--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Having been raised by actors who love…" description: "\"Having been raised by actors who love moral ambiguity and flawed protagonists, I feel like it's sort of in the blood to want to take it on.\" — Laura Dern" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21c/laura-dern-2048_ambiguity_having-been-raised-by-actors-who-love-mo_3092276.jpg" --- # Having been raised by actors who love moral ambiguity and… ![“Having been raised by actors who love moral ambiguity and flawed protagonists, I feel like it's sort of in the blood to want to take it on.” quote by Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21c/laura-dern-2048_ambiguity_having-been-raised-by-actors-who-love-mo_3092276.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21c/laura-dern-2048_ambiguity_having-been-raised-by-actors-who-love-mo_3092276.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21c/laura-dern-2048_ambiguity_having-been-raised-by-actors-who-love-mo_3092276.jpg) > “Having been raised by actors who love moral ambiguity and flawed protagonists, I feel like it's sort of in the blood to want to take it on.” [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She attributes her attraction to complex characters to her upbringing among actors who value moral ambiguity. **In simple terms:** Raised among actors, she loves flawed heroes. Key Takeaway Seek depth in stories and people. Themes art storytelling character Mood introspective analytical Type artistic philosophical When to use this quote - acting - writing - film criticism Key Concepts moral ambiguity influence of upbringing Questions to Reflect On - How does your background shape your tastes? - Do you prefer morally ambiguous narratives? A Different Perspective May idealize complexity over simplicity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambiguity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambiguity/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Moral ambiguity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-ambiguity/) ## Related quotes > [I tend to always love material with flawed protagonists and morally ambiguous people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/i-tend-to-always-love-material-with-flawed-protagonists-and-morally/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [I'm interested in flawed protagonists. I was raised on them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/i-m-interested-in-flawed-protagonists-i-was-raised-on-them/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [I was raised by two actors in a moment in time - the Seventies - when there was no judgment of characters, no heroes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/i-was-raised-by-two-actors-in-a-moment-in-time-the-seventies-when/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [Everything's cyclical. Having been raised by actors, I watched their careers, and the challenge is to take time off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/everything-s-cyclical-having-been-raised-by-actors-i-watched-their/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [For me, the greatest good fortune I have being raised by actors is I came in knowing that a career is the ebb and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/for-me-the-greatest-good-fortune-i-have-being-raised-by-actors-is-i/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [I find myself writing protagonists who do feel pretty cut off from others but who want to make connections and aren't very good at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leni-zumas/i-find-myself-writing-protagonists-who-do-feel-pretty-cut-off-from/) [Leni Zumas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leni-zumas/) > [It wasn't the intention to do something important, or to even relate about social issues. The ground is so fertile in the justice world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-lagravenese/it-wasn-t-the-intention-to-do-something-important-or-to-even-relate/) [Richard LaGravenese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-lagravenese/) > [We must be clear. White supremacy is repulsive. This bigotry is counter to all America stands for. There can be no moral ambiguity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/we-must-be-clear-white-supremacy-is-repulsive-this-bigotry-is-counter/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [I've yet to meet a person in my life who doesn't have some moral ambiguity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-beghe/i-ve-yet-to-meet-a-person-in-my-life-who-doesn-t-have-some-moral/) Jason Beghe > [Perhaps the moral ambiguity of money is most plainly evidenced in the popular belief that money itself has value and that the worth of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-stringfellow/perhaps-the-moral-ambiguity-of-money-is-most-plainly-evidenced-in-the/) [William Stringfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-stringfellow/) > [I'm not sure why I'm so drawn to heroes who do bad things and to villains who think they're the good guys, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/i-m-not-sure-why-i-m-so-drawn-to-heroes-who-do-bad-things-and-to/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [Whether it's movies or television that I've directed, or characters that I've played, I'm just always fascinated by the moral ambiguity inherent in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-goldwyn/whether-it-s-movies-or-television-that-i-ve-directed-or-characters/) [Tony Goldwyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-goldwyn/) > [Understand the causes of terror? Yes, we should try, but let there be no moral ambiguity about this: nothing could ever justify the events…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-blair/understand-the-causes-of-terror-yes-we-should-try-but-let-there-be-no/) [Tony Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-blair/) > [One of my favourite films is called 'Lacombe Lucien,' directed by Louis Malle. The lead character in that film, like the lead characters in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-cornish/one-of-my-favourite-films-is-called-lacombe-lucien-directed-by-louis/) [Joe Cornish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-cornish/) > [I haven't watched 'Mad TV' a lot, but I have seen some stuff on there that is truly funny. You have to have some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-flaherty/i-haven-t-watched-mad-tv-a-lot-but-i-have-seen-some-stuff-on-there/) [Joe Flaherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-flaherty/) ## More by Laura Dern > [What a cool job to be part of - whether it's doing lighting or acting or serving food on set. You're part of telling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/what-a-cool-job-to-be-part-of-whether-it-s-doing-lighting-or-acting/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [You can change. And you can be an agent of change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/you-can-change-and-you-can-be-an-agent-of-change/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [Irvin Kershner, no matter what anyone says, has done some great work. 'Eyes of Laura Mars' is an incredible movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/irvin-kershner-no-matter-what-anyone-says-has-done-some-great-work/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [It's one thing to have forced time off as an actor, and another thing when you actually say, 'I don't want to read anything,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/it-s-one-thing-to-have-forced-time-off-as-an-actor-and-another-thing/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [I've worked with David Lynch since I was 17, and working with him is home and family; being around Alexander Payne is home and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/i-ve-worked-with-david-lynch-since-i-was-17-and-working-with-him-is/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [Going to the Academy Awards is something I remember since I was six, when I went with my mom for the first time, 14…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/going-to-the-academy-awards-is-something-i-remember-since-i-was-six/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [I always wanted to do a 'Ms. Smith Goes to Washington.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/i-always-wanted-to-do-a-ms-smith-goes-to-washington/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [If you have a movie coming out, and people are talking about you, the amount of scripts will build.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/if-you-have-a-movie-coming-out-and-people-are-talking-about-you-the/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [I got picked for very unique and independent filmmaking experiences with auteurs. And I'm so lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/i-got-picked-for-very-unique-and-independent-filmmaking-experiences/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [Like anything else, acting can become boring - a chore, really - if there isn't any challenge. And I like taking challenges. Just when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/like-anything-else-acting-can-become-boring-a-chore-really-if-there/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [When man decides he can control nature, he's in deep trouble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/when-man-decides-he-can-control-nature-he-s-in-deep-trouble/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [I have a very wonderfully, bizarrely amazing relationship with my mother in that we've been through a myriad of emotions because we've acted together…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/i-have-a-very-wonderfully-bizarrely-amazing-relationship-with-my/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [In Smooth Talk it was a much more intuitive search - I was only 17 at the time, and I wasn't aware, as women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/in-smooth-talk-it-was-a-much-more-intuitive-search-i-was-only-17-at/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [I love comedy. David's Lynch the only person I've worked with more than once who sees me as a specific thing - he sees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/i-love-comedy-david-s-lynch-the-only-person-i-ve-worked-with-more/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [When you're first reading the script and thinking about playing the part, it's slightly daunting. It's easy to question, 'Is an audience going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/when-you-re-first-reading-the-script-and-thinking-about-playing-the/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) [Explore all 189 Laura Dern quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) ## More Ambiguity quotes > [The position is clear - there is no ambiguity in Sinn Fein's position. We, along with all the other parties, have signed up to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcguinness/the-position-is-clear-there-is-no-ambiguity-in-sinn-fein-s-position/) [Martin McGuinness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcguinness/) > [Ambiguity is necessary in some of my stories, not in all. In those, it certainly contributes to the richness of the story. I doubt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-wolfe/ambiguity-is-necessary-in-some-of-my-stories-not-in-all-in-those-it/) [Gene Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-wolfe/) > [During the Cold War, we lived in coded times when it wasn't easy and there were shades of grey and ambiguity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-le-carre/during-the-cold-war-we-lived-in-coded-times-when-it-wasn-t-easy-and/) [John le Carre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-le-carre/) > [You cannot grow in the integrative dance of action and contemplation without a strong tolerance for ambiguity, an ability to allow, forgive, and contain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rohr/you-cannot-grow-in-the-integrative-dance-of-action-and-contemplation/) [Richard Rohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rohr/) > [I blame my grandfather 100 percent for his oldest son's death. I don't think there's any ambiguity there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-l-trump/i-blame-my-grandfather-100-percent-for-his-oldest-son-s-death-i-don-t/) [Mary L. Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-l-trump/) > [I think the relationship between social-dominance orientation in people and the extent to which they're made uncomfortable by ambiguity and novelty is really important.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sapolsky/i-think-the-relationship-between-social-dominance-orientation-in/) [Robert Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sapolsky/) > [Yet again, an ancient answer echoes across the centuries: Listen! Listen to stories! For what stories do, above all else, is hold up a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-kurtz/yet-again-an-ancient-answer-echoes-across-the-centuries-listen-listen/) [Ernest Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-kurtz/) > [My path to wisdom began when I stopped pretending to know things I didn't know. When I explicitly admitted to the limits of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-max/my-path-to-wisdom-began-when-i-stopped-pretending-to-know-things-i/) [Tucker Max](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-max/) > [If there is a single tragic flaw that mars our biggest enterprises, it is conservatism - the failure to fail, and fail big, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/if-there-is-a-single-tragic-flaw-that-mars-our-biggest-enterprises-it/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [In order to be as free as I possibly can, in my own imagination, I can't take positions that are closed. Everything I've ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/in-order-to-be-as-free-as-i-possibly-can-in-my-own-imagination-i-can/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [I've always been drawn to ambiguity in pop music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-furman/i-ve-always-been-drawn-to-ambiguity-in-pop-music/) [Ezra Furman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-furman/) > [I believe that we can still have a genre of scientific books suitable for and accessible alike to professionals and interested laypeople. The concepts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/i-believe-that-we-can-still-have-a-genre-of-scientific-books-suitable/) [Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/) > [I am in the utmost perplexity, yand have wished a hundred times, that if there is a A God, nature would manifest him without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/i-am-in-the-utmost-perplexity-yand-have-wished-a-hundred-times-that/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [There's a lot of ambiguity in life, and so often, our art is very neatly wrapped up at the end, when our lives never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-coon/there-s-a-lot-of-ambiguity-in-life-and-so-often-our-art-is-very/) [Carrie Coon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-coon/) > [“Man must not attempt to dispel the ambiguity of his being but, on the contrary, accept the task of realizing it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/man-must-not-attempt-to-dispel-the-ambiguity-of-his-being-but-on-the/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) [Browse all 431 Ambiguity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambiguity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Having been raised by actors who love moral ambiguity and flawed protagonists, I feel like it's sort of in the blood to want to take it on.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laura Dern" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/having-been-raised-by-actors-who-love-moral-ambiguity-and-flawed/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ambiguity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/having-been-raised-by-actors-who-love-moral-ambiguity-and-flawed/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21c/laura-dern-2048_ambiguity_having-been-raised-by-actors-who-love-mo_3092276.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21c/laura-dern-2048_ambiguity_having-been-raised-by-actors-who-love-mo_3092276.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21c/laura-dern-2048_ambiguity_having-been-raised-by-actors-who-love-mo_3092276.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Having been raised by actors who love moral ambiguity and flawed protagonists, I feel like it's sort of in…” — Laura Dern", "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": "Laura Dern", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Having been raised by actors who...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/having-been-raised-by-actors-who-love-moral-ambiguity-and-flawed/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/having-been-raised-by-actors-who-love-moral-ambiguity-and-flawed/#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 } } ] } ```