--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you have to play a character that…" description: "\"When you have to play a character that seems to be a relatively decent person and seems to be like yourself, I think the trick in that kind of characte..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20e/jennifer-beals-10022_character_when-you-have-to-play-a-character-that-s_1751852.jpg" --- # When you have to play a character that seems to be a… ![“When you have to play a character that seems to be a relatively decent person and seems to be like yourself, I think the trick in that kind of character, so that you don't become a cliche, is to find where their weaknesses are.” quote by Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20e/jennifer-beals-10022_character_when-you-have-to-play-a-character-that-s_1751852.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20e/jennifer-beals-10022_character_when-you-have-to-play-a-character-that-s_1751852.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20e/jennifer-beals-10022_character_when-you-have-to-play-a-character-that-s_1751852.jpg) > “When you have to play a character that seems to be a relatively decent person and seems to be like yourself, I think the trick in that kind of character, so that you don't become a cliche, is to find where their weaknesses are.” [Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. To avoid cliché, actors should explore a character’s flaws, even when the character appears relatable and decent. **In simple terms:** Find a character’s weaknesses to keep them authentic. Key Takeaway Highlight imperfections for depth. Themes acting character development authenticity Mood thoughtful analytical Type instructional insightful When to use this quote - theatre auditions - film casting - character workshops - directing actors Key Concepts psychology narrative realism Questions to Reflect On - How can you reveal a character’s hidden flaws? - What effect do flaws have on audience connection? A Different Perspective Focusing only on strengths can make a role one-dimensional. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Cliche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cliche/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Weakness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weakness/) ## Related quotes > [I don't want to get pigeon-holed into a certain kind of character. I love action roles and the hero, but I want to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-trucco/i-don-t-want-to-get-pigeon-holed-into-a-certain-kind-of-character-i/) [Michael Trucco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-trucco/) > [Mother Firefly is the kind of character I've always wanted to play. She's larger than life, terribly tragic, and capable of a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-easterbrook/mother-firefly-is-the-kind-of-character-i-ve-always-wanted-to-play/) [Leslie Easterbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-easterbrook/) > [I work according to the kind of character they want me to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priyanshu-chatterjee/i-work-according-to-the-kind-of-character-they-want-me-to-play/) [Priyanshu Chatterjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priyanshu-chatterjee/) > [It's important to know the kind of character that you need to be building up to, throughout the series.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holliday-grainger/it-s-important-to-know-the-kind-of-character-that-you-need-to-be/) [Holliday Grainger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holliday-grainger/) > [There is a kind of character in thy life, That to the observer doth thy history, fully unfold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/there-is-a-kind-of-character-in-thy-life-that-to-the-observer-doth/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If you are supposed to be villainous and have some sort of agenda, I like the idea of delivering that kind of character in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-nighy/if-you-are-supposed-to-be-villainous-and-have-some-sort-of-agenda-i/) [Bill Nighy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-nighy/) > [An actor's job is to play any kind of character, no matter how sub-human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satish-kaushik/an-actor-s-job-is-to-play-any-kind-of-character-no-matter-how-sub/) [Satish Kaushik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satish-kaushik/) > [I hope to be known as a chameleon actress, as someone who can play any part out there, and someone who can transform herself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-elizabeth/i-hope-to-be-known-as-a-chameleon-actress-as-someone-who-can-play-any/) [Shannon Elizabeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-elizabeth/) > [I thought it would be fun to take the kind of character that nobody would like, none of our readers would like, and shove…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-lee/i-thought-it-would-be-fun-to-take-the-kind-of-character-that-nobody/) [Stan Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-lee/) > [I wanted Yoda to be the traditional kind of character you find in fairy tales and mythology. And that character is usually a frog…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lucas/i-wanted-yoda-to-be-the-traditional-kind-of-character-you-find-in/) [George Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lucas/) > [ What I remember from \[the first meeting with Samuel L. Jackson\] was that he was a friendly, animated kind of guy. His screen image… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-l-jackson/what-i-remember-from-the-first-meeting-with-samuel-l-jackson-was-that/) [Samuel L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-l-jackson/) > [I like to play kind of the girls-that-eat-worms kind of character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessie-buckley/i-like-to-play-kind-of-the-girls-that-eat-worms-kind-of-character/) [Jessie Buckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessie-buckley/) > [I've never caused trouble, I'm not that kind of character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-bridge/i-ve-never-caused-trouble-i-m-not-that-kind-of-character/) [Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) > [I don't want to sit here and disparage Paul Ryan the man, because he's a good guy. He's a moral person. He's a decent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-schmidt/i-don-t-want-to-sit-here-and-disparage-paul-ryan-the-man-because-he-s/) [Steve Schmidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-schmidt/) > [If I meet a wise person, I think, 'Yes, tell me more about parenting, about marriage, about how to stay in love. Tell me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/min-jin-lee/if-i-meet-a-wise-person-i-think-yes-tell-me-more-about-parenting/) [Min Jin Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/min-jin-lee/) ## More by Jennifer Beals > [ \[Demystifying lesbian sex for an interviewer\] In a way, the sex isn't really that different... From what I can tell, no, not really. All… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/demystifying-lesbian-sex-for-an-interviewer-in-a-way-the-sex-isn-t/) [Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/) > [I said, wouldn't it be nice, instead of having these women fight with each other over men, which seems to be more of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/i-said-wouldn-t-it-be-nice-instead-of-having-these-women-fight-with/) [Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/) > [Everything has its cycle. I think it's appropriate for us to be ending now. But the beauty of storytelling, and the beauty of film…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/everything-has-its-cycle-i-think-it-s-appropriate-for-us-to-be-ending/) [Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/) > [You can have the 'golden rule' - do unto others as you would have others do unto you. But then you take it one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/you-can-have-the-golden-rule-do-unto-others-as-you-would-have-others/) [Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/) > [I'm interested when people will stand up for themselves. I'm always interested in that moment when someone decides it's not good enough, and even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/i-m-interested-when-people-will-stand-up-for-themselves-i-m-always/) [Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/) > [ Inside every woman there is a Kali. \[Hindu goddess who morphed into seven hidden beings to win a battle\] Do not mistake the exterior… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/inside-every-woman-there-is-a-kali-hindu-goddess-who-morphed-into/) [Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/) > [I knew there was something I had to do yesterday. I couldn't remember what it is. I can't figure it out. I know it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/i-knew-there-was-something-i-had-to-do-yesterday-i-couldn-t-remember/) [Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/) > [It doesn't seem as if there's that much of a difference between a big production and a little production, other than you have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/it-doesn-t-seem-as-if-there-s-that-much-of-a-difference-between-a-big/) [Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/) > [I'm just talking specifically of women's friendships. If two women go to a bar and they are fighting over men, it makes it much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/i-m-just-talking-specifically-of-women-s-friendships-if-two-women-go/) [Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/) > [Love is the greatest light, the brightest torch, and will always be the greatest instrument of change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/love-is-the-greatest-light-the-brightest-torch-and-will-always-be-the/) [Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/) > [Love is the most dangerous thing in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/love-is-the-most-dangerous-thing-in-the-world/) [Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/) > [Just when you think you know something, it gets turned around and challenged in some way. But those changes are welcome because you end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/just-when-you-think-you-know-something-it-gets-turned-around-and/) [Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/) > [You can make yourself feel better about yourself if you project your shadow side, if you project your own potential for evil onto someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/you-can-make-yourself-feel-better-about-yourself-if-you-project-your/) [Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/) > [I'm always shocked that gay marriage is such a big deal. You have to realize how precious human life is, when there are tsunamis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/i-m-always-shocked-that-gay-marriage-is-such-a-big-deal-you-have-to/) [Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/) > [I think that in some ways everybody is like Roger. Everybody thinks that when their friends have a problem, that they know the answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/i-think-that-in-some-ways-everybody-is-like-roger-everybody-thinks/) [Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/) [Explore all 68 Jennifer Beals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/) ## 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 you have to play a character that seems to be a relatively decent person and seems to be like yourself, I think the trick in that kind of character, so that you don't become a cliche, is to find where their weaknesses are.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jennifer Beals" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/when-you-have-to-play-a-character-that-seems-to-be-a-relatively/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Character" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/when-you-have-to-play-a-character-that-seems-to-be-a-relatively/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20e/jennifer-beals-10022_character_when-you-have-to-play-a-character-that-s_1751852.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20e/jennifer-beals-10022_character_when-you-have-to-play-a-character-that-s_1751852.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20e/jennifer-beals-10022_character_when-you-have-to-play-a-character-that-s_1751852.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When you have to play a character that seems to be a relatively decent person and seems to be like yourself…” — Jennifer Beals", "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": "Jennifer Beals", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When you have to play a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/when-you-have-to-play-a-character-that-seems-to-be-a-relatively/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/when-you-have-to-play-a-character-that-seems-to-be-a-relatively/#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 } } ] } ```