--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Wanting to be a good actor is not good…" description: "\"Wanting to be a good actor is not good enough. You must want to be a great actor. You just have to have that.\" — Gary Oldman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/369/gary-oldman-3797_acting_wanting-to-be-a-good-actor-is-not-good-e_932348.jpg" --- # Wanting to be a good actor is not good enough. You must… ![“Wanting to be a good actor is not good enough. You must want to be a great actor. You just have to have that.” quote by Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/369/gary-oldman-3797_acting_wanting-to-be-a-good-actor-is-not-good-e_932348.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/369/gary-oldman-3797_acting_wanting-to-be-a-good-actor-is-not-good-e_932348.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/369/gary-oldman-3797_acting_wanting-to-be-a-good-actor-is-not-good-e_932348.jpg) > “Wanting to be a good actor is not good enough. You must want to be a great actor. You just have to have that.” [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being merely good is insufficient; aspiring to greatness demands deeper commitment and desire. **In simple terms:** Good isn’t enough; aim for greatness. Key Takeaway Cultivate a relentless drive for excellence. Themes ambition craftsmanship excellence Mood determined inspired Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - audition preparation - career development - creative workshops - personal coaching Key Concepts growth mindset mastery self‑actualization Questions to Reflect On - What does greatness mean to you? - How can you nurture that desire daily? A Different Perspective Greatness also requires opportunity and mentorship, not just desire. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Good enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-enough/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [Nicolas Cage is a great actor and he's done some good action movies too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolph-lundgren/nicolas-cage-is-a-great-actor-and-he-s-done-some-good-action-movies/) [Dolph Lundgren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolph-lundgren/) > [There are definitely reasons to do certain things, but I like to stick to good director, good actor, good script.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-seyfried/there-are-definitely-reasons-to-do-certain-things-but-i-like-to-stick/) [Amanda Seyfried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-seyfried/) > [I used to tell myself that I am a good actor, I have a good body, I have a pretty face, have long hair,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neena-gupta/i-used-to-tell-myself-that-i-am-a-good-actor-i-have-a-good-body-i/) [Neena Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neena-gupta/) > [Black or white good parts are hard to come by. A good actor with a good opportunity has a shot; without the opportunity it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/black-or-white-good-parts-are-hard-to-come-by-a-good-actor-with-a/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [It's not a secret, but if you know what the hell you're doing, you pick good actors. And you know what makes a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-morrissey/it-s-not-a-secret-but-if-you-know-what-the-hell-you-re-doing-you-pick/) [Paul Morrissey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-morrissey/) > [The only direction I can give to an actor, a good actor who knows his skills, is, 'Here are those words. They're yours. Make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raoul-peck/the-only-direction-i-can-give-to-an-actor-a-good-actor-who-knows-his/) [Raoul Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raoul-peck/) > [I think, at the end of the day, if you're a good actor, then you're a good actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-benjamin-hickey/i-think-at-the-end-of-the-day-if-you-re-a-good-actor-then-you-re-a/) [John Benjamin Hickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-benjamin-hickey/) > [Any good actor has to have a good sense of humour, too; they have to be able to manipulate people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/any-good-actor-has-to-have-a-good-sense-of-humour-too-they-have-to-be/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [You can't be a good actor if you are not a good person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richa-chadha/you-can-t-be-a-good-actor-if-you-are-not-a-good-person/) [Richa Chadha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richa-chadha/) > [If you are a good actor then you are good at comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sajid-khan/if-you-are-a-good-actor-then-you-are-good-at-comedy/) [Sajid Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sajid-khan/) > [At the end, it's your movie and your performance that stands out. So if I am a good actor, and if am being part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/at-the-end-it-s-your-movie-and-your-performance-that-stands-out-so-if/) [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) > [To be a great actor you just need to comprehend, so that's why I became a writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnathon-schaech/to-be-a-great-actor-you-just-need-to-comprehend-so-that-s-why-i/) [Johnathon Schaech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnathon-schaech/) > [My brother is a great actor. Just because he doesn't harp about his achievements, people don't talk about his work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-deol/my-brother-is-a-great-actor-just-because-he-doesn-t-harp-about-his/) [Bobby Deol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-deol/) > [One guy told me I was a great actor, I just would never be on the cover of a magazine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-affleck/one-guy-told-me-i-was-a-great-actor-i-just-would-never-be-on-the/) [Ben Affleck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-affleck/) > [A good actor always sets you straight. If you've written a false moment and thought it was probably pretty great, the actor's gonna show…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/a-good-actor-always-sets-you-straight-if-you-ve-written-a-false/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) ## More by Gary Oldman > [If one could have a wish, or an alternative life, I would've liked to have been John Lennon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/if-one-could-have-a-wish-or-an-alternative-life-i-would-ve-liked-to/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [The script is your map of the world, isn't it? And if someone knows that if it's well-written, you get all of the beats,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/the-script-is-your-map-of-the-world-isn-t-it-and-if-someone-knows/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [There are roles that you chase sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/there-are-roles-that-you-chase-sometimes/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [Well, I needed the work - that's the honest answer. I haven't worked for a while, a couple of years. So I thought it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/well-i-needed-the-work-that-s-the-honest-answer-i-haven-t-worked-for/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [I want my weekends off and I want to put my kids to bed. Those are good reasons to want to be in 'Batman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/i-want-my-weekends-off-and-i-want-to-put-my-kids-to-bed-those-are/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [I think filmmaking should be a wonderfully free collaborative process, and it so very rarely is. I often see directors as jailers of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/i-think-filmmaking-should-be-a-wonderfully-free-collaborative-process/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [I had what AA calls 'a convincer' - which made me realize that I couldn't do it any more. I went out drinking for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/i-had-what-aa-calls-a-convincer-which-made-me-realize-that-i-couldn-t/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [You always hope that the cloak of inspiration will fall, and you'll be O.K.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/you-always-hope-that-the-cloak-of-inspiration-will-fall-and-you-ll-be/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [I still don't have a publicist. If I'm in a film, you have an obligation to promote it, I'll do as much as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/i-still-don-t-have-a-publicist-if-i-m-in-a-film-you-have-an/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [I don't think Hollywood knows what to do with me. I would imagine that when it comes to romantic comedies, my name would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/i-don-t-think-hollywood-knows-what-to-do-with-me-i-would-imagine-that/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [I enjoy playing characters where the silence is loud.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/i-enjoy-playing-characters-where-the-silence-is-loud/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [I like a cheese and pickle. Nice cheese and pickle on a real old-fashioned bread. Ploughman's lunch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/i-like-a-cheese-and-pickle-nice-cheese-and-pickle-on-a-real-old/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [There will always be spies. We have to have them. Without them we wouldn't have got Osama bin Laden - it took us years,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/there-will-always-be-spies-we-have-to-have-them-without-them-we/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [On set I keep myself to myself; I'd rather the director speak up. I'm not gonna direct a younger actor. I think the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/on-set-i-keep-myself-to-myself-i-d-rather-the-director-speak-up-i-m/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [I've got kids of my own now, and they love me being in the Harry Potter films. I'm now part of a phenomenon. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/i-ve-got-kids-of-my-own-now-and-they-love-me-being-in-the-harry/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) [Explore all 122 Gary Oldman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) ## 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. 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