--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I didn't study acting all those years in…" description: "\"I didn't study acting all those years in New York to be typecast.\" — Joe Don Baker" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/joe-don-baker-14738_acting_i-didn-t-study-acting-all-those-years-in_2861136.jpg" --- # I didn't study acting all those years in New York to be… ![“I didn't study acting all those years in New York to be typecast.” quote by Joe Don Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/joe-don-baker-14738_acting_i-didn-t-study-acting-all-those-years-in_2861136.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/joe-don-baker-14738_acting_i-didn-t-study-acting-all-those-years-in_2861136.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/joe-don-baker-14738_acting_i-didn-t-study-acting-all-those-years-in_2861136.jpg) > “I didn't study acting all those years in New York to be typecast.” [Joe Don Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Rejecting the notion that formal study guarantees specific roles. **In simple terms:** Training doesn't limit you to one type. Key Takeaway Seek diverse roles beyond expectations. Themes career art typecasting Mood determined hopeful Type professional motivational When to use this quote - audition - career planning - industry networking Key Concepts professional identity creative freedom Questions to Reflect On - How can you showcase versatility? - What strategies prevent being pigeonholed? A Different Perspective Typecasting can still occur despite effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [New york](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-york/) ## Related quotes > [I didn't act in school. I didn't study acting, either. I learned everything when I got to New York.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manish-dayal/i-didn-t-act-in-school-i-didn-t-study-acting-either-i-learned/) [Manish Dayal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manish-dayal/) > [I didn't study acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/i-didn-t-study-acting/) [Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) > [I'm a bit of a fraud, really, as I didn't study acting at a drama school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/celia-imrie/i-m-a-bit-of-a-fraud-really-as-i-didn-t-study-acting-at-a-drama-school/) [Celia Imrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/celia-imrie/) > [I knew I wanted to go to college and I wanted to study it acting, so I just looked for the best school that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-wilson/i-knew-i-wanted-to-go-to-college-and-i-wanted-to-study-it-acting-so-i/) [Patrick Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-wilson/) > [I studied video game design. The one thing I knew for sure about myself is I didn't want to study acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-sprouse/i-studied-video-game-design-the-one-thing-i-knew-for-sure-about/) [Dylan Sprouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-sprouse/) > [I didn't study; I live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-cantona/i-didn-t-study-i-live/) [Eric Cantona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-cantona/) > [If you're a dancer, study singing. You have to do everything and do it well. You have to study acting. You have to study…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-reynolds/if-you-re-a-dancer-study-singing-you-have-to-do-everything-and-do-it/) [Debbie Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-reynolds/) > [If you're trying to learn how to act from a class, you're analyzing the teachers' movements and their intricacies, and it becomes like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shia-labeouf/if-you-re-trying-to-learn-how-to-act-from-a-class-you-re-analyzing/) [Shia LaBeouf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shia-labeouf/) > [I just watch a lot of different films and different TV shows. Really for me, it's just looking at how people react to different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-beaumon/i-just-watch-a-lot-of-different-films-and-different-tv-shows-really/) [Sterling Beaumon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-beaumon/) > [I could count my modeling jobs on my hands and toes. When I graduated from college, I moved to New York specifically to study…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-baldwin/i-could-count-my-modeling-jobs-on-my-hands-and-toes-when-i-graduated/) [William Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-baldwin/) > [I always revered people that I thought had an idea and proceeded through with it. I guess I've been that way since the day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-eastwood/i-always-revered-people-that-i-thought-had-an-idea-and-proceeded/) [Clint Eastwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-eastwood/) > [Growing up and applying to college, I just imagined that I would study acting. But then, once I went to college, I realized I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophia-takal/growing-up-and-applying-to-college-i-just-imagined-that-i-would-study/) [Sophia Takal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophia-takal/) > [I knew I wanted to engage in the world of the imagination, but it was not economically feasible for me to study acting, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/i-knew-i-wanted-to-engage-in-the-world-of-the-imagination-but-it-was/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [I never went to school to study acting, so I'm doing this purely on feeling, and I give it my all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mia-goth/i-never-went-to-school-to-study-acting-so-i-m-doing-this-purely-on/) [Mia Goth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mia-goth/) > [I grew up in Glen Ellyn, which is about 20 miles west of Chicago. I attended Glenbard South High School and University of Illinois.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mcpartlin/i-grew-up-in-glen-ellyn-which-is-about-20-miles-west-of-chicago-i/) [Ryan McPartlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcpartlin/) ## More by Joe Don Baker > [You never meet the writer when you're making a TV movie in America - they're too ashamed to show up and see how their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/you-never-meet-the-writer-when-you-re-making-a-tv-movie-in-america/) [Joe Don Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/) > [I don't make trouble on sets. I think directors like me, so they hire me, but they have to fight for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/i-don-t-make-trouble-on-sets-i-think-directors-like-me-so-they-hire/) [Joe Don Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/) > [My first two roles in New York were menacing characters and I sort of got stuck with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/my-first-two-roles-in-new-york-were-menacing-characters-and-i-sort-of/) [Joe Don Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/) > [The greatest thing for your career is a well publicized flop. You can work for five years on that. If you've got four or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/the-greatest-thing-for-your-career-is-a-well-publicized-flop-you-can/) [Joe Don Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/) > [Hell no, I'm not interested in becoming the new John Wayne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/hell-no-i-m-not-interested-in-becoming-the-new-john-wayne/) [Joe Don Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/) > [Hollywood only recognizes big successes and big failures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/hollywood-only-recognizes-big-successes-and-big-failures/) [Joe Don Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/) > [When I made 'Power,' I found It to be the toughest show I've ever done. It was just work and sleep. I tried to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/when-i-made-power-i-found-it-to-be-the-toughest-show-i-ve-ever-done/) [Joe Don Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/) > [I used to play the bad guy who went around beating heads. Now I play the good guy who goes around beating heads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/i-used-to-play-the-bad-guy-who-went-around-beating-heads-now-i-play/) [Joe Don Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/) > [Once, I was on unemployment for five months. I was afraid to go out and audition, so I holed up and read everything I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/once-i-was-on-unemployment-for-five-months-i-was-afraid-to-go-out-and/) [Joe Don Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/) > [In 'Cape Fear' I had some good funny lines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/in-cape-fear-i-had-some-good-funny-lines/) [Joe Don Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/) > [I came out of the Army determined that I would be an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/i-came-out-of-the-army-determined-that-i-would-be-an-actor/) [Joe Don Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/) > [I don't know why I don't get better roles. Even after 'Walking Tall,' I didn't get anything. I was offered a lot of low-budget…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/i-don-t-know-why-i-don-t-get-better-roles-even-after-walking-tall-i/) [Joe Don Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/) > [The thing that inspired me to become an actor was to work on stage three hours a night in a play, sleep late, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/the-thing-that-inspired-me-to-become-an-actor-was-to-work-on-stage/) [Joe Don Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/) > [In Hollywood, they've chased away all the good writers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/in-hollywood-they-ve-chased-away-all-the-good-writers/) [Joe Don Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/) > [Back in school, some of my friends asked me to participate in the school's dramatic society. I did, and it opened up a whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/back-in-school-some-of-my-friends-asked-me-to-participate-in-the/) [Joe Don Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/) [Explore all 45 Joe Don Baker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/) ## More Acting 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/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [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/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I didn't study acting all those years in New York to be typecast.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joe Don Baker" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/i-didn-t-study-acting-all-those-years-in-new-york-to-be-typecast/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/i-didn-t-study-acting-all-those-years-in-new-york-to-be-typecast/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/joe-don-baker-14738_acting_i-didn-t-study-acting-all-those-years-in_2861136.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/joe-don-baker-14738_acting_i-didn-t-study-acting-all-those-years-in_2861136.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/joe-don-baker-14738_acting_i-didn-t-study-acting-all-those-years-in_2861136.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I didn't study acting all those years in New York to be typecast.” — Joe Don Baker", "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": "Joe Don Baker", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I didn't study acting all those...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/i-didn-t-study-acting-all-those-years-in-new-york-to-be-typecast/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/i-didn-t-study-acting-all-those-years-in-new-york-to-be-typecast/#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 } } ] } ```