--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I like playing guys where it's as…" description: "\"I like playing guys where it's as important what they're thinking as what they're saying. Those are the people I like playing, and the actor that I str..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d4d/lennie-james-15462_actors_i-like-playing-guys-where-it-s-as-import_1007513.jpg" --- # I like playing guys where it's as important what they're… ![“I like playing guys where it's as important what they're thinking as what they're saying. Those are the people I like playing, and the actor that I strive to be. I like actors who work in that area and I like parts that allow me to work in that area.” quote by Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d4d/lennie-james-15462_actors_i-like-playing-guys-where-it-s-as-import_1007513.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d4d/lennie-james-15462_actors_i-like-playing-guys-where-it-s-as-import_1007513.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d4d/lennie-james-15462_actors_i-like-playing-guys-where-it-s-as-import_1007513.jpg) > “I like playing guys where it's as important what they're thinking as what they're saying. Those are the people I like playing, and the actor that I strive to be. I like actors who work in that area and I like parts that allow me to work in that area.” [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He values roles that require deep mental engagement, seeking authenticity in thought and expression. **In simple terms:** He likes playing thoughtful characters. Key Takeaway Pursue roles that challenge intellect. Themes acting intellectual depth authenticity Mood contemplative passionate Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - theatre auditions - film workshops - script study Key Concepts method acting character analysis Questions to Reflect On - What does “thoughtful” mean to you? - How do you balance depth with audience appeal? A Different Perspective Such focus may limit commercial opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I don't like the actors to work together beforehand. I trust my intuition, and I like when the actors are the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-dahan/i-don-t-like-the-actors-to-work-together-beforehand-i-trust-my/) [Olivier Dahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-dahan/) > [My thing is, I like playing guys who have a really interesting internal monologue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennie-james/my-thing-is-i-like-playing-guys-who-have-a-really-interesting/) [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) > [I chose those films which I would like as a spectator. Then, I also look at the character and decide whether I will enjoy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atul-kulkarni/i-chose-those-films-which-i-would-like-as-a-spectator-then-i-also/) [Atul Kulkarni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atul-kulkarni/) > [I thought I was an actor playing a wizard. But really, I was a wizard playing an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-radcliffe/i-thought-i-was-an-actor-playing-a-wizard-but-really-i-was-a-wizard/) [Daniel Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-radcliffe/) > [I would never not work on the part without it playing. That's what being an actor is. You use everything that's influenced you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-seymour-hoffman/i-would-never-not-work-on-the-part-without-it-playing-that-s-what/) [Philip Seymour Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-seymour-hoffman/) > [I enjoyed playing the actor. I stepped away from beer culture and from sport culture, and I was like, well, if you think this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-elordi/i-enjoyed-playing-the-actor-i-stepped-away-from-beer-culture-and-from/) [Jacob Elordi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-elordi/) > [When I'm playing as an actor, I don't want to interfere at all with the director. I'm just an actor. I'm totally respectful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordi-molla/when-i-m-playing-as-an-actor-i-don-t-want-to-interfere-at-all-with/) [Jordi Molla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordi-molla/) > [I think that always myself is my worst opponent. I always playing against myself first and then to the other one. So I'm playing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaston-gaudio/i-think-that-always-myself-is-my-worst-opponent-i-always-playing/) Gaston Gaudio > [I'm to a point now where you want to play for your fans and all that, but I'm playing for the guys in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarvaris-jackson/i-m-to-a-point-now-where-you-want-to-play-for-your-fans-and-all-that/) [Tarvaris Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarvaris-jackson/) > [Some girls claim that they need a good serious dude because they are tired of wasting their time and falling in love with WRONG…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muniir-zero/some-girls-claim-that-they-need-a-good-serious-dude-because-they-are/) Muniir Zero > [I like playing against guys because of their athleticism and understanding of the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-leslie/i-like-playing-against-guys-because-of-their-athleticism-and/) [Lisa Leslie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-leslie/) > [From playing with the guys that I played with, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, I learned a lot about the game. I learned how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avery-bradley/from-playing-with-the-guys-that-i-played-with-kevin-garnett-and-paul/) [Avery Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avery-bradley/) > [Sometimes you get the rap of, 'Don't always play hard,' or, 'Just doing it for the money.' But there are guys that genuinely love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/sometimes-you-get-the-rap-of-don-t-always-play-hard-or-just-doing-it/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) > [I love playing against these guys who have the same attitude to the game that I have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/i-love-playing-against-these-guys-who-have-the-same-attitude-to-the/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [I don't know that 'NCIS: Los Angeles' is a complete reinvention, but I'm playing one of the guys in charge this time. Before I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-o-donnell/i-don-t-know-that-ncis-los-angeles-is-a-complete-reinvention-but-i-m/) [Chris O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-o-donnell/) ## More by Lennie James > [All the great shows owe a lot to 'Hill Street Blues.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennie-james/all-the-great-shows-owe-a-lot-to-hill-street-blues/) [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) > [The fact that I lost my mum was horrible, and if I could change anything, I would definitely change that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennie-james/the-fact-that-i-lost-my-mum-was-horrible-and-if-i-could-change/) [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) > [I owe 'Jericho' my whole time in America, really. It was a fantastic group of people to work with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennie-james/i-owe-jericho-my-whole-time-in-america-really-it-was-a-fantastic/) [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) > [I'm pretty much a London boy, and it was a big enough city to try and conquer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennie-james/i-m-pretty-much-a-london-boy-and-it-was-a-big-enough-city-to-try-and/) [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) > [My foster mother wanted to create a family home. For me, she had made a place that I felt I could always go back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennie-james/my-foster-mother-wanted-to-create-a-family-home-for-me-she-had-made-a/) [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) > [I was dreading all of the ghost stories of working on American television, not in the least, the length. In Britain, a series is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennie-james/i-was-dreading-all-of-the-ghost-stories-of-working-on-american/) [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) > [In the kids' home I was in, there was very little change of staff. People stuck around, and they stuck around because they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennie-james/in-the-kids-home-i-was-in-there-was-very-little-change-of-staff/) [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) > [One of the things I learnt over the years is that there is a craft to writing, like there is a craft to acting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennie-james/one-of-the-things-i-learnt-over-the-years-is-that-there-is-a-craft-to/) [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) > [I was focused on either being a social worker or physiotherapist. That was the direction I was going until I met a girl who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennie-james/i-was-focused-on-either-being-a-social-worker-or-physiotherapist-that/) [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) > [My favorite television show of all time is 'Hill Street Blues.' I think it's the show that is to television what Pele was to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennie-james/my-favorite-television-show-of-all-time-is-hill-street-blues-i-think/) [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) > [I like arriving somewhere and taking a left when someone tells you to go right. When all the tourist signs are pointing one way,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennie-james/i-like-arriving-somewhere-and-taking-a-left-when-someone-tells-you-to/) [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) > [I particular enjoy the crime writer, Walter Ellis Mosley. He does a series of Chandler-esque detective stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennie-james/i-particular-enjoy-the-crime-writer-walter-ellis-mosley-he-does-a/) [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) > [We did four months on 'Line of Duty' from beginning to end, and that would be a long theater run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennie-james/we-did-four-months-on-line-of-duty-from-beginning-to-end-and-that/) [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) > [If you're very clearly good or you're very clearly bad, then there isn't that much internal dilemma going on, and that's not necessarily as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennie-james/if-you-re-very-clearly-good-or-you-re-very-clearly-bad-then-there-isn/) [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) > [I don't remember when I didn't know about Martin Luther King.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennie-james/i-don-t-remember-when-i-didn-t-know-about-martin-luther-king/) [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) [Explore all 43 Lennie James quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) ## 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 like playing guys where it's as important what they're thinking as what they're saying. Those are the people I like playing, and the actor that I strive to be. 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