--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know actors who have had to turn down…" description: "\"I know actors who have had to turn down good roles because they just don't pay enough. It's hard.\" — Ian Mckellen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/471/ian-mckellen-1396_actor_i-know-actors-who-have-had-to-turn-down_1999342.jpg" --- # I know actors who have had to turn down good roles because… ![“I know actors who have had to turn down good roles because they just don't pay enough. It's hard.” quote by Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/471/ian-mckellen-1396_actor_i-know-actors-who-have-had-to-turn-down_1999342.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/471/ian-mckellen-1396_actor_i-know-actors-who-have-had-to-turn-down_1999342.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/471/ian-mckellen-1396_actor_i-know-actors-who-have-had-to-turn-down_1999342.jpg) > “I know actors who have had to turn down good roles because they just don't pay enough. It's hard.” [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Actors sometimes reject roles because the compensation is insufficient, underscoring financial constraints in artistic choices. **In simple terms:** Money can limit artistic opportunities. Key Takeaway Weigh financial needs against creative goals. Themes career finance artistic integrity Mood thoughtful realistic Type industry insight personal When to use this quote - film auditions - contract negotiations - career planning Key Concepts budgeting industry pressures Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance passion with pay? - What alternatives exist for underpaid artists? A Different Perspective Low pay may force talented actors out of projects. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [“I didn't undrstnd Y I alwys lov uh.. knwing dat it is vry risky May b... I wanna pay it hard.. evry tym I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rojni-dhurve/i-didn-t-undrstnd-y-i-alwys-lov-uh-knwing-dat-it-is-vry-risky-may-b-i/) Rojni Dhurve > [There are people out there who pay their hard earned money to see a good show and people who work 9 to 5 and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-monroe-iglehart/there-are-people-out-there-who-pay-their-hard-earned-money-to-see-a/) [James Monroe Iglehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-monroe-iglehart/) > [People pay their hard-earned money to come and watch me perform live. 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We only do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-ve-always-longed-for-the-theatre-and-acting-to-be-popular-no-actor/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [It's my impression that I've done every job that I've been asked to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/it-s-my-impression-that-i-ve-done-every-job-that-i-ve-been-asked-to-do/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [I'm fortunate to be famous for two rather imposing characters like Magneto and Gandalf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-m-fortunate-to-be-famous-for-two-rather-imposing-characters-like/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [Tolkien is as good as Dickens at sketching a scene.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/tolkien-is-as-good-as-dickens-at-sketching-a-scene/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [If you are playing King Lear you are the centre of attention anyway. You don't need to draw attention to yourself. It's all laid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/if-you-are-playing-king-lear-you-are-the-centre-of-attention-anyway/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [Godot is whatever it is in life that you are waiting for: 'I'm waiting to win the lottery. I'm waiting to fall in love'.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/godot-is-whatever-it-is-in-life-that-you-are-waiting-for-i-m-waiting/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [I'm only an actor. I'm not a writer. I'm not going to leave any legacy. 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I've never heard of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/the-lego-movie-i-ve-never-heard-of-it/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [When I appeared in 'Coronation Street,' I lived in Manchester and enjoyed it very much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/when-i-appeared-in-coronation-street-i-lived-in-manchester-and/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [Before acting, I wanted to become a journalist. I also toyed with the idea of being a chef - but that's only when people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/before-acting-i-wanted-to-become-a-journalist-i-also-toyed-with-the/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) [Explore all 247 Ian Mckellen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) ## 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. 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