--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's hard to act with just your jaw." description: "\"It's hard to act with just your jaw.\" — Joel Kinnaman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/035/joel-kinnaman-4273_act_it-s-hard-to-act-with-just-your-jaw-1752_1752920.jpg" --- # It's hard to act with just your jaw. ![“It's hard to act with just your jaw.” quote by Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/035/joel-kinnaman-4273_act_it-s-hard-to-act-with-just-your-jaw-1752_1752920.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/035/joel-kinnaman-4273_act_it-s-hard-to-act-with-just-your-jaw-1752_1752920.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/035/joel-kinnaman-4273_act_it-s-hard-to-act-with-just-your-jaw-1752_1752920.jpg) > “It's hard to act with just your jaw.” [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Relying solely on facial expression limits authentic performance. **In simple terms:** Acting needs more than jaw. Key Takeaway Integrate voice, body, and emotion. Themes acting expression authenticity technique Mood instructive practical Type educational artistic When to use this quote - Theatre rehearsals - film workshops - public speaking training Key Concepts Embodiment nonverbal communication method acting Questions to Reflect On - How can actors balance physical and vocal tools? - What exercises expand expressive range? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on one channel reduces depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Act](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/act/) [Act Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/act-just-304305/) [Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard/) [Hard Act](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-act-273378/) [Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just/) [Just Jaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just-jaw-1217080/) [Your](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your/) ## Related quotes > [Just because I'm no jaw clacker doesn't mean there should be a ruction put up whenever I have sommat to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/just-because-i-m-no-jaw-clacker-doesn-t-mean-there-should-be-a/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > ['Mad Men' is a hard act to follow. Unless you're called Elisabeth Moss, stuff like this only comes along once in your career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-harris/mad-men-is-a-hard-act-to-follow-unless-you-re-called-elisabeth-moss/) [Jared Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-harris/) > [It's not hard to have a second act. It's just that the second act's not going to be as exciting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-eisman/it-s-not-hard-to-have-a-second-act-it-s-just-that-the-second-act-s/) [Steve Eisman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-eisman/) > [I told God I'd be back in a second. Man it's so hard not to act reckless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/i-told-god-i-d-be-back-in-a-second-man-it-s-so-hard-not-to-act/) [Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/) > [To act is easy, to think is hard; to act according to our thought is troublesome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/to-act-is-easy-to-think-is-hard-to-act-according-to-our-thought-is/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I'm a hard act to follow, because when I'm done, I take the microphone with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-m-a-hard-act-to-follow-because-when-i-m-done-i-take-the-microphone/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [Art is long, life short, judgment difficult, opportunity transient. To act is easy, to think is hard; to act according to our thought is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/art-is-long-life-short-judgment-difficult-opportunity-transient-to/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [It's just poetry, beauty and love. How hard can that be to act?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-wright/it-s-just-poetry-beauty-and-love-how-hard-can-that-be-to-act/) [Robin Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-wright/) > [You ain't as hard as you act. When I GPS 'pussy,' I end up at your welcome mat...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vakill/you-ain-t-as-hard-as-you-act-when-i-gps-pussy-i-end-up-at-your/) [Vakill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vakill/) > [“Once a boy shows you the stars, they’re a hard act to follow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-davis/once-a-boy-shows-you-the-stars-they-re-a-hard-act-to-follow/) [Claire Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-davis/) > [People take years learning how to act; it's a skill, not just a job. If I tried it out and thought I'd be OK,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-fimmel/people-take-years-learning-how-to-act-it-s-a-skill-not-just-a-job-if/) [Travis Fimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-fimmel/) > [But see that you get on. That's your job in this hard world, to keep your love alive and see that you get on,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/but-see-that-you-get-on-that-s-your-job-in-this-hard-world-to-keep/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [“Step on my toe. Must I curse? I may. Must I forgive you? I may. Must I yell? I may. Must I smile? I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-w-sire/step-on-my-toe-must-i-curse-i-may-must-i-forgive-you-i-may-must-i/) [James W. Sire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-w-sire/) > [But actors should act. You should see them most often rather than just not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saif-ali-khan/but-actors-should-act-you-should-see-them-most-often-rather-than-just/) [Saif Ali Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saif-ali-khan/) > [Do what you're happy with and not what you think whoever else is going to tell you about you 'acting a color.' You don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-bregoli/do-what-you-re-happy-with-and-not-what-you-think-whoever-else-is/) [Danielle Bregoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-bregoli/) ## More by Joel Kinnaman > [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [I've followed Gary Oldman his whole career... I've watched the movies he's directed, like 'Nil by Mouth' - I've seen that five times!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-ve-followed-gary-oldman-his-whole-career-i-ve-watched-the-movies-he/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [We are all a unique person with everyone we meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/we-are-all-a-unique-person-with-everyone-we-meet/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [I've hurt people unnecessarily when it was about my own insecurities. But you have to make those mistakes to become a better person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-ve-hurt-people-unnecessarily-when-it-was-about-my-own-insecurities/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [I was a Swedish guy who listened to Too Short.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-was-a-swedish-guy-who-listened-to-too-short/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [We don't know why we are here and . . . our role in the universe, and the thought of an infinite universe. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/we-don-t-know-why-we-are-here-and-our-role-in-the-universe-and-the/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [I miss Swedish meatballs, but you can get them pretty much anywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-miss-swedish-meatballs-but-you-can-get-them-pretty-much-anywhere/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [The north of Sweden is very socialist and poor. They feel left out and despise Stockholm in many ways because Stockholm has become new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/the-north-of-sweden-is-very-socialist-and-poor-they-feel-left-out-and/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [I feel like I've got the best job in the world. I just feel so fortunate to get paid to be a kid and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-feel-like-i-ve-got-the-best-job-in-the-world-i-just-feel-so/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [Moving in is almost a bigger step than getting married.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/moving-in-is-almost-a-bigger-step-than-getting-married/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [An amateur can be great in front of the camera, but you need an education to get on stage where you have full control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/an-amateur-can-be-great-in-front-of-the-camera-but-you-need-an/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [You're not able to do a lot of projects because you don't have a name. I wanted to get my movies to come over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/you-re-not-able-to-do-a-lot-of-projects-because-you-don-t-have-a-name/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [I'm a physical actor in that I start with a physical sketch of the character. I find it easier to find inspiration from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-m-a-physical-actor-in-that-i-start-with-a-physical-sketch-of-the/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [I love watching Samuel L. Jackson do anything, but for me, Gary Oldman is the grandmaster of the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-love-watching-samuel-l-jackson-do-anything-but-for-me-gary-oldman/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [When I first came to the States, I thought I had a perfect American accent, and then I was abruptly becoming aware that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/when-i-first-came-to-the-states-i-thought-i-had-a-perfect-american/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) [Explore all 113 Joel Kinnaman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) ## More Act quotes > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [Teachers' unions don't act in the interest of most teachers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sal-khan/teachers-unions-don-t-act-in-the-interest-of-most-teachers/) [Sal Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sal-khan/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [People take years learning how to act; it's a skill, not just a job. If I tried it out and thought I'd be OK,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-fimmel/people-take-years-learning-how-to-act-it-s-a-skill-not-just-a-job-if/) [Travis Fimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-fimmel/) > [Self-discipline is an act of cultivation. It require you to connect today's actions to tomorrow's results. There's a season for sowing a season for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-ryan-blair/self-discipline-is-an-act-of-cultivation-it-require-you-to-connect/) [Gary Ryan Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-ryan-blair/) > [“Don’t turn your face away. Once you’ve seen, you can no longer act like you don’t know. Open your eyes to the truth. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vashti-quiroz-vega/don-t-turn-your-face-away-once-you-ve-seen-you-can-no-longer-act-like/) [Vashti Quiroz-Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vashti-quiroz-vega/) > [I always advise people not to act upon the advice that I give them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/i-always-advise-people-not-to-act-upon-the-advice-that-i-give-them/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [I have no interest in watching myself act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wesley/i-have-no-interest-in-watching-myself-act/) [Paul Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wesley/) > [“Don't wait, just sweat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/don-t-wait-just-sweat/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [I do believe some people can naturally act and don't know it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-arnold/i-do-believe-some-people-can-naturally-act-and-don-t-know-it/) [Andrea Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-arnold/) > [Regardless of what I do, whether I write a book or whether I act or whether I host, I'll always do stand-up comedy because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-mandel/regardless-of-what-i-do-whether-i-write-a-book-or-whether-i-act-or/) [Howie Mandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-mandel/) > [On 'Workaholics,' I feel like I'm just hanging out with my buddies being filmed, but on 'Mindy,' I'm around professional funny people who act.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anders-holm/on-workaholics-i-feel-like-i-m-just-hanging-out-with-my-buddies-being/) [Anders Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anders-holm/) > [I'm not an artist, and I want to take risks, and when the possibility of failure occurs, it's because the idea is all exciting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-morgan/i-m-not-an-artist-and-i-want-to-take-risks-and-when-the-possibility/) [Peter Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-morgan/) > [I don't have a huge amount of gear, but on the software side, I have a number of plug-in chains that act as abstracted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-hopkins/i-don-t-have-a-huge-amount-of-gear-but-on-the-software-side-i-have-a/) [Jon Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-hopkins/) > [I honestly didn't know that I wanted to act until I was probably 12.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-rae-mayo/i-honestly-didn-t-know-that-i-wanted-to-act-until-i-was-probably-12/) [Miranda Rae Mayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-rae-mayo/) [Browse all 1,802 Act quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/act/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's hard to act with just your jaw.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joel Kinnaman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/it-s-hard-to-act-with-just-your-jaw/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Act" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/it-s-hard-to-act-with-just-your-jaw/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/035/joel-kinnaman-4273_act_it-s-hard-to-act-with-just-your-jaw-1752_1752920.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/035/joel-kinnaman-4273_act_it-s-hard-to-act-with-just-your-jaw-1752_1752920.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/035/joel-kinnaman-4273_act_it-s-hard-to-act-with-just-your-jaw-1752_1752920.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's hard to act with just your jaw.” — Joel Kinnaman", "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": "Joel Kinnaman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It's hard to act with just...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/it-s-hard-to-act-with-just-your-jaw/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/it-s-hard-to-act-with-just-your-jaw/#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 } } ] } ```