--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [on playing Walter] It was wonderful to…" description: "\"[on playing Walter] It was wonderful to be able to play a character who had so many colors and who was able to play comedy, to play incredibly vulnerab..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/578/john-noble-14582_actors_on-playing-walter-it-was-wonderful-to-be_907298.jpg" --- # \[on playing Walter\] It was wonderful to be able to play a… ![“[on playing Walter] It was wonderful to be able to play a character who had so many colors and who was able to play comedy, to play incredibly vulnerable, which he did a lot of the time, to play the love story, and to play the relationship with the son, which is quite unusual. That's a gift to me…” quote by John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/578/john-noble-14582_actors_on-playing-walter-it-was-wonderful-to-be_907298.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/578/john-noble-14582_actors_on-playing-walter-it-was-wonderful-to-be_907298.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/578/john-noble-14582_actors_on-playing-walter-it-was-wonderful-to-be_907298.jpg) > “\[on playing Walter\] It was wonderful to be able to play a character who had so many colors and who was able to play comedy, to play incredibly vulnerable, which he did a lot of the time, to play the love story, and to play the relationship with the son, which is quite unusual. That's a gift to me, as an actor. It was like everything you could possibly hope for, over five years. So, I was a very lucky actor.” [John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) ## 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 describes the joy of playing a multifaceted, emotionally rich character over many years, seeing it as a rare opportunity. **In simple terms:** Playing a complex role was a rare, rewarding chance. Key Takeaway Cherish diverse roles that challenge you. Themes acting creativity career fulfillment Mood grateful reflective Type inspirational professional When to use this quote - stage performance - film audition - career planning - creative workshops Key Concepts character depth emotional range long‑term projects Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance versatility with personal brand? - What risks do you take when choosing a role? A Different Perspective Even rewarding roles can type typecast or limit future opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-story/) [Lucky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lucky/) ## Related quotes > [I feel lucky to be an actor because you always learn something from each part you play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemarie-dewitt/i-feel-lucky-to-be-an-actor-because-you-always-learn-something-from/) [Rosemarie DeWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemarie-dewitt/) > [I have been quite lucky as an actor to have managed to play different kinds of roles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasmin-bhasin/i-have-been-quite-lucky-as-an-actor-to-have-managed-to-play-different/) [Jasmin Bhasin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasmin-bhasin/) > [The truth is, if you're lucky enough to work, you're a lucky actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-price/the-truth-is-if-you-re-lucky-enough-to-work-you-re-a-lucky-actor/) [Lindsay Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-price/) > [A new kind of award has been added -- the deathbed award. It is not an award of any kind. Either the recipient has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlene-dietrich/a-new-kind-of-award-has-been-added-the-deathbed-award-it-is-not-an/) [Marlene Dietrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlene-dietrich/) > [I recognize how lucky I am as an actor. I've been working as an actor since I was 9 years old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-rue/i-recognize-how-lucky-i-am-as-an-actor-i-ve-been-working-as-an-actor/) [Sara Rue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-rue/) > [I feel so lucky. When an actor that has been struggling for so long makes the transition into being an actor full-time, it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-zissis/i-feel-so-lucky-when-an-actor-that-has-been-struggling-for-so-long/) [Steve Zissis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-zissis/) > [I've been very lucky as an actor. I have worked all the time. Some shows I do, they get cancelled. Some, they're critically acclaimed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rena-sofer/i-ve-been-very-lucky-as-an-actor-i-have-worked-all-the-time-some/) [Rena Sofer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rena-sofer/) > [I've been a very lucky actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-newhart/i-ve-been-a-very-lucky-actor/) [Bob Newhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-newhart/) > [Since I started, like, 200 years ago, I've always wanted to direct and write. But I've been so busy - and fortunate and lucky…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-stormare/since-i-started-like-200-years-ago-i-ve-always-wanted-to-direct-and/) [Peter Stormare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-stormare/) > [If you are lucky as an actor, you are doing a character that really matches where you are in life, or you're doing a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-cohen/if-you-are-lucky-as-an-actor-you-are-doing-a-character-that-really/) [Scott Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-cohen/) > [If I would characterize my life, I would say that I was a very lucky actor who came into very lucky times, and got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/efrem-zimbalist-jr/if-i-would-characterize-my-life-i-would-say-that-i-was-a-very-lucky/) [Efrem Zimbalist, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/efrem-zimbalist-jr/) > [I consider myself a very lucky actor that, approaching 60, I'm still employed and employable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/i-consider-myself-a-very-lucky-actor-that-approaching-60-i-m-still/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [Experiencing so many firsts, maturing as an actor, a professional, and a human. In the process, gaining friends, family, and the best coworkers a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-monaghan/experiencing-so-many-firsts-maturing-as-an-actor-a-professional-and-a/) [Cameron Monaghan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-monaghan/) > [Incredibly lucky to be an actor at this period in history. I'm able to work in this business and look put-together - sexy, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adina-porter/incredibly-lucky-to-be-an-actor-at-this-period-in-history-i-m-able-to/) [Adina Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adina-porter/) > [I am not only lucky to be an actor, but I am lucky to be one of the most privileged actors in the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stellan-skarsgard/i-am-not-only-lucky-to-be-an-actor-but-i-am-lucky-to-be-one-of-the/) [Stellan Skarsgard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stellan-skarsgard/) ## More by John Noble > [My last two characters have been Denethor and Walter Bishop. Both will be hard acts to follow. That sits in the hands of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-noble/my-last-two-characters-have-been-denethor-and-walter-bishop-both-will/) [John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) > [It might be different for people that are A-list actors, but a lot of us really look at what's offered to us and look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-noble/it-might-be-different-for-people-that-are-a-list-actors-but-a-lot-of/) [John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) > [I'm truly grateful to the writers of Fringe for giving me that because, over the years, when I've spoken about the character with them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-noble/i-m-truly-grateful-to-the-writers-of-fringe-for-giving-me-that/) [John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) > [In Revelation 12, we see a pure, holy woman giving birth to a son - a corporate son who brings victory by the blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-noble/in-revelation-12-we-see-a-pure-holy-woman-giving-birth-to-a-son-a/) [John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) > [I didn't drop into the mannerisms of another version of the character, but I guess I was pretty alert to that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-noble/i-didn-t-drop-into-the-mannerisms-of-another-version-of-the-character/) [John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) > [You're always working with the relationships. It's pretty demanding, but then again I love that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-noble/you-re-always-working-with-the-relationships-it-s-pretty-demanding/) [John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) > [We often get pigeon-holed as a tough guy, or whatever else. I've been pigeon-holed as a heavy and serious, and almost a baddy, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-noble/we-often-get-pigeon-holed-as-a-tough-guy-or-whatever-else-i-ve-been/) [John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) > [Doing animation is great fun. It's like a different world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-noble/doing-animation-is-great-fun-it-s-like-a-different-world/) [John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) > [A lot of the times, roles are chosen for us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-noble/a-lot-of-the-times-roles-are-chosen-for-us/) [John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) > [Many very strong fathers have turned out ineffectual sons by not allowing them to grow as men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-noble/many-very-strong-fathers-have-turned-out-ineffectual-sons-by-not/) [John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) > [We shouldn't be put out to pasture just because we've reached somebody's idea of retirement, which was certainly happening in Australia, and I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-noble/we-shouldn-t-be-put-out-to-pasture-just-because-we-ve-reached/) [John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) > ['Fringe' is essentially a love story, so the scenes where Walter had close connection with Peter, but also with Anna's character or Jasika's character,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-noble/fringe-is-essentially-a-love-story-so-the-scenes-where-walter-had/) [John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) > [We've had such a close relationship with the fans. Through social networking and the internet, we have much more contact, and we did go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-noble/we-ve-had-such-a-close-relationship-with-the-fans-through-social/) [John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) > [I loved playing Walternate because he was completely the same character, version 1985, and then it developed in such a different way, physically and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-noble/i-loved-playing-walternate-because-he-was-completely-the-same/) [John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) > [ I have a very special love for all of those actors \[in Fringe\] and I'll miss them.Over the five years, we were given the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-noble/i-have-a-very-special-love-for-all-of-those-actors-in-fringe-and-i-ll/) [John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) [Explore all 46 John Noble quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) ## 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": "[on playing Walter] It was wonderful to be able to play a character who had so many colors and who was able to play comedy, to play incredibly vulnerable, which he did a lot of the time, to play the love story, and to play the relationship with the son, which is quite unusual. That's a gift to me, as an actor. It was like everything you could possibly hope for, over five years. 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