---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As an actor, you always want to keep it…"
description: "\"As an actor, you always want to keep it different, change it up, and, you know, just to keep yourself inspired and work with interesting characters.\" —..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/kelly-reilly-17400_actor_as-an-actor-you-always-want-to-keep-it-d_18121.jpg"
---

#  As an actor, you always want to keep it different, change…

![“As an actor, you always want to keep it different, change it up, and, you know, just to keep yourself inspired and work with interesting characters.” quote by Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/kelly-reilly-17400_actor_as-an-actor-you-always-want-to-keep-it-d_18121.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/kelly-reilly-17400_actor_as-an-actor-you-always-want-to-keep-it-d_18121.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/kelly-reilly-17400_actor_as-an-actor-you-always-want-to-keep-it-d_18121.jpg)

> “As an actor, you always want to keep it different, change it up, and, you know, just to keep yourself inspired and work with interesting characters.”

[Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/)

## About This Quote

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

The speaker emphasizes the need for continual variation and fresh challenges in acting to sustain personal inspiration and growth.

**In simple terms:** Seek variety to stay inspired.

Key Takeaway

Variation fuels creative vitality.

Themes

creativity growth inspiration artistic process professional development

Mood

motivated curious

Type

advice personal insight

When to use this quote

- preparing for a new role
- working with diverse directors
- overcoming monotony in a long‑term project

Key Concepts

adaptability character exploration

Practical Applications

- creative workshops
- role‑selection strategies

Questions to Reflect On

- How does routine affect artistic motivation?
- What methods help maintain excitement in a career?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actor Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor-want/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Change Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-know-388490/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Different Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-change-388489/) [Inspired](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspired/) [Interesting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interesting/) [Interesting characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interesting-characters/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Want Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-different/) [Work Interesting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-interesting-388488/)

## Related quotes

> [“If you want something different out of life, you need to try something different and change the rules a bit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-hamm/if-you-want-something-different-out-of-life-you-need-to-try-something/)

[Trent Hamm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-hamm/)

> [If your lucky enough to be different, never change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/if-your-lucky-enough-to-be-different-never-change/)

[Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/)

> [“When the pain of being the same becomes greater than the pain of being different, you change.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/when-the-pain-of-being-the-same-becomes-greater-than-the-pain-of/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [It's so different when you change your hair color, you're treated so differently. It's a very funny experience. It's fun, I love changing up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-bosworth/it-s-so-different-when-you-change-your-hair-color-you-re-treated-so/)

[Kate Bosworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-bosworth/)

> [If you're lucky enough to be different, never change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/if-you-re-lucky-enough-to-be-different-never-change/)

[Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/)

> [I studied to be a lawyer, and after that I did something, obviously, completely different. With change, you learn something. If you do the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-bocelli/i-studied-to-be-a-lawyer-and-after-that-i-did-something-obviously/)

[Andrea Bocelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-bocelli/)

> [You're lucky enough to be different,Never change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikkie-mae/you-re-lucky-enough-to-be-different-never-change/)

[Nikkie Mae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikkie-mae/)

> [Your lucky enough to be different, never change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/your-lucky-enough-to-be-different-never-change/)

[Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/)

> [If you are looking for something different, change the glass. :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-looking-for-something-different-change-the-glass/)

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

> [It is hard to believe that something that seems so permanent was once so different. Change. I guess that really is one thing you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-hopkins/it-is-hard-to-believe-that-something-that-seems-so-permanent-was-once/)

[Ellen Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-hopkins/)

> [We've been working on a new album, which is going to come out next spring, which is very different, a change of style for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-tennant/we-ve-been-working-on-a-new-album-which-is-going-to-come-out-next/)

[Neil Tennant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-tennant/)

> [What's important is to do good work and interesting roles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manisha-koirala/what-s-important-is-to-do-good-work-and-interesting-roles/)

[Manisha Koirala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manisha-koirala/)

> [If it doesn't work, at least it will be an interesting train wreck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/if-it-doesn-t-work-at-least-it-will-be-an-interesting-train-wreck/)

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

> [I want to work on interesting parts that I can believe in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laetitia-casta/i-want-to-work-on-interesting-parts-that-i-can-believe-in/)

[Laetitia Casta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laetitia-casta/)

> [To me the work is so much more interesting, the parts that don't require you just to take your shirt off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morris-chestnut/to-me-the-work-is-so-much-more-interesting-the-parts-that-don-t/)

[Morris Chestnut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morris-chestnut/)

## More by Kelly Reilly

> [I don't like the word celebrity. If I become a good actress and be in movies where I'm expected to be a good actress,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/i-don-t-like-the-word-celebrity-if-i-become-a-good-actress-and-be-in/)

[Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/)

> [Being at the pinnacle of my career is not to turn up in some multiplex blockbuster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/being-at-the-pinnacle-of-my-career-is-not-to-turn-up-in-some/)

[Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/)

> [Auditioning is a horrible experience because you know you are being absolutely scrutinized and judged. There are days where you can do it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/auditioning-is-a-horrible-experience-because-you-know-you-are-being/)

[Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/)

> [I'd prefer to go under the radar and just do the acting without being famous for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/i-d-prefer-to-go-under-the-radar-and-just-do-the-acting-without-being/)

[Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/)

> [Every job feels like my first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/every-job-feels-like-my-first/)

[Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/)

> [You put yourself on tape as an actor a lot - and you send them off, they go out into the ether, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/you-put-yourself-on-tape-as-an-actor-a-lot-and-you-send-them-off-they/)

[Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/)

> [At my school, Shakespeare wasn't on the syllabus - at least not for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/at-my-school-shakespeare-wasn-t-on-the-syllabus-at-least-not-for-me/)

[Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/)

> [Obviously, education is hugely important, along with healthcare. They're the basics and you're hurting your own country if you don't pour money into them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/obviously-education-is-hugely-important-along-with-healthcare-they-re/)

[Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/)

> [I act because I have to, because I need to find out whether I can do it or not - that's what drives me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/i-act-because-i-have-to-because-i-need-to-find-out-whether-i-can-do/)

[Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/)

> [When I was younger, I used to write to directors when I was unsure I could play a role. I'd say: 'You've made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/when-i-was-younger-i-used-to-write-to-directors-when-i-was-unsure-i/)

[Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/)

> [I'm not temperamentally into high comedy. I'm not a Noel Coward kind of girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/i-m-not-temperamentally-into-high-comedy-i-m-not-a-noel-coward-kind/)

[Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/)

> [I've no wish to appear in celebrity magazines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/i-ve-no-wish-to-appear-in-celebrity-magazines/)

[Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/)

> [I love strong women in films that are allowed to play women and not male fantasies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/i-love-strong-women-in-films-that-are-allowed-to-play-women-and-not/)

[Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/)

> [I'm a theater actress. I love rehearsal. I could have six weeks of rehearsal and think it's not enough. But on film, you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/i-m-a-theater-actress-i-love-rehearsal-i-could-have-six-weeks-of/)

[Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/)

> [You know, I really enjoy longevity. I see actors in their forties and they just turn out these really fabulous roles and characters. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/you-know-i-really-enjoy-longevity-i-see-actors-in-their-forties-and/)

[Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/)

[Explore all 37 Kelly Reilly quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/)

## 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": "As an actor, you always want to keep it different, change it up, and, you know, just to keep yourself inspired and work with interesting characters.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Kelly Reilly"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/as-an-actor-you-always-want-to-keep-it-different-change-it-up-and-you/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Actor"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/as-an-actor-you-always-want-to-keep-it-different-change-it-up-and-you/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/kelly-reilly-17400_actor_as-an-actor-you-always-want-to-keep-it-d_18121.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/kelly-reilly-17400_actor_as-an-actor-you-always-want-to-keep-it-d_18121.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/kelly-reilly-17400_actor_as-an-actor-you-always-want-to-keep-it-d_18121.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“As an actor, you always want to keep it different, change it up, and, you know, just to keep yourself…” — Kelly Reilly",
                "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": "Kelly Reilly",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "As an actor, you always want...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/as-an-actor-you-always-want-to-keep-it-different-change-it-up-and-you/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/as-an-actor-you-always-want-to-keep-it-different-change-it-up-and-you/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
