---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's very important to be able to…"
description: "\"It's very important to be able to distinguish the actors from the characters they play.\" — Emily VanCamp"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/emily-vancamp-19476_able_it-s-very-important-to-be-able-to-distin_1573999.png"
---

#  It's very important to be able to distinguish the actors…

![“It's very important to be able to distinguish the actors from the characters they play.” quote by Emily VanCamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/emily-vancamp-19476_able_it-s-very-important-to-be-able-to-distin_1573999.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/emily-vancamp-19476_able_it-s-very-important-to-be-able-to-distin_1573999.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/emily-vancamp-19476_able_it-s-very-important-to-be-able-to-distin_1573999.png)

> “It's very important to be able to distinguish the actors from the characters they play.”

[Emily VanCamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-vancamp/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Distinguishing actors from their roles is essential for understanding performance versus personal character.

**In simple terms:** Separate actor from character.

Key Takeaway

Judge people, not personas.

Themes

perception media literacy character analysis

Mood

analytical critical

Type

commentary media

When to use this quote

- film criticism
- celebrity gossip
- personal relationships

Key Concepts

role vs self public image

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you separate performance from personality?
- What impact does this have on public perception?

A Different Perspective

Fans often conflate on‑screen and off‑screen behavior.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) [Able Distinguish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able-distinguish-1687883/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Actors Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors-characters-674002/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Distinguish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinguish/) [Distinguish Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinguish-actors-2388602/) [Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/)

## Related quotes

> [I call myself a literary agent simply to distinguish myself from actors' agents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-paul-lazar/i-call-myself-a-literary-agent-simply-to-distinguish-myself-from/)

[Irving Paul Lazar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irving-paul-lazar/)

> [“People will have their opinions of you, but you must be able to distinguish theirs from yours.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-burkmenn/people-will-have-their-opinions-of-you-but-you-must-be-able-to/)

[Chris Burkmenn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-burkmenn/)

> [The handkerchief dabbed at my forehead. 'Ouch! You'll have a fine-looking bruise tomorrow.' 'Then you'll be able to distinguish me from Rose.' The handkerchief…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franny-billingsley/the-handkerchief-dabbed-at-my-forehead-ouch-you-ll-have-a-fine/)

[Franny Billingsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franny-billingsley/)

> [I think I am able to distinguish between those who love me and those who love my money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronaldo/i-think-i-am-able-to-distinguish-between-those-who-love-me-and-those/)

[Ronaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronaldo/)

> [“There is real happiness to be gained from being able to distinguish between things that cannot be changed and things that should be changed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-baird/there-is-real-happiness-to-be-gained-from-being-able-to-distinguish/)

[David Baird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-baird/)

> [As actors, we have to take characters, and we have to feel for them and ultimately become them, and share that on screen so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/as-actors-we-have-to-take-characters-and-we-have-to-feel-for-them-and/)

[Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/)

> [The history and baggage of certain actors and characters - it goes into the movie and becomes part of it. If Keanu Reeves wasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-lily-amirpour/the-history-and-baggage-of-certain-actors-and-characters-it-goes-into/)

[Ana Lily Amirpour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-lily-amirpour/)

> [A lot of independent films try to pull off a 14-day shooting schedule, which I think is ridiculous. No matter how big or small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-baker/a-lot-of-independent-films-try-to-pull-off-a-14-day-shooting-schedule/)

[Sean Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-baker/)

> [It's like having children. You give birth, but then they take on a life of their own. That's what actors do for characters. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-masterson/it-s-like-having-children-you-give-birth-but-then-they-take-on-a-life/)

[Kelly Masterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-masterson/)

> [I think there's all these unknown things you can tap into when you just leave things open, and nothing is forbidden. Then you allow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yorgos-lanthimos/i-think-there-s-all-these-unknown-things-you-can-tap-into-when-you/)

[Yorgos Lanthimos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yorgos-lanthimos/)

> [If you give the actors the characters that they are comfortable with, they've no issues with what another actor is doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luv-ranjan/if-you-give-the-actors-the-characters-that-they-are-comfortable-with/)

[Luv Ranjan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luv-ranjan/)

> [One of the things I really love about TV is this symbiotic relationship you can get between the writers and the actors, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carla-gugino/one-of-the-things-i-really-love-about-tv-is-this-symbiotic/)

[Carla Gugino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carla-gugino/)

> [Some of the most intense affairs are between actors and characters. There's a fire in the human heart and we jump into it with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigourney-weaver/some-of-the-most-intense-affairs-are-between-actors-and-characters/)

[Sigourney Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigourney-weaver/)

> [A lot of male actors are method actors and they become the characters which they both were.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/izabella-scorupco/a-lot-of-male-actors-are-method-actors-and-they-become-the-characters/)

[Izabella Scorupco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/izabella-scorupco/)

> [I think there's an essential problem in movies and TV that I think a lot of people experience now: Audiences are way more interested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-angarano/i-think-there-s-an-essential-problem-in-movies-and-tv-that-i-think-a/)

[Michael Angarano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-angarano/)

## More by Emily VanCamp

> [My idea of a perfect pet is a really, really big dog! Huge!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/my-idea-of-a-perfect-pet-is-a-really-really-big-dog-huge/)

[Emily VanCamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-vancamp/)

> [I'd love to do some theater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/i-d-love-to-do-some-theater/)

[Emily VanCamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-vancamp/)

> [Women are hard on themselves. I’m trying to stop focusing on my flaws and appreciate what I love about my body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/women-are-hard-on-themselves-i-m-trying-to-stop-focusing-on-my-flaws/)

[Emily VanCamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-vancamp/)

> [I've had a couple of pinch-me moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/i-ve-had-a-couple-of-pinch-me-moments/)

[Emily VanCamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-vancamp/)

> [I think people in general think more about their insecurities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/i-think-people-in-general-think-more-about-their-insecurities/)

[Emily VanCamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-vancamp/)

> [We live in a time where the media is a very difficult thing to navigate because it's everywhere, and I tend to want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/we-live-in-a-time-where-the-media-is-a-very-difficult-thing-to/)

[Emily VanCamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-vancamp/)

> [I'm trying to stop focusing on my flaws and appreciate what I love about my body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/i-m-trying-to-stop-focusing-on-my-flaws-and-appreciate-what-i-love/)

[Emily VanCamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-vancamp/)

> [Oddly enough, I think that everybody can relate to revenge, on some level. Everyone has wanted to exact it, at some point, and everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/oddly-enough-i-think-that-everybody-can-relate-to-revenge-on-some/)

[Emily VanCamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-vancamp/)

> [You put the picture of the ideal person in your head and then someone comes along and they don't fit that ideal at all.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/you-put-the-picture-of-the-ideal-person-in-your-head-and-then-someone/)

[Emily VanCamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-vancamp/)

> [I'm a pretty open book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/i-m-a-pretty-open-book/)

[Emily VanCamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-vancamp/)

> [I think the relationship between mother and daughter is so interesting, even in a semi-normal family. Emily Thorne/Amanda Clarke's family relationship is going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/i-think-the-relationship-between-mother-and-daughter-is-so/)

[Emily VanCamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-vancamp/)

> [It's important to me that a man is good at taking care of people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/it-s-important-to-me-that-a-man-is-good-at-taking-care-of-people/)

[Emily VanCamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-vancamp/)

> [I've been dancing my entire life. Jazz, hip hop, ballet. And then there's tap dancing. I love to tap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/i-ve-been-dancing-my-entire-life-jazz-hip-hop-ballet-and-then-there-s/)

[Emily VanCamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-vancamp/)

> [I can be quite serious sometimes so laughing is key.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/i-can-be-quite-serious-sometimes-so-laughing-is-key/)

[Emily VanCamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-vancamp/)

> [I've thought about going back to school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/i-ve-thought-about-going-back-to-school/)

[Emily VanCamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-vancamp/)

[Explore all 32 Emily VanCamp quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-vancamp/)

## More Able quotes

> [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/)

[Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/)

> [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/)

[Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/)

> [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/)

[Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/)

> [In the '80s, the way radio was programmed, if you didn't have a hit record you weren't going to be able to make any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huey-lewis/in-the-80s-the-way-radio-was-programmed-if-you-didn-t-have-a-hit/)

[Huey Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huey-lewis/)

> [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/)

[Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/)

> [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/)

[Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/)

> [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/)

[Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/)

> [I wanted to remember in order to be able to return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-wanted-to-remember-in-order-to-be-able-to-return/)

[Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/)

> [Government schools, with your tax money, now discourage the teaching of multiplication tables by rote memorization but teach reading by the 'look-and-say' method which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-perry/government-schools-with-your-tax-money-now-discourage-the-teaching-of/)

[Greg Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-perry/)

> [I don't know if I would qualify as mainstream. I think I have managed to function pretty successfully on the fringes of the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/i-don-t-know-if-i-would-qualify-as-mainstream-i-think-i-have-managed/)

[Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/)

> [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/)

[Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/)

> [The reason that Apple is able to create products like iPad is because we always try to be at the intersection of technology and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/the-reason-that-apple-is-able-to-create-products-like-ipad-is-because/)

[Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/)

> [It was an important period for us, because even though we weren't a "punk band", and what became a model for a punk band,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mallinder/it-was-an-important-period-for-us-because-even-though-we-weren-t-a/)

[Stephen Mallinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mallinder/)

> [- You look fine. - Right. I look fine. Except I don't, said Zora, tugging sadly at her man's nightshirt. This was why Kiki…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zadie-smith/you-look-fine-right-i-look-fine-except-i-don-t-said-zora-tugging/)

[Zadie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zadie-smith/)

> [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/)

[Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/)

[Browse all 17,257 Able quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It's very important to be able to distinguish the actors from the characters they play.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Emily VanCamp"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/it-s-very-important-to-be-able-to-distinguish-the-actors-from-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Able"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/it-s-very-important-to-be-able-to-distinguish-the-actors-from-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/emily-vancamp-19476_able_it-s-very-important-to-be-able-to-distin_1573999.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/emily-vancamp-19476_able_it-s-very-important-to-be-able-to-distin_1573999.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/emily-vancamp-19476_able_it-s-very-important-to-be-able-to-distin_1573999.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It's very important to be able to distinguish the actors from the characters they play.” — Emily VanCamp",
                "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": "Emily VanCamp",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-vancamp/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It's very important to be able...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/it-s-very-important-to-be-able-to-distinguish-the-actors-from-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-vancamp/it-s-very-important-to-be-able-to-distinguish-the-actors-from-the/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
