--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Theres this little box that…" description: "\"Theres this little box that African-American actors have to work in, in the first place, and I was able to rise above that box. I could have done a bun..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7d/eddie-murphy-7566_able_theres-this-little-box-that-african-amer_963141.jpg" --- # Theres this little box that African-American actors have… ![“Theres this little box that African-American actors have to work in, in the first place, and I was able to rise above that box. I could have done a bunch of movies where I stayed as the Axel Foley or Reggie Hammond persona. But I didnt want to be doing the same thing all the time. Every now and…” quote by Eddie Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7d/eddie-murphy-7566_able_theres-this-little-box-that-african-amer_963141.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7d/eddie-murphy-7566_able_theres-this-little-box-that-african-amer_963141.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7d/eddie-murphy-7566_able_theres-this-little-box-that-african-amer_963141.jpg) > “Theres this little box that African-American actors have to work in, in the first place, and I was able to rise above that box. I could have done a bunch of movies where I stayed as the Axel Foley or Reggie Hammond persona. But I didnt want to be doing the same thing all the time. Every now and then, you crash and burn, but thats part of it.” [Eddie Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-murphy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He discusses breaking free from stereotypical roles and the risk of repetitive work, emphasizing growth through varied choices. **In simple terms:** He wants diverse roles, not typecasting. Key Takeaway Seek varied experiences to avoid stagnation. Themes career identity diversity Mood determined reflective Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - acting auditions - career planning - creative projects Key Concepts typecasting personal growth risk taking Questions to Reflect On - What box are you currently in? - How can you expand your creative horizons? A Different Perspective Risk of losing audience familiarity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [African american](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-american/) [First place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-place/) [Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie/) [Persona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persona/) [Rise above](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rise-above/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [There's this little box that African-American actors have to work in, in the first place, and I was able to rise above that box.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-murphy/there-s-this-little-box-that-african-american-actors-have-to-work-in/) [Eddie Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-murphy/) > [A lot of American actors I work with are in character all day long. You can't talk to them. It's Method and the whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-jewison/a-lot-of-american-actors-i-work-with-are-in-character-all-day-long/) [Norman Jewison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-jewison/) > [I was trained to serve the writer and director as an actor before I serve myself. 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