--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of the things you can do as an actor…" description: "\"One of the things you can do as an actor, is compensate for the things you can't do in life.\" — Dustin Hoffman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e1/dustin-hoffman-4662_actors_one-of-the-things-you-can-do-as-an-actor_1027915.jpg" --- # One of the things you can do as an actor, is compensate… ![“One of the things you can do as an actor, is compensate for the things you can't do in life.” quote by Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e1/dustin-hoffman-4662_actors_one-of-the-things-you-can-do-as-an-actor_1027915.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e1/dustin-hoffman-4662_actors_one-of-the-things-you-can-do-as-an-actor_1027915.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e1/dustin-hoffman-4662_actors_one-of-the-things-you-can-do-as-an-actor_1027915.jpg) > “One of the things you can do as an actor, is compensate for the things you can't do in life.” [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Actors can channel unmet desires or limitations into their craft, using performance to explore what life denies them. **In simple terms:** Acting compensates for unmet life goals. Key Takeaway Leverage art to explore personal gaps. Themes creativity compensation self‑expression growth Mood reflective artistic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - theater workshops - personal therapy - creative writing Key Concepts acting technique psychology of performance life aspirations Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of life can art truly substitute? - How does acting reveal hidden personal truths? A Different Perspective Art cannot replace real life changes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Compensate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compensate/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [“Time wasted can never be compensated”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/time-wasted-can-never-be-compensated/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [I don't think we should ever compensate players. I think we can do as much as we can for players. The cost of attendance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-boeheim/i-don-t-think-we-should-ever-compensate-players-i-think-we-can-do-as/) [Jim Boeheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-boeheim/) > [Through fantasy we repair, compensate, and transform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/through-fantasy-we-repair-compensate-and-transform/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There's not only emotion in the way you sing but also in what you sing. That way I can compensate it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-gibbons/there-s-not-only-emotion-in-the-way-you-sing-but-also-in-what-you/) [Beth Gibbons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-gibbons/) > [“Time spent effectively can be compensated”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/time-spent-effectively-can-be-compensated/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [I'm very good at breaking up with people. Very good. It requires a lot of skill, but what you do is you tell them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-von-furstenberg/i-m-very-good-at-breaking-up-with-people-very-good-it-requires-a-lot/) [Diane von Furstenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-von-furstenberg/) > [If freedom is short of weapons, we must compensate with willpower.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/if-freedom-is-short-of-weapons-we-must-compensate-with-willpower/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [A compensation is something which does not quite compensate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-parkinson-keyes/a-compensation-is-something-which-does-not-quite-compensate/) [Frances Parkinson Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-parkinson-keyes/) > [I was over-confident while growing up. I think when you look a certain way, you try and compensate by something else. I was always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonakshi-sinha/i-was-over-confident-while-growing-up-i-think-when-you-look-a-certain/) [Sonakshi Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonakshi-sinha/) > [Life is a choice. You make the choice, meet the consequence and then pay the compensate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin/life-is-a-choice-you-make-the-choice-meet-the-consequence-and-then/) [Alvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin/) > [I have to use other things to help my tennis, like my brain. But I believe that, even when your muscles are not so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-bartoli/i-have-to-use-other-things-to-help-my-tennis-like-my-brain-but-i/) [Marion Bartoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-bartoli/) > [I can compensate for all my weaknesses with my fashion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rihanna/i-can-compensate-for-all-my-weaknesses-with-my-fashion/) [Rihanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rihanna/) > [I have a Rolex, but no diamonds. Rappers wear diamonds to compensate for a lack of fashion sense. I don't even have pierced ears…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asap-rocky/i-have-a-rolex-but-no-diamonds-rappers-wear-diamonds-to-compensate/) [ASAP Rocky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asap-rocky/) > [What I lack in talent, I compensate with my willingness to grind it out. That's the secret of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-kawasaki/what-i-lack-in-talent-i-compensate-with-my-willingness-to-grind-it/) [Guy Kawasaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-kawasaki/) > [“I tend to walk around convinced that any amount of forgiveness that I could extend could never possibly compensate for the offenses that I’ve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/i-tend-to-walk-around-convinced-that-any-amount-of-forgiveness-that-i/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) ## More by Dustin Hoffman > [Well this is aptly called a junket, for both of us. I have never been to a house of prostitution, but I understand that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/well-this-is-aptly-called-a-junket-for-both-of-us-i-have-never-been/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) > [I think the most insulting thing you can do to a director is to challenge when he or she is satisfied with your interpretation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/i-think-the-most-insulting-thing-you-can-do-to-a-director-is-to/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) > [A "take" is an opportunity to fail ... and we think that we have to get it right all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/a-take-is-an-opportunity-to-fail-and-we-think-that-we-have-to-get-it/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) > [“(In response to the question: What is your least favorite word?) It's three words that we usually use as one: woulda, shoulda, coulda. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/in-response-to-the-question-what-is-your-least-favorite-word-it-s/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) > [Many actors want to play Hamlet and Macbeth. Ever since I became an actor, from the very beginning I just wanted to play a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/many-actors-want-to-play-hamlet-and-macbeth-ever-since-i-became-an/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) > [Blame is for God and small children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/blame-is-for-god-and-small-children/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) > [The truth is, the older you get, the less variety of parts you are offered. If you're a star and you've spent most of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/the-truth-is-the-older-you-get-the-less-variety-of-parts-you-are/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) > [“I say go, go, be led. particularly If you're in your twenties, which I suspect a lot of you are in. I tell my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/i-say-go-go-be-led-particularly-if-you-re-in-your-twenties-which-i/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) > [I walked out of the theater and started crying. My wife asked me, 'Why are you crying?' I said, 'Because I can't do that.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/i-walked-out-of-the-theater-and-started-crying-my-wife-asked-me-why/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) > [Acting didn't solve much! If it did, I would have ended up much less crazy than I am today, but I'm not. At least…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/acting-didn-t-solve-much-if-it-did-i-would-have-ended-up-much-less/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) > [I don't like the fact that I have to get older so fast, but I like the fact that I'm aging so well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/i-don-t-like-the-fact-that-i-have-to-get-older-so-fast-but-i-like-the/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) > [We need to band together as a unit every day, especially to conquer the strength of the AIDS virus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/we-need-to-band-together-as-a-unit-every-day-especially-to-conquer/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) > [There were a few things that went into it. When you're doing something you're trying to be your audience at the same time, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/there-were-a-few-things-that-went-into-it-when-you-re-doing-something/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) > [You spend so much of your life basing yourself on what you think other people think of you. Then you realise that maybe one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/you-spend-so-much-of-your-life-basing-yourself-on-what-you-think/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) > [My wife always says that I will be stuck with this forever: I am the difficult one. With Jack Nicholson they always said it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/my-wife-always-says-that-i-will-be-stuck-with-this-forever-i-am-the/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) [Explore all 107 Dustin Hoffman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) ## 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. 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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": "One of the things you can do as an actor, is compensate for the things you can't do in life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dustin Hoffman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/one-of-the-things-you-can-do-as-an-actor-is-compensate-for-the-things/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/one-of-the-things-you-can-do-as-an-actor-is-compensate-for-the-things/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e1/dustin-hoffman-4662_actors_one-of-the-things-you-can-do-as-an-actor_1027915.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e1/dustin-hoffman-4662_actors_one-of-the-things-you-can-do-as-an-actor_1027915.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e1/dustin-hoffman-4662_actors_one-of-the-things-you-can-do-as-an-actor_1027915.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“One of the things you can do as an actor, is compensate for the things you can't do in life.” — Dustin Hoffman", "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": "Dustin Hoffman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "One of the things you can...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/one-of-the-things-you-can-do-as-an-actor-is-compensate-for-the-things/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/one-of-the-things-you-can-do-as-an-actor-is-compensate-for-the-things/#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 } } ] } ```