--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I decided that I might want to do…" description: "\"When I decided that I might want to do acting for a living - I don't know where it really came from, since there was no school play or any of that - my..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce9/gary-oldman-3797_acting_when-i-decided-that-i-might-want-to-do-a_2041057.jpg" --- # When I decided that I might want to do acting for a living… ![“When I decided that I might want to do acting for a living - I don't know where it really came from, since there was no school play or any of that - my mom gave me her blessing. I had to get a scholarship - that was the only way I could have gone to drama school.” quote by Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce9/gary-oldman-3797_acting_when-i-decided-that-i-might-want-to-do-a_2041057.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce9/gary-oldman-3797_acting_when-i-decided-that-i-might-want-to-do-a_2041057.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce9/gary-oldman-3797_acting_when-i-decided-that-i-might-want-to-do-a_2041057.jpg) > “When I decided that I might want to do acting for a living - I don't know where it really came from, since there was no school play or any of that - my mom gave me her blessing. I had to get a scholarship - that was the only way I could have gone to drama school.” [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. He pursued acting despite lacking early exposure, relying on parental support and a scholarship to access formal training. **In simple terms:** He entered acting with help from his mother and a scholarship. Key Takeaway Leverage support and opportunities to follow your passion. Themes career determination support education Mood motivational reflective Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - audition process - acting school enrollment - career planning Key Concepts scholarship family encouragement self‑belief Questions to Reflect On - What resources can you seek when formal paths are unavailable? - How does family support influence career choices? A Different Perspective Scholarships are competitive and not guaranteed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Blessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blessing/) [Drama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drama/) [Drama school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drama-school/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mom/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Scholarship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scholarship/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [My parents were so proud when I got a scholarship to go to theatre school - it was unheard of that a coal-miner's son…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-blessed/my-parents-were-so-proud-when-i-got-a-scholarship-to-go-to-theatre/) [Brian Blessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-blessed/) > [My parents were so proud when I got a scholarship to go to theatre school - it was unheard of that a coal-miners son…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-blessed/my-parents-were-so-proud-when-i-got-a-scholarship-to-go-to-theatre-2/) [Brian Blessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-blessed/) > [It's a good time for me, but it's only recently I've become comfortable in my job. At the start, it's hard having the nerve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-wilson/it-s-a-good-time-for-me-but-it-s-only-recently-i-ve-become/) [Ruth Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-wilson/) > [I've done loads of things people have never seen - dramas on BBC4 and plays upstairs at the Royal Court and the Bush -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafe-spall/i-ve-done-loads-of-things-people-have-never-seen-dramas-on-bbc4-and/) [Rafe Spall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafe-spall/) > [It's not that I'm using my life to put on screen or in my acting, it's that, when you're living in the world, you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-jessica-parker/it-s-not-that-i-m-using-my-life-to-put-on-screen-or-in-my-acting-it-s/) [Sarah Jessica Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-jessica-parker/) > [I thought of singing and acting as a living-making. I was able to take care of myself and a few of my friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/i-thought-of-singing-and-acting-as-a-living-making-i-was-able-to-take/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) > [Study your craft, first. Then explore the business side. If you can commit to mastering both, then youre ready to pursue acting as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ealy/study-your-craft-first-then-explore-the-business-side-if-you-can-2/) [Michael Ealy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ealy/) > [I drifted into acting and drifted out. Acting is not everything. Living is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-dunne/i-drifted-into-acting-and-drifted-out-acting-is-not-everything-living/) [Irene Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-dunne/) > [Acting is what I'm living and breathing on a day-to-day basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-rose/acting-is-what-i-m-living-and-breathing-on-a-day-to-day-basis/) [Ruby Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-rose/) > [While acting is what I do for a living, activism is what I do to stay alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/while-acting-is-what-i-do-for-a-living-activism-is-what-i-do-to-stay/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [ I started doing \[acting\] for a living, no one really warned me about the amount of traveling I would do. I always thought everything… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/i-started-doing-acting-for-a-living-no-one-really-warned-me-about-the/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [In my long and difficult and mature life, I have come to learn that the less I know about acting and the more I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-seberg/in-my-long-and-difficult-and-mature-life-i-have-come-to-learn-that/) [Jean Seberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-seberg/) > [It's not a movie, no private screening This method acting, well, I call that living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/it-s-not-a-movie-no-private-screening-this-method-acting-well-i-call/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [Study your craft, first. Then explore the business side. If you can commit to mastering both, then you're ready to pursue acting as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ealy/study-your-craft-first-then-explore-the-business-side-if-you-can/) [Michael Ealy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ealy/) > [“You are acting, not being.” Strasberg explained, “I stress the difference between the actor who thinks acting is an imitation of life, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-holley/you-are-acting-not-being-strasberg-explained-i-stress-the-difference/) [Val Holley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-holley/) ## 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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