--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And I've been acting for 39 years, so I…" description: "\"And I've been acting for 39 years, so I define characters differently than I did in say Miami Vice\" — Edward James Olmos" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/edward-james-olmos-14625_acting_and-i-ve-been-acting-for-39-years-so-i-d_1676589.png" --- # And I've been acting for 39 years, so I define characters… ![“And I've been acting for 39 years, so I define characters differently than I did in say Miami Vice” quote by Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/edward-james-olmos-14625_acting_and-i-ve-been-acting-for-39-years-so-i-d_1676589.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/edward-james-olmos-14625_acting_and-i-ve-been-acting-for-39-years-so-i-d_1676589.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/edward-james-olmos-14625_acting_and-i-ve-been-acting-for-39-years-so-i-d_1676589.png) > “And I've been acting for 39 years, so I define characters differently than I did in say Miami Vice” [Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) ## 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 reflects on how decades of acting have altered his view of character definition, contrasting past and present roles. **In simple terms:** Acting experience changes how characters are defined. Key Takeaway Reevaluate character concepts over time. Themes acting experience character development career longevity Mood reflective conversational Type personal insightful When to use this quote - theatre productions - film casting - writing workshops - career retrospectives Key Concepts identity evolution perspective Questions to Reflect On - How has your profession reshaped your core beliefs? - What defines a character for you today? A Different Perspective May generalize personal experience to all actors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Miami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miami/) [Miami Vice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miami-vice/) [Vices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vices/) ## Related quotes > [Music is always key to me, whether it's 'Miami Vice' or not 'Miami Vice.' It's dictated by the story, about what Crockett and Tubbs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mann/music-is-always-key-to-me-whether-it-s-miami-vice-or-not-miami-vice/) [Michael Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mann/) > [I've started films like Miami Vice where I'm in really good shape and I look back on that film and see the moustache is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-farrell/i-ve-started-films-like-miami-vice-where-i-m-in-really-good-shape-and/) [Colin Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-farrell/) > [I was a teenager when 'Miami Vice' came out, and that was such a huge show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-jon-benjamin/i-was-a-teenager-when-miami-vice-came-out-and-that-was-such-a-huge/) [H. Jon Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-jon-benjamin/) > [I even played a part in 'Miami Vice.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-farina/i-even-played-a-part-in-miami-vice/) [Dennis Farina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-farina/) > [This guy had too many Miami Vices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauly-d/this-guy-had-too-many-miami-vices/) [Pauly D](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauly-d/) > [I struggled for 15 years in this business before Miami Vice came along.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-johnson/i-struggled-for-15-years-in-this-business-before-miami-vice-came-along/) [Don Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-johnson/) > [There's so many great themes from the '80s: 'Magnum,' 'Miami Vice.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramin-djawadi/there-s-so-many-great-themes-from-the-80s-magnum-miami-vice/) [Ramin Djawadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramin-djawadi/) > [I am 39 years old, and I still wake up every morning really excited I don't have to go to school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-silverman/i-am-39-years-old-and-i-still-wake-up-every-morning-really-excited-i/) [Sarah Silverman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-silverman/) > [My father was a die maker for 39 years, so I had a basic understanding of the automobile industry and what the manufacturing world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-barra/my-father-was-a-die-maker-for-39-years-so-i-had-a-basic-understanding/) [Mary Barra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-barra/) > [In my 39 years on this earth, the Holy city of Makka had been the first time I had ever stood before the Creator…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/in-my-39-years-on-this-earth-the-holy-city-of-makka-had-been-the/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [When I'm 39 years old I'm not going to be that physical. So I'm going to sit in the corner and shoot threes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/when-i-m-39-years-old-i-m-not-going-to-be-that-physical-so-i-m-going/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [Full of that loud, got me quiet in the crowd, standing out it, Miami Vice, minus the Crockett & Tubbs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/currensy/full-of-that-loud-got-me-quiet-in-the-crowd-standing-out-it-miami/) Currensy > [“Some of us lived different lives, during a different time, in a different universe. We did it on this planet, though. You may have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-n-harris/some-of-us-lived-different-lives-during-a-different-time-in-a/) [José N. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-n-harris/) > [I took some time off after Miami Vice, for the first time in six or seven years. I got to step back and have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-farrell/i-took-some-time-off-after-miami-vice-for-the-first-time-in-six-or/) [Colin Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-farrell/) > [The French like burgers, Madonna and Miami Vice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-sarkozy/the-french-like-burgers-madonna-and-miami-vice/) [Nicolas Sarkozy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-sarkozy/) ## More by Edward James Olmos > [Life’s a journey that goes round and round and the end is closest to the beginning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/life-s-a-journey-that-goes-round-and-round-and-the-end-is-closest-to/) [Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) > [I support the indigenous people anywhere in the planet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/i-support-the-indigenous-people-anywhere-in-the-planet/) [Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) > [Basically, I think that there are some characters that you can just allow the truth of your character as a human being in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/basically-i-think-that-there-are-some-characters-that-you-can-just/) [Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) > [Our inability to relate to one another is very, very, very important. When we don't have it, we get situations like Bosnia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/our-inability-to-relate-to-one-another-is-very-very-very-important/) [Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) > [I'm not prepared for holding office any more than I think Arnold is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/i-m-not-prepared-for-holding-office-any-more-than-i-think-arnold-is/) [Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) > [I love to drive. It's one of the most pleasurable things to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/i-love-to-drive-it-s-one-of-the-most-pleasurable-things-to-me/) [Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) > [Right now, the Anglo people are desperately trying to hold on to the United States, like they tried to hold on to Africa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/right-now-the-anglo-people-are-desperately-trying-to-hold-on-to-the/) [Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) > [I believe that Gandhi was correct. Non-violent civil disobedience is the only way to bring about change that allows people to enjoy the change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/i-believe-that-gandhi-was-correct-non-violent-civil-disobedience-is/) [Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) > ['Stand and Deliver' has been the most successful thing I have done in my life. So many people have seen it. There was really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/stand-and-deliver-has-been-the-most-successful-thing-i-have-done-in/) [Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) > [What volunteers bring is the human touch, the individual, caring approach that no government program, however well-meaning and well- executed, can deliver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/what-volunteers-bring-is-the-human-touch-the-individual-caring/) [Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) > [If it’s change you need, relish the journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/if-it-s-change-you-need-relish-the-journey/) [Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) > [I learned to discipline myself to do things I didn't want to do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/i-learned-to-discipline-myself-to-do-things-i-didn-t-want-to-do/) [Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) > [There are nuclear weapons in China, Iran, Korea and Pakistan. It wouldn't take much to send a couple of warheads off on this planet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/there-are-nuclear-weapons-in-china-iran-korea-and-pakistan-it-wouldn/) [Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) > [I'm here to make sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/i-m-here-to-make-sense/) [Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) > [Yeah, the New York Times is very intellectual and very, very prestigious, but it doesn't reach the market that People magazine does](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/yeah-the-new-york-times-is-very-intellectual-and-very-very/) [Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) [Explore all 46 Edward James Olmos quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) ## 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 > [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": "And I've been acting for 39 years, so I define characters differently than I did in say Miami Vice", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward James Olmos" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/and-i-ve-been-acting-for-39-years-so-i-define-characters-differently/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/and-i-ve-been-acting-for-39-years-so-i-define-characters-differently/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/edward-james-olmos-14625_acting_and-i-ve-been-acting-for-39-years-so-i-d_1676589.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/edward-james-olmos-14625_acting_and-i-ve-been-acting-for-39-years-so-i-d_1676589.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/edward-james-olmos-14625_acting_and-i-ve-been-acting-for-39-years-so-i-d_1676589.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“And I've been acting for 39 years, so I define characters differently than I did in say Miami Vice” — Edward James Olmos", "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": "Edward James Olmos", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "And I've been acting for 39...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/and-i-ve-been-acting-for-39-years-so-i-define-characters-differently/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/and-i-ve-been-acting-for-39-years-so-i-define-characters-differently/#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 } } ] } ```