--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was growing up, there was a…" description: "\"When I was growing up, there was a character on TV; there was a character stereotype: it was personified by Mel on 'The Dick Van Dyke Show.'\" — Jeffrey..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58c/jeffrey-tambor-2977_character_when-i-was-growing-up-there-was-a-charac_1326077.jpg" --- # When I was growing up, there was a character on TV; there… ![“When I was growing up, there was a character on TV; there was a character stereotype: it was personified by Mel on 'The Dick Van Dyke Show.'” quote by Jeffrey Tambor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58c/jeffrey-tambor-2977_character_when-i-was-growing-up-there-was-a-charac_1326077.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58c/jeffrey-tambor-2977_character_when-i-was-growing-up-there-was-a-charac_1326077.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58c/jeffrey-tambor-2977_character_when-i-was-growing-up-there-was-a-charac_1326077.jpg) > “When I was growing up, there was a character on TV; there was a character stereotype: it was personified by Mel on 'The Dick Van Dyke Show.'” [Jeffrey Tambor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote reflects on how media characters shape childhood perceptions and reinforce stereotypes. **In simple terms:** TV characters influence how we view people as kids. Key Takeaway Recognize and question media stereotypes. Themes media influence stereotypes childhood perception Mood reflective critical Type observational educational When to use this quote - parenting - media literacy - education - personal reflection Key Concepts social learning representation identity formation Questions to Reflect On - How have TV characters shaped your expectations? - What stereotypes do you still notice? A Different Perspective Stereotypes can oversimplify complex individuals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Growing up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-up/) [Stereotype](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stereotype/) ## Related quotes > [I love that I get to play a black character who's not a stereotype, who is not afraid to be vulnerable, who comes from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ncuti-gatwa/i-love-that-i-get-to-play-a-black-character-who-s-not-a-stereotype/) [Ncuti Gatwa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ncuti-gatwa/) > [I really fought to make my character not a stereotype. I play a soap star with dyed blonde hair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadie-frost/i-really-fought-to-make-my-character-not-a-stereotype-i-play-a-soap/) [Sadie Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadie-frost/) > [People would be shocked to know... that despite the nature of my TV character, I am actually a nice guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-lafferty/people-would-be-shocked-to-know-that-despite-the-nature-of-my-tv/) [James Lafferty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-lafferty/) > [Playing a TV character for seven years is almost like when you do a play. You live, breathe, and everything else with that character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-schiff/playing-a-tv-character-for-seven-years-is-almost-like-when-you-do-a/) [Richard Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-schiff/) > [In TV, when a character works, you end up doing it for years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-grover/in-tv-when-a-character-works-you-end-up-doing-it-for-years/) [Sunil Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-grover/) > [How do you make sure that you stand your ground and you find your place in the world, even if that place is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misha-green/how-do-you-make-sure-that-you-stand-your-ground-and-you-find-your/) [Misha Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misha-green/) > [When I am a good guy on TV, my character tends to be almost identical to how I am as a real person. However,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mojo-rawley/when-i-am-a-good-guy-on-tv-my-character-tends-to-be-almost-identical/) [Mojo Rawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mojo-rawley/) > [It's difficult to get away from the shadow of a TV character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-lee/it-s-difficult-to-get-away-from-the-shadow-of-a-tv-character/) [Jason Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-lee/) > [To be honest I would like to do more movies, I've been a victim of my own success in that sense, as if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/to-be-honest-i-would-like-to-do-more-movies-i-ve-been-a-victim-of-my/) [Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/) > [With 'Millennium,' you're not going to see the normal TV character developments that people might think 'Oh, the audience wants to see that.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nutter/with-millennium-you-re-not-going-to-see-the-normal-tv-character/) [David Nutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nutter/) > [Dick Van Dyke was my first idol. He's an amazing physical comedian, like a classic clown, but also very smart and not afraid to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-wood/dick-van-dyke-was-my-first-idol-he-s-an-amazing-physical-comedian/) [Douglas Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-wood/) > ['The Dick Van Dyke Show' was my labor of love. When asked the best thing I ever did - that was it. I wrote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-reiner/the-dick-van-dyke-show-was-my-labor-of-love-when-asked-the-best-thing/) [Carl Reiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-reiner/) > [I always knew if I had some success that I'd no longer be thought of as Dick Van Dyke's brother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-van-dyke/i-always-knew-if-i-had-some-success-that-i-d-no-longer-be-thought-of/) [Jerry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-van-dyke/) > [As a kid I watched television 24 hours a day and loved every minute of it. The two shows that always make me laugh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-mochrie/as-a-kid-i-watched-television-24-hours-a-day-and-loved-every-minute/) [Colin Mochrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-mochrie/) > [I got my first television at Stanford when I was 20, and I used to watch 'The Dick Van Dyke Show'. He played my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/i-got-my-first-television-at-stanford-when-i-was-20-and-i-used-to/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) ## More by Jeffrey Tambor > [I think I made $55 a week, and it was bliss... I was doing theater. It was all I ever wanted to do. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/i-think-i-made-55-a-week-and-it-was-bliss-i-was-doing-theater-it-was/) [Jeffrey Tambor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/) > [I'm the voice of a Chipotle Burrito. The world has changed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/i-m-the-voice-of-a-chipotle-burrito-the-world-has-changed/) [Jeffrey Tambor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/) > [I had a bilateral lisp, and I was overweight. I was the kid who played with the flowers on the ground in the outfield…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/i-had-a-bilateral-lisp-and-i-was-overweight-i-was-the-kid-who-played/) [Jeffrey Tambor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/) > [I think Maura'is funnier than I am, wittier than I am, more intelligent than I am, and I think she's just floating me at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/i-think-maura-is-funnier-than-i-am-wittier-than-i-am-more-intelligent/) [Jeffrey Tambor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/) > [There are secrets in families. That is the definition of a family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/there-are-secrets-in-families-that-is-the-definition-of-a-family/) [Jeffrey Tambor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/) > [I can't say enough about the guts and the talents of Amazon. They're so agile, they're so nimble; they picked us up two weeks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/i-can-t-say-enough-about-the-guts-and-the-talents-of-amazon-they-re/) [Jeffrey Tambor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/) > [I think shows being sent out this way - pressing a button and 10 episodes can go out to the U.S.A., and the U.K.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/i-think-shows-being-sent-out-this-way-pressing-a-button-and-10/) [Jeffrey Tambor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/) > [We are part of the zeitgeist, and we are communicating in a human, real way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/we-are-part-of-the-zeitgeist-and-we-are-communicating-in-a-human-real/) [Jeffrey Tambor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/) > [The Tambors were conservative Jews, and we attended Temple Beth Shalom at 14th Avenue and Clement Street in San Francisco. We were the only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/the-tambors-were-conservative-jews-and-we-attended-temple-beth-shalom/) [Jeffrey Tambor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/) > [Usually when you act, you know where you're going, where the point is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/usually-when-you-act-you-know-where-you-re-going-where-the-point-is/) [Jeffrey Tambor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/) > [At the beginning of the Larry Sanders show, you know, we were grateful to get guests. At the end, it was as if we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/at-the-beginning-of-the-larry-sanders-show-you-know-we-were-grateful/) [Jeffrey Tambor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/) > [I don't like show business. I don't like the business. I love acting. I love this. I love talking to people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/i-don-t-like-show-business-i-don-t-like-the-business-i-love-acting-i/) [Jeffrey Tambor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/) > [Families are families are families are families.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/families-are-families-are-families-are-families/) [Jeffrey Tambor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/) > [The 'Hey now's' are delivered as people pass me. As I just get near ear range, I hear, 'Hey now!' and that's very funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/the-hey-now-s-are-delivered-as-people-pass-me-as-i-just-get-near-ear/) [Jeffrey Tambor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/) > [People are identifying not only with the trans movement, but also the Pfefferman family. What I am noticing is people are coming up on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/people-are-identifying-not-only-with-the-trans-movement-but-also-the/) [Jeffrey Tambor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/) [Explore all 143 Jeffrey Tambor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/) ## 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 > [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": "When I was growing up, there was a character on TV; there was a character stereotype: it was personified by Mel on 'The Dick Van Dyke Show.'", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jeffrey Tambor" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/when-i-was-growing-up-there-was-a-character-on-tv-there-was-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Character" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/when-i-was-growing-up-there-was-a-character-on-tv-there-was-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58c/jeffrey-tambor-2977_character_when-i-was-growing-up-there-was-a-charac_1326077.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58c/jeffrey-tambor-2977_character_when-i-was-growing-up-there-was-a-charac_1326077.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58c/jeffrey-tambor-2977_character_when-i-was-growing-up-there-was-a-charac_1326077.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I was growing up, there was a character on TV; there was a character stereotype: it was personified by…” — Jeffrey Tambor", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jeffrey Tambor", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I was growing up, there...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/when-i-was-growing-up-there-was-a-character-on-tv-there-was-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/when-i-was-growing-up-there-was-a-character-on-tv-there-was-a/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```