--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Dysfunctional families have sired a…" description: "\"Dysfunctional families have sired a number of pretty good actors.\" — Gene Hackman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eca/gene-hackman-19434_actor_dysfunctional-families-have-sired-a-numb_3157628.jpg" --- # Dysfunctional families have sired a number of pretty good… ![“Dysfunctional families have sired a number of pretty good actors.” quote by Gene Hackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eca/gene-hackman-19434_actor_dysfunctional-families-have-sired-a-numb_3157628.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eca/gene-hackman-19434_actor_dysfunctional-families-have-sired-a-numb_3157628.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eca/gene-hackman-19434_actor_dysfunctional-families-have-sired-a-numb_3157628.jpg) > “Dysfunctional families have sired a number of pretty good actors.” [Gene Hackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hackman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Dysfunctional families can unintentionally nurture talent, producing skilled actors. **In simple terms:** Bad families can create good actors. Key Takeaway Recognize hidden strengths in challenging up. Themes family dynamics talent development adversity Mood reflective insightful Type observational analytical When to use this quote - acting careers - family counseling - education - personal growth Key Concepts psychology social learning Questions to Reflect On - How can adversity be leveraged for growth? - What support can mitigate negative family impacts? A Different Perspective Talent may arise despite, not because of, dysfunction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Dysfunctional Families](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dysfunctional-families-2/) [Dysfunctional family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dysfunctional-family/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Good actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-actors/) ## Related quotes > [People talk about dysfunctional families; I've never seen any other kind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-grafton/people-talk-about-dysfunctional-families-i-ve-never-seen-any-other/) [Sue Grafton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-grafton/) > [“Perhaps nothing so accurately characterizes dysfunctional families as denial.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bradshaw/perhaps-nothing-so-accurately-characterizes-dysfunctional-families-as-2/) [John Bradshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bradshaw/) > [I love books about dysfunctional families.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-shepard/i-love-books-about-dysfunctional-families/) [Sara Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-shepard/) > [We all come from dysfunctional families and these days I guess that's pretty normal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carnie-wilson/we-all-come-from-dysfunctional-families-and-these-days-i-guess-that-s/) [Carnie Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carnie-wilson/) > [“Perhaps nothing so accurately characterizes dysfunctional families as denial. The denial forces members to keep believing the myths and vital lies in spite of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bradshaw/perhaps-nothing-so-accurately-characterizes-dysfunctional-families-as/) [John Bradshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bradshaw/) > [Kids who are middle class, socioeconomically, are surrounded by mentors. They have coaches, teachers, they have family friends, their parents have friends. They might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soledad-o-brien/kids-who-are-middle-class-socioeconomically-are-surrounded-by-mentors/) [Soledad O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soledad-o-brien/) > [Yeah, sometimes it gets a little sappy for me, but I'm tired of hearing about dysfunctional families in sitcoms. That's been done to death,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-judge/yeah-sometimes-it-gets-a-little-sappy-for-me-but-i-m-tired-of-hearing/) [Mike Judge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-judge/) > [Weddings are never about the bride and groom, weddings are public platforms for dysfunctional families.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/weddings-are-never-about-the-bride-and-groom-weddings-are-public/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [Your whole being is involved in taking care of someone else, worrying about what they think of you, how they treat you, how you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-heimel/your-whole-being-is-involved-in-taking-care-of-someone-else-worrying/) [Cynthia Heimel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-heimel/) > [“Thus polyvictimization or complex trauma are "developmentally adverse interpersonal traumas" (Ford, 2005) because they place the victim at risk not only for recurrent stress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-a-courtois/thus-polyvictimization-or-complex-trauma-are-developmentally-adverse/) [Christine A. Courtois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-a-courtois/) > [We all have rosy memories of a simpler, happy time- a time of homemade apple pie and gingham curtains, a time when Mom understood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-heimel/we-all-have-rosy-memories-of-a-simpler-happy-time-a-time-of-homemade/) [Cynthia Heimel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-heimel/) > [When schools truly become centers of the community, where you have extraordinary teachers, the best teachers, the best principals, great nonprofit partners coming in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arne-duncan/when-schools-truly-become-centers-of-the-community-where-you-have/) [Arne Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arne-duncan/) > [“Families living in dysfunction seldom have healthy boundaries. Dysfunctional families have trouble knowing where they stop and others begin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle-lpc-love-is-not-enough/families-living-in-dysfunction-seldom-have-healthy-boundaries/) [David W. Earle LPC- Love is Not Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle-lpc-love-is-not-enough/) > [Well, while I didn't have the more extreme experiences of some of my characters, I didn't exactly come from the most normal of households.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-de-lint/well-while-i-didn-t-have-the-more-extreme-experiences-of-some-of-my/) [Charles de Lint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-de-lint/) > [In my family, as in all dysfunctional families, instead of parents who act as strong and nurturing role models for their children, you get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bradshaw/in-my-family-as-in-all-dysfunctional-families-instead-of-parents-who/) [John Bradshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bradshaw/) ## More by Gene Hackman > [My grandfather had been a newspaper reporter, as was my uncle. They were pretty good writers and so I thought maybe somewhere down the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/my-grandfather-had-been-a-newspaper-reporter-as-was-my-uncle-they/) [Gene Hackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hackman/) > [It really costs me a lot emotionally to watch myself on-screen. I think of myself, and feel like I'm quite young, and then I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/it-really-costs-me-a-lot-emotionally-to-watch-myself-on-screen-i/) [Gene Hackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hackman/) > [I went in the Marines when I was 16. I spent four and a half years in the Marines and then came right to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/i-went-in-the-marines-when-i-was-16-i-spent-four-and-a-half-years-in/) [Gene Hackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hackman/) > [Hollywood loves to typecast, and I guess they saw me as a violent guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/hollywood-loves-to-typecast-and-i-guess-they-saw-me-as-a-violent-guy/) [Gene Hackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hackman/) > [You go through stages in your career that you feel very good about yourself. Then you feel awful, like, 'Why didn't I choose something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/you-go-through-stages-in-your-career-that-you-feel-very-good-about/) [Gene Hackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hackman/) > [Honesty isn't enough for me. That becomes very boring. If you can convince people what you're doing is real and it's also bigger than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/honesty-isn-t-enough-for-me-that-becomes-very-boring-if-you-can/) [Gene Hackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hackman/) > [The difference between a hero and a coward is one step sideways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/the-difference-between-a-hero-and-a-coward-is-one-step-sideways/) [Gene Hackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hackman/) > [Nothing counts so much as family, the rest are just strangers. (as Nicholas Earpp in Wyatt Earp, 1994)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/nothing-counts-so-much-as-family-the-rest-are-just-strangers-as/) [Gene Hackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hackman/) > [I'm not a sentimental guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/i-m-not-a-sentimental-guy/) [Gene Hackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hackman/) > [I don't like to talk about myself that much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/i-don-t-like-to-talk-about-myself-that-much/) [Gene Hackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hackman/) > [Don't piss in my ear and tell me it's raining.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/don-t-piss-in-my-ear-and-tell-me-it-s-raining/) [Gene Hackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hackman/) > [I have trouble with direction, because I have trouble with authority. I was not a good Marine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/i-have-trouble-with-direction-because-i-have-trouble-with-authority-i/) [Gene Hackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hackman/) > [If I start to become a star, I'll lose contact with the normal guys I play best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/if-i-start-to-become-a-star-i-ll-lose-contact-with-the-normal-guys-i/) [Gene Hackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hackman/) > [I don't see myself as a violent guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/i-don-t-see-myself-as-a-violent-guy/) [Gene Hackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hackman/) > [The worst job I ever had was working nights in the Chrysler Building. I was part of a team of about five guys, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/the-worst-job-i-ever-had-was-working-nights-in-the-chrysler-building/) [Gene Hackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hackman/) [Explore all 32 Gene Hackman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hackman/) ## More Actor 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/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [There has got to be a way for me to have a role on TV or in film that is just as normal as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adeel-akhtar/there-has-got-to-be-a-way-for-me-to-have-a-role-on-tv-or-in-film-that/) [Adeel Akhtar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adeel-akhtar/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [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/) > [I never planned to do female roles. It just happened. I was typecast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divine/i-never-planned-to-do-female-roles-it-just-happened-i-was-typecast/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divine/) > [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/) [Browse all 21,590 Actor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Dysfunctional families have sired a number of pretty good actors.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gene Hackman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/dysfunctional-families-have-sired-a-number-of-pretty-good-actors/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/dysfunctional-families-have-sired-a-number-of-pretty-good-actors/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eca/gene-hackman-19434_actor_dysfunctional-families-have-sired-a-numb_3157628.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eca/gene-hackman-19434_actor_dysfunctional-families-have-sired-a-numb_3157628.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eca/gene-hackman-19434_actor_dysfunctional-families-have-sired-a-numb_3157628.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Dysfunctional families have sired a number of pretty good actors.” — Gene Hackman", "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": "Gene Hackman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hackman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Dysfunctional families have sired a number...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/dysfunctional-families-have-sired-a-number-of-pretty-good-actors/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hackman/dysfunctional-families-have-sired-a-number-of-pretty-good-actors/#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 } } ] } ```