--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I would be Jesse Martin ..., but not to…" description: "\"I would be Jesse Martin ..., but not to be his character, just so I could be Jesse Martin and sing like Jesse Martin for a day.\" — Greg Berlanti" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23f/greg-berlanti-17396_character_i-would-be-jesse-martin-but-not-to-be-hi_23929.jpg" --- # I would be Jesse Martin ..., but not to be his character… ![“I would be Jesse Martin ..., but not to be his character, just so I could be Jesse Martin and sing like Jesse Martin for a day.” quote by Greg Berlanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23f/greg-berlanti-17396_character_i-would-be-jesse-martin-but-not-to-be-hi_23929.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23f/greg-berlanti-17396_character_i-would-be-jesse-martin-but-not-to-be-hi_23929.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23f/greg-berlanti-17396_character_i-would-be-jesse-martin-but-not-to-be-hi_23929.jpg) > “I would be Jesse Martin ..., but not to be his character, just so I could be Jesse Martin and sing like Jesse Martin for a day.” [Greg Berlanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-berlanti/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A desire to embody a persona for a fleeting experience, seeking authenticity through imitation. **In simple terms:** Yearning for a temporary, authentic identity. Key Takeaway Identity can be explored through brief role-play. Themes identity authenticity role-play self-exploration performance Mood nostalgic playful introspective Type personal reflection creative aspiration When to use this quote - creative workshops - acting classes - fan conventions - personal retreats Key Concepts persona temporary immersion self-expression Practical Applications - method acting exercises - personal growth retreats Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to 'be' someone else for a day? - How does temporary role-play affect self-understanding? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ## Related quotes > [“I was just… Jesse. Like insufferably so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-erickson/i-was-just-jesse-like-insufferably-so/) [Megan Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-erickson/) > [Yeah, I think that's it... It's like Jesse James. He became really popular because he lasted so long. You know, there is some degree…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milius/yeah-i-think-that-s-it-it-s-like-jesse-james-he-became-really-popular/) [John Milius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milius/) > [I sound like Jesse Jackson or Martin Luther King, but I honestly feel like the world is mature enough. And, for me, I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlon-wayans/i-sound-like-jesse-jackson-or-martin-luther-king-but-i-honestly-feel/) [Marlon Wayans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlon-wayans/) > [I look more like Jesse Lee Sofer than my real brother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-gehlfuss/i-look-more-like-jesse-lee-sofer-than-my-real-brother/) [Nick Gehlfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-gehlfuss/) > [Like it or not, Jesse Ventura is a Navy SEAL. He did the pushups and put up with the cold water, just like the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-webb/like-it-or-not-jesse-ventura-is-a-navy-seal-he-did-the-pushups-and/) [Brandon Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-webb/) > [“Cocky much?" I muttered, hanging my arm out the window like Jesse was. I opened my hand and splayed my fingers to feel the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-williams/cocky-much-i-muttered-hanging-my-arm-out-the-window-like-jesse-was-i/) [Nicole Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-williams/) > [But you make me sing like a guitar humming . . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/but-you-make-me-sing-like-a-guitar-humming/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [“do you hear them? they sing like their hearts might burst the trees sift their tunes weaving a sacred dialogue between the land and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malebo-sephodi/do-you-hear-them-they-sing-like-their-hearts-might-burst-the-trees/) [Malebo Sephodi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malebo-sephodi/) > [Youve gotta dance like theres nobody watching, Love like youll never be hurt, Sing like theres nobody listening, And live like its heaven on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/youve-gotta-dance-like-theres-nobody-watching-love-like-youll-never/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Sing like your on top of the World. Cry like you have never done before. And breathe like your never do it again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tania-gardana/sing-like-your-on-top-of-the-world-cry-like-you-have-never-done/) Tania Gardana > [The second we were done on 'The Sing-Off,' we were like, 'All right, now we're competing with Rihanna and Taylor Swift.' We've always set…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-olusola/the-second-we-were-done-on-the-sing-off-we-were-like-all-right-now-we/) [Kevin Olusola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-olusola/) > [I sing like a girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-blunt/i-sing-like-a-girl/) [James Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-blunt/) > [Given that I can't sing like Freddie Mercury, obviously I'm not going to pursue it as a career. What would be the point?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-beckinsale/given-that-i-can-t-sing-like-freddie-mercury-obviously-i-m-not-going/) [Kate Beckinsale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-beckinsale/) > [My wife likes to say I act like a kid, so maybe that's why I sing like one!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-anthony/my-wife-likes-to-say-i-act-like-a-kid-so-maybe-that-s-why-i-sing-like/) [Michael Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-anthony/) > [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) ## More by Greg Berlanti > [We did 'Jack & Bobby' in the middle of the Kerry/Bush election. It hurt it a little bit. No matter what we did, everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/we-did-jack-bobby-in-the-middle-of-the-kerry-bush-election-it-hurt-it/) [Greg Berlanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-berlanti/) > [I read some Marvel, but I was more of a DC guy. Particularly the Flash, Barry Allen. I latched on to him because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/i-read-some-marvel-but-i-was-more-of-a-dc-guy-particularly-the-flash/) [Greg Berlanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-berlanti/) > [To me, there's still nothing more thrilling than, every week, people getting to see another chapter in this story that you're telling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/to-me-there-s-still-nothing-more-thrilling-than-every-week-people/) [Greg Berlanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-berlanti/) > [You have to always try to think about them like real people first, and not just heroes. They have to be real characters. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/you-have-to-always-try-to-think-about-them-like-real-people-first-and/) [Greg Berlanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-berlanti/) > [There were only a couple of Marvel characters I read. I read 'Iron Man.' I have a lot of those. And this was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/there-were-only-a-couple-of-marvel-characters-i-read-i-read-iron-man/) [Greg Berlanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-berlanti/) > [I think a lot of what I've done is about people feeling as if they are part of the world but also not part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/i-think-a-lot-of-what-i-ve-done-is-about-people-feeling-as-if-they/) [Greg Berlanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-berlanti/) > [For me, the romantic comedies I love are the ones that pay homage to the genre, but also find their ways to twist it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/for-me-the-romantic-comedies-i-love-are-the-ones-that-pay-homage-to/) [Greg Berlanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-berlanti/) > [I didn't happen to be one of those gay kids who knew definitively by the time I was 13.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/i-didn-t-happen-to-be-one-of-those-gay-kids-who-knew-definitively-by/) [Greg Berlanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-berlanti/) > [For most of my childhood, even through college, there was a lot of feeling very alone. I loved TV, so when those very special…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/for-most-of-my-childhood-even-through-college-there-was-a-lot-of/) [Greg Berlanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-berlanti/) > [The most important decision you can make as a showrunner when you're doing a pilot is who's in it and who's directing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/the-most-important-decision-you-can-make-as-a-showrunner-when-you-re/) [Greg Berlanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-berlanti/) > [There's even more blending of genres happening. They blend sci-fi with action, or family drama with a mystery show. People don't want to just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/there-s-even-more-blending-of-genres-happening-they-blend-sci-fi-with/) [Greg Berlanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-berlanti/) > [There were moments where Supergirl gets a thrashing in the pilot, where if a man in the 'Flash' or 'Arrow' pilot got beat up,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/there-were-moments-where-supergirl-gets-a-thrashing-in-the-pilot/) [Greg Berlanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-berlanti/) > [Fan feedback going from a box of letters once every few months to literally tweeting while the show is airing. We are able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/fan-feedback-going-from-a-box-of-letters-once-every-few-months-to/) [Greg Berlanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-berlanti/) > [Television is ultimately a business of failure. You try a lot of things, and most of it fails.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/television-is-ultimately-a-business-of-failure-you-try-a-lot-of/) [Greg Berlanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-berlanti/) > [Sometimes the guys who run the visual effects shop will bury it in and not tell us. We'll be in the middle of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/sometimes-the-guys-who-run-the-visual-effects-shop-will-bury-it-in/) [Greg Berlanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-berlanti/) [Explore all 37 Greg Berlanti quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-berlanti/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) David Hudgins > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/) [Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [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/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [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/) [Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I would be Jesse Martin ..., but not to be his character, just so I could be Jesse Martin and sing like Jesse Martin for a day.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Greg Berlanti" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/i-would-be-jesse-martin-but-not-to-be-his-character-just-so-i-could/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Character" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/i-would-be-jesse-martin-but-not-to-be-his-character-just-so-i-could/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23f/greg-berlanti-17396_character_i-would-be-jesse-martin-but-not-to-be-hi_23929.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23f/greg-berlanti-17396_character_i-would-be-jesse-martin-but-not-to-be-hi_23929.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23f/greg-berlanti-17396_character_i-would-be-jesse-martin-but-not-to-be-hi_23929.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I would be Jesse Martin ..., but not to be his character, just so I could be Jesse Martin and sing like…” — Greg Berlanti", "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": "Greg Berlanti", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-berlanti/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I would be Jesse Martin ...,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/i-would-be-jesse-martin-but-not-to-be-his-character-just-so-i-could/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-berlanti/i-would-be-jesse-martin-but-not-to-be-his-character-just-so-i-could/#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 } } ] } ```