--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The thing that I've run up against is…" description: "\"The thing that I've run up against is that it's always been an either-or proposition, especially in Hollywood. You're either young and glamorous and yo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/787/kathy-bates-8711_actresses_the-thing-that-i-ve-run-up-against-is-th_1739390.jpg" --- # The thing that I've run up against is that it's always… ![“The thing that I've run up against is that it's always been an either-or proposition, especially in Hollywood. You're either young and glamorous and you're going to get the lead and get the man at the end of the picture, or it's the opposite: you're a character actress, you're not attractive…” quote by Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/787/kathy-bates-8711_actresses_the-thing-that-i-ve-run-up-against-is-th_1739390.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/787/kathy-bates-8711_actresses_the-thing-that-i-ve-run-up-against-is-th_1739390.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/787/kathy-bates-8711_actresses_the-thing-that-i-ve-run-up-against-is-th_1739390.jpg) > “The thing that I've run up against is that it's always been an either-or proposition, especially in Hollywood. You're either young and glamorous and you're going to get the lead and get the man at the end of the picture, or it's the opposite: you're a character actress, you're not attractive enough for the other role, and so you're playing the friend or the killer or the lesbian or the doctor or whatever.” [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The industry often forces women into binary categories, limiting diverse representation and career paths. **In simple terms:** Hollywood pushes women into limited roles. Key Takeaway Seek varied, complex characters. Themes gender career representation Mood frustrated hopeful Type critical inspirational When to use this quote - auditions - script selection - career planning - advocacy Key Concepts typecasting industry bias Questions to Reflect On - How can actors broaden their range? - What systemic changes are needed? A Different Perspective Breaking stereotypes can be risky and may limit mainstream success. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actresses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actresses/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Doctors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctors/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Glamorous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glamorous/) [Hollywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hollywood/) [Killers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/killers/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Opposites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposites/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) ## Related quotes > [Even though 'Heathers' didn't make a lot of money, I really was able to transition into a situation where people thought I could play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winona-ryder/even-though-heathers-didn-t-make-a-lot-of-money-i-really-was-able-to/) [Winona Ryder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winona-ryder/) > [There's a dark side to each and every human soul. We wish we were Obi-Wan Kenobi, and for the most part we are, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-stevens/there-s-a-dark-side-to-each-and-every-human-soul-we-wish-we-were-obi/) Stuart Stevens > [I have experienced racism in this country. My children have experienced racism in this country. I wouldn't say America is against me. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-peterson/i-have-experienced-racism-in-this-country-my-children-have/) James Peterson > [People don't show up here (at the courtroom) because they believe evolution is bad science. They show up because they believe that if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugenie-scott/people-don-t-show-up-here-at-the-courtroom-because-they-believe/) [Eugenie Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenie-scott/) > [Because I'm a woman, because I'm a character actress, because I'm over 40, I'll be very interested to see, not just for me but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/because-i-m-a-woman-because-i-m-a-character-actress-because-i-m-over/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) > [I don't realize how rare it is to genuinely have sincere love for everyone you work with. Especially in Hollywood, but even in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eden-sher/i-don-t-realize-how-rare-it-is-to-genuinely-have-sincere-love-for/) [Eden Sher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eden-sher/) > [I've always said that the word 'genius,' especially in Hollywood, is way overused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-mcginley/i-ve-always-said-that-the-word-genius-especially-in-hollywood-is-way/) [Ted McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-mcginley/) > [The U.S., especially Hollywood, is so strong for film production.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wang-jianlin/the-u-s-especially-hollywood-is-so-strong-for-film-production/) [Wang Jianlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wang-jianlin/) > [Whatever God gave you, you have to work that to your best ability - especially out here in Hollywood, the land of beautiful people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-clarke-duncan/whatever-god-gave-you-you-have-to-work-that-to-your-best-ability/) [Michael Clarke Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-clarke-duncan/) > [In all of our society, but especially in Hollywood, there is an obsession with perfection that can lead to self-loathing and neurosis and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethan-hawke/in-all-of-our-society-but-especially-in-hollywood-there-is-an/) [Ethan Hawke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethan-hawke/) > [I feel like, especially in Hollywood, you meet people with ulterior motives, who are trying to get something from you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-feel-like-especially-in-hollywood-you-meet-people-with-ulterior/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [I was always a character actress and never a sex symbol. Even when I was the leading lady, I was a character actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-maclaine/i-was-always-a-character-actress-and-never-a-sex-symbol-even-when-i/) [Shirley MacLaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-maclaine/) > [I'm a character actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelley-morrison/i-m-a-character-actress/) [Shelley Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelley-morrison/) > [You could say I'm a character actress. Or maybe a character actress who does peculiar, interesting lead roles. Does that make sense?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imelda-staunton/you-could-say-i-m-a-character-actress-or-maybe-a-character-actress/) [Imelda Staunton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imelda-staunton/) > [I guess I'm the perfect young lead actress. I'm not Chloe Sevigny - I'm not really a character actress. Some actors have "character" faces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/berenice-bejo/i-guess-i-m-the-perfect-young-lead-actress-i-m-not-chloe-sevigny-i-m/) [Berenice Bejo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/berenice-bejo/) ## More by Kathy Bates > ['Misery' left a lasting mark on me. When I die, it will be 'Kathy 'Misery' Bates Is Dead.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/misery-left-a-lasting-mark-on-me-when-i-die-it-will-be-kathy-misery/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) > [Cancer and its aftermath changed my outlook in a profound way. I've become less of a hermit, and I travel more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/cancer-and-its-aftermath-changed-my-outlook-in-a-profound-way-i-ve/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) > [When I was in New Orleans, I was in a grocery store and a woman came up to me and she said, "Oh, my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/when-i-was-in-new-orleans-i-was-in-a-grocery-store-and-a-woman-came/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) > [I can sit here on the couch and hear you say, "You're very feminine and very attractive," but I have always struggled with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/i-can-sit-here-on-the-couch-and-hear-you-say-you-re-very-feminine-and/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) > [I want to see women onscreen the way I see them in society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/i-want-to-see-women-onscreen-the-way-i-see-them-in-society/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) > [I have really focused on mindfulness. That helps me make better choices both physically, psychologically, and emotionally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/i-have-really-focused-on-mindfulness-that-helps-me-make-better/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) > [I didn't go out on one date in high school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/i-didn-t-go-out-on-one-date-in-high-school/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) > [People will come up, and they'll talk about 'Misery.' But a lot of people will talk about 'Waterboy.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/people-will-come-up-and-they-ll-talk-about-misery-but-a-lot-of-people/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) > [I love everything. I love being the empathetic characters. I love being the villains. I think it's like when we're kids, we like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/i-love-everything-i-love-being-the-empathetic-characters-i-love-being/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) > [I didn't go out on one date in high school. I played guitar and sang and wrote my own music and poetry and stuff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/i-didn-t-go-out-on-one-date-in-high-school-i-played-guitar-and-sang/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) > [The problem I have these days is that women are often cast in a role - as a police officer, for example - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/the-problem-i-have-these-days-is-that-women-are-often-cast-in-a-role/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) > [I have had periods of depression in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/i-have-had-periods-of-depression-in-my-life/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) > [I kind of grew up on horror.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/i-kind-of-grew-up-on-horror/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) > [Now if I go through it again, I think I would be a lot more open about it. I admire people who have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/now-if-i-go-through-it-again-i-think-i-would-be-a-lot-more-open-about/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) > [I was never an ingenue. I've always just been a character actor. When I was younger, it was a real problem, because I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/i-was-never-an-ingenue-i-ve-always-just-been-a-character-actor-when-i/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) [Explore all 78 Kathy Bates quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) ## More Actress quotes > [Sigourney Weaver is a wonderful person. I was so lucky to have the opportunity to meet and work with such an amazing actress. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-henn/sigourney-weaver-is-a-wonderful-person-i-was-so-lucky-to-have-the/) [Carrie Henn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-henn/) > [People forget I'm an actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-heatherton/people-forget-i-m-an-actress/) [Joey Heatherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-heatherton/) > [I adore Kelly Bishop as a human being and as an actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-gunn/i-adore-kelly-bishop-as-a-human-being-and-as-an-actress/) [Sean Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-gunn/) > [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/) > [I'm an actress, not a pin-up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-annis/i-m-an-actress-not-a-pin-up/) [Francesca Annis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-annis/) > [My father was a GP; my mother was a teacher and amateur actress. My father was a bit of a storyteller, but the acting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ciaran-hinds/my-father-was-a-gp-my-mother-was-a-teacher-and-amateur-actress-my/) [Ciaran Hinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ciaran-hinds/) > [I never wished that I was a superstar. Hell, I never even wished that I was an actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-lane/i-never-wished-that-i-was-a-superstar-hell-i-never-even-wished-that-i/) [Diane Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-lane/) > [Many of the heroines from outside Karnataka have worked in my films, but the attitude and adjusting nature of top South Indian actress Nayantara…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rockline-venkatesh/many-of-the-heroines-from-outside-karnataka-have-worked-in-my-films/) [Rockline Venkatesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rockline-venkatesh/) > [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/) > [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/) > [I never wanted to be an opera singer. I wanted to be an actress, maybe a rock singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristine-opolais/i-never-wanted-to-be-an-opera-singer-i-wanted-to-be-an-actress-maybe/) [Kristine Opolais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristine-opolais/) > [When an actor charges high fees, nobody says anything. But when an actress does the same, it becomes news.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijayashanti/when-an-actor-charges-high-fees-nobody-says-anything-but-when-an/) [Vijayashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijayashanti/) > [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/) Browse all 2,244 Actress quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The thing that I've run up against is that it's always been an either-or proposition, especially in Hollywood. 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