--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My father was Abe Burrows, who was a…" description: "\"My father was Abe Burrows, who was a Broadway legend. 'Guys and Dolls,' 'How to Succeed,' 'Cactus Flower,' '40 Karats,' 'Can-Can,' 'Happy Hunting,' 'Re..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7f/james-burrows-35721_abe_my-father-was-abe-burrows-who-was-a-broa_3166008.jpg" --- # My father was Abe Burrows, who was a Broadway legend… ![“My father was Abe Burrows, who was a Broadway legend. 'Guys and Dolls,' 'How to Succeed,' 'Cactus Flower,' '40 Karats,' 'Can-Can,' 'Happy Hunting,' 'Reclining Figure,' it goes on. He was a legend, and when I was growing up, I was Abe Burrows' kid. That was my self-esteem.” quote by James Burrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7f/james-burrows-35721_abe_my-father-was-abe-burrows-who-was-a-broa_3166008.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7f/james-burrows-35721_abe_my-father-was-abe-burrows-who-was-a-broa_3166008.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7f/james-burrows-35721_abe_my-father-was-abe-burrows-who-was-a-broa_3166008.jpg) > “My father was Abe Burrows, who was a Broadway legend. 'Guys and Dolls,' 'How to Succeed,' 'Cactus Flower,' '40 Karats,' 'Can-Can,' 'Happy Hunting,' 'Reclining Figure,' it goes on. He was a legend, and when I was growing up, I was Abe Burrows' kid. That was my self-esteem.” [James Burrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-burrows/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He reflects on his father's fame in theater, noting that being his son boosted his confidence and self‑image. **In simple terms:** Having a famous parent boosted his self‑esteem. Key Takeaway Recognize the influence of family legacy. Themes family legacy self‑esteem identity career Mood reflective proud introspective Type personal anecdote biographical When to use this quote - career mentorship - family storytelling - personal branding - confidence building - networking Key Concepts psychology social identity intergenerational influence Questions to Reflect On - How does your family background shape your ambitions? - What steps can you take to forge your own identity? A Different Perspective Relying on a famous name can create pressure to meet expectations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Broadway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broadway/) [Dolls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dolls/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Flower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flower/) [Growing up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-up/) [Guys And Dolls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guys-and-dolls/) [Hunting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hunting/) [Legend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legend/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-esteem/) ## Related quotes > [“What floats, burrows, wears things down, and creates life,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-scott-savage/what-floats-burrows-wears-things-down-and-creates-life/) [J. Scott Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-scott-savage/) > [As a child, I loved to sing. When I was 8, my mother sent my brother and me to a summer music theater program…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-elise-goldsberry/as-a-child-i-loved-to-sing-when-i-was-8-my-mother-sent-my-brother-and/) [Renee Elise Goldsberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-elise-goldsberry/) > [I started acting in junior high. I was in 'Guys and Dolls.' I was Stanley Kowalski. In my head, before coming to Hollywood, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maz-jobrani/i-started-acting-in-junior-high-i-was-in-guys-and-dolls-i-was-stanley/) [Maz Jobrani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maz-jobrani/) > [ They \[Barnes Theatre Club\] were a very good group, and for some reason when I finished the backstage thing, I just decided to that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-pattinson/they-barnes-theatre-club-were-a-very-good-group-and-for-some-reason/) [Robert Pattinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-pattinson/) > [I played Sky Masterson in 'Guys and Dolls' at St. Ignatius. I walked out onstage at one point looking for Nathan Detroit, and I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-o-malley/i-played-sky-masterson-in-guys-and-dolls-at-st-ignatius-i-walked-out/) [Rory O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-o-malley/) > [“My father was a renowned chef, who had learned his trade as an apprentice in Europe. During the depression with work hard to find,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/captain-hank-bracker-seawater-one/my-father-was-a-renowned-chef-who-had-learned-his-trade-as-an/) Captain Hank Bracker, "Seawater One > [I got my Equity card from an audition out of Backstage. We did 'Guys and Dolls' and 'Kismet.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-mcginley/i-got-my-equity-card-from-an-audition-out-of-backstage-we-did-guys/) [John C. McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-mcginley/) > [I want to play Miss Adelaide in 'Guys and Dolls.' Really badly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finty-williams/i-want-to-play-miss-adelaide-in-guys-and-dolls-really-badly/) [Finty Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finty-williams/) > [When I'm older, I'd like to play one of Tennessee Williams's women and an older Adelaide in 'Guys and Dolls.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suranne-jones/when-i-m-older-i-d-like-to-play-one-of-tennessee-williams-s-women-and/) [Suranne Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suranne-jones/) > [I only did five or six weeks in 'Guys and Dolls,' and when I was 26 or so, I was in 'Blood Brothers' for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lancashire/i-only-did-five-or-six-weeks-in-guys-and-dolls-and-when-i-was-26-or/) [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) > [I first came to London as a musician, and when my group broke up, I did 'Guys and Dolls' at the Watford Palace theatre.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarke-peters/i-first-came-to-london-as-a-musician-and-when-my-group-broke-up-i-did/) [Clarke Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarke-peters/) > [I am an opera virgin; I'd far prefer to see a musical such as 'Guys and Dolls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-thompson/i-am-an-opera-virgin-i-d-far-prefer-to-see-a-musical-such-as-guys-and/) [Sophie Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-thompson/) > [I was so enthralled watching 'Guys and Dolls' and learning about the Rat Pack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendon-urie/i-was-so-enthralled-watching-guys-and-dolls-and-learning-about-the/) [Brendon Urie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendon-urie/) > [I like 'Guys and Dolls,' 'Singin' in the Rain' and 'A Star Is Born.' When it works, a musical is an amazing thing. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-carney/i-like-guys-and-dolls-singin-in-the-rain-and-a-star-is-born-when-it/) [John Carney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-carney/) > [Sinatra is so connected with the persona of the 'Guys and Dolls' characters even though he had great conflicts with Frank Loesser personally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-feinstein/sinatra-is-so-connected-with-the-persona-of-the-guys-and-dolls/) [Michael Feinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-feinstein/) ## More by James Burrows > [Most of the pilots I choose do not have high-concept ideas, so for me it's not the idea as much as the execution of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-burrows/most-of-the-pilots-i-choose-do-not-have-high-concept-ideas-so-for-me/) [James Burrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-burrows/) > [Sometimes an actor will stumble on the joke, and I'm right on them. Back it up before the audience hears the bad version of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-burrows/sometimes-an-actor-will-stumble-on-the-joke-and-i-m-right-on-them/) [James Burrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-burrows/) > [I know what's funny, and I probably know the best way to deliver the joke. Whether it's walking out of a room, facing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-burrows/i-know-what-s-funny-and-i-probably-know-the-best-way-to-deliver-the/) [James Burrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-burrows/) > [Script comes first, then the actors, then you gotta be lucky enough to get the right time slot. Then people have to watch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-burrows/script-comes-first-then-the-actors-then-you-gotta-be-lucky-enough-to/) [James Burrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-burrows/) > [My father was weaned on books. I'm halfway between being weaned on books and weaned on television. And if you're weaned on television, you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-burrows/my-father-was-weaned-on-books-i-m-halfway-between-being-weaned-on/) [James Burrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-burrows/) > [I have a fun clause in my contract. If I'm not having fun, I can leave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-burrows/i-have-a-fun-clause-in-my-contract-if-i-m-not-having-fun-i-can-leave/) [James Burrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-burrows/) > [Networks are reluctant to take a chance. They put on shows that they know will work on some level, but to get the innovative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-burrows/networks-are-reluctant-to-take-a-chance-they-put-on-shows-that-they/) [James Burrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-burrows/) > [I'll tell you what I love about directing: the surprise. You never know what's going to happen with your piece until an audience weighs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-burrows/i-ll-tell-you-what-i-love-about-directing-the-surprise-you-never-know/) [James Burrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-burrows/) > [I remember on the pilot of 'Will and Grace' some executives from NBC saying to me, 'There are too many gay jokes.' I said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-burrows/i-remember-on-the-pilot-of-will-and-grace-some-executives-from-nbc/) [James Burrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-burrows/) > [The best thing for an actor is to try it his way. The way they do it may not work, but it may inspire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-burrows/the-best-thing-for-an-actor-is-to-try-it-his-way-the-way-they-do-it/) [James Burrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-burrows/) > [On 'Taxi,' I had the great fortune of directing many wonderful episodes, none more classic than Reverend Jim's driving test. It was maybe the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-burrows/on-taxi-i-had-the-great-fortune-of-directing-many-wonderful-episodes/) [James Burrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-burrows/) > [I didn't have the drive; I never wanted to be in show business. I went into my father's business because of osmosis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-burrows/i-didn-t-have-the-drive-i-never-wanted-to-be-in-show-business-i-went/) [James Burrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-burrows/) [Explore all 13 James Burrows quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-burrows/) ## More Abe quotes > [ There is progress in the sense that the Prime Minister \[Shinzō Abe\] has proposed, outlined, as it were, directions for movement toward a peace… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/there-is-progress-in-the-sense-that-the-prime-minister-shinz-abe-has/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [Abe Lincoln is my favorite president of all time - and he pulls off that top hat pretty well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-lochte/abe-lincoln-is-my-favorite-president-of-all-time-and-he-pulls-off/) [Ryan Lochte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-lochte/) > [Now that the Court has declared money to be speech, I say we replace the current Court with some Ben Franklins, Thomas Jeffersons, George…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/now-that-the-court-has-declared-money-to-be-speech-i-say-we-replace/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [...maybe I've just read too many novels. In novels, alcoholics are always attractive and fuuny and charming and complex, like Sebastian Flyte or ABe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/maybe-i-ve-just-read-too-many-novels-in-novels-alcoholics-are-always/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [Barney Miller' was a lot of fun. I'm very fond of Abe Vigoda. Most - a lot of people on that cast - I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cromwell/barney-miller-was-a-lot-of-fun-i-m-very-fond-of-abe-vigoda-most-a-lot/) [James Cromwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cromwell/) > [Abe Foxman has been a friend and advisor of mine for a long time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/abe-foxman-has-been-a-friend-and-advisor-of-mine-for-a-long-time/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [ Prime Minister \[Shinzō Abe\] and I have spoken a lot, and we said all the right things, in my opinion, about creating an atmosphere… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/prime-minister-shinz-abe-and-i-have-spoken-a-lot-and-we-said-all-the/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [Our political debates today are corrosive and not reflective of the belief that Abe Lincoln espoused back in his day: that we are a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-huntsman-jr/our-political-debates-today-are-corrosive-and-not-reflective-of-the/) [Jon Huntsman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-huntsman-jr/) > [ I hope that being in places from the \[Shinzo Abe\] Prime Minister's past will motivate us to have a sincere, very practical and, I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/i-hope-that-being-in-places-from-the-shinzo-abe-prime-minister-s-past/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [ The Prime Minister \[Shinzō Abe\] proposed advancing to a new level of economic engagement, putting forward eight lines of cooperation in the most important… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/the-prime-minister-shinz-abe-proposed-advancing-to-a-new-level-of/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [Abe said, where do you want this killing done? God said, out on highway 61.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/abe-said-where-do-you-want-this-killing-done-god-said-out-on-highway/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [ We \[with Shindzo Abe\] should understand that the results of that terrible tragedy of the 20th century, namely World War II, are enshrined in… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/we-with-shindzo-abe-should-understand-that-the-results-of-that/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [It seemed Abe Vigoda's career was done until he was pronounced dead in print.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audie-cornish/it-seemed-abe-vigoda-s-career-was-done-until-he-was-pronounced-dead/) [Audie Cornish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audie-cornish/) > [On the murder of New York deli owner Abe Lebewohl: It's almost like wiping out Carnegie Hall. A sandwich to a Jew is just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-mason/on-the-murder-of-new-york-deli-owner-abe-lebewohl-it-s-almost-like/) [Jackie Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-mason/) > [ Now, the black man here was so-called free by \[Abe\] Lincoln 100 years ago. The black man in America has an - has a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/now-the-black-man-here-was-so-called-free-by-abe-lincoln-100-years/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) Browse all 80 Abe quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My father was Abe Burrows, who was a Broadway legend. 'Guys and Dolls,' 'How to Succeed,' 'Cactus Flower,' '40 Karats,' 'Can-Can,' 'Happy Hunting,' 'Reclining Figure,' it goes on. He was a legend, and when I was growing up, I was Abe Burrows' kid. 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