---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only way I can be there and really…"
description: "\"The only way I can be there and really get into the character is if I'm her.\" — Lacey Chabert"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09c/lacey-chabert-13535_character_the-only-way-i-can-be-there-and-really-g_673681.png"
---

#  The only way I can be there and really get into the…

![“The only way I can be there and really get into the character is if I'm her.” quote by Lacey Chabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09c/lacey-chabert-13535_character_the-only-way-i-can-be-there-and-really-g_673681.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09c/lacey-chabert-13535_character_the-only-way-i-can-be-there-and-really-g_673681.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09c/lacey-chabert-13535_character_the-only-way-i-can-be-there-and-really-g_673681.png)

> “The only way I can be there and really get into the character is if I'm her.”

[Lacey Chabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/)

## 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 says true immersion in a role requires fully identifying with the character’s gender and perspective.

**In simple terms:** Acting needs deep empathy.

Key Takeaway

Fully embody the character.

Themes

acting empathy identity method acting

Mood

introspective analytical

Type

method acting personal insight

When to use this quote

- theater
- film
- character study

Key Concepts

role immersion gender perspective psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- How does gender identification affect performance?
- What limits exist for this approach?

A Different Perspective

May blur personal boundaries.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/)

## Related quotes

> [I think that Gollum is really the character who is a very human character, and he's very flawed, like most humans are, and has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-serkis/i-think-that-gollum-is-really-the-character-who-is-a-very-human/)

[Andy Serkis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-serkis/)

> [I move through the world in a way that I'm really proud of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myha-la/i-move-through-the-world-in-a-way-that-i-m-really-proud-of/)

[Myha'la](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myha-la/)

> [It’s like, everything really is two ways, the way we all pretend it is and the way it really is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-lindsay/it-s-like-everything-really-is-two-ways-the-way-we-all-pretend-it-is/)

[Jeff Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-lindsay/)

> [Getting out of the way is really important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-newmark/getting-out-of-the-way-is-really-important/)

[Craig Newmark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-newmark/)

> [The way people see you is the way you really are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-cope/the-way-people-see-you-is-the-way-you-really-are/)

[Julian Cope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-cope/)

> [Sometimes letting go is the only way you can see if something is really there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-letting-go-is-the-only-way-you-can-see-if-something-is/)

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

> [There is a way out, but the way out is really a way within.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-wilber/there-is-a-way-out-but-the-way-out-is-really-a-way-within/)

[Ken Wilber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-wilber/)

> [I think that the only way that you really keep it a secret is by not telling anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/i-think-that-the-only-way-that-you-really-keep-it-a-secret-is-by-not/)

[Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/)

> [The people who really have character make deep, unshakable connections to something outside themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brooks/the-people-who-really-have-character-make-deep-unshakable-connections/)

[David Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brooks/)

> [I don't care if you hate me or if you like me, as long as somebody gives me a character that is really a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salma-hayek/i-don-t-care-if-you-hate-me-or-if-you-like-me-as-long-as-somebody/)

[Salma Hayek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salma-hayek/)

> [It takes a while to establish a character. Richard Boone once told me he didn't really get the character in 'Have Gun - Will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-graves/it-takes-a-while-to-establish-a-character-richard-boone-once-told-me/)

[Peter Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-graves/)

> [I never say, 'I only want to do things like this,' I am not that sort of actor. I don't have that grand plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-fichtner/i-never-say-i-only-want-to-do-things-like-this-i-am-not-that-sort-of/)

[William Fichtner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-fichtner/)

> [I really am a character actor, in my heart of hearts, because I really do like developing characters and painting a past for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-mcdermott/i-really-am-a-character-actor-in-my-heart-of-hearts-because-i-really/)

[Dylan McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-mcdermott/)

> [There are lots of wonderful actors doing animated films these days, but I prefer it when you can't recognise them - it means they've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imelda-staunton/there-are-lots-of-wonderful-actors-doing-animated-films-these-days/)

[Imelda Staunton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imelda-staunton/)

> [It's funny: it takes a while to really get your character. It's impossible to do it on the first day. That's the same way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-skarsgard/it-s-funny-it-takes-a-while-to-really-get-your-character-it-s/)

[Bill Skarsgard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-skarsgard/)

## More by Lacey Chabert

> [Guys have always told me that it's sexier to leave a little to your imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/guys-have-always-told-me-that-it-s-sexier-to-leave-a-little-to-your/)

[Lacey Chabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/)

> [When I was growing up I always wanted to be a waitress. My sister opened a restaurant in Mississippi, and I went down there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/when-i-was-growing-up-i-always-wanted-to-be-a-waitress-my-sister/)

[Lacey Chabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/)

> [My family has always called me 'Lay Lay,' and my dad used to always call me 'Dynamite Termite' because I was really short and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/my-family-has-always-called-me-lay-lay-and-my-dad-used-to-always-call/)

[Lacey Chabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/)

> [The true test is if he's willing to go shopping with me. Will you go shopping, and will you hold the purse while I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/the-true-test-is-if-he-s-willing-to-go-shopping-with-me-will-you-go/)

[Lacey Chabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/)

> [I just think girls become so wrapped up in superficial issues that don't really matter, such as hair and make up and clothes and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/i-just-think-girls-become-so-wrapped-up-in-superficial-issues-that/)

[Lacey Chabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/)

> [I didn't go to high school. I was tutored on the set, but amongst my friends, I was somewhat like Gretchen, kind of insecure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/i-didn-t-go-to-high-school-i-was-tutored-on-the-set-but-amongst-my/)

[Lacey Chabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/)

> [I loved school. But when I started 'Party of Five' in the fifth grade, I was taken out of school and tutored on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/i-loved-school-but-when-i-started-party-of-five-in-the-fifth-grade-i/)

[Lacey Chabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/)

> [We did a remake of Lost in Space. Filmed it in London for four months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/we-did-a-remake-of-lost-in-space-filmed-it-in-london-for-four-months/)

[Lacey Chabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/)

> [I was raised cooking my grandmother's food, my mom's recipes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/i-was-raised-cooking-my-grandmother-s-food-my-mom-s-recipes/)

[Lacey Chabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/)

> [My biggest project is being a momma!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/my-biggest-project-is-being-a-momma/)

[Lacey Chabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/)

> [I've always been interested in taking pictures. I've enjoyed taking classes in photography, and I'm building a darkroom in my home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/i-ve-always-been-interested-in-taking-pictures-i-ve-enjoyed-taking/)

[Lacey Chabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/)

> [You can overcome anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/you-can-overcome-anything/)

[Lacey Chabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/)

> [My mother and I have always had a very close relationship, so I wanted to honor my mom by naming my daughter Julia as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/my-mother-and-i-have-always-had-a-very-close-relationship-so-i-wanted/)

[Lacey Chabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/)

> [I sing; I started my career at 9 years old in 'Les Miserables' on Broadway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/i-sing-i-started-my-career-at-9-years-old-in-les-miserables-on/)

[Lacey Chabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/)

> [I grew up with a little brother, and we would always watch 'Transformers' together, and he had all the toys. So I was really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/i-grew-up-with-a-little-brother-and-we-would-always-watch/)

[Lacey Chabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/)

[Explore all 50 Lacey Chabert quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/)

## More Character quotes

> [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/)

[Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/)

> [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/)

[Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/)

> [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/)

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/)

> [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/)

[Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/)

> [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/)

[Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/)

> [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/)

David Hudgins

> [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/)

[Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/)

> [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/)

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

> [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/)

[Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/)

> [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/)

[Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/)

> [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/)

[Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/)

> [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/)

[Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/)

> [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/)

> [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [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/)

[Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The only way I can be there and really get into the character is if I'm her.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Lacey Chabert"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/the-only-way-i-can-be-there-and-really-get-into-the-character-is-if-i/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Character"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/the-only-way-i-can-be-there-and-really-get-into-the-character-is-if-i/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09c/lacey-chabert-13535_character_the-only-way-i-can-be-there-and-really-g_673681.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09c/lacey-chabert-13535_character_the-only-way-i-can-be-there-and-really-g_673681.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09c/lacey-chabert-13535_character_the-only-way-i-can-be-there-and-really-g_673681.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The only way I can be there and really get into the character is if I'm her.” — Lacey Chabert",
                "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": "Lacey Chabert",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The only way I can be...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/the-only-way-i-can-be-there-and-really-get-into-the-character-is-if-i/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/the-only-way-i-can-be-there-and-really-get-into-the-character-is-if-i/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
