--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I usually play the sort of hard-boiled…" description: "\"I usually play the sort of hard-boiled guy who is forcing situations - I'm not usually playing the person in reaction.\" — John de Lancie" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/john-de-lancie-12021_forcing_i-usually-play-the-sort-of-hard-boiled-g_3201774.jpg" --- # I usually play the sort of hard-boiled guy who is forcing… ![“I usually play the sort of hard-boiled guy who is forcing situations - I'm not usually playing the person in reaction.” quote by John de Lancie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/john-de-lancie-12021_forcing_i-usually-play-the-sort-of-hard-boiled-g_3201774.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/john-de-lancie-12021_forcing_i-usually-play-the-sort-of-hard-boiled-g_3201774.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/john-de-lancie-12021_forcing_i-usually-play-the-sort-of-hard-boiled-g_3201774.jpg) > “I usually play the sort of hard-boiled guy who is forcing situations - I'm not usually playing the person in reaction.” [John de Lancie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-lancie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker prefers playing proactive, decisive roles rather than reacting to circumstances. **In simple terms:** Choose to act instead of just responding. Key Takeaway Take initiative in challenges. Themes agency proactivity role-play Mood assertive thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - leadership - creative projects - conflict resolution Key Concepts character archetype decision making Questions to Reflect On - When do you act versus react? - What are the risks of forcing situations? A Different Perspective Overly aggressive stance may ignore valuable input. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Forcing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forcing/) [Forcing Situations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forcing-situations-5946985/) [Guy Forcing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guy-forcing-3414291/) [Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Playing Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-person-863549/) [Reaction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reaction/) [Situations Usually](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/situations-usually-4256755/) [Usually Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/usually-play-287951/) [Who](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/who/) ## Related quotes > [Unsustainable situations usually go on longer than most economists think possible. But they always end, and when they do, it's often painful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-krugman/unsustainable-situations-usually-go-on-longer-than-most-economists/) [Paul Krugman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-krugman/) > [“I’d lived through six of these and had intimate details. No way that shit was happening with me. Some over-the-top macho guy forcing his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/i-d-lived-through-six-of-these-and-had-intimate-details-no-way-that/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) > [“I could always make you.” The way he says it sounds dark and dirty and infinitely pleasurable. All I can think of is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-leighton/i-could-always-make-you-the-way-he-says-it-sounds-dark-and-dirty-and/) [M. Leighton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-leighton/) > [If we're in a quarterback competition, I'm playing against you as a quarterback. I'm not playing against you as a person. There's a big…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/if-we-re-in-a-quarterback-competition-i-m-playing-against-you-as-a/) [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) > [Maybe people don't see me as believable playing a person of today. I guess I'm just more realistic in a corset and funny hairstyles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/maybe-people-don-t-see-me-as-believable-playing-a-person-of-today-i/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [If I'm playing a fat person, then I actually eat a lot of cakes and as much as I can. If I'm playing a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-burnet/if-i-m-playing-a-fat-person-then-i-actually-eat-a-lot-of-cakes-and-as/) [Guy Burnet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-burnet/) > [I spent more time playing a person I was not than the person I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-jessica-parker/i-spent-more-time-playing-a-person-i-was-not-than-the-person-i-am/) [Sarah Jessica Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-jessica-parker/) > [The person is a mystery. What I'm playing is the person so I really get to tell you and show you and communicate to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cromwell/the-person-is-a-mystery-what-i-m-playing-is-the-person-so-i-really/) [James Cromwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cromwell/) > [You play to different parts of yourself when you take on various roles. Like, you are your confident self when you're playing this person,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-keough/you-play-to-different-parts-of-yourself-when-you-take-on-various/) [Riley Keough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-keough/) > [I like playing the same person over and over again. I've done shows for over a year on Broadway, and I never get bored.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-gasteyer/i-like-playing-the-same-person-over-and-over-again-i-ve-done-shows/) [Ana Gasteyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-gasteyer/) > [For a long time I did not want to do television because I did not want to get stuck playing the same person. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/for-a-long-time-i-did-not-want-to-do-television-because-i-did-not/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) > [For me, it's very important if I do action movies and I have a stunt person, to work with them. Not only by memorizing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-saldana/for-me-it-s-very-important-if-i-do-action-movies-and-i-have-a-stunt/) [Zoe Saldana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-saldana/) > [Playing those one-dimensional characters is actually really difficult because you're not dealing with somebody you would ever really know. I don't think anybody here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-faris/playing-those-one-dimensional-characters-is-actually-really-difficult/) [Anna Faris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-faris/) > [You're always supposed to have sympathy for the person you're playing. You should be the one person who does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hollander/you-re-always-supposed-to-have-sympathy-for-the-person-you-re-playing/) [Tom Hollander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hollander/) > [When you're playing a real person, there's a balance between playing the person in the script and playing the person as he was in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-tennant/when-you-re-playing-a-real-person-there-s-a-balance-between-playing/) [David Tennant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-tennant/) ## More by John de Lancie > [I don't know how to carry a tune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/i-don-t-know-how-to-carry-a-tune/) [John de Lancie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-lancie/) > [My first interaction with Gene was that after I auditioned I walked out of the room and then this big guy walks out with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/my-first-interaction-with-gene-was-that-after-i-auditioned-i-walked/) [John de Lancie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-lancie/) > [Q is a terrific part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/q-is-a-terrific-part/) [John de Lancie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-lancie/) > [There's something inherently life-denying in television and radio and stuff that's canned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/there-s-something-inherently-life-denying-in-television-and-radio-and/) [John de Lancie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-lancie/) > [I had a panic attack years ago in preparation for a very difficult show. And you cannot hear, or see, or you can't compute.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/i-had-a-panic-attack-years-ago-in-preparation-for-a-very-difficult/) [John de Lancie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-lancie/) > [Q was naughty, you know? He's naughty. He's not evil. He's not all good. He's sort of bad. You get to play him the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/q-was-naughty-you-know-he-s-naughty-he-s-not-evil-he-s-not-all-good/) [John de Lancie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-lancie/) > [I hadn't watched 'Star Trek' when I was a kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/i-hadn-t-watched-star-trek-when-i-was-a-kid/) [John de Lancie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-lancie/) > [I'm of the opinion that it flies in the face of reason not to believe. The odds are too great against you to not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/i-m-of-the-opinion-that-it-flies-in-the-face-of-reason-not-to-believe/) [John de Lancie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-lancie/) > [I'm sure Roddenberry in his wildest dreams never would have thought he would have gotten five TV series out of his idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/i-m-sure-roddenberry-in-his-wildest-dreams-never-would-have-thought/) [John de Lancie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-lancie/) > [I sail to Hawaii and back a lot, and it sometimes involves very terrifying experiences. And you have to keep yourself from becoming panicky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/i-sail-to-hawaii-and-back-a-lot-and-it-sometimes-involves-very/) [John de Lancie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-lancie/) > [I really didn't follow Star Trek.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/i-really-didn-t-follow-star-trek/) [John de Lancie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-lancie/) > [Being idly hanging around, and that's not good for an actor to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/being-idly-hanging-around-and-that-s-not-good-for-an-actor-to-do/) [John de Lancie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-lancie/) > [It's great fun to have the license to say damn near anything you want, short of being offensive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/it-s-great-fun-to-have-the-license-to-say-damn-near-anything-you-want/) [John de Lancie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-lancie/) > [I'm really not a television watcher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/i-m-really-not-a-television-watcher/) [John de Lancie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-lancie/) > [I don't think that 'Legend' was the absolute greatest show on television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/i-don-t-think-that-legend-was-the-absolute-greatest-show-on-television/) [John de Lancie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-lancie/) [Explore all 56 John de Lancie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-lancie/) ## More Forcing quotes > [If America is truly Israel's greatest ally, we should not be asking it to put its citizens and future at risk by forcing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-hasner/if-america-is-truly-israel-s-greatest-ally-we-should-not-be-asking-it/) [Adam Hasner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-hasner/) > [I don't think forcing an athlete to stay in school does anything for the athlete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-williams/i-don-t-think-forcing-an-athlete-to-stay-in-school-does-anything-for/) [Jay Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-williams/) > [One look at an email can rob you of 15 minutes of focus. One call on your cell phone, one tweet, one instant message…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-leo/one-look-at-an-email-can-rob-you-of-15-minutes-of-focus-one-call-on/) [Jacqueline Leo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-leo/) > [“Forcing an answer only guarantees That no answer will come. -Six, The Power of Six”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pittaculus-lore/forcing-an-answer-only-guarantees-that-no-answer-will-come-six-the/) [Pittaculus Lore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pittaculus-lore/) > [Performing live is difficult. But nobody's forcing us to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-sandoval/performing-live-is-difficult-but-nobody-s-forcing-us-to-do-it/) [Hope Sandoval](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-sandoval/) > [We will have a lot of video sessions and it will get mind-blowing for the guys. The training sessions are forcing you to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-hasenhuttl/we-will-have-a-lot-of-video-sessions-and-it-will-get-mind-blowing-for/) [Ralph Hasenhuttl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-hasenhuttl/) > [I've been in situations, when I was younger, when I had people forcing me doing stuff that they don't want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoh-aalegra/i-ve-been-in-situations-when-i-was-younger-when-i-had-people-forcing/) [Snoh Aalegra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoh-aalegra/) > [Forcing myself back to sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanna-beth/forcing-myself-back-to-sleep/) [Hanna Beth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanna-beth/) > [I have always believed that if you need to take your clothes off to get your man, you've begun to lose the battle. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bipasha-basu/i-have-always-believed-that-if-you-need-to-take-your-clothes-off-to/) [Bipasha Basu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bipasha-basu/) > [“For once, Lemon. Please open for me without me forcing you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noyar-cecil/for-once-lemon-please-open-for-me-without-me-forcing-you/) [Noyar Cecil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noyar-cecil/) > [There is a difference between willing and forcing. Willing something simply means you are not being lazy. Forcing something means you are trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/there-is-a-difference-between-willing-and-forcing-willing-something/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Lots of times I was out through forcing the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-woolley/lots-of-times-i-was-out-through-forcing-the-game/) [Frank Woolley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-woolley/) > [Leadership is not about forcing your will on others. It's about mastering the art of letting go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-jackson/leadership-is-not-about-forcing-your-will-on-others-it-s-about/) [Phil Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-jackson/) > [Forcing states to take refugees doesn't take Europe any further.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/forcing-states-to-take-refugees-doesn-t-take-europe-any-further/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [So, rather than trying to humbly mix with the rest of the world, we are forcing ourselves upon it. We seem to create conflicts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-d/so-rather-than-trying-to-humbly-mix-with-the-rest-of-the-world-we-are/) [Chuck D](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-d/) [Browse all 84 Forcing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forcing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I usually play the sort of hard-boiled guy who is forcing situations - I'm not usually playing the person in reaction.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John de Lancie" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/i-usually-play-the-sort-of-hard-boiled-guy-who-is-forcing-situations/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Forcing" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/i-usually-play-the-sort-of-hard-boiled-guy-who-is-forcing-situations/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/john-de-lancie-12021_forcing_i-usually-play-the-sort-of-hard-boiled-g_3201774.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/john-de-lancie-12021_forcing_i-usually-play-the-sort-of-hard-boiled-g_3201774.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/john-de-lancie-12021_forcing_i-usually-play-the-sort-of-hard-boiled-g_3201774.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I usually play the sort of hard-boiled guy who is forcing situations - I'm not usually playing the person in…” — John de Lancie", "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 de Lancie", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-lancie/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I usually play the sort of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/i-usually-play-the-sort-of-hard-boiled-guy-who-is-forcing-situations/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-lancie/i-usually-play-the-sort-of-hard-boiled-guy-who-is-forcing-situations/#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 } } ] } ```