--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You've heard the phrase 'There are no…" description: "\"You've heard the phrase 'There are no small roles, just small actors?' Well, I kind of disagree. There are small roles, but when you get a lot of them ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1b/judy-greer-8725_actor_you-ve-heard-the-phrase-there-are-no-sma_3048649.jpg" --- # You've heard the phrase 'There are no small roles, just… ![“You've heard the phrase 'There are no small roles, just small actors?' Well, I kind of disagree. There are small roles, but when you get a lot of them in a row, you can become a pretty successful actress, and that's what I've done.” quote by Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1b/judy-greer-8725_actor_you-ve-heard-the-phrase-there-are-no-sma_3048649.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1b/judy-greer-8725_actor_you-ve-heard-the-phrase-there-are-no-sma_3048649.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1b/judy-greer-8725_actor_you-ve-heard-the-phrase-there-are-no-sma_3048649.jpg) > “You've heard the phrase 'There are no small roles, just small actors?' Well, I kind of disagree. There are small roles, but when you get a lot of them in a row, you can become a pretty successful actress, and that's what I've done.” [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Repeatedly taking small roles can build a successful acting career, contrary to the notion that only large roles matter. **In simple terms:** Small roles can lead to success. Key Takeaway Embrace every opportunity. Themes career persistence acting Mood motivational pragmatic Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - audition process - networking - skill development Key Concepts industry dynamics career strategy Questions to Reflect On - How do you choose roles that align with goals? - What strategies keep you motivated? A Different Perspective Small roles may typecast actors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Small roles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/small-roles/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [“There are no small roles, just small actors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-mathis/there-are-no-small-roles-just-small-actors/) Lynn Mathis > [There are no small roles, only small actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-mircevski-spasov/there-are-no-small-roles-only-small-actors/) [Miroslav Mircevski Spasov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-mircevski-spasov/) > [This is why Jessica Biel is a successful actress: because, despite the punchlines, you know how to tell a joke.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raphael-bob-waksberg/this-is-why-jessica-biel-is-a-successful-actress-because-despite-the/) [Raphael Bob-Waksberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raphael-bob-waksberg/) > [I'd love to be an award-winning, commercial successful actress! I would love to push myself to the limits as an actress and experiment with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/preity-zinta/i-d-love-to-be-an-award-winning-commercial-successful-actress-i-would/) [Preity Zinta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/preity-zinta/) > [Jess is not only a successful actress but also has a line of eco-friendly products called Honest that's become a million-dollar business. Jessica Alba…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-blasberg/jess-is-not-only-a-successful-actress-but-also-has-a-line-of-eco/) [Derek Blasberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-blasberg/) > [I knew from the time I was 13 that I wanted to be an actress. I idolized Evan Rachel Woods performance in Thirteen, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leven-rambin/i-knew-from-the-time-i-was-13-that-i-wanted-to-be-an-actress-i/) [Leven Rambin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leven-rambin/) > [Education is huge for me. I went to public school until I turned thirteen, and was lucky enough to afford college once I became…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-stiles/education-is-huge-for-me-i-went-to-public-school-until-i-turned-2/) [Julia Stiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-stiles/) > [I like small actors. They are my absolute favourite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-winkleman/i-like-small-actors-they-are-my-absolute-favourite/) [Claudia Winkleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-winkleman/) > [I've been on sets where the turnaround is so fast and the budget so small that the actors have been asked to speed things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-friel/i-ve-been-on-sets-where-the-turnaround-is-so-fast-and-the-budget-so/) [Anna Friel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-friel/) > [Developing aesthetic sense is vital for actors. They must understand that there is no small role, only small actors. A good actor will do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajiv-menon/developing-aesthetic-sense-is-vital-for-actors-they-must-understand/) [Rajiv Menon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajiv-menon/) > [There are no small parts; there are only small actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-griffith/there-are-no-small-parts-there-are-only-small-actors/) [Melanie Griffith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-griffith/) > [Any work I do I think is important...like in acting there are no small parts- only small actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-golightly/any-work-i-do-i-think-is-important-like-in-acting-there-are-no-small/) [Holly Golightly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-golightly/) > [There's no such thing as a small part. There are just small actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidney-lumet/there-s-no-such-thing-as-a-small-part-there-are-just-small-actors/) [Sidney Lumet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidney-lumet/) > [Remember: there are no small parts, only small actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constantin-stanislavski/remember-there-are-no-small-parts-only-small-actors/) [Constantin Stanislavski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constantin-stanislavski/) > [Normally, I'd believe that the saying 'There's no small parts, only small actors' is a load of crock because, more often than not, actors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-robinson/normally-i-d-believe-that-the-saying-there-s-no-small-parts-only/) [Phoebe Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-robinson/) ## More by Judy Greer > [I have played several characters that are crabby and cranky. I don't know if I'm just not a very well-developed human being or if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/i-have-played-several-characters-that-are-crabby-and-cranky-i-don-t/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) > [The truth is, if I was maybe better or funnier or prettier, wouldn't I have starred in a movie? I can see it objectively…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/the-truth-is-if-i-was-maybe-better-or-funnier-or-prettier-wouldn-t-i/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) > [I love watching Edie Falco; she's so layered, and her work is so great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/i-love-watching-edie-falco-she-s-so-layered-and-her-work-is-so-great/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) > [I am very reluctantly healthy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/i-am-very-reluctantly-healthy/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) > [I had Madonna parties; I dressed like Madonna, and I had all of her records because we had records back then. I knew all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/i-had-madonna-parties-i-dressed-like-madonna-and-i-had-all-of-her/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) > [It's really exciting and also it makes me nervous, because I'm like, "Well, I figured out how to perform this episode, but what if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/it-s-really-exciting-and-also-it-makes-me-nervous-because-i-m-like/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) > [I just try not to look at any role as a comedic role or a dramatic role. I just try to stay in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/i-just-try-not-to-look-at-any-role-as-a-comedic-role-or-a-dramatic/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) > [I love television, I've always wanted to be on television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/i-love-television-i-ve-always-wanted-to-be-on-television/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) > [I really believe waiting tables, and service industry jobs in general, make you a better person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/i-really-believe-waiting-tables-and-service-industry-jobs-in-general/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) > [I am an actress - I am paid to verbalize other people's words, not create my own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/i-am-an-actress-i-am-paid-to-verbalize-other-people-s-words-not/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) > [I've done a lot of pilots, and they're all so expositional. In the beginning, I think that it is important to make sure that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/i-ve-done-a-lot-of-pilots-and-they-re-all-so-expositional-in-the/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) > [I always say I'm not going to care this time, but I always do. Like, I did one this season called Tax Man with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/i-always-say-i-m-not-going-to-care-this-time-but-i-always-do-like-i/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) > [It's my job as a supporting actor - which I usually am - to support the film: to make 1, 2, or 3 on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/it-s-my-job-as-a-supporting-actor-which-i-usually-am-to-support-the/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) > [I think its natural if youre doing a lot of comedy to do a lot of drama, because you have to figure out the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/i-think-its-natural-if-youre-doing-a-lot-of-comedy-to-do-a-lot-of/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) > [I was not awesome at dancing. For a ballerina, I probably started too late. Plus I enjoyed entertaining people too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/i-was-not-awesome-at-dancing-for-a-ballerina-i-probably-started-too/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) [Explore all 78 Judy Greer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) ## 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": "You've heard the phrase 'There are no small roles, just small actors?' Well, I kind of disagree. 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