-want-to-be-a-better-actor-you-can-always-get-better/) [Nicholas Hoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-hoult/) > [Read more. Read. Read. Read. Deeply, widely, read. Learn all kinds of subjects. The smarter you are as an actor, the better an actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-guttenberg/read-more-read-read-read-deeply-widely-read-learn-all-kinds-of/) [Steve Guttenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-guttenberg/) > [How do you say one actor is better than another actor? You can definitely say that in the Olympics if it's the same race…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/how-do-you-say-one-actor-is-better-than-another-actor-you-can/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [A worldly actor is a better actor. It sounds pretentious, but I think having these experiences can translate back into your work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-robinson/a-worldly-actor-is-a-better-actor-it-sounds-pretentious-but-i-think/) [Nick Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-robinson/) > [I always thought on my own that what is a huge part of being an actor, or what made me a better actor, was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominik-garcia-lorido/i-always-thought-on-my-own-that-what-is-a-huge-part-of-being-an-actor/) [Dominik Garcia-Lorido](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominik-garcia-lorido/) > [I think the better actor I am, the better person I become.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-gehlfuss/i-think-the-better-actor-i-am-the-better-person-i-become/) [Nick Gehlfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-gehlfuss/) > [There is no question that sobriety has made me a better actor, made me a better person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edie-falco/there-is-no-question-that-sobriety-has-made-me-a-better-actor-made-me/) [Edie Falco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edie-falco/) > [I'm only interested in being better than everyone else thought you could be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stevens/i-m-only-interested-in-being-better-than-everyone-else-thought-you/) [Brad Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stevens/) > [Everyone is interested in what‘s new. Few people are interested in what‘s better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-is-interested-in-what-s-new-few-people-are-interested-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I'm not interested in whether I'm better than you; only whether I'm better than yesterday.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-ormsby/i-m-not-interested-in-whether-i-m-better-than-you-only-whether-i-m/) Mike Ormsby > [I've never been interested in celebrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-isaac/i-ve-never-been-interested-in-celebrity/) [Oscar Isaac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-isaac/) > [I'm definitely someone that's private. I've never been interested in celebrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-isaac/i-m-definitely-someone-that-s-private-i-ve-never-been-interested-in/) [Oscar Isaac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-isaac/) ## 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 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": "I'm not interested in being a celebrity; I'm interested in being a better actor and a better director.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Denzel Washington" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-m-not-interested-in-being-a-celebrity-i-m-interested-in-being-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actors" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-m-not-interested-in-being-a-celebrity-i-m-interested-in-being-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/denzel-washington-1345_actors_i-m-not-interested-in-being-a-celebrity_1860012.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/denzel-washington-1345_actors_i-m-not-interested-in-being-a-celebrity_1860012.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/denzel-washington-1345_actors_i-m-not-interested-in-being-a-celebrity_1860012.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I'm not interested in being a celebrity; I'm interested in being a better actor and a better director.” — Denzel Washington", "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": "Denzel Washington", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I'm not interested in being a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-m-not-interested-in-being-a-celebrity-i-m-interested-in-being-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-m-not-interested-in-being-a-celebrity-i-m-interested-in-being-a/#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 } } ] } ```