--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I started coming to the U.S., they…" description: "\"When I started coming to the U.S., they were offering me only the typical stereotypical roles: the druggard, the criminal, the gang member, or in the b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc4/eugenio-derbez-22159_change_when-i-started-coming-to-the-u-s-they-we_820131.jpg" --- # When I started coming to the U.S., they were offering me… ![“When I started coming to the U.S., they were offering me only the typical stereotypical roles: the druggard, the criminal, the gang member, or in the best-case scenario, the gardener or the cook. I was fed up with all these roles that were always the same. And I promised I would try to change the…” quote by Eugenio Derbez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc4/eugenio-derbez-22159_change_when-i-started-coming-to-the-u-s-they-we_820131.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc4/eugenio-derbez-22159_change_when-i-started-coming-to-the-u-s-they-we_820131.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc4/eugenio-derbez-22159_change_when-i-started-coming-to-the-u-s-they-we_820131.jpg) > “When I started coming to the U.S., they were offering me only the typical stereotypical roles: the druggard, the criminal, the gang member, or in the best-case scenario, the gardener or the cook. I was fed up with all these roles that were always the same. And I promised I would try to change the image of Latinos in Hollywood.” [Eugenio Derbez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenio-derbez/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The actor faced stereotypical Latino roles and vowed to reshape representation by pursuing diverse characters. **In simple terms:** He wanted to break stereotypes in film. Key Takeaway Seek varied roles and challenge stereotypes. Themes representation stereotypes diversity Mood determined hopeful Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - casting decisions - scriptwriting - community outreach Key Concepts media studies cultural identity activism Questions to Reflect On - How can you influence casting choices? - What stories need more authentic Latino voices? A Different Perspective Industry bias can limit opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Hollywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hollywood/) ## Related quotes > [I hate stereotypical roles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richa-pallod/i-hate-stereotypical-roles/) [Richa Pallod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richa-pallod/) > [I do not devalue the role of a maid or nanny, or the stereotypical roles that some members of our family have actually done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-rodriguez/i-do-not-devalue-the-role-of-a-maid-or-nanny-or-the-stereotypical/) [Gina Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-rodriguez/) > [It is challenging and hard not to accept all stereotypical roles that get thrown your way. For me, I've been really, really lucky because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noureen-dewulf/it-is-challenging-and-hard-not-to-accept-all-stereotypical-roles-that/) [Noureen DeWulf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noureen-dewulf/) > [I've always been into films. I've been offered lots of films but they've always been these very stereotypical roles. They wanted me to play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/i-ve-always-been-into-films-i-ve-been-offered-lots-of-films-but-they/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) > [The majority of the roles I've played are women who have been either impoverished or subjugated in some way. So while I've been fortunate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lachanze/the-majority-of-the-roles-i-ve-played-are-women-who-have-been-either/) [LaChanze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lachanze/) > [Filmmakers have role for everyone today. There are no stereotypical roles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lara-dutta/filmmakers-have-role-for-everyone-today-there-are-no-stereotypical/) [Lara Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lara-dutta/) > [“I bumped into every kind of disappointment, and was frustrated at every turn. Roles promised me were given to other players, pictures that offered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eve-golden/i-bumped-into-every-kind-of-disappointment-and-was-frustrated-at/) [Eve Golden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eve-golden/) > [Because I sidestepped all the stereotypical roles, in a way I've made a career out of not being Asian - a lot of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/because-i-sidestepped-all-the-stereotypical-roles-in-a-way-i-ve-made/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [It's nice to see a story that centers around other couples, instead of having, you know, the sassy gay friend or the funny best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-evans/it-s-nice-to-see-a-story-that-centers-around-other-couples-instead-of/) [Scott Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-evans/) > [There aren't as many roles, and I think there's a lack of openness in casting an Asian character in a leading role or unless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimiko-glenn/there-aren-t-as-many-roles-and-i-think-there-s-a-lack-of-openness-in/) [Kimiko Glenn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimiko-glenn/) > [I love directors who aren't going back to the stereotypes, who are helping write and create roles for women that are not in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-lee/i-love-directors-who-aren-t-going-back-to-the-stereotypes-who-are/) [Sheryl Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-lee/) > [I have had a wide range of projects to choose from. That has saved me from donning a stereotypical image.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priyanshu-chatterjee/i-have-had-a-wide-range-of-projects-to-choose-from-that-has-saved-me/) [Priyanshu Chatterjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priyanshu-chatterjee/) > ['Crash' is a movie about the racial tension that still exists in America. A lot of us pretend that we don't have preconceived notions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larenz-tate/crash-is-a-movie-about-the-racial-tension-that-still-exists-in/) [Larenz Tate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larenz-tate/) > [I pretty much figured out in grade school that we weren't the stereotypical American family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-schauffele/i-pretty-much-figured-out-in-grade-school-that-we-weren-t-the/) [Xander Schauffele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-schauffele/) > [I'm a Christian-libertarian-environmentalist-capitalist-lunatic. It's a humorous way for me to describe that I'm not stereotypical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-salatin/i-m-a-christian-libertarian-environmentalist-capitalist-lunatic-it-s/) [Joel Salatin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-salatin/) ## More by Eugenio Derbez > [Drama is more universal. We all cry about the same stuff. But comedy is very specific: It depends on where you were born, how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugenio-derbez/drama-is-more-universal-we-all-cry-about-the-same-stuff-but-comedy-is/) [Eugenio Derbez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenio-derbez/) > [Who doesn't want to have a yacht? But I would prefer to invest my money in something else. But I love them. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugenio-derbez/who-doesn-t-want-to-have-a-yacht-but-i-would-prefer-to-invest-my/) [Eugenio Derbez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenio-derbez/) > [I probably have a hidden issue, because before 'La Misma Luna' in 2007, I hated working with kids. But after that, I learned so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugenio-derbez/i-probably-have-a-hidden-issue-because-before-la-misma-luna-in-2007-i/) [Eugenio Derbez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenio-derbez/) > [I've learned that when I'm directing, I hate when people are always questioning everything and trying to give me directions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugenio-derbez/i-ve-learned-that-when-i-m-directing-i-hate-when-people-are-always/) [Eugenio Derbez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenio-derbez/) > [I'm just trying the American dream. To work here in the U.S., you have to commit and be here. For many years, it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugenio-derbez/i-m-just-trying-the-american-dream-to-work-here-in-the-u-s-you-have/) [Eugenio Derbez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenio-derbez/) > [In Mexico and Latin America, everything is big: Bigger emotions, bigger reactions. Here in the U.S., everything is more natural, more grounded and down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugenio-derbez/in-mexico-and-latin-america-everything-is-big-bigger-emotions-bigger/) [Eugenio Derbez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenio-derbez/) > [I've learned that you never have to think about how to make money. You need only to focus on what you think is going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugenio-derbez/i-ve-learned-that-you-never-have-to-think-about-how-to-make-money-you/) [Eugenio Derbez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenio-derbez/) > [I've wanted to come to the U.S. since I was 8 years old. Every single year, my mom and I watched the Oscars. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugenio-derbez/i-ve-wanted-to-come-to-the-u-s-since-i-was-8-years-old-every-single/) [Eugenio Derbez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenio-derbez/) > [I would always direct my own stuff in Mexico.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugenio-derbez/i-would-always-direct-my-own-stuff-in-mexico/) [Eugenio Derbez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenio-derbez/) > ['Instructions Not Included' is proving that there is a huge Latin market that needs a special project. They love seeing their own people; they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugenio-derbez/instructions-not-included-is-proving-that-there-is-a-huge-latin/) [Eugenio Derbez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenio-derbez/) > [I wanted to be a dramatic actor. I never realized I was funny until I was 20-something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugenio-derbez/i-wanted-to-be-a-dramatic-actor-i-never-realized-i-was-funny-until-i/) [Eugenio Derbez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenio-derbez/) > [Pantelion and Televisa can reach my core fan base better than anyone, and with the distribution expertise and brand recognition of Lionsgate, I know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugenio-derbez/pantelion-and-televisa-can-reach-my-core-fan-base-better-than-anyone/) [Eugenio Derbez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenio-derbez/) > [My mom was a soap opera queen in Mexico and Latin America. I started acting because of her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugenio-derbez/my-mom-was-a-soap-opera-queen-in-mexico-and-latin-america-i-started/) [Eugenio Derbez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenio-derbez/) > [I have way more freedom in Los Angeles and in the U.S. But it's funny because when I have a meeting with producers or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugenio-derbez/i-have-way-more-freedom-in-los-angeles-and-in-the-u-s-but-it-s-funny/) [Eugenio Derbez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenio-derbez/) > [The first time I came here to the U.S. to start a career, it was in 2002 or 2003. Since then, it's been so,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugenio-derbez/the-first-time-i-came-here-to-the-u-s-to-start-a-career-it-was-in/) [Eugenio Derbez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenio-derbez/) [Explore all 28 Eugenio Derbez quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenio-derbez/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) Phil Hogan > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I started coming to the U.S., they were offering me only the typical stereotypical roles: the druggard, the criminal, the gang member, or in the best-case scenario, the gardener or the cook. 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