---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I wouldn't say anything I ever did in…"
description: "\"I wouldn't say anything I ever did in film would be something I'd use the word proud about. I've done better work in the theater.\" — John Malkovich"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93f/john-malkovich-2387_cinema_i-wouldn-t-say-anything-i-ever-did-in-fi_99059.jpg"
---

#  I wouldn't say anything I ever did in film would be…

![“I wouldn't say anything I ever did in film would be something I'd use the word proud about. I've done better work in the theater.” quote by John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93f/john-malkovich-2387_cinema_i-wouldn-t-say-anything-i-ever-did-in-fi_99059.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93f/john-malkovich-2387_cinema_i-wouldn-t-say-anything-i-ever-did-in-fi_99059.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93f/john-malkovich-2387_cinema_i-wouldn-t-say-anything-i-ever-did-in-fi_99059.jpg)

> “I wouldn't say anything I ever did in film would be something I'd use the word proud about. I've done better work in the theater.”

[John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He distinguishes his film work as less satisfying than his theater performances, implying a higher artistic standard for live stage work.

**In simple terms:** He feels more proud of theater than movies.

Key Takeaway

Medium offers deeper artistic fulfillment.

Themes

artistic integrity medium comparison personal standards

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

personal insight career reflection

When to use this quote

- choosing a career path
- evaluating past projects
- deciding between film and stage roles

Key Concepts

self-evaluation creative fulfillment

Practical Applications

- focus on theater for artistic growth
- use film as a learning tool

Questions to Reflect On

- What criteria define artistic pride for you?
- How might medium influence creative satisfaction?

A Different Perspective

Film can provide broader reach and different creative challenges despite personal preference.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Proud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud/) [Theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theater/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/)

## Related quotes

> [I was aware that there weren't many make up brands that catered for women for extra pale skin so I feel proud that I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-roberts/i-was-aware-that-there-weren-t-many-make-up-brands-that-catered-for/)

[Nicola Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-roberts/)

> [All those countries who keep their aid promises should be proud of what they've done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cameron/all-those-countries-who-keep-their-aid-promises-should-be-proud-of/)

[David Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cameron/)

> [I am very proud of who I am and what I've been able to do and accomplish for my constituents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-gray/i-am-very-proud-of-who-i-am-and-what-i-ve-been-able-to-do-and/)

[Jim Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-gray/)

> [I'm proud of everything I've done with the UFC.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-serra/i-m-proud-of-everything-i-ve-done-with-the-ufc/)

[Matt Serra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-serra/)

> [I'm still proud of what I've done, even if it hasn't been the biggest song on the radio or hasn't gone to number one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faith-hill/i-m-still-proud-of-what-i-ve-done-even-if-it-hasn-t-been-the-biggest/)

[Faith Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faith-hill/)

> [I'm so proud of you, you've come so far and never let go of your dreams, love you so!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-so-proud-of-you-you-ve-come-so-far-and-never-let-go-of-your/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I'm proud of what I've done in my career. I'm proud of what I've accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-glavine/i-m-proud-of-what-i-ve-done-in-my-career-i-m-proud-of-what-i-ve/)

[Tom Glavine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-glavine/)

> [Everything I've done that I'm proud of is everything I've been the most hands-on with, so I'm just following that, really.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-polachek/everything-i-ve-done-that-i-m-proud-of-is-everything-i-ve-been-the/)

[Caroline Polachek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-polachek/)

> [When I look back on my work, I'm proud of what I've done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/when-i-look-back-on-my-work-i-m-proud-of-what-i-ve-done/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [I'm always proud of what I've done and what I continue to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-lampanelli/i-m-always-proud-of-what-i-ve-done-and-what-i-continue-to-do/)

[Lisa Lampanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-lampanelli/)

> [I would like to look back on my career and be proud of what I've done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-lea/i-would-like-to-look-back-on-my-career-and-be-proud-of-what-i-ve-done/)

[Nicholas Lea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-lea/)

> [We've always been proud of what we've done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-hanson/we-ve-always-been-proud-of-what-we-ve-done/)

[Isaac Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-hanson/)

> [I am proud of what I've done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-morton/i-am-proud-of-what-i-ve-done/)

[Samantha Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-morton/)

> [“I’m not trying to hide my past,” he said in earnest. “I’ve learned a lot from it. It’s made me who I am today,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-natusch/i-m-not-trying-to-hide-my-past-he-said-in-earnest-i-ve-learned-a-lot/)

[Amber Lynn Natusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-natusch/)

> [I'm pretty proud of everything I've done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-bozzio/i-m-pretty-proud-of-everything-i-ve-done/)

[Terry Bozzio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-bozzio/)

## More by John Malkovich

> [Films take too long. There's too much BS, too much nonsense. If I want to do a play, I just call the theater, whether…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/films-take-too-long-there-s-too-much-bs-too-much-nonsense-if-i-want/)

[John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/)

> [I don't want a trillion-dollar empire to run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/i-don-t-want-a-trillion-dollar-empire-to-run/)

[John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/)

> [Reviews are destructive by their very nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/reviews-are-destructive-by-their-very-nature/)

[John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/)

> [I can see how, given a certain degree of sensitivities, proclivities and rage, I could have ended up differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/i-can-see-how-given-a-certain-degree-of-sensitivities-proclivities/)

[John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/)

> [Most filmmakers' entire body of knowledge is of other movies. When they describe things, they describe them in relation to other movies. That's why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/most-filmmakers-entire-body-of-knowledge-is-of-other-movies-when-they/)

[John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/)

> [I have driven school buses, sold egg rolls and painted houses, and I have often wondered what my life would have been like if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/i-have-driven-school-buses-sold-egg-rolls-and-painted-houses-and-i/)

[John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/)

> [You have to play your characters, not like them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/you-have-to-play-your-characters-not-like-them/)

[John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/)

> [One doesn't know if one had a happy childhood or not. I don't really know what it means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/one-doesn-t-know-if-one-had-a-happy-childhood-or-not-i-don-t-really/)

[John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/)

> [I'm more comfortable with whatever's wrong with me than my father was whenever he felt he failed or didn't measure up to the standard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/i-m-more-comfortable-with-whatever-s-wrong-with-me-than-my-father-was/)

[John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/)

> [I was a very good baseball and football player, but my father always told me I was much more interested in how I looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/i-was-a-very-good-baseball-and-football-player-but-my-father-always/)

[John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/)

> [I think people seem to sort of associate me with danger. And I don't see that at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/i-think-people-seem-to-sort-of-associate-me-with-danger-and-i-don-t/)

[John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/)

> [I like to direct movies, but I don't like to goof around for eight years talking about it. And it's pretty irritating to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/i-like-to-direct-movies-but-i-don-t-like-to-goof-around-for-eight/)

[John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/)

> [I love to watch good actors who surprise and amuse me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/i-love-to-watch-good-actors-who-surprise-and-amuse-me/)

[John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/)

> [I find it hard to pre-plan every element of everything I do. It's not my thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/i-find-it-hard-to-pre-plan-every-element-of-everything-i-do-it-s-not/)

[John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/)

> [I lost seventy pounds eating nothing but Jello for 4 months. But of course there is great variety in the colors! I think, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/i-lost-seventy-pounds-eating-nothing-but-jello-for-4-months-but-of/)

[John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/)

[Explore all 169 John Malkovich quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/)

## More Cinema quotes

> [I made, like, five movies while I was in college. I think they just weren't memorable movies. I've taken breaks as the years have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodie-foster/i-made-like-five-movies-while-i-was-in-college-i-think-they-just/)

[Jodie Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodie-foster/)

> [You have to have a great director to make a great movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/you-have-to-have-a-great-director-to-make-a-great-movie/)

[Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/)

> [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/)

[Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/)

> [I wasn't attracted to American cinema, but I fell in love with Los Angeles the minute I arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-varda/i-wasn-t-attracted-to-american-cinema-but-i-fell-in-love-with-los/)

[Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-varda/)

> [There was a time in the 1980s when I worked in 22 films a year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radha-ravi/there-was-a-time-in-the-1980s-when-i-worked-in-22-films-a-year/)

[Radha Ravi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radha-ravi/)

> [To an ever greater extent out experience is governed by pictures, pictures in newspapers and magazines, on television and in the cinema. Next to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-crimp/to-an-ever-greater-extent-out-experience-is-governed-by-pictures/)

[Douglas Crimp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-crimp/)

> [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/)

[Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/)

> [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/)

> [I love film people and actors and I am in the right world because I am one of those people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewan-mcgregor/i-love-film-people-and-actors-and-i-am-in-the-right-world-because-i/)

[Ewan McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ewan-mcgregor/)

> [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/)

[Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/)

> [I'd love to work in the States; I'd love to work anywhere where you get a good script and a good part to play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-carmichael/i-d-love-to-work-in-the-states-i-d-love-to-work-anywhere-where-you/)

[Laura Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-carmichael/)

> [I even see the cinema itself as a woman, with its alternation of light and darkness, of appearing and disappearing images](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/federico-fellini/i-even-see-the-cinema-itself-as-a-woman-with-its-alternation-of-light/)

[Federico Fellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/federico-fellini/)

> ['Rear Window' isn't really a horror film, but it is a psychological drama, which I love. It is very tense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-silvers/rear-window-isn-t-really-a-horror-film-but-it-is-a-psychological/)

[Diana Silvers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-silvers/)

> [What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yu/what-a-thrill-you-know-you-ve-entered-new-territory-when-you-realise/)

Jessica Yu

> [I am not interested in churning out a certain number of films every year. For me, it's about the quality of work. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepika-padukone/i-am-not-interested-in-churning-out-a-certain-number-of-films-every/)

[Deepika Padukone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepika-padukone/)

[Browse all 23,940 Cinema quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I wouldn't say anything I ever did in film would be something I'd use the word proud about. I've done better work in the theater.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John Malkovich"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/i-wouldn-t-say-anything-i-ever-did-in-film-would-be-something-i-d-use/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Cinema"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/i-wouldn-t-say-anything-i-ever-did-in-film-would-be-something-i-d-use/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93f/john-malkovich-2387_cinema_i-wouldn-t-say-anything-i-ever-did-in-fi_99059.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93f/john-malkovich-2387_cinema_i-wouldn-t-say-anything-i-ever-did-in-fi_99059.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93f/john-malkovich-2387_cinema_i-wouldn-t-say-anything-i-ever-did-in-fi_99059.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I wouldn't say anything I ever did in film would be something I'd use the word proud about. I've done better…” — John Malkovich",
                "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 Malkovich",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I wouldn't say anything I ever...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/i-wouldn-t-say-anything-i-ever-did-in-film-would-be-something-i-d-use/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/i-wouldn-t-say-anything-i-ever-did-in-film-would-be-something-i-d-use/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
