--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I began acting on stage when I was 7…" description: "\"I began acting on stage when I was 7 years old. My first role was as Dorothy in 'The Wizard of Oz' at Chicago's Center on Deafness in Northbrook, Illin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b84/marlee-matlin-7644_acting_i-began-acting-on-stage-when-i-was-7-yea_1986959.jpg" --- # I began acting on stage when I was 7 years old. My first… ![“I began acting on stage when I was 7 years old. My first role was as Dorothy in 'The Wizard of Oz' at Chicago's Center on Deafness in Northbrook, Illinois.” quote by Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b84/marlee-matlin-7644_acting_i-began-acting-on-stage-when-i-was-7-yea_1986959.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b84/marlee-matlin-7644_acting_i-began-acting-on-stage-when-i-was-7-yea_1986959.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b84/marlee-matlin-7644_acting_i-began-acting-on-stage-when-i-was-7-yea_1986959.jpg) > “I began acting on stage when I was 7 years old. My first role was as Dorothy in 'The Wizard of Oz' at Chicago's Center on Deafness in Northbrook, Illinois.” [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early exposure to performance can shape confidence and career path. **In simple terms:** Starting young builds skill and confidence. Key Takeaway Embrace early opportunities. Themes confidence career performance Mood reflective inspirational Type personal narrative inspirational When to use this quote - theatre - education - career building Key Concepts development public speaking Questions to Reflect On - How did early roles influence later choices? - What challenges did you face as a child performer? A Different Perspective Early start may limit broader experiences later. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Chicago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chicago/) [Dorothy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dorothy/) [Illinois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illinois/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Wizard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wizard/) [Wizard of oz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wizard-of-oz/) ## Related quotes > [“And I wished myself back—back to the future or wherever home was supposed to be—clicking my heels together in a frantic ticking heart staccato…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-celebi/and-i-wished-myself-back-back-to-the-future-or-wherever-home-was/) [Shannon Celebi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-celebi/) > [I played Dorothy in 'The Wizard of Oz.' That was my first role on stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/i-played-dorothy-in-the-wizard-of-oz-that-was-my-first-role-on-stage/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) > [I don't wake up drenched in sweat because I haven't been on stage in years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/i-don-t-wake-up-drenched-in-sweat-because-i-haven-t-been-on-stage-in/) [John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/) > [I've been on stage since I was nine years old, and I kind of stumbled into the world of hosting. That, to me, was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-simone/i-ve-been-on-stage-since-i-was-nine-years-old-and-i-kind-of-stumbled/) [Hannah Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-simone/) > [I've been performing on stage since I was six years old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-been-performing-on-stage-since-i-was-six-years-old/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've been on stage since I was six years old... Street dancing, bugaloo, moonwalking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-griffin/i-ve-been-on-stage-since-i-was-six-years-old-street-dancing-bugaloo/) [Eddie Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-griffin/) > [I've been on stage since I was five years old and I feel really at home there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martina-mcbride/i-ve-been-on-stage-since-i-was-five-years-old-and-i-feel-really-at/) [Martina McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martina-mcbride/) > [I wasn't comfortable on stage for years. It was good - 18 shows. I want to do it again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ester-dean/i-wasn-t-comfortable-on-stage-for-years-it-was-good-18-shows-i-want/) [Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) > [When Mother put me out on stage at eight years old, everyone wanted me to be just like Daddy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-williams-jr/when-mother-put-me-out-on-stage-at-eight-years-old-everyone-wanted-me/) [Hank Williams Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-williams-jr/) > [It's easy to think you can get discovered on the street, but I developed my chops on the stage - four years of theater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-wolk/it-s-easy-to-think-you-can-get-discovered-on-the-street-but-i/) [James Wolk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-wolk/) > [I was a really shy, scared kid. I was really, really anxious to go on stage for the first five years that I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-tomlinson/i-was-a-really-shy-scared-kid-i-was-really-really-anxious-to-go-on/) [Taylor Tomlinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-tomlinson/) > [If I'm off the stage after two or three years I get itchy and I have to get back onstage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-herrmann/if-i-m-off-the-stage-after-two-or-three-years-i-get-itchy-and-i-have/) [Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) > [My celebrity has held steady since the day I began acting. I don't view it as celebrity. I'm just a worker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-goldberg/my-celebrity-has-held-steady-since-the-day-i-began-acting-i-don-t/) [Adam Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-goldberg/) > [When I began acting, my biggest fear was whether the audience will appreciate the kind of films I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fahadh-faasil/when-i-began-acting-my-biggest-fear-was-whether-the-audience-will/) [Fahadh Faasil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fahadh-faasil/) > [I began acting when River was doing this TV series and they needed two kids for the show, so they got me and my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-began-acting-when-river-was-doing-this-tv-series-and-they-needed/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) ## More by Marlee Matlin > [Looking back now, thinking about that moment in the lights, with my heart pounding, Oscar in my hand, all I can say is I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/looking-back-now-thinking-about-that-moment-in-the-lights-with-my/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [I'm tired of seeing listings of programs I want to watch that aren't closed captioned. And I'm tired of looking for the symbol on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/i-m-tired-of-seeing-listings-of-programs-i-want-to-watch-that-aren-t/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [We had a dog, Apples. He was 13 years old, toothless, blind and had the worst breath this side of Jabba the Hut. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/we-had-a-dog-apples-he-was-13-years-old-toothless-blind-and-had-the/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [What the Bleep Do We Know was not written with a deaf person in mind, but when they met me, it clicked with them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/what-the-bleep-do-we-know-was-not-written-with-a-deaf-person-in-mind/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [I like to say that the greatest handicap of deafness does not lie in the ear, it lies in the mind. I hope that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/i-like-to-say-that-the-greatest-handicap-of-deafness-does-not-lie-in/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [There are so many people, deaf or otherwise abled, who are so talented but overlooked or not given a chance to even get their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/there-are-so-many-people-deaf-or-otherwise-abled-who-are-so-talented/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [When I was 13, I told Henry Winkler I wanted to act. He said, Do it and don't let anyone stand in your way.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/when-i-was-13-i-told-henry-winkler-i-wanted-to-act-he-said-do-it-and/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [There are many deaf people who couldn't imagine living in a marriage without someone who doesn't speak their language. For me, I believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/there-are-many-deaf-people-who-couldn-t-imagine-living-in-a-marriage/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [Watch me when people say deaf and dumb, or deaf mute, and I give them a look like you might get if you called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/watch-me-when-people-say-deaf-and-dumb-or-deaf-mute-and-i-give-them-a/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [YouTube is akin to having my own network.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/youtube-is-akin-to-having-my-own-network/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [I hope I inspire people who hear. Hearing people have the ability to remove barriers that prevent deaf people from achieving their dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/i-hope-i-inspire-people-who-hear-hearing-people-have-the-ability-to/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [I learned to speak first, and then to sign. I have never really known what it was like to hear, so I cant compare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/i-learned-to-speak-first-and-then-to-sign-i-have-never-really-known/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [It was ability that mattered, not disability, which is a word I'm not crazy about using.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/it-was-ability-that-mattered-not-disability-which-is-a-word-i-m-not/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [“Social justice is for everyone, including people with disabilities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/social-justice-is-for-everyone-including-people-with-disabilities/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [The only thing I can't do is hear. I can drive, I have a life with four kids, I work on TV, I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/the-only-thing-i-can-t-do-is-hear-i-can-drive-i-have-a-life-with-four/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) [Explore all 89 Marlee Matlin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) ## More Acting 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/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [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/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [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/) > [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/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I began acting on stage when I was 7 years old. 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