--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Essentially, I am an actor for hire. I am…" description: "\"Essentially, I am an actor for hire. I am not a rarified creature. I do all these different things, and they all interest me.\" — John Hurt" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41b/john-hurt-1669_actor_essentially-i-am-an-actor-for-hire-i-am_2818822.png" --- # Essentially, I am an actor for hire. I am not a rarified… ![“Essentially, I am an actor for hire. I am not a rarified creature. I do all these different things, and they all interest me.” quote by John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41b/john-hurt-1669_actor_essentially-i-am-an-actor-for-hire-i-am_2818822.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41b/john-hurt-1669_actor_essentially-i-am-an-actor-for-hire-i-am_2818822.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41b/john-hurt-1669_actor_essentially-i-am-an-actor-for-hire-i-am_2818822.png) > “Essentially, I am an actor for hire. I am not a rarified creature. I do all these different things, and they all interest me.” [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The actor embraces diverse roles, seeing no hierarchy among them, driven by curiosity. **In simple terms:** He sees all acting work as valuable and interesting. Key Takeaway Explore varied creative opportunities. Themes career curiosity versatility humility Mood enthusiastic reflective Type motivational insightful When to use this quote - auditions - workshops - collaborations - career transitions Key Concepts craftsmanship identity artistic fulfillment Questions to Reflect On - Which new role excites you most? - How does curiosity shape your career choices? A Different Perspective Specializing can deepen expertise, which he overlooks. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [I'm essentially an actor. And the fact that I got away with singing and dancing for a long time is still a miracle to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-grey/i-m-essentially-an-actor-and-the-fact-that-i-got-away-with-singing/) [Joel Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-grey/) > [I'm an actor; I hire out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-garner/i-m-an-actor-i-hire-out/) [James Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-garner/) > [I'm an actor for hire, and I go do a job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-renner/i-m-an-actor-for-hire-and-i-go-do-a-job/) [Jeremy Renner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-renner/) > [What career? A man's got a body of film of about four movies in about 10 years or something. I do it because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hogan/what-career-a-man-s-got-a-body-of-film-of-about-four-movies-in-about/) [Paul Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hogan/) > [As an actor for hire, my job is to do some pre-production work for myself. Then my job is to show up and give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mcconaughey/as-an-actor-for-hire-my-job-is-to-do-some-pre-production-work-for/) [Matthew McConaughey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mcconaughey/) > [I would prefer just to be an actor for hire rather than struggling with something like Higher Ground, that I had a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lando/i-would-prefer-just-to-be-an-actor-for-hire-rather-than-struggling/) [Joe Lando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lando/) > [I love acting, but being an actor for hire only serves so much, and then you want to fill your well up again and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-aniston/i-love-acting-but-being-an-actor-for-hire-only-serves-so-much-and/) [Jennifer Aniston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-aniston/) > [I think I'm an actor. You can hire me. I can do a good job. But you also have to get lucky now and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rutger-hauer/i-think-i-m-an-actor-you-can-hire-me-i-can-do-a-good-job-but-you-also/) [Rutger Hauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rutger-hauer/) > [I'm an actor for hire. It's important not to forget that you're disposable…When you have that mentality, you fight for the jobs you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scarlett-johansson/i-m-an-actor-for-hire-it-s-important-not-to-forget-that-you-re/) [Scarlett Johansson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scarlett-johansson/) > [At 27, it's great to get to a place where I'm not an actor for hire anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-phillippe/at-27-it-s-great-to-get-to-a-place-where-i-m-not-an-actor-for-hire/) [Ryan Phillippe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-phillippe/) > [I will no longer be an actor to hire, I have a passion for producing and making films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-phillippe/i-will-no-longer-be-an-actor-to-hire-i-have-a-passion-for-producing/) [Ryan Phillippe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-phillippe/) > [The truly great actors, like Charlize Theron, are just like, "I'm an actor. For hire. I show up, I do my job." There's no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patton-oswalt/the-truly-great-actors-like-charlize-theron-are-just-like-i-m-an/) [Patton Oswalt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patton-oswalt/) > [I think there's something so wonderful about being part of the process from the seed of the idea to seeing it come to life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-aniston/i-think-there-s-something-so-wonderful-about-being-part-of-the/) [Jennifer Aniston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-aniston/) > [I think I feel more like you're an actor for hire and you take the jobs you want to take, obviously, and some pay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-fiennes/i-think-i-feel-more-like-you-re-an-actor-for-hire-and-you-take-the/) [Ralph Fiennes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-fiennes/) > [Doing 'Not Going Out' has been fantastic and it's a great job, but it is different because you turn up and you're an actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-wix/doing-not-going-out-has-been-fantastic-and-it-s-a-great-job-but-it-is/) [Katy Wix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-wix/) ## More by John Hurt > [I can't say that I wouldn't prefer to make small films, basically because I think they are probably more interesting in terms of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/i-can-t-say-that-i-wouldn-t-prefer-to-make-small-films-basically/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [Acting is an imaginative leap, really, isn't it? And imaginations prosper in different circumstances. And it's being able - I can't tell you how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/acting-is-an-imaginative-leap-really-isn-t-it-and-imaginations/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [My surname certainly suggests a man whose destiny has always been injury.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/my-surname-certainly-suggests-a-man-whose-destiny-has-always-been/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [ I got used to \[ Lars Von Trier\] doing the narration for 'Dogville' and 'Manderley.' And I said to him I do these narrations… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/i-got-used-to-lars-von-trier-doing-the-narration-for-dogville-and/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [The first thing you have to get used to in any kind of acting is the ability to make a fool of yourself. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/the-first-thing-you-have-to-get-used-to-in-any-kind-of-acting-is-the/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [One wonders sometimes, looking at the world, how it's dealing with itself. There are days when you wake up and you feel very optimistic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/one-wonders-sometimes-looking-at-the-world-how-it-s-dealing-with/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [To me, nothing ever feels like a sure thing. I cling to that because it's very important you don't ever think anything is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/to-me-nothing-ever-feels-like-a-sure-thing-i-cling-to-that-because-it/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [Things come in a quieter way to me. It's not laziness, and it's not diffidence. I just know how far you have to bend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/things-come-in-a-quieter-way-to-me-it-s-not-laziness-and-it-s-not/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [I've spent a great deal of my life doing independent film, and that is partly because the subject matter interests me and partly because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/i-ve-spent-a-great-deal-of-my-life-doing-independent-film-and-that-is/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [I find myself more interested in producing. Not because I'm interested in the financial side of it, but just getting together the right elements…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/i-find-myself-more-interested-in-producing-not-because-i-m-interested/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [Actors are not always the best judges. We have a peculiar idea of what we think we are, and sometimes it's best left to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/actors-are-not-always-the-best-judges-we-have-a-peculiar-idea-of-what/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [My parents felt that acting was far too insecure. Don't ask me what made them think that painting would be more secure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/my-parents-felt-that-acting-was-far-too-insecure-don-t-ask-me-what/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [I've done all sorts of children's things before, but none as big as 'Harry Potter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/i-ve-done-all-sorts-of-children-s-things-before-but-none-as-big-as/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [Really, I'm only alive out of curiosity. I'm very curious about where we're all marching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/really-i-m-only-alive-out-of-curiosity-i-m-very-curious-about-where/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [You carry that through and adapt it to a camera lens, but you're quite right, you cannot be sure of what an audience is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/you-carry-that-through-and-adapt-it-to-a-camera-lens-but-you-re-quite/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) [Explore all 217 John Hurt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) ## More Actor 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/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [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/) > [There has got to be a way for me to have a role on TV or in film that is just as normal as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adeel-akhtar/there-has-got-to-be-a-way-for-me-to-have-a-role-on-tv-or-in-film-that/) [Adeel Akhtar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adeel-akhtar/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [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/) > [I never planned to do female roles. It just happened. I was typecast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divine/i-never-planned-to-do-female-roles-it-just-happened-i-was-typecast/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divine/) > [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/) [Browse all 21,590 Actor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Essentially, I am an actor for hire. I am not a rarified creature. 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