--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm an actor. I'll take a lead if it's…" description: "\"I'm an actor. I'll take a lead if it's offered. The really good actors can fill a character, no matter what the role is. A good leading man is a charac..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/edward-herrmann-32091_actor_i-m-an-actor-i-ll-take-a-lead-if-it-s-of_3081855.jpg" --- # I'm an actor. I'll take a lead if it's offered. The really… ![“I'm an actor. I'll take a lead if it's offered. The really good actors can fill a character, no matter what the role is. A good leading man is a character actor; a good character actor can be a leading man.” quote by Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/edward-herrmann-32091_actor_i-m-an-actor-i-ll-take-a-lead-if-it-s-of_3081855.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/edward-herrmann-32091_actor_i-m-an-actor-i-ll-take-a-lead-if-it-s-of_3081855.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/edward-herrmann-32091_actor_i-m-an-actor-i-ll-take-a-lead-if-it-s-of_3081855.jpg) > “I'm an actor. I'll take a lead if it's offered. The really good actors can fill a character, no matter what the role is. A good leading man is a character actor; a good character actor can be a leading man.” [Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A versatile actor can excel in any role, and a strong character actor can become a lead. **In simple terms:** Versatile actors can lead any role. Key Takeaway Embrace versatility in acting. Themes acting versatility character leadership Mood determined confident Type advice motivational When to use this quote - auditions - casting decisions - career planning - role preparation Key Concepts method acting typecasting career development Questions to Reflect On - How can you showcase range in auditions? - What steps help avoid typecasting? A Different Perspective May be typecast despite versatility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-actor/) [Good actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-actors/) [Good character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-character/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [I don't really think there's much difference between a character actor and a leading man besides aesthetics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-renner/i-don-t-really-think-there-s-much-difference-between-a-character/) [Jeremy Renner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-renner/) > [I was never really a character actor - I was a leading man who was always cast as a character. I wanted to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-shaw/i-was-never-really-a-character-actor-i-was-a-leading-man-who-was/) [Robert Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-shaw/) > [Fortunately and unfortunately, people don't see me as a character actor. They see me as a leading man or nothing, which makes it really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-holloway/fortunately-and-unfortunately-people-don-t-see-me-as-a-character/) [Josh Holloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-holloway/) > [I have a problem with the term 'leading man.' It's so limiting; it involves not upsetting anyone. Obviously, we have anti-heroes now, but if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmi-simpson/i-have-a-problem-with-the-term-leading-man-it-s-so-limiting-it/) [Jimmi Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmi-simpson/) > [I'm a character actor, but I look like a leading man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/i-m-a-character-actor-but-i-look-like-a-leading-man/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [I was always a character actor, basically, that sometimes looks like a leading man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-travolta/i-was-always-a-character-actor-basically-that-sometimes-looks-like-a/) [John Travolta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-travolta/) > [I was only a leading man for a minute; now I'm a character actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-williams/i-was-only-a-leading-man-for-a-minute-now-i-m-a-character-actor/) [Robin Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-williams/) > [I've always thought of myself as a character actor, even though I've played some leading-man roles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gets/i-ve-always-thought-of-myself-as-a-character-actor-even-though-i-ve/) [Malcolm Gets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gets/) > [I have played some wonderful leading roles on stage and had the whole 'China Beach' years where I really played a leading man on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-picardo/i-have-played-some-wonderful-leading-roles-on-stage-and-had-the-whole/) [Robert Picardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-picardo/) > [I think every leading man wants to be a character actor, and every character actor wants to be a leading man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-boxleitner/i-think-every-leading-man-wants-to-be-a-character-actor-and-every/) [Bruce Boxleitner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-boxleitner/) > [I've never thought of myself as a classic leading man. I'm a character actor who happens to play leading roles. Come on, look at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nesbitt/i-ve-never-thought-of-myself-as-a-classic-leading-man-i-m-a-character/) [James Nesbitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nesbitt/) > [I'm a character actor. Nobody's ever seemed to think of me as a leading man. I'm 6'6''. I've got a big nose. I'm gangly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cromwell/i-m-a-character-actor-nobody-s-ever-seemed-to-think-of-me-as-a/) [James Cromwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cromwell/) > [I was never a leading man. I've always been in the outer concentric circles in the company, being a character actor, which is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-rush/i-was-never-a-leading-man-i-ve-always-been-in-the-outer-concentric/) [Geoffrey Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-rush/) > [The ability to stretch my range into all genres and characters is something I take great pleasure in doing. I thoroughly enjoy it. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tee/the-ability-to-stretch-my-range-into-all-genres-and-characters-is/) [Brian Tee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tee/) > [I haven't aged into a character actor. I'm an old leading man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-granger/i-haven-t-aged-into-a-character-actor-i-m-an-old-leading-man/) Stewart Granger ## More by Edward Herrmann > [If I'm off the stage after two or three years I get itchy and I have to get back onstage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-herrmann/if-i-m-off-the-stage-after-two-or-three-years-i-get-itchy-and-i-have/) [Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) > [The French suffered such catastrophic losses in the First World War. It really was the end of them as a great world power, although…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-herrmann/the-french-suffered-such-catastrophic-losses-in-the-first-world-war/) [Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) > [“Flirting with the dark side has always had it's fascination. Because you learn, and there's wisdom there. Escpecially with the post-Freudian era with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-herrmann/flirting-with-the-dark-side-has-always-had-it-s-fascination-because/) [Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) > [Growing up as a kid in Detroit, way back, there was a movie station that would show old kinescope reproductions of old movies, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-herrmann/growing-up-as-a-kid-in-detroit-way-back-there-was-a-movie-station/) [Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) > [I remember seeing the first Astaire-Rogers musical on television, and I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. It dawned on me that you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-herrmann/i-remember-seeing-the-first-astaire-rogers-musical-on-television-and/) [Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) > [I was warned the camels can be nasty, especially the young ones. I was warned to give it a wide berth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-herrmann/i-was-warned-the-camels-can-be-nasty-especially-the-young-ones-i-was/) [Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) > [I thought cars were essential ingredients of life itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-herrmann/i-thought-cars-were-essential-ingredients-of-life-itself/) [Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) > [Humor is not far from my vocabulary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-herrmann/humor-is-not-far-from-my-vocabulary/) [Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) > [I like sunny stories. You know, my favorite girls in the '50s were Debbie Reynolds, Doris Day, and Esther Williams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-herrmann/i-like-sunny-stories-you-know-my-favorite-girls-in-the-50s-were/) [Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) > [I think it's much richer and much more fun to be an artist than to be anything else. I can't think of a better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-herrmann/i-think-it-s-much-richer-and-much-more-fun-to-be-an-artist-than-to-be/) [Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) > [Actors are always grabbing each other on stage, looking in each other's eyes, making a moment so private, the audience doesn't know what they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-herrmann/actors-are-always-grabbing-each-other-on-stage-looking-in-each-other/) [Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) > [Automobiles have always been part of my life, and I'm sure they always will be. What is it about them that moves me? The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-herrmann/automobiles-have-always-been-part-of-my-life-and-i-m-sure-they-always/) [Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) > [How many times can you play an action character, or a quirky romantic? Every actor has to find his own way to make each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-herrmann/how-many-times-can-you-play-an-action-character-or-a-quirky-romantic/) [Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) > [Cats are hard to train, but they can train them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-herrmann/cats-are-hard-to-train-but-they-can-train-them/) [Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) > [You ingest the automobile in the very air of Detroit. Or at least you did in the 1940s and 1950s.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-herrmann/you-ingest-the-automobile-in-the-very-air-of-detroit-or-at-least-you/) [Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) [Explore all 16 Edward Herrmann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) ## 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": "I'm an actor. I'll take a lead if it's offered. The really good actors can fill a character, no matter what the role is. 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