--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know that I'm a decent actor, but it's…" description: "\"I know that I'm a decent actor, but it's another thing to be in a scene with Jon Hamm and hold your own.\" — Jessica Pare" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d8/jessica-pare-13947_actor_i-know-that-i-m-a-decent-actor-but-it-s_586540.png" --- # I know that I'm a decent actor, but it's another thing to… ![“I know that I'm a decent actor, but it's another thing to be in a scene with Jon Hamm and hold your own.” quote by Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d8/jessica-pare-13947_actor_i-know-that-i-m-a-decent-actor-but-it-s_586540.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d8/jessica-pare-13947_actor_i-know-that-i-m-a-decent-actor-but-it-s_586540.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d8/jessica-pare-13947_actor_i-know-that-i-m-a-decent-actor-but-it-s_586540.png) > “I know that I'm a decent actor, but it's another thing to be in a scene with Jon Hamm and hold your own.” [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Confidence in skill is insufficient; competing with established talent demands composure and presence. **In simple terms:** Being good isn’t enough when sharing the stage with stars. Key Takeaway Focus on presence and preparation. Themes confidence competition performance Mood motivational practical Type acting career advice When to use this quote - auditions - film sets - live theater Key Concepts impostor syndrome stage dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain confidence beside renowned actors? - What strategies boost your on‑stage presence? A Different Perspective Even with talent, intimidation can undermine performance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 > [You know something? I'm decent! There isn't a great deal of decency in the world, especially in our business, and I'm one of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/you-know-something-i-m-decent-there-isn-t-a-great-deal-of-decency-in/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > [I think I was a decent actor, but it took a lot of work for me to make a choice on how to read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-sheridan/i-think-i-was-a-decent-actor-but-it-took-a-lot-of-work-for-me-to-make/) [Taylor Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-sheridan/) > [Any decent actor knows you can't judge the character you're playing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-lynch/any-decent-actor-knows-you-can-t-judge-the-character-you-re-playing/) [Ross Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-lynch/) > [When you're the guy behind the camera, you're aware of the reasons for the compromises or the changes that get made. As an actor,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casey-affleck/when-you-re-the-guy-behind-the-camera-you-re-aware-of-the-reasons-for/) [Casey Affleck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/casey-affleck/) > [I'm an actor, and the thing about an actor is that if you're fortunate enough and you have the ability, is you can access…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-majors/i-m-an-actor-and-the-thing-about-an-actor-is-that-if-you-re-fortunate/) [Jonathan Majors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-majors/) > [It was like a dream to me to suddenly get into the market with that kind of movie, like La Haine. It actually created…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-cassel/it-was-like-a-dream-to-me-to-suddenly-get-into-the-market-with-that/) [Vincent Cassel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-cassel/) > [It's easier to see in someone else, another actor, how they kind of disappear and then this other persona appears. A great actor is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annette-bening/it-s-easier-to-see-in-someone-else-another-actor-how-they-kind-of/) [Annette Bening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annette-bening/) > [What's with the whole 'child actor' and 'teen actor' thing? You're either an actor or actress, or you're not. I don't get it! I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-dennison/what-s-with-the-whole-child-actor-and-teen-actor-thing-you-re-either/) [Julian Dennison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-dennison/) > [What you always try to do, as an actor, is find the thing that's universal in the person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wittrock/what-you-always-try-to-do-as-an-actor-is-find-the-thing-that-s/) [Finn Wittrock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wittrock/) > [I know it might seem a little superficial, but every actor has their thing. 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The thing that keeps popping up for me - it sounds really cliche…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-rankin/if-you-put-me-in-a-box-i-m-a-character-actor-the-thing-that-keeps/) [Gayle Rankin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-rankin/) > [It's one thing to have forced time off as an actor, and another thing when you actually say, 'I don't want to read anything,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/it-s-one-thing-to-have-forced-time-off-as-an-actor-and-another-thing/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [As an actor, the first thing you learn in drama school is you never judge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-clarke/as-an-actor-the-first-thing-you-learn-in-drama-school-is-you-never/) [Jason Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-clarke/) > [If the director's a communist, whatever, he's a communist. All I care is that he directs. For the actor, the same thing. All you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-eastwood/if-the-director-s-a-communist-whatever-he-s-a-communist-all-i-care-is/) [Clint Eastwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-eastwood/) ## More by Jessica Pare > [I think I approach my choices much the way I approach the way I consume movies and TV and stuff. I like everything, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/i-think-i-approach-my-choices-much-the-way-i-approach-the-way-i/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [I think I've always been ambitious. It just looks different on me. You know, I have friends who are actresses who go to every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/i-think-i-ve-always-been-ambitious-it-just-looks-different-on-me-you/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [Honey is hydrating and antiseptic. It really clears your skin, and its moisturizing. You can use it every day if you want. Its so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/honey-is-hydrating-and-antiseptic-it-really-clears-your-skin-and-its/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [My natural gravitation is toward the gray and the black and the white and the burgundy. Sort of muted, cool colors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/my-natural-gravitation-is-toward-the-gray-and-the-black-and-the-white/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [My parents made me finish high school before I started acting, and I did, like, two weeks of fine arts college before I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/my-parents-made-me-finish-high-school-before-i-started-acting-and-i/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [I'm at the age when my friends have started having kids, and when my first good friend had a baby, the first time I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/i-m-at-the-age-when-my-friends-have-started-having-kids-and-when-my/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [I'm not an '80s fan. I'm more '70s New York pre-punk kind of thing and I guess I grew up with '90s grunge, post-punk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/i-m-not-an-80s-fan-i-m-more-70s-new-york-pre-punk-kind-of-thing-and-i/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [Working on 'Mad Men,' everything is word for word. And, honestly, I couldn't come up with anything better than that, so it's fine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/working-on-mad-men-everything-is-word-for-word-and-honestly-i-couldn/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [Believe me, when I finish shooting 'Mad Men,' there's a huge chunk of time where I have a really hard time leaving my house…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/believe-me-when-i-finish-shooting-mad-men-there-s-a-huge-chunk-of/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [I don't mind auditioning. Sometimes, I think it's necessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/i-don-t-mind-auditioning-sometimes-i-think-it-s-necessary/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [I do get scared of the dentist, so a drive-through dentist might make me feel more at home. If I got to stay in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/i-do-get-scared-of-the-dentist-so-a-drive-through-dentist-might-make/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [I hadn't done any professional singing. I had sung in the shower and in my car and sometimes at a family bonfire if there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/i-hadn-t-done-any-professional-singing-i-had-sung-in-the-shower-and/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [And, of course, all of my friends and family are so excited because they feel like Montreal is being represented on Mad Men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/and-of-course-all-of-my-friends-and-family-are-so-excited-because/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [The music industry is rolling in cash.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/the-music-industry-is-rolling-in-cash/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [I love Jon Hamm. I'm so lucky to get to work with him and work so closely with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/i-love-jon-hamm-i-m-so-lucky-to-get-to-work-with-him-and-work-so/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) [Explore all 48 Jessica Pare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) ## 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. 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/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I once told someone I could act. 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Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [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/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [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/) > [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/) > [I never planned to do female roles. It just happened. 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