--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have a tendency as an actress in…" description: "\"I have a tendency as an actress in general to ground my characters. Even when doing outlandish characters, that's my instinct.\" — Kate Burton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64a/kate-burton-40939_actresses_i-have-a-tendency-as-an-actress-in-gener_1160411.png" --- # I have a tendency as an actress in general to ground my… ![“I have a tendency as an actress in general to ground my characters. Even when doing outlandish characters, that's my instinct.” quote by Kate Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64a/kate-burton-40939_actresses_i-have-a-tendency-as-an-actress-in-gener_1160411.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64a/kate-burton-40939_actresses_i-have-a-tendency-as-an-actress-in-gener_1160411.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64a/kate-burton-40939_actresses_i-have-a-tendency-as-an-actress-in-gener_1160411.png) > “I have a tendency as an actress in general to ground my characters. Even when doing outlandish characters, that's my instinct.” [Kate Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-burton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Grounding characters in reality adds authenticity, even for fantastical roles. **In simple terms:** Stay grounded for believable performance. Key Takeaway Anchor roles in real emotions. Themes acting authenticity character development Mood thoughtful analytical Type instructional philosophical When to use this quote - theatre - film - TV - voiceover - improv Key Concepts Method acting psychology improvisation Questions to Reflect On - When does grounding hinder imagination? - How to balance realism and fantasy? A Different Perspective Over‑grounding can stifle creativity in surreal parts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actresses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actresses/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) ## Related quotes > [I love the wilder, more outlandish characters that are hard to make believable. Those are the ones I want to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-janney/i-love-the-wilder-more-outlandish-characters-that-are-hard-to-make/) [Allison Janney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-janney/) > [I try to ground most of my characters in reality somehow. That's kind of what I bring to the table.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-wahlberg/i-try-to-ground-most-of-my-characters-in-reality-somehow-that-s-kind/) [Donnie Wahlberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-wahlberg/) > [When I am writing, I'm very much on the ground, on the same ground my characters are treading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-swift/when-i-am-writing-i-m-very-much-on-the-ground-on-the-same-ground-my/) [Graham Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-swift/) > [You have to have somebody to root for. I truly believe that's how you ground a movie. You ground them in the characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-shuler-donner/you-have-to-have-somebody-to-root-for-i-truly-believe-that-s-how-you/) [Lauren Shuler Donner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-shuler-donner/) > [I like to always wash the slate clean, and reinvigorate my spirit to be connected to the characters that I am doing. I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giancarlo-esposito/i-like-to-always-wash-the-slate-clean-and-reinvigorate-my-spirit-to/) [Giancarlo Esposito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giancarlo-esposito/) > [I was watching the last season of 'Mad Men,' and they're now so in their characters and they're so comfortable in their characters, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-frain/i-was-watching-the-last-season-of-mad-men-and-they-re-now-so-in-their/) [James Frain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-frain/) > [If we show fictional characters doing cool stuff, then girls will want to be it in real life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geena-davis/if-we-show-fictional-characters-doing-cool-stuff-then-girls-will-want/) [Geena Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geena-davis/) > [I'm from outside most of these worlds I'm focusing on, and I feel there's an ethical approach to making these kinds of films. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-baker/i-m-from-outside-most-of-these-worlds-i-m-focusing-on-and-i-feel/) [Sean Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-baker/) > [In 'Zombieland,' it was such a freewheeling plot it almost didn't matter what the characters were doing scene to scene as long as there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-eisenberg/in-zombieland-it-was-such-a-freewheeling-plot-it-almost-didn-t-matter/) [Jesse Eisenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-eisenberg/) > [Television is a lot more fast-paced, where with films, you really have the ability to get to know your characters. When I was doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liana-liberato/television-is-a-lot-more-fast-paced-where-with-films-you-really-have/) [Liana Liberato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liana-liberato/) > [Usually, characters that are doing something nefarious have some extra layers to them. The general rule is bad people don't necessarily think they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-alexander/usually-characters-that-are-doing-something-nefarious-have-some-extra/) [Jason Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-alexander/) > [When I'm watching TV, I'm always drawn to those female characters who are doing something that I would want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-holden/when-i-m-watching-tv-i-m-always-drawn-to-those-female-characters-who/) [Gina Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-holden/) > [The story man must see clearly in his own mind how every piece of business will be put over. He should feel every expression,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-story-man-must-see-clearly-in-his-own-mind-how-every-piece-of/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [“As far as my characters doing what I want them to, I'm afraid I'm not a real writer like the rest of you because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessie-chandler/as-far-as-my-characters-doing-what-i-want-them-to-i-m-afraid-i-m-not/) Jessie Chandler > [I'm a big believer in making sure that action is not confusing and the audience understands what the characters are up to and what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nutter/i-m-a-big-believer-in-making-sure-that-action-is-not-confusing-and/) [David Nutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nutter/) ## More by Kate Burton > [For me, hour-long drama was always the thing I felt the most comfortable doing, and I've played so many dramatic roles in the theater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-burton/for-me-hour-long-drama-was-always-the-thing-i-felt-the-most/) [Kate Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-burton/) > [I made a very concerted decision to go to drama school in the United States. But I did have the opportunity to go to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-burton/i-made-a-very-concerted-decision-to-go-to-drama-school-in-the-united/) [Kate Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-burton/) > [I grew up with the one of the most famous fathers in the world in the 1960s and '70s. He passed away in 1984,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-burton/i-grew-up-with-the-one-of-the-most-famous-fathers-in-the-world-in-the/) [Kate Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-burton/) > [I recurred on 'Grey's Anatomy' for three years, and at the same time, I recurred for eight episodes on 'Rescue Me'. And I'd recurred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-burton/i-recurred-on-grey-s-anatomy-for-three-years-and-at-the-same-time-i/) [Kate Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-burton/) > [I was lucky enough to be able to grow and mature in a natural way as an actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-burton/i-was-lucky-enough-to-be-able-to-grow-and-mature-in-a-natural-way-as/) [Kate Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-burton/) > [Beauty Queen' is the weirdest, strangest, and most perfect play to do before 'Hedda Gabler', because there are so many similar issues for Maureen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-burton/beauty-queen-is-the-weirdest-strangest-and-most-perfect-play-to-do/) [Kate Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-burton/) > [I have literally played the most interesting parts since I turned 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-burton/i-have-literally-played-the-most-interesting-parts-since-i-turned-40/) [Kate Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-burton/) > [I know from growing up in the spotlight, as it were, that the most important thing is your family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-burton/i-know-from-growing-up-in-the-spotlight-as-it-were-that-the-most/) [Kate Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-burton/) > [It ultimately becomes an asset to be part of a theatrical family if, indeed, you're good at what you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-burton/it-ultimately-becomes-an-asset-to-be-part-of-a-theatrical-family-if/) [Kate Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-burton/) [Explore all 10 Kate Burton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-burton/) ## More Actresses quotes > [I feel excited about getting older as an actress, too. I think there are some amazing opportunities around the corner and I don't need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sutton-foster/i-feel-excited-about-getting-older-as-an-actress-too-i-think-there/) [Sutton Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sutton-foster/) > [I think most of us are raised with preconceived notions of the choices we're supposed to make. We waste so much time making decisions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-bullock/i-think-most-of-us-are-raised-with-preconceived-notions-of-the/) [Sandra Bullock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-bullock/) > [I've been told before, and I tend to believe it, I'm not like most actresses out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moira-kelly/i-ve-been-told-before-and-i-tend-to-believe-it-i-m-not-like-most/) [Moira Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moira-kelly/) > [Marilyn was a great actress, not a dumb blond bombshell. She was very smart, very astute and a good businesswoman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-schiller/marilyn-was-a-great-actress-not-a-dumb-blond-bombshell-she-was-very/) [Lawrence Schiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-schiller/) > [By the time I was seventeen, I was on my way to Hollywood and didn't look back. My family is supportive now, but like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-heard/by-the-time-i-was-seventeen-i-was-on-my-way-to-hollywood-and-didn-t/) [Amber Heard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-heard/) > [Just have fun. Smile. And keep putting on lipstick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-keaton/just-have-fun-smile-and-keep-putting-on-lipstick/) [Diane Keaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-keaton/) > [There are a lot of great actresses out there. You learn to appreciate each one for what they offer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-pratt/there-are-a-lot-of-great-actresses-out-there-you-learn-to-appreciate/) [Victoria Pratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-pratt/) > [I want to be fulfilled creatively as an actress and get to be in roles that are meaningful and impactful. I hope the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amandla-stenberg/i-want-to-be-fulfilled-creatively-as-an-actress-and-get-to-be-in/) [Amandla Stenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amandla-stenberg/) > [There's certain things I try to avoid, as an actress, just to keep my world from being as narrow as it could be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/famke-janssen/there-s-certain-things-i-try-to-avoid-as-an-actress-just-to-keep-my/) [Famke Janssen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/famke-janssen/) > [All the baggage that comes with fame, being an actress. The down side to it is the intrusion into your life and this expectation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-watson/all-the-baggage-that-comes-with-fame-being-an-actress-the-down-side/) [Emma Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-watson/) > [I am going to be a great actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivien-leigh/i-am-going-to-be-a-great-actress/) [Vivien Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivien-leigh/) > [As a black actress you've got to work doubly hard. But it doesn't ever get me to the point where I give up on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naturi-naughton/as-a-black-actress-you-ve-got-to-work-doubly-hard-but-it-doesn-t-ever/) [Naturi Naughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naturi-naughton/) > [I've seen new actresses do one show and disappear or struggle for years to get their next break. I've been fortunate enough to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjeeda-sheikh/i-ve-seen-new-actresses-do-one-show-and-disappear-or-struggle-for/) [Sanjeeda Sheikh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjeeda-sheikh/) > [I knew I wanted to be an actress as soon as I popped out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-wallace/i-knew-i-wanted-to-be-an-actress-as-soon-as-i-popped-out/) [Dee Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-wallace/) > [Campaigning actress ASHLEY JUDD refuses to 'breed' with her racing star husband DARIO FRANCHITTI while there are starving children in the world. . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-judd/campaigning-actress-ashley-judd-refuses-to-breed-with-her-racing-star/) [Ashley Judd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-judd/) [Browse all 1,881 Actresses quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actresses/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have a tendency as an actress in general to ground my characters. Even when doing outlandish characters, that's my instinct.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kate Burton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-burton/i-have-a-tendency-as-an-actress-in-general-to-ground-my-characters/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actresses" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-burton/i-have-a-tendency-as-an-actress-in-general-to-ground-my-characters/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64a/kate-burton-40939_actresses_i-have-a-tendency-as-an-actress-in-gener_1160411.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64a/kate-burton-40939_actresses_i-have-a-tendency-as-an-actress-in-gener_1160411.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64a/kate-burton-40939_actresses_i-have-a-tendency-as-an-actress-in-gener_1160411.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have a tendency as an actress in general to ground my characters. Even when doing outlandish characters…” — Kate Burton", "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": "Kate Burton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-burton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I have a tendency as an...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-burton/i-have-a-tendency-as-an-actress-in-general-to-ground-my-characters/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-burton/i-have-a-tendency-as-an-actress-in-general-to-ground-my-characters/#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 } } ] } ```