--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't think I'm a great actress. I…" description: "\"I don't think I'm a great actress. I think I can act or I can react. Coming from a musical background and being a dramatic singer and writer, when I wr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e9/dolly-parton-366_acting_i-don-t-think-i-m-a-great-actress-i-thin_2840714.jpg" --- # I don't think I'm a great actress. I think I can act or I… ![“I don't think I'm a great actress. I think I can act or I can react. Coming from a musical background and being a dramatic singer and writer, when I write stuff I really feel it. So I sing it like it comes from here. That's how I do the acting.” quote by Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e9/dolly-parton-366_acting_i-don-t-think-i-m-a-great-actress-i-thin_2840714.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e9/dolly-parton-366_acting_i-don-t-think-i-m-a-great-actress-i-thin_2840714.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e9/dolly-parton-366_acting_i-don-t-think-i-m-a-great-actress-i-thin_2840714.jpg) > “I don't think I'm a great actress. I think I can act or I can react. Coming from a musical background and being a dramatic singer and writer, when I write stuff I really feel it. So I sing it like it comes from here. That's how I do the acting.” [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She distinguishes acting from reacting, emphasizing authentic feeling and personal expression in performance. **In simple terms:** Act with feeling, not just react. Key Takeaway Embrace authentic emotional expression. Themes authenticity performance creativity Mood inspirational energetic Type advice creative When to use this quote - theatre - personal storytelling Key Concepts acting music songwriting Questions to Reflect On - How does personal feeling enhance acting? - When is reacting more appropriate than acting? A Different Perspective May blur lines between acting and personal life. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Actress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actress/) [Actress Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actress-think-263116/) [Actresses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actresses/) [Backgrounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backgrounds/) [Comes Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comes-acting-564289/) [Dramatic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dramatic/) [Dramatic Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dramatic-singer-3722962/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [I can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-can/) [Musical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musical/) [Singers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singers/) [Stuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stuff/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I feel excited about getting older as an actress, too. I think there are some amazing opportunities around the corner and I don't need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sutton-foster/i-feel-excited-about-getting-older-as-an-actress-too-i-think-there/) [Sutton Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sutton-foster/) > [I like to think of myself as an actress, I think of going through all of the films as my kind of film academy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-watson/i-like-to-think-of-myself-as-an-actress-i-think-of-going-through-all/) [Emma Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-watson/) > [The reason I am a good actress, I think, is because the times when I didn't have a good part... and you think, 'What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cloris-leachman/the-reason-i-am-a-good-actress-i-think-is-because-the-times-when-i/) [Cloris Leachman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cloris-leachman/) > [As far as developing a career as an actress, I think it's a fine balance between trying to just work, and also be true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-true/as-far-as-developing-a-career-as-an-actress-i-think-it-s-a-fine/) [Rachel True](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-true/) > [And I'm not an actress. I don't think I am an actress. I think I've created a brand and a business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-anderson/and-i-m-not-an-actress-i-don-t-think-i-am-an-actress-i-think-i-ve/) [Pamela Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-anderson/) > [As an actress, I think there is always a political consciousness there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliette-binoche/as-an-actress-i-think-there-is-always-a-political-consciousness-there/) [Juliette Binoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliette-binoche/) > [At the core, I am an actress. And I think, in a way, that's a good thing in that I am, I think, empathetic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-clarkson/at-the-core-i-am-an-actress-and-i-think-in-a-way-that-s-a-good-thing/) [Patricia Clarkson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-clarkson/) > [My daughter, Asia, has been in many of my movies. I love working with her. In the beginning, I was not supportive of her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dario-argento/my-daughter-asia-has-been-in-many-of-my-movies-i-love-working-with/) [Dario Argento](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dario-argento/) > [I do consider myself an actress now. I think 'Dig' and 'Transparent' have given me the confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-sudol/i-do-consider-myself-an-actress-now-i-think-dig-and-transparent-have-2/) [Alison Sudol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-sudol/) > [Oh, I think Scarlett Johansson is a terrific actress. I think she's just marvelous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-moreno/oh-i-think-scarlett-johansson-is-a-terrific-actress-i-think-she-s/) [Rita Moreno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-moreno/) > [I do consider myself an actress now. I think Dig and Transparent have given me the confidence. I've been working as an actress, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-fine-frenzy/i-do-consider-myself-an-actress-now-i-think-dig-and-transparent-have/) [A Fine Frenzy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-fine-frenzy/) > [I always say funny doesnt sag, which seems like a good rule of thumb. People should be more interested in your personality than how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reese-witherspoon/i-always-say-funny-doesnt-sag-which-seems-like-a-good-rule-of-thumb/) [Reese Witherspoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reese-witherspoon/) > [I don't think I am an actress. I think I've created a brand and a business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-anderson/i-don-t-think-i-am-an-actress-i-think-i-ve-created-a-brand-and-a/) [Pamela Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-anderson/) > [My talents fall within definite limitations. I am not as versatile an actress as some think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-garbo/my-talents-fall-within-definite-limitations-i-am-not-as-versatile-an/) [Greta Garbo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-garbo/) > [I have the highest regard for Meryl Streep as an actress and think she's a fabulous person as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-duncan/i-have-the-highest-regard-for-meryl-streep-as-an-actress-and-think/) [Lindsay Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-duncan/) ## More by Dolly Parton > [Got those moods a swinging, tears a slinging, nothing fits me, when it hits me, ranting, raving, misbehaving, PMS blues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/got-those-moods-a-swinging-tears-a-slinging-nothing-fits-me-when-it/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [A great smile is a wonderful asset, but a good heart is pure gold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/a-great-smile-is-a-wonderful-asset-but-a-good-heart-is-pure-gold/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [I know my hair is out of the '60's, my clothes are '50's and the shoes I wear are from the '40's. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/i-know-my-hair-is-out-of-the-60-s-my-clothes-are-50-s-and-the-shoes-i/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [It's great at this stage in my life to still be in the running, that people appreciate you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/it-s-great-at-this-stage-in-my-life-to-still-be-in-the-running-that/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [No matter how beautiful a woman might be, you're always threatened by certain... You're always threatened by](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/no-matter-how-beautiful-a-woman-might-be-you-re-always-threatened-by/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [Music is my personal addiction. So much of everything I've done has only been to open more doors for the music itself. It all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/music-is-my-personal-addiction-so-much-of-everything-i-ve-done-has/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [If you don't like the road youre walking, start paving another one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/if-you-don-t-like-the-road-youre-walking-start-paving-another-one/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [After you reach a certain age, they think you’re over. Well, I will never be over. I’ll be making records if I have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/after-you-reach-a-certain-age-they-think-you-re-over-well-i-will/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [ I think \[music and acting\], they are connected, all that stuff. It's your emotional self, is pretty much how you do it, I think,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/i-think-music-and-acting-they-are-connected-all-that-stuff-it-s-your/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [Understanding isn't learned from punishment and anger. An iron has no gentle touch, and love ain't learned from hate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/understanding-isn-t-learned-from-punishment-and-anger-an-iron-has-no/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [You'll pay the highest price on back roads and in back seats and in a cheap highway motel. But what's a few more strangers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/you-ll-pay-the-highest-price-on-back-roads-and-in-back-seats-and-in-a/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [I went to bed hungry many nights as a child. It was a Dream that dressed me up when I was ragged, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/i-went-to-bed-hungry-many-nights-as-a-child-it-was-a-dream-that/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [I know it's corny - but I love 'Jingle Bells!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/i-know-it-s-corny-but-i-love-jingle-bells/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [I figure if I keep my health, I have no intention of retiring. I love to work. I want to be like Bob Hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/i-figure-if-i-keep-my-health-i-have-no-intention-of-retiring-i-love/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [There are some people who physically are not beautiful. But the way they are, the way they treat people, they become beautiful, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/there-are-some-people-who-physically-are-not-beautiful-but-the-way/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) [Explore all 638 Dolly Parton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) ## More Acting 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/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [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/) > [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/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) [Ryan Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-newman/) > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't think I'm a great actress. I think I can act or I can react. Coming from a musical background and being a dramatic singer and writer, when I write stuff I really feel it. So I sing it like it comes from here. 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