--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I came into the acting profession…" description: "\"When I came into the acting profession, it was quite hierarchical. You didn't sit at the same table as the leading actor. Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir Joh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d03/helen-mirren-1937_acting_when-i-came-into-the-acting-profession-i_2733374.jpg" --- # When I came into the acting profession, it was quite… ![“When I came into the acting profession, it was quite hierarchical. You didn't sit at the same table as the leading actor. Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir John Gielgud... these were very, very intimidating and powerful people.” quote by Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d03/helen-mirren-1937_acting_when-i-came-into-the-acting-profession-i_2733374.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d03/helen-mirren-1937_acting_when-i-came-into-the-acting-profession-i_2733374.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d03/helen-mirren-1937_acting_when-i-came-into-the-acting-profession-i_2733374.jpg) > “When I came into the acting profession, it was quite hierarchical. You didn't sit at the same table as the leading actor. Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir John Gielgud... these were very, very intimidating and powerful people.” [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The acting world is structured with clear hierarchies, making newcomers feel small beside legendary figures. **In simple terms:** Acting has a hierarchy that can feel intimidating. Key Takeaway Respect mentors but forge your own path. Themes hierarchy intimidation career growth Mood reflective determined Type advice career personal development When to use this quote - auditions - first role - networking - collaborations Key Concepts power dynamics legacy professional development Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance respect for legends with confidence in your own abilities? - What steps help you integrate into a hierarchical field? A Different Perspective Even with great mentors, personal talent and effort remain essential. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Powerful people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powerful-people/) [Profession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profession/) ## Related quotes > [When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control. Even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/when-you-are-trying-to-impress-people-with-words-the-more-you-say-the-2/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [Every human being has a plethora of emotions. As an actor, we are lucky to take them out and portray onscreen. But in normal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-kay-menon/every-human-being-has-a-plethora-of-emotions-as-an-actor-we-are-lucky/) [Kay Kay Menon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-kay-menon/) > [If you're a leading actor you don't work with another actor. You work with a lady.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-caine/if-you-re-a-leading-actor-you-don-t-work-with-another-actor-you-work/) [Michael Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-caine/) > [I went to the RSC, and I became a leading actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-fearon/i-went-to-the-rsc-and-i-became-a-leading-actor/) [Ray Fearon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-fearon/) > [I didn't have this feeling that I should be a leading actor in the cinema. And I wouldn't want the responsibility of the opening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-didn-t-have-this-feeling-that-i-should-be-a-leading-actor-in-the/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [I've learned 90 percent of what I know from watching and listening to actors. A good leading actor is the rock of the show.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wittrock/i-ve-learned-90-percent-of-what-i-know-from-watching-and-listening-to/) [Finn Wittrock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wittrock/) > [I always thought the leading actor should be the best supporting actor, because you're the only person that can help every other actor on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-costner/i-always-thought-the-leading-actor-should-be-the-best-supporting/) [Kevin Costner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-costner/) > [I was always a supporting actor. 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I had a run there in 2005, '06, '07…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/when-i-first-came-into-acting-i-had-great-opportunities-to-make-a/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [I came out here to do the acting, and then after a year of auditions and not getting anything, I met these Italian guys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/i-came-out-here-to-do-the-acting-and-then-after-a-year-of-auditions/) [Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) > [Until I came out, my acting was all about disguise, and thereafter it became about telling the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/until-i-came-out-my-acting-was-all-about-disguise-and-thereafter-it/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [When 'Nil By Mouth' was released, people thought that's what we were actually like, that they'd put me and Ray in front of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/when-nil-by-mouth-was-released-people-thought-that-s-what-we-were/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) ## More by Helen Mirren > [When you do a voice in an animated film, you don't see the finished product at all. You're not animating. You're not doing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/when-you-do-a-voice-in-an-animated-film-you-don-t-see-the-finished/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [I'm not strong-willed, actually. I'm a complete pushover. I love to be told what to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/i-m-not-strong-willed-actually-i-m-a-complete-pushover-i-love-to-be/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [I think of myself as being a bit of a wimp deep down - a bourgeois wimp - and I'm fighting that. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/i-think-of-myself-as-being-a-bit-of-a-wimp-deep-down-a-bourgeois-wimp/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [It's never been confirmed that Elizabeth I was a virgin. It's like the Virgin Mary - it's about branding, a logo. To use a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/it-s-never-been-confirmed-that-elizabeth-i-was-a-virgin-it-s-like-the/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [When I was doing Shakespeare and I had spent a lot of time and effort in trying to become a great Shakespearean actress. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/when-i-was-doing-shakespeare-and-i-had-spent-a-lot-of-time-and-effort/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [I always tell my husband, That's it, I quit, I've done all I wanted, and he's just like, Yeah, yeah. Sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/i-always-tell-my-husband-that-s-it-i-quit-i-ve-done-all-i-wanted-and/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [Patience can be a good thing - but not necessarily. Sometimes it's not so bad to be impatient. I'm a little bit too polite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/patience-can-be-a-good-thing-but-not-necessarily-sometimes-it-s-not/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [A war film can be propaganda and they're very valuable as propaganda, as we realized in Britain in the Second World War. Film as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/a-war-film-can-be-propaganda-and-they-re-very-valuable-as-propaganda/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [It was never my intention to marry anybody. Economics are basically the only reason to get married, but I'm very glad I did it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/it-was-never-my-intention-to-marry-anybody-economics-are-basically/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [You can't control how other people see you or think of you. But you have to be comfortable with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/you-can-t-control-how-other-people-see-you-or-think-of-you-but-you/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [When you're young, you wonder what all these old people are droning on about, trying to impart their wisdom. It's not relevant to you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/when-you-re-young-you-wonder-what-all-these-old-people-are-droning-on/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [The role of women has always been undervalued in the spy world, always undermined in terms of recognition. Unfairly so. It's a world that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/the-role-of-women-has-always-been-undervalued-in-the-spy-world-always/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [I always love working with young actors, because there's always something to learn. It's always exciting to see the next generation and how they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/i-always-love-working-with-young-actors-because-there-s-always/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [People with Parkinson's are not some weird people on the edge of human experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/people-with-parkinson-s-are-not-some-weird-people-on-the-edge-of/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [My fear of drama school is that the natural extraordinary but eccentric talent sometimes can't find its place in a drama school. And often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/my-fear-of-drama-school-is-that-the-natural-extraordinary-but/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) [Explore all 197 Helen Mirren quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) ## 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. 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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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