--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There were so many lead roles available…" description: "\"There were so many lead roles available when I was in my thirties. Once I hit 45, there was a real downturn. But I got an incredibly provocative, delic..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/holly-hunter-2424_character_there-were-so-many-lead-roles-available_577374.jpg" --- # There were so many lead roles available when I was in my… ![“There were so many lead roles available when I was in my thirties. Once I hit 45, there was a real downturn. But I got an incredibly provocative, delicious lead role in a television series called 'Saving Grace,' and I loved the character.” quote by Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/holly-hunter-2424_character_there-were-so-many-lead-roles-available_577374.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/holly-hunter-2424_character_there-were-so-many-lead-roles-available_577374.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/holly-hunter-2424_character_there-were-so-many-lead-roles-available_577374.jpg) > “There were so many lead roles available when I was in my thirties. Once I hit 45, there was a real downturn. But I got an incredibly provocative, delicious lead role in a television series called 'Saving Grace,' and I loved the character.” [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Mid‑life career setbacks can turn into unexpected, rewarding opportunities when perseverance meets chance. **In simple terms:** Late‑career chances arise. Key Takeaway Stay open to new roles and keep honing craft. Themes career age opportunity Mood hopeful inspired Type career personal growth When to use this quote - acting - mid‑life job search - creative projects Key Concepts resilience serendipity Questions to Reflect On - What hidden talents could you develop now? - How can you turn a downturn into a breakthrough? A Different Perspective Not all opportunities arrive early; timing varies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) [Lead Roles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lead-roles-345536/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Loved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loved/) [Loved Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loved-character-1829781/) [Many](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/many/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Role Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/role-television-1263181/) [Saving grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saving-grace/) [Thirties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thirties/) ## Related quotes > [Once I hit 45, there was a real downturn. But I got an incredibly provocative, delicious lead role in a television series called 'Saving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/once-i-hit-45-there-was-a-real-downturn-but-i-got-an-incredibly/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [As a black actress, all I was offered in British film was the best friend role, whereas in television, I was offered a whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-okonedo/as-a-black-actress-all-i-was-offered-in-british-film-was-the-best/) [Sophie Okonedo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-okonedo/) > [My first ever-ever professional role was in a television show in England called 'Love Soup.' It starred Tamsin Greig. I just played a small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-lloyd-hughes/my-first-ever-ever-professional-role-was-in-a-television-show-in/) [Ben Lloyd-Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-lloyd-hughes/) > [I had no expectation of the level of adulation that would come my way. I just wanted to make a living with a regular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harrison-ford/i-had-no-expectation-of-the-level-of-adulation-that-would-come-my-way/) [Harrison Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harrison-ford/) > [My role on television is one of helping people reexamine the assumptions that they hold. I regard Dr. King. You would never hear me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tavis-smiley/my-role-on-television-is-one-of-helping-people-reexamine-the/) [Tavis Smiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tavis-smiley/) > [Phulwa' was the role of my career and I got to do all what a male hero would do from action to reaction. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargun-mehta/phulwa-was-the-role-of-my-career-and-i-got-to-do-all-what-a-male-hero/) [Sargun Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargun-mehta/) > [The role of television is the illusion of company, noise. I call it the fifth wall and the second window: the window of illusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mumia-abu-jamal/the-role-of-television-is-the-illusion-of-company-noise-i-call-it-the/) [Mumia Abu-Jamal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mumia-abu-jamal/) > [My dad wasn't the biggest role model, but he was a great musician and I loved him very much. He was a character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-houser/my-dad-wasn-t-the-biggest-role-model-but-he-was-a-great-musician-and/) [Randy Houser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-houser/) > [ I really liked it \[The Andromeda Strain\], and I don't know that it ever had the effect they were hoping for. I don't know… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-mccormack/i-really-liked-it-the-andromeda-strain-and-i-don-t-know-that-it-ever/) [Eric McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-mccormack/) > [I used to love 'Murphy Brown' as a kid. I didn't even understand half of the jokes that were going on, but I loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristela-alonzo/i-used-to-love-murphy-brown-as-a-kid-i-didn-t-even-understand-half-of/) [Cristela Alonzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristela-alonzo/) > [I've never loved a character as much as I do Niska. The way she's been written is so complex, with huge amounts of light…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-berrington/i-ve-never-loved-a-character-as-much-as-i-do-niska-the-way-she-s-been/) [Emily Berrington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-berrington/) > [I've done a lot of work in my life and have begun to let go of that need to be perfect, and I loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-drew/i-ve-done-a-lot-of-work-in-my-life-and-have-begun-to-let-go-of-that/) [Sarah Drew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-drew/) > [I was such a fan of Aziz. I watched 'Parks and Rec' like every other self-respecting hipster and loved his character so much and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-was-such-a-fan-of-aziz-i-watched-parks-and-rec-like-every-other/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [“...she herself loved the character of Elizabeth Bennet. "I must confess that I think her as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-shields/she-herself-loved-the-character-of-elizabeth-bennet-i-must-confess/) [Carol Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-shields/) > [Chris Carter is just a fantastic guy, I have enjoyed working for him, immensely. I loved this character. I don't think I can say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-patrick/chris-carter-is-just-a-fantastic-guy-i-have-enjoyed-working-for-him/) [Robert Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-patrick/) ## More by Holly Hunter > [Giving up something personal to the public, you are surrendering something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/giving-up-something-personal-to-the-public-you-are-surrendering/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [In storytelling you kind of put your nightmares up there, you put your dreams up there and people can see them better because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/in-storytelling-you-kind-of-put-your-nightmares-up-there-you-put-your/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [I'm a practicing Catholic. And faith is very, very important to me. It was pounded in my head as a kid, and I hated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/i-m-a-practicing-catholic-and-faith-is-very-very-important-to-me-it/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [The unknown makes people uncomfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/the-unknown-makes-people-uncomfortable/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [It's not like television is now for women who have been put out to pasture. Television is for everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/it-s-not-like-television-is-now-for-women-who-have-been-put-out-to/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [I act probably a lot more than you see. I happen to choose movies that don't have much of a life, or I choose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/i-act-probably-a-lot-more-than-you-see-i-happen-to-choose-movies-that/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [Being somebody who's like a theater geek that I am, I can just go right back to Aeschylus and Euripides and Sophocles: they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/being-somebody-who-s-like-a-theater-geek-that-i-am-i-can-just-go/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [I don't mind at all venturing off to do a television movie if it's gonna give me something new to mess around in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/i-don-t-mind-at-all-venturing-off-to-do-a-television-movie-if-it-s/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [Do I believe in God? I don't know what that really means. I don't know what my personal connections with G-o-d are. But spirituality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/do-i-believe-in-god-i-don-t-know-what-that-really-means-i-don-t-know/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [I reveal all of myself. I bring all of myself to my roles. You only see me. You don't see anything else but me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/i-reveal-all-of-myself-i-bring-all-of-myself-to-my-roles-you-only-see/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [Each project, I can almost feel like I'm like a different person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/each-project-i-can-almost-feel-like-i-m-like-a-different-person/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [It's great to go to the cinema and have a conversation about something that is almost taboo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/it-s-great-to-go-to-the-cinema-and-have-a-conversation-about/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [I think that my looks through the years have served me well because I was never a great beauty and I was never cast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/i-think-that-my-looks-through-the-years-have-served-me-well-because-i/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [I never thought about moving to L.A.; I always wanted to be in New York. I moved there, and now I still have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/i-never-thought-about-moving-to-l-a-i-always-wanted-to-be-in-new-york/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [I really would love to take a big break and not be photographed, not perform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/i-really-would-love-to-take-a-big-break-and-not-be-photographed-not/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) [Explore all 167 Holly Hunter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) ## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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": "There were so many lead roles available when I was in my thirties. 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