--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've never thought of myself as an actor…" description: "\"I've never thought of myself as an actor, so somebody recognizing me for that would be a real shock.\" — Lena Dunham" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54b/lena-dunham-1013_actor_i-ve-never-thought-of-myself-as-an-actor_368439.jpg" --- # I've never thought of myself as an actor, so somebody… ![“I've never thought of myself as an actor, so somebody recognizing me for that would be a real shock.” quote by Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54b/lena-dunham-1013_actor_i-ve-never-thought-of-myself-as-an-actor_368439.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54b/lena-dunham-1013_actor_i-ve-never-thought-of-myself-as-an-actor_368439.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54b/lena-dunham-1013_actor_i-ve-never-thought-of-myself-as-an-actor_368439.jpg) > “I've never thought of myself as an actor, so somebody recognizing me for that would be a real shock.” [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She expresses surprise at being labeled an actor, indicating a self‑perception that differs from public categorization. **In simple terms:** She is shocked to be called an actor. Key Takeaway Accept labels that align with your self‑identity. Themes self‑identity public perception career artistic labeling Mood surprised reflective introspective Type personal career When to use this quote - career counseling - personal development - media interviews Key Concepts personal branding media perception role definition Questions to Reflect On - Do you define your work by titles? - How do external labels affect self‑confidence? A Different Perspective The comment may reflect broader industry typecasting issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actor Somebody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor-somebody-894076/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Real Shock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-shock-1219239/) [Recognizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recognizing/) [Shock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shock/) [Somebody Recognizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/somebody-recognizing-3366137/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Thought Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-actor-1058560/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) ## Related quotes > [Turning 70 was a real shock. I thought, 'I'm on the last lap now.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cilla-black/turning-70-was-a-real-shock-i-thought-i-m-on-the-last-lap-now/) [Cilla Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cilla-black/) > [ I suspect people would be in for a real shock if they knew the depths of his \[Obama's\] historical ignorance. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-foster-johnson/i-suspect-people-would-be-in-for-a-real-shock-if-they-knew-the-depths/) [Charles Foster Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-foster-johnson/) > [When Mahavishnu came out in '71, the unbelievable reaction to the band was a real shock to me. It was a shock to everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/when-mahavishnu-came-out-in-71-the-unbelievable-reaction-to-the-band/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [The fact I was going to have to start injecting insulin came as a real shock to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-hoyle/the-fact-i-was-going-to-have-to-start-injecting-insulin-came-as-a/) [Lindsay Hoyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-hoyle/) > [Obviously, I think it was an aberration, but it is a reality. We're still a team that won nine games, but this one was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-coker/obviously-i-think-it-was-an-aberration-but-it-is-a-reality-we-re/) [Larry Coker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-coker/) > [At one point you think, well, it's funny, I could just be a starving actor... So if somebody were to pull the plug right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-fassbender/at-one-point-you-think-well-it-s-funny-i-could-just-be-a-starving/) [Michael Fassbender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-fassbender/) > [Even when you're casting, casting is always one of the weirdest subjective areas. You can get a group of people who would decide and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-todd/even-when-you-re-casting-casting-is-always-one-of-the-weirdest/) [Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) > [You get burned a lot as an actor. 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I'm somebody who's meant to be other people and I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-bale/i-always-figure-hey-look-i-m-not-a-rock-star-i-m-an-actor-i-m/) [Christian Bale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-bale/) > [It's weird that you have to work really, really hard just to be real or normal. Everybody's got their different techniques, but what makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scoot-mcnairy/it-s-weird-that-you-have-to-work-really-really-hard-just-to-be-real/) [Scoot McNairy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scoot-mcnairy/) > [An actor is somebody who communicates someone else's words and emotions to an audience. It's not me. It's what writers want me to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-smith/an-actor-is-somebody-who-communicates-someone-else-s-words-and/) [Maggie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-smith/) > [A good actor is somebody who can be truthful and fascinating and interesting and enlightening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-davison/a-good-actor-is-somebody-who-can-be-truthful-and-fascinating-and/) [Bruce Davison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-davison/) > [I've always had a talent for recognizing when I am in a moment worth being nostalgic for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/i-ve-always-had-a-talent-for-recognizing-when-i-am-in-a-moment-worth/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) ## More by Lena Dunham > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [“Oberlin being a liberal haven where opposition was king, the coolest clique at school was a group of rugby-playing, neon-wearing lesbians. They dominated every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/oberlin-being-a-liberal-haven-where-opposition-was-king-the-coolest/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Calling someone a drama queen is so negative. Why not 'content creator'?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/calling-someone-a-drama-queen-is-so-negative-why-not-content-creator/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [My relationship to eating, my relationship to critiquing my own shape, all of that has changed since I've started viewing my body much more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/my-relationship-to-eating-my-relationship-to-critiquing-my-own-shape/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [“I am sorry (not to you but in a deeper way, sorry for my brain chemistry and who I am.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/i-am-sorry-not-to-you-but-in-a-deeper-way-sorry-for-my-brain/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [It's very easy for me to say what success is. I think success is connecting with an audience who understands you and having a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-s-very-easy-for-me-to-say-what-success-is-i-think-success-is/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [At my age, no one is married, no one has kids, no one has a career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/at-my-age-no-one-is-married-no-one-has-kids-no-one-has-a-career/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [I should do the things that make me feel cool and smart. As I get older, I'm realizing more and more that it doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/i-should-do-the-things-that-make-me-feel-cool-and-smart-as-i-get/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [My shape reminds me a lot of my grandmother, whom I was really close to. She died when I was 13, and we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/my-shape-reminds-me-a-lot-of-my-grandmother-whom-i-was-really-close/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [I never set out to make any statements about a specific character, I just set out to tell what feels like is a truthful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/i-never-set-out-to-make-any-statements-about-a-specific-character-i/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [You’ve learned a new rule and it’s simple: don’t put yourself in situations you’d like to run away from. But when you run, run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/you-ve-learned-a-new-rule-and-it-s-simple-don-t-put-yourself-in/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [I would go to work from 9 to 6, go home, nap for two hours, then write from 8 to 2 a.m.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/i-would-go-to-work-from-9-to-6-go-home-nap-for-two-hours-then-write/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [My uncle's a lawyer and I remember going to see him in court and thinking, 'That's cool, too bad I could never be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/my-uncle-s-a-lawyer-and-i-remember-going-to-see-him-in-court-and/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [I love directing scenes that I'm not in because suddenly I really feel like a filmmaker which is a different thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/i-love-directing-scenes-that-i-m-not-in-because-suddenly-i-really/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [I'm glad if my work can make a difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/i-m-glad-if-my-work-can-make-a-difference/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) [Explore all 301 Lena Dunham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) ## 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": "I've never thought of myself as an actor, so somebody recognizing me for that would be a real shock.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lena Dunham" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/i-ve-never-thought-of-myself-as-an-actor-so-somebody-recognizing-me/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/i-ve-never-thought-of-myself-as-an-actor-so-somebody-recognizing-me/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54b/lena-dunham-1013_actor_i-ve-never-thought-of-myself-as-an-actor_368439.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54b/lena-dunham-1013_actor_i-ve-never-thought-of-myself-as-an-actor_368439.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54b/lena-dunham-1013_actor_i-ve-never-thought-of-myself-as-an-actor_368439.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I've never thought of myself as an actor, so somebody recognizing me for that would be a real shock.” — Lena Dunham", "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": "Lena Dunham", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I've never thought of myself as...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/i-ve-never-thought-of-myself-as-an-actor-so-somebody-recognizing-me/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/i-ve-never-thought-of-myself-as-an-actor-so-somebody-recognizing-me/#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 } } ] } ```