--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [Stand-up] might be ballsy, but I'd…" description: "\"[Stand-up] might be ballsy, but I'd rather not be an actor. Actors are tools.\" — Doug Stanhope" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/033/doug-stanhope-1528_actor_stand-up-might-be-ballsy-but-i-d-rather_1610210.png" --- # \[Stand-up\] might be ballsy, but I'd rather not be an… ![“[Stand-up] might be ballsy, but I'd rather not be an actor. Actors are tools.” quote by Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/033/doug-stanhope-1528_actor_stand-up-might-be-ballsy-but-i-d-rather_1610210.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/033/doug-stanhope-1528_actor_stand-up-might-be-ballsy-but-i-d-rather_1610210.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/033/doug-stanhope-1528_actor_stand-up-might-be-ballsy-but-i-d-rather_1610210.png) > “\[Stand-up\] might be ballsy, but I'd rather not be an actor. Actors are tools.” [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker views acting as a tool, implying a preference for authenticity over performance art. **In simple terms:** Acting is seen as a tool, not a calling. Key Takeaway Seek roles that align with personal values. Themes acting authenticity career choice self‑concept creativity Mood candid provocative Type philosophical humorous When to use this quote - career counseling - creative workshops - personal development - media criticism - stand‑up comedy Key Concepts existentialism career theory psychology Questions to Reflect On - Why do some reject certain professions? - How does personal identity shape career decisions? A Different Perspective May dismiss the artistic value of acting. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Tools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tools/) ## Related quotes > [It is not an actor's business to suggest changes. Actors are tools. They must just do whatever the director asks them to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manorama/it-is-not-an-actor-s-business-to-suggest-changes-actors-are-tools/) [Manorama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manorama/) > [I am an actor, and actors should be willing to play all kind of roles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rishi-kapoor/i-am-an-actor-and-actors-should-be-willing-to-play-all-kind-of-roles/) [Rishi Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rishi-kapoor/) > [I think in terms of a career trajectory, it's good for people to be reminded that, in spite of seeing me a million times…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-helberg/i-think-in-terms-of-a-career-trajectory-it-s-good-for-people-to-be/) [Simon Helberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-helberg/) > [I am just an actor and we actors are a lucky lot because we get to play many lives in one life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anoop-menon/i-am-just-an-actor-and-we-actors-are-a-lucky-lot-because-we-get-to/) [Anoop Menon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anoop-menon/) > [I'm an actor. Actors are supposed to act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/i-m-an-actor-actors-are-supposed-to-act/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) > [I have never felt brutalized as an actor. Many actors do, some times, but I've never had that experience. If I'm not happy with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/i-have-never-felt-brutalized-as-an-actor-many-actors-do-some-times/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [I think that actresses can be in all different shapes and sizes, but it is a profession, and as an actor, your body is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebel-wilson/i-think-that-actresses-can-be-in-all-different-shapes-and-sizes-but/) [Rebel Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebel-wilson/) > [The dance, just as the performance of the actor, is kinesthetic art, art of the muscle sense. The awareness of tension and relaxation within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-arnheim/the-dance-just-as-the-performance-of-the-actor-is-kinesthetic-art-art/) [Rudolf Arnheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-arnheim/) > [As an actor, you never want to feel like a tool. You never want to feel like, "Hey, just come here, say this, stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-b-jordan/as-an-actor-you-never-want-to-feel-like-a-tool-you-never-want-to-feel/) [Michael B. Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-b-jordan/) > [Performance capture is a tool that young actors will need in the next 10, 20 years. It's on the increase, as you say. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-serkis/performance-capture-is-a-tool-that-young-actors-will-need-in-the-next/) [Andy Serkis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-serkis/) > [The average actor might only be able to book six to eight guest star jobs a year - that would be high. So when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-broderick/the-average-actor-might-only-be-able-to-book-six-to-eight-guest-star/) [Beth Broderick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-broderick/) > [ I love the idea of longevity in this career. But \[producing\] is not about, "Let me do this because this might happen 20 years… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlize-theron/i-love-the-idea-of-longevity-in-this-career-but-producing-is-not/) [Charlize Theron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlize-theron/) > [People think, 'You're an actor, you can afford clothes,' but I just try to take the clothes from the movie, which makes the selecting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-eisenberg/people-think-you-re-an-actor-you-can-afford-clothes-but-i-just-try-to/) [Jesse Eisenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-eisenberg/) > [It might be different for people that are A-list actors, but a lot of us really look at what's offered to us and look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-noble/it-might-be-different-for-people-that-are-a-list-actors-but-a-lot-of/) [John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) > [I thought being in the wheelchair might be kind of limiting for me as an actor. It turned out cool in a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-beaver/i-thought-being-in-the-wheelchair-might-be-kind-of-limiting-for-me-as/) [Jim Beaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-beaver/) ## More by Doug Stanhope > [I had no musical or athletic ability, and I wasn't particularly good looking. Comedy was something I could do for attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-stanhope/i-had-no-musical-or-athletic-ability-and-i-wasn-t-particularly-good/) [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) > [Jesus died for your sins. I'm doing it for your mere entertainment dollar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-stanhope/jesus-died-for-your-sins-i-m-doing-it-for-your-mere-entertainment/) [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) > [I believe that everyone should be treated as an individual. Women should be treated equally in the right to vote, sure. But if Im…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-stanhope/i-believe-that-everyone-should-be-treated-as-an-individual-women/) [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) > [They say 'life is precious'. To who? To you, when you're young and you've got a few dollars in your pocket. Tell that to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-stanhope/they-say-life-is-precious-to-who-to-you-when-you-re-young-and-you-ve/) [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) > [The ultimate act of cowardice is the fat-headed wrestling guy sitting behind the frail kid in math class, clipping him on the ear, saying:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-stanhope/the-ultimate-act-of-cowardice-is-the-fat-headed-wrestling-guy-sitting/) [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) > [There's no such thing as addiction, there's only things that you enjoy doing more than life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-stanhope/there-s-no-such-thing-as-addiction-there-s-only-things-that-you-enjoy/) [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) > [ The whole acting and Hollywood \[thing\], it's just work to me. Stand-up comedy ruins you so badly for doing television. I don't really need… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-stanhope/the-whole-acting-and-hollywood-thing-it-s-just-work-to-me-stand-up/) [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) > [You should laugh everywhere you can find even the slightest glimmer of humour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-stanhope/you-should-laugh-everywhere-you-can-find-even-the-slightest-glimmer/) [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) > [I have no fear of death, except I hate waiting for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-stanhope/i-have-no-fear-of-death-except-i-hate-waiting-for-it/) [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) > [Everybody's angry. They've got nothing to be angry at, so they're angry about nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-stanhope/everybody-s-angry-they-ve-got-nothing-to-be-angry-at-so-they-re-angry/) [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) > [People who want to kill other people are the last people I want to party with, because I get mouthy when I drink.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-stanhope/people-who-want-to-kill-other-people-are-the-last-people-i-want-to/) [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) > [Democracy is the worst kind of government, I'm sorry. Would you still call yourself a Christian if they elected a new Jesus every four…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-stanhope/democracy-is-the-worst-kind-of-government-i-m-sorry-would-you-still/) [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) > [You forget, when you're in the Scandinavian countries, you forget they don't speak English first and they speak better than I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-stanhope/you-forget-when-you-re-in-the-scandinavian-countries-you-forget-they/) [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) > [Life's temporary for a reason, it gets boring after awhile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-stanhope/life-s-temporary-for-a-reason-it-gets-boring-after-awhile/) [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) > [The more business gets involved, the less fun it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-stanhope/the-more-business-gets-involved-the-less-fun-it-is/) [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) [Explore all 230 Doug Stanhope quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) ## 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": "[Stand-up] might be ballsy, but I'd rather not be an actor. 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