--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've had the acting bug since I was…" description: "\"I've had the acting bug since I was, like, five. But growing up, I saw how people treated me differently when they knew who my father was, even the stu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c25/john-david-washington-9669_acting_i-ve-had-the-acting-bug-since-i-was-like_429678.jpg" --- # I've had the acting bug since I was, like, five. But… ![“I've had the acting bug since I was, like, five. But growing up, I saw how people treated me differently when they knew who my father was, even the stuff I did on the field. Sometimes I'd rush for 100 yards, and the headline would be, 'Denzel's son runs for 100 yards.' That's where the suppression…” quote by John David Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c25/john-david-washington-9669_acting_i-ve-had-the-acting-bug-since-i-was-like_429678.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c25/john-david-washington-9669_acting_i-ve-had-the-acting-bug-since-i-was-like_429678.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c25/john-david-washington-9669_acting_i-ve-had-the-acting-bug-since-i-was-like_429678.jpg) > “I've had the acting bug since I was, like, five. But growing up, I saw how people treated me differently when they knew who my father was, even the stuff I did on the field. Sometimes I'd rush for 100 yards, and the headline would be, 'Denzel's son runs for 100 yards.' That's where the suppression of that bug came from.” [John David Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early passion for acting was stifled by public focus on his famous father, leading to self‑suppression of his enthusiasm. **In simple terms:** He loved acting but felt reduced to his father's identity. Key Takeaway Recognize and own your own passions despite external labels. Themes identity family legacy self‑esteem Mood frustrated reflective Type personal motivational When to use this quote - high school sports - college theater - media interviews - career decisions Key Concepts celebrity pressure personal ambition Questions to Reflect On - How do you separate your own identity from family fame? - What steps can you take to reclaim suppressed passions? A Different Perspective External expectations can drown personal drive if not addressed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son/) ## Related quotes > [I caught the acting bug from my dad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wittrock/i-caught-the-acting-bug-from-my-dad/) [Finn Wittrock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wittrock/) > [I definitely caught acting bug.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-fisher/i-definitely-caught-acting-bug/) [Ray Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-fisher/) > [With a recent birthday, I've been acting now for twenty years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thayer-david/with-a-recent-birthday-i-ve-been-acting-now-for-twenty-years/) [Thayer David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thayer-david/) > [If I am running 100 yards, I should be cut. Because then I am getting beat. I do not need to be doing that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-weddle/if-i-am-running-100-yards-i-should-be-cut-because-then-i-am-getting/) [Eric Weddle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-weddle/) > [Anyway, so what he did was, he spread sheets for 100 yards and underneath them he'd put things so there were bumps and different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-steiger/anyway-so-what-he-did-was-he-spread-sheets-for-100-yards-and/) [Rod Steiger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-steiger/) > [The ideal racecar will expire 100 yards past the finish line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stirling-moss/the-ideal-racecar-will-expire-100-yards-past-the-finish-line/) [Stirling Moss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stirling-moss/) > [The good thing about L.A. is that there's always someone more famous 100 yards away from me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-rogen/the-good-thing-about-l-a-is-that-there-s-always-someone-more-famous/) [Seth Rogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-rogen/) > [“On Sunday at St St. Andrews in 2005, Tiger woke up with a two-stroke lead, and his warm-up on the practice range was freakishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-haney/on-sunday-at-st-st-andrews-in-2005-tiger-woke-up-with-a-two-stroke/) [Hank Haney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-haney/) > [I've never played golf with Tiger Woods. To tell the truth, I'm not sure that watching him pound it 100 yards past me all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-finchem/i-ve-never-played-golf-with-tiger-woods-to-tell-the-truth-i-m-not/) [Tim Finchem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-finchem/) > [“I make love with the accuracy of Joe Montana, and from a distance of up to 100 yards.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-make-love-with-the-accuracy-of-joe-montana-and-from-a-distance-of/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [It doesn't matter if I have 100 yards and two touchdowns or 30 yards and a touchdown or whatever it is. It's the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordy-nelson/it-doesn-t-matter-if-i-have-100-yards-and-two-touchdowns-or-30-yards/) [Jordy Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordy-nelson/) > [There's nothing worth photographing more than 100 yards from the car](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-weston/there-s-nothing-worth-photographing-more-than-100-yards-from-the-car/) [Brett Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-weston/) > [Long time ago, I was going to be a New York cop, then got involved with this girl who was into acting, then got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-estrada/long-time-ago-i-was-going-to-be-a-new-york-cop-then-got-involved-with/) [Erik Estrada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-estrada/) > [I was, throughout school, in the theater program. Through elementary school, junior high, high school, and then J.J. Abrams, my closest friend in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-grunberg/i-was-throughout-school-in-the-theater-program-through-elementary/) [Greg Grunberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-grunberg/) > [I got the acting bug back because I felt like all of a sudden maybe after all these years, maybe I might have something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/i-got-the-acting-bug-back-because-i-felt-like-all-of-a-sudden-maybe/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) ## More by John David Washington > [I want to be around people that are just as enthusiastic about the process and storytelling as I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/i-want-to-be-around-people-that-are-just-as-enthusiastic-about-the/) [John David Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/) > [A lot of NFL guys are misunderstood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/a-lot-of-nfl-guys-are-misunderstood/) [John David Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/) > [I'm from the old school; hard work pays off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/i-m-from-the-old-school-hard-work-pays-off/) [John David Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/) > [If I can inspire one person to actually administer change, to want to inspire change, I will follow that person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/if-i-can-inspire-one-person-to-actually-administer-change-to-want-to/) [John David Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/) > [There are a lot of Washingtons that have played football. I could just blend in more and carve out my own name quietly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/there-are-a-lot-of-washingtons-that-have-played-football-i-could-just/) [John David Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/) > [Reinaldo Marcus Green - I'm so blessed an honored to have worked with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/reinaldo-marcus-green-i-m-so-blessed-an-honored-to-have-worked-with/) [John David Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/) > [I've been reluctant in doing press stuff - even my Instagram isn't properly managed; I manage it myself. It's kind of by design. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/i-ve-been-reluctant-in-doing-press-stuff-even-my-instagram-isn-t/) [John David Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/) > [On a Spike Lee set, everybody seems to want to be there and is motivated to work in unison and do the best they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/on-a-spike-lee-set-everybody-seems-to-want-to-be-there-and-is/) [John David Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/) > [Hate is a problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/hate-is-a-problem/) [John David Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/) > [I've met Caucasians who are racist, but I've also heard black people say racist things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/i-ve-met-caucasians-who-are-racist-but-i-ve-also-heard-black-people/) [John David Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/) > [Every time I was off school, I was in Carolina with my cousins. So it was a big influence on me. I actually experienced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/every-time-i-was-off-school-i-was-in-carolina-with-my-cousins-so-it/) [John David Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/) > [I can only control what I can, which is what I'm able to do as an artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/i-can-only-control-what-i-can-which-is-what-i-m-able-to-do-as-an/) [John David Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/) > [I'm connected to a Wesley Snipes, and I'm connected to Giancarlo Esposito because of the history of films that we've all been a part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/i-m-connected-to-a-wesley-snipes-and-i-m-connected-to-giancarlo/) [John David Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/) > [Coming from a football background, when everybody is doing their job and operating on such a high level, it only motivates you to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/coming-from-a-football-background-when-everybody-is-doing-their-job/) [John David Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/) > [I was ignorant before I did my research of a lot of African American police officers out there who are doing their job and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/i-was-ignorant-before-i-did-my-research-of-a-lot-of-african-american/) [John David Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/) [Explore all 71 John David Washington quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/) ## 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've had the acting bug since I was, like, five. But growing up, I saw how people treated me differently when they knew who my father was, even the stuff I did on the field. Sometimes I'd rush for 100 yards, and the headline would be, 'Denzel's son runs for 100 yards.' That's where the suppression of that bug came from.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John David Washington" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/i-ve-had-the-acting-bug-since-i-was-like-five-but-growing-up-i-saw/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/i-ve-had-the-acting-bug-since-i-was-like-five-but-growing-up-i-saw/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c25/john-david-washington-9669_acting_i-ve-had-the-acting-bug-since-i-was-like_429678.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c25/john-david-washington-9669_acting_i-ve-had-the-acting-bug-since-i-was-like_429678.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c25/john-david-washington-9669_acting_i-ve-had-the-acting-bug-since-i-was-like_429678.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I've had the acting bug since I was, like, five. But growing up, I saw how people treated me differently…” — John David Washington", "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": "John David Washington", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I've had the acting bug since...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/i-ve-had-the-acting-bug-since-i-was-like-five-but-growing-up-i-saw/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/i-ve-had-the-acting-bug-since-i-was-like-five-but-growing-up-i-saw/#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 } } ] } ```