--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Acting is different from mental…" description: "\"Acting is different from mental gymnastics. You try to discover as much about the character as you can, but a large area is mysterious.\" — Faye Dunaway" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/239/faye-dunaway-12908_acting_acting-is-different-from-mental-gymnasti_3229064.jpg" --- # Acting is different from mental gymnastics. You try to… ![“Acting is different from mental gymnastics. You try to discover as much about the character as you can, but a large area is mysterious.” quote by Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/239/faye-dunaway-12908_acting_acting-is-different-from-mental-gymnasti_3229064.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/239/faye-dunaway-12908_acting_acting-is-different-from-mental-gymnasti_3229064.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/239/faye-dunaway-12908_acting_acting-is-different-from-mental-gymnasti_3229064.jpg) > “Acting is different from mental gymnastics. You try to discover as much about the character as you can, but a large area is mysterious.” [Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acting requires exploring a character deeply, yet some aspects remain unknowable, reflecting the mystery inherent in performance. **In simple terms:** Acting is both study and mystery. Key Takeaway Embrace both research and uncertainty in creative work. Themes creativity exploration uncertainty Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - theatre rehearsals - film casting - method acting - improvisation - character workshops Key Concepts character analysis artistic process Questions to Reflect On - How can mystery enhance artistic expression? - What techniques help uncover hidden character traits? A Different Perspective The quote may imply that mystery is a barrier rather than a creative spark. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Acting Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-different/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Different Mental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-mental-538719/) [Discover Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discover-character-1368574/) [Mental Gymnastics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-gymnastics-835093/) [Much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/much/) [Mysterious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mysterious/) [Try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try/) ## Related quotes > [Seeing a new face every couple of weeks is unsettling if you're trying to discover a character and actualize it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kari-skogland/seeing-a-new-face-every-couple-of-weeks-is-unsettling-if-you-re/) [Kari Skogland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kari-skogland/) > [Trifles discover a character, more than actions of importance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shenstone/trifles-discover-a-character-more-than-actions-of-importance/) [William Shenstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shenstone/) > [We discover our character through decisions under pressure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-millman/we-discover-our-character-through-decisions-under-pressure/) [Dan Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-millman/) > [In order to discover the character of people we have only to observe what they love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-order-to-discover-the-character-of-people-we-have-only-to-observe/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I try to discover the character's primary motivation. In a screenplay, you can make up a hundred different variables of a character. Is he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-yaeger/i-try-to-discover-the-character-s-primary-motivation-in-a-screenplay/) [Kurt Yaeger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-yaeger/) > [In every character you play, as much as you hate to admit it as an actor, but there's an element of you that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-montgomery/in-every-character-you-play-as-much-as-you-hate-to-admit-it-as-an-2/) [Janet Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-montgomery/) > [I probably have a different mental approach to swimming than most people. I actually enjoy training.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-fraser/i-probably-have-a-different-mental-approach-to-swimming-than-most/) [Dawn Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-fraser/) > [It is so important for young people to see characters with different mental health challenges on-screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-barden/it-is-so-important-for-young-people-to-see-characters-with-different/) [Jessica Barden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-barden/) > [He began to realize that you cannot even fight happily with creatures that stand upon a different mental basis to yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/he-began-to-realize-that-you-cannot-even-fight-happily-with-creatures/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You need a different checklist and different mental models for different companies. I can never make it easy by saying, 'Here are three things.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/you-need-a-different-checklist-and-different-mental-models-for-2/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [It isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you’re doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/it-isn-t-what-you-have-or-who-you-are-or-where-you-are-or-what-you-re/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Thus the races, though alike in their physical response to climate, may possibly be different in their mental response because they have approached America…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellsworth-huntington/thus-the-races-though-alike-in-their-physical-response-to-climate-may/) [Ellsworth Huntington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellsworth-huntington/) > [I'm curious and you know, I really think cinema is strong medium that allows you to go to so many different mental countries, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabelle-huppert/i-m-curious-and-you-know-i-really-think-cinema-is-strong-medium-that/) [Isabelle Huppert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabelle-huppert/) > [You need a different checklist and different mental models for different companies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/you-need-a-different-checklist-and-different-mental-models-for/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [I started in radio. I enjoy the mental gymnastics that go along with matching voice to picture and vice versa and trying to accent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-buck/i-started-in-radio-i-enjoy-the-mental-gymnastics-that-go-along-with/) [Joe Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-buck/) ## More by Faye Dunaway > [I've been working on this feature script for Master Class, a play by Terrence McNally that won a lot of Tonys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-dunaway/i-ve-been-working-on-this-feature-script-for-master-class-a-play-by/) [Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) > [I mean, I was always interested in people like Lenny Bruce, people who are breaking the old rules and making new ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-dunaway/i-mean-i-was-always-interested-in-people-like-lenny-bruce-people-who/) [Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) > [The minute you start believing your own success, you're on the road to ruin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-dunaway/the-minute-you-start-believing-your-own-success-you-re-on-the-road-to/) [Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) > [I like the Four Seasons. It's a nice hotel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-dunaway/i-like-the-four-seasons-it-s-a-nice-hotel/) [Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) > [Years are not important, my dear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-dunaway/years-are-not-important-my-dear/) [Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) > [Success is a relative quotient, and fame can be ephemeral. An Oscar is something that becomes a part of your record, a tangible acknowledgement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-dunaway/success-is-a-relative-quotient-and-fame-can-be-ephemeral-an-oscar-is/) [Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) > [It's not age that makes a life. It's what you do with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-dunaway/it-s-not-age-that-makes-a-life-it-s-what-you-do-with-it/) [Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) > [It's true, I did a lot of great movies, and I'm happy. It was what it was, and now I think all of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-dunaway/it-s-true-i-did-a-lot-of-great-movies-and-i-m-happy-it-was-what-it/) [Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) > [So Liam and movies are obviously big passions, and I read and write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-dunaway/so-liam-and-movies-are-obviously-big-passions-and-i-read-and-write/) [Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) > [My mother's passion for something more, to write a different destiny for a dirt-poor farmer's daughter, was to shape my entire life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-dunaway/my-mother-s-passion-for-something-more-to-write-a-different-destiny/) [Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) > [When you're younger they always try to get you to do every ninny role that's going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-dunaway/when-you-re-younger-they-always-try-to-get-you-to-do-every-ninny-role/) [Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) > [I like being very busy. I think that's the definition of stardom, really. It's energy. It really is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-dunaway/i-like-being-very-busy-i-think-that-s-the-definition-of-stardom/) [Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) > [You can't take responsibility for everything. You can't have that kind of control At some point, it's all out of our hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-dunaway/you-can-t-take-responsibility-for-everything-you-can-t-have-that-kind/) [Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) > [For a long time, I couldn't cry on stage. I cried very rarely as a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-dunaway/for-a-long-time-i-couldn-t-cry-on-stage-i-cried-very-rarely-as-a-child/) [Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) > [I get angry when people push people around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-dunaway/i-get-angry-when-people-push-people-around/) [Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) [Explore all 52 Faye Dunaway quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) ## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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": "Acting is different from mental gymnastics. 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