--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I left 'L.A. Law' after five years when…" description: "\"I left 'L.A. Law' after five years when my contract was up because I felt I had done all I could do with the character. I didn't walk off the show with..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d7/jimmy-smits-3297_career_i-left-l-a-law-after-five-years-when-my_46157.jpg" --- # I left 'L.A. Law' after five years when my contract was up… ![“I left 'L.A. Law' after five years when my contract was up because I felt I had done all I could do with the character. I didn't walk off the show with a three-picture deal to pursue this wonderful film career.” quote by Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d7/jimmy-smits-3297_career_i-left-l-a-law-after-five-years-when-my_46157.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d7/jimmy-smits-3297_career_i-left-l-a-law-after-five-years-when-my_46157.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d7/jimmy-smits-3297_career_i-left-l-a-law-after-five-years-when-my_46157.jpg) > “I left 'L.A. Law' after five years when my contract was up because I felt I had done all I could do with the character. I didn't walk off the show with a three-picture deal to pursue this wonderful film career.” [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He departed a long‑running TV role after feeling creatively exhausted, choosing artistic growth over guaranteed contracts. **In simple terms:** Leaving a familiar role for new creative challenges. Key Takeaway Prioritize artistic fulfillment over security. Themes career transition creative fulfillment professional integrity risk taking self‑actualization Mood reflective determined Type personal anecdote career insight When to use this quote - actor evaluating a long‑term series - professional considering a contract renewal - artist feeling stagnant in a role Key Concepts career decisions creative limits industry contracts Practical Applications - career counseling for creatives - guidance on contract negotiations Questions to Reflect On - What signals indicate a role has become limiting? - How can one balance financial stability with artistic ambition? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Contract Felt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contract-felt-676018/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Film Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film-career-437098/) [Five years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/five-years/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Law Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law-years-676017/) [Walk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/walk/) [Years Contract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-contract-676019/) ## Related quotes > [“I started out a human being. 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