--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was never interested in being a rock…" description: "\"I was never interested in being a rock star. I always wanted to be Boris Karloff.\" — Gene Simmons" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffb/gene-simmons-2164_rock-star_i-was-never-interested-in-being-a-rock-s_326553.png" --- # I was never interested in being a rock star. I always… ![“I was never interested in being a rock star. I always wanted to be Boris Karloff.” quote by Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffb/gene-simmons-2164_rock-star_i-was-never-interested-in-being-a-rock-s_326553.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffb/gene-simmons-2164_rock-star_i-was-never-interested-in-being-a-rock-s_326553.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffb/gene-simmons-2164_rock-star_i-was-never-interested-in-being-a-rock-s_326553.png) > “I was never interested in being a rock star. I always wanted to be Boris Karloff.” [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He preferred a character role over fame, valuing creative identity over celebrity status. **In simple terms:** He wanted to be a unique character, not a typical rock star. Key Takeaway Embrace your authentic creative path. Themes identity creativity celebrity career choice Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - acting auditions - writing a screenplay - personal branding - career planning Key Concepts character acting personal branding artistic fulfillment Questions to Reflect On - What unique role defines you? - How does authenticity affect success? A Different Perspective May limit mainstream recognition and income. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boris Karloff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boris-karloff-304483/) [Interested Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interested-rock-2607774/) [Karloff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/karloff-304484/) [Rock star](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rock-star/) [Rocks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rocks/) [Stars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stars/) [Wanted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted/) [Wanted Boris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted-boris-3067320/) ## Related quotes > [“Elizabeth stood in a model pose, whip thin, with a face beside which the faces of angels are coarse and unappealing, in clothes of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-morris/elizabeth-stood-in-a-model-pose-whip-thin-with-a-face-beside-which/) [Jim Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-morris/) > [I made three films with Boris Karloff. He was absolutely wonderful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/i-made-three-films-with-boris-karloff-he-was-absolutely-wonderful/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [Lon Chaney and Boris Karloff didn't like the word 'horror'. They, like I, went for the French description: 'the theatre of the fantastique'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/lon-chaney-and-boris-karloff-didn-t-like-the-word-horror-they-like-i/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [When I was a child, I was raised Catholic. Somewhere, I didn't fit with the saints and holy men. I discovered the monsters -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guillermo-del-toro/when-i-was-a-child-i-was-raised-catholic-somewhere-i-didn-t-fit-with/) [Guillermo del Toro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guillermo-del-toro/) > [Yeah, I don't like, um, I'm not interested in rock 'n' roll piano. I find it a little grating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-zevon/yeah-i-don-t-like-um-i-m-not-interested-in-rock-n-roll-piano-i-find/) [Warren Zevon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-zevon/) > [I'm not interested in a rock/jazz fusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/i-m-not-interested-in-a-rock-jazz-fusion/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [“Mort was getting interested in the rock. It had curly shells in it, relics of the early days of the world when the Creator…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/mort-was-getting-interested-in-the-rock-it-had-curly-shells-in-it/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“Horace, however, had arrayed himself in a Gothic assortment of crushed velvet, black satin, and patent leather that shouldn't have been allowed in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-jinks/horace-however-had-arrayed-himself-in-a-gothic-assortment-of-crushed/) [Catherine Jinks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-jinks/) > ['Son of Frankenstein' is never talked about in the same tone as James Whale's 1931 'Frankenstein.' But it should be. It was Boris Karloff's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/son-of-frankenstein-is-never-talked-about-in-the-same-tone-as-james/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [When you are a rock star in front of 20,000 people, you receive instant gratification. A rock star on tour is a king in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/when-you-are-a-rock-star-in-front-of-20-000-people-you-receive/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) > [People who are qualified are symphonic orchestra players and jazz musicians; they're qualified to do what they do. Rock stars are lucky. It's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/people-who-are-qualified-are-symphonic-orchestra-players-and-jazz/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) > [When I was a kid and my parents started talking about politics, I'd run to my room and put on the Rolling Stones as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-cooper/when-i-was-a-kid-and-my-parents-started-talking-about-politics-i-d/) [Alice Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-cooper/) > [More than accepted, it's encouraged for rock stars to be out of control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-gore/more-than-accepted-it-s-encouraged-for-rock-stars-to-be-out-of-control/) [Martin Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-gore/) > [Blackbeard was larger than life. He was 6'4" in 1710. He was a colossus, and like a rock star walking into a bar. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevenson/blackbeard-was-larger-than-life-he-was-6-4-in-1710-he-was-a-colossus/) [Ray Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevenson/) > [My father was the role model I looked up. My dad was an entertainer, too. I patterned my life after him. He wanted me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/my-father-was-the-role-model-i-looked-up-my-dad-was-an-entertainer/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) ## More by Gene Simmons > [I've never been high or drunk in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/i-ve-never-been-high-or-drunk-in-my-life/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) > [I know that you like to see a man in the kitchen, but I'm skeptical of men who cook. A man should be focusing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/i-know-that-you-like-to-see-a-man-in-the-kitchen-but-i-m-skeptical-of/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) > [I don't wanna go on vacation. There's nothing about it that appeals to me. People look forward to doing that; I look forward to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/i-don-t-wanna-go-on-vacation-there-s-nothing-about-it-that-appeals-to/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) > [Everybody hates critics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/everybody-hates-critics/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) > [I think that Shakespeare is a s\*\*\*. Absolute s\*\*\*! He may have been a genius for his time, but I just can't relate to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/i-think-that-shakespeare-is-a-s-absolute-s-he-may-have-been-a-genius/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) > [Live well - respire frequently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/live-well-respire-frequently/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) > [The makeup is simply an extension of the personality and colors, clothing, makeup all express something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/the-makeup-is-simply-an-extension-of-the-personality-and-colors/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) > [Television and comic books are, and continue to be, probably the biggest influence in my life. It's the biggest influence on everybody's life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/television-and-comic-books-are-and-continue-to-be-probably-the/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) > [Being a Jew, you realize your strongest weapon is your mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/being-a-jew-you-realize-your-strongest-weapon-is-your-mind/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) > [After 9/11, people all of a sudden became patriotic and showed the colors. Why did it take something bad to happen? It means something.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/after-9-11-people-all-of-a-sudden-became-patriotic-and-showed-the/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) > [You don't need jails, you get put a thousand miles into the middle of Australia, you can go wherever you want, go ahead, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/you-don-t-need-jails-you-get-put-a-thousand-miles-into-the-middle-of/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) > [If you're building a house, or doing anything, time is what you've got. Well, there's effort, but you need time. The more time you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/if-you-re-building-a-house-or-doing-anything-time-is-what-you-ve-got/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) > [Rock bands are a lot like football teams: If a guy is on drugs and messes up, get someone else who's proud to wear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/rock-bands-are-a-lot-like-football-teams-if-a-guy-is-on-drugs-and/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) > [Better to discuss everything out in the open while you're in love, then if or when the relationship sadly ends. It's called Full Disclosure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/better-to-discuss-everything-out-in-the-open-while-you-re-in-love/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) > [The death of rock was not a natural death. Rock did not die of old age. It was murdered,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/the-death-of-rock-was-not-a-natural-death-rock-did-not-die-of-old-age/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) [Explore all 182 Gene Simmons quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) ## More Rock star quotes > [My father was the role model I looked up. My dad was an entertainer, too. I patterned my life after him. He wanted me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/my-father-was-the-role-model-i-looked-up-my-dad-was-an-entertainer/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [I'd like to say that I'm a rock star, but I'm not - I'm honestly more of a relationship kind of guy. I'm a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/i-d-like-to-say-that-i-m-a-rock-star-but-i-m-not-i-m-honestly-more-of/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [“There comes a time in a girl’s life where she finds her heart broken, what matters is not the boy who broke it but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kara-lee-hunter/there-comes-a-time-in-a-girl-s-life-where-she-finds-her-heart-broken/) [Kara Lee Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kara-lee-hunter/) > [“Being a rock star is the intersection of who you are and who you want to be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ava-dellaira/being-a-rock-star-is-the-intersection-of-who-you-are-and-who-you-want/) [Ava Dellaira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ava-dellaira/) > [Im tired of pretending Im not a total bitchin rock star from Mars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-sheen/im-tired-of-pretending-im-not-a-total-bitchin-rock-star-from-mars/) [Charlie Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-sheen/) > [More than accepted, it's encouraged for rock stars to be out of control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-gore/more-than-accepted-it-s-encouraged-for-rock-stars-to-be-out-of-control/) [Martin Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-gore/) > [When I was a kid and my parents started talking about politics, I'd run to my room and put on the Rolling Stones as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-cooper/when-i-was-a-kid-and-my-parents-started-talking-about-politics-i-d/) [Alice Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-cooper/) > [Blackbeard was larger than life. He was 6'4" in 1710. He was a colossus, and like a rock star walking into a bar. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevenson/blackbeard-was-larger-than-life-he-was-6-4-in-1710-he-was-a-colossus/) [Ray Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevenson/) > [Steve Jobs was a real rock star to me. I looked forward to his products like people look forward to albums.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/steve-jobs-was-a-real-rock-star-to-me-i-looked-forward-to-his/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [Rock stars are like sports stars: If you snap your ankle, you're done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-grohl/rock-stars-are-like-sports-stars-if-you-snap-your-ankle-you-re-done/) [Dave Grohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-grohl/) > [Being a rock star was out of the question. I can't sing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-evangelista/being-a-rock-star-was-out-of-the-question-i-can-t-sing/) [Linda Evangelista](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-evangelista/) > [Comics seem to be cooking these days. It's like being a rock star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-spiegelman/comics-seem-to-be-cooking-these-days-it-s-like-being-a-rock-star/) [Art Spiegelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-spiegelman/) > [Bill Klinton was the ultimate rock star as president. I don't think as a result of his presidency we will ever have a rock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-eszterhas/bill-klinton-was-the-ultimate-rock-star-as-president-i-don-t-think-as/) [Joe Eszterhas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-eszterhas/) > [“She really liked you, Noah,' 'Yeah, well, maybe I'm just an asshole.' I realize my hand is still in his hair and I retract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becky-wicks/she-really-liked-you-noah-yeah-well-maybe-i-m-just-an-asshole-i/) [Becky Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becky-wicks/) > [I really want to be a rock star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-batali/i-really-want-to-be-a-rock-star/) [Mario Batali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-batali/) [Browse all 684 Rock star quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rock-star/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was never interested in being a rock star. 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