--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I drifted into acting and drifted out…" description: "\"I drifted into acting and drifted out. Acting is not everything. Living is.\" — Irene Dunne" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0d/irene-dunne-28552_acting_i-drifted-into-acting-and-drifted-out-ac_1666405.png" --- # I drifted into acting and drifted out. Acting is not… ![“I drifted into acting and drifted out. Acting is not everything. Living is.” quote by Irene Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0d/irene-dunne-28552_acting_i-drifted-into-acting-and-drifted-out-ac_1666405.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0d/irene-dunne-28552_acting_i-drifted-into-acting-and-drifted-out-ac_1666405.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0d/irene-dunne-28552_acting_i-drifted-into-acting-and-drifted-out-ac_1666405.png) > “I drifted into acting and drifted out. Acting is not everything. Living is.” [Irene Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-dunne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acting was a temporary pursuit; true fulfillment comes from living fully beyond a career. **In simple terms:** Acting is not everything; life matters more. Key Takeaway Prioritize life over career. Themes career purpose balance Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career change - personal growth - daily living - creative pursuits Key Concepts identity meaning fulfillment Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of life bring you the most fulfillment? - How can you integrate creative expression without losing focus on living? A Different Perspective Acting can still be a valuable skill and source of joy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [I went to film school at Columbia and did that for a couple years, and really thought I was going to be a filmmaker,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-adsit/i-went-to-film-school-at-columbia-and-did-that-for-a-couple-years-and/) [Scott Adsit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-adsit/) > [I drifted into acting, and I've drifted into my career, and I've never been guided by anything particularly concrete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-graves/i-drifted-into-acting-and-i-ve-drifted-into-my-career-and-i-ve-never/) [Rupert Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-graves/) > [I kind of drifted into acting through a series of coincidences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-thewlis/i-kind-of-drifted-into-acting-through-a-series-of-coincidences/) [David Thewlis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-thewlis/) > [I was always going to be a dancer - I drifted into acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-annis/i-was-always-going-to-be-a-dancer-i-drifted-into-acting/) [Francesca Annis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-annis/) > [In my long and difficult and mature life, I have come to learn that the less I know about acting and the more I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-seberg/in-my-long-and-difficult-and-mature-life-i-have-come-to-learn-that/) [Jean Seberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-seberg/) > [It's very important to lead your own story: to not be acting as much as you are living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-phillips/it-s-very-important-to-lead-your-own-story-to-not-be-acting-as-much/) [Nathan Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-phillips/) > [I thought of singing and acting as a living-making. I was able to take care of myself and a few of my friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/i-thought-of-singing-and-acting-as-a-living-making-i-was-able-to-take/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) > [Study your craft, first. Then explore the business side. If you can commit to mastering both, then youre ready to pursue acting as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ealy/study-your-craft-first-then-explore-the-business-side-if-you-can-2/) [Michael Ealy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ealy/) > [Acting is what I'm living and breathing on a day-to-day basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-rose/acting-is-what-i-m-living-and-breathing-on-a-day-to-day-basis/) [Ruby Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-rose/) > [While acting is what I do for a living, activism is what I do to stay alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/while-acting-is-what-i-do-for-a-living-activism-is-what-i-do-to-stay/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [“You are acting, not being.” Strasberg explained, “I stress the difference between the actor who thinks acting is an imitation of life, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-holley/you-are-acting-not-being-strasberg-explained-i-stress-the-difference/) [Val Holley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-holley/) > [It's not a movie, no private screening This method acting, well, I call that living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/it-s-not-a-movie-no-private-screening-this-method-acting-well-i-call/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [Study your craft, first. Then explore the business side. If you can commit to mastering both, then you're ready to pursue acting as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ealy/study-your-craft-first-then-explore-the-business-side-if-you-can/) [Michael Ealy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ealy/) > [It's not that I'm using my life to put on screen or in my acting, it's that, when you're living in the world, you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-jessica-parker/it-s-not-that-i-m-using-my-life-to-put-on-screen-or-in-my-acting-it-s/) [Sarah Jessica Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-jessica-parker/) > [ I started doing \[acting\] for a living, no one really warned me about the amount of traveling I would do. I always thought everything… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/i-started-doing-acting-for-a-living-no-one-really-warned-me-about-the/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) ## More by Irene Dunne > [Nothing can replace the excitement, the magic, and yes the glamour of a Ziegfeld show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-dunne/nothing-can-replace-the-excitement-the-magic-and-yes-the-glamour-of-a/) [Irene Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-dunne/) > [Of course WE never had to do nude scenes. I'm glad, too, because I'm susceptible to pneumonia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-dunne/of-course-we-never-had-to-do-nude-scenes-i-m-glad-too-because-i-m/) [Irene Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-dunne/) > [I'll leave the swearing to the Jane Fondas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-dunne/i-ll-leave-the-swearing-to-the-jane-fondas/) [Irene Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-dunne/) > [So being two different people in one day unnerved me to no end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-dunne/so-being-two-different-people-in-one-day-unnerved-me-to-no-end/) [Irene Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-dunne/) > [I know all the swear words. I just don't use them. There are worse things in life than being called a Lady.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-dunne/i-know-all-the-swear-words-i-just-don-t-use-them-there-are-worse/) [Irene Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-dunne/) > [That's why there are so few women stars today. Pornography has taken away the mystery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-dunne/that-s-why-there-are-so-few-women-stars-today-pornography-has-taken/) [Irene Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-dunne/) > [I always believed in my characters. I lived them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-dunne/i-always-believed-in-my-characters-i-lived-them/) [Irene Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-dunne/) > [You see I found I didn't have to act to be happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-dunne/you-see-i-found-i-didn-t-have-to-act-to-be-happy/) [Irene Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-dunne/) > [The things we like best are either illegal, immoral or fattening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-dunne/the-things-we-like-best-are-either-illegal-immoral-or-fattening/) [Irene Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-dunne/) > [That's the kind of stuff you are offered today. Scripts that have you mixed up with young men. I find them utterly revolting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-dunne/that-s-the-kind-of-stuff-you-are-offered-today-scripts-that-have-you/) [Irene Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-dunne/) > [Trying to build the brotherhood of man without the fatherhood of God is like trying to make a wheel without a hub.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-dunne/trying-to-build-the-brotherhood-of-man-without-the-fatherhood-of-god/) [Irene Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-dunne/) > [I appeared with many leading men. But working with Cary Grant was different from working with other actors. He was much more fun! I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-dunne/i-appeared-with-many-leading-men-but-working-with-cary-grant-was/) [Irene Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-dunne/) > [There seems to be a general impression that to be known as normal in Hollywood is akin to being labeled as rare animal in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-dunne/there-seems-to-be-a-general-impression-that-to-be-known-as-normal-in/) [Irene Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-dunne/) > [And yet I think The White Cliffs of Dover one of my best films](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-dunne/and-yet-i-think-the-white-cliffs-of-dover-one-of-my-best-films/) [Irene Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-dunne/) > [I like the fog that creeps over the whole city every night about five, and the warm protective feeling it gives...and lights of San…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-dunne/i-like-the-fog-that-creeps-over-the-whole-city-every-night-about-five/) [Irene Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-dunne/) [Explore all 19 Irene Dunne quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-dunne/) ## 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. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! 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. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I drifted into acting and drifted out. Acting is not everything. 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