--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was nine when I started getting laughs…" description: "\"I was nine when I started getting laughs in a school comedy sketch one day, and acting became all I wanted to do. I'm sure my career choice was difficu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34d/mathew-horne-18467_acting_i-was-nine-when-i-started-getting-laughs_3022819.jpg" --- # I was nine when I started getting laughs in a school… ![“I was nine when I started getting laughs in a school comedy sketch one day, and acting became all I wanted to do. I'm sure my career choice was difficult for my parents: they would have had the usual parental neurosis about how tumultuous the business can be, with lots of actors out of work.” quote by Mathew Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34d/mathew-horne-18467_acting_i-was-nine-when-i-started-getting-laughs_3022819.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34d/mathew-horne-18467_acting_i-was-nine-when-i-started-getting-laughs_3022819.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34d/mathew-horne-18467_acting_i-was-nine-when-i-started-getting-laughs_3022819.jpg) > “I was nine when I started getting laughs in a school comedy sketch one day, and acting became all I wanted to do. I'm sure my career choice was difficult for my parents: they would have had the usual parental neurosis about how tumultuous the business can be, with lots of actors out of work.” [Mathew Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-horne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early passion for comedy shaped career; parental concerns about instability are common in creative fields. **In simple terms:** Passion drove a comedy career despite parental worries. Key Takeaway Follow your passion, but plan realistically. Themes career creativity family expectations Mood hopeful determined Type career personal When to use this quote - acting auditions - family discussions - financial planning - creative projects Key Concepts risk management artistic drive industry volatility Questions to Reflect On - How to address family concerns constructively? - What safety nets can support artistic careers? A Different Perspective Parental fear may limit opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [I always knew I was quite good at getting laughs. At school, I loved having a ready audience if I made a cheeky remark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcintyre/i-always-knew-i-was-quite-good-at-getting-laughs-at-school-i-loved/) [Michael McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcintyre/) > [Drama is what I'm really obsessed by. It's what gets me up in the morning, what I live for. But I'll always have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-poulter/drama-is-what-i-m-really-obsessed-by-it-s-what-gets-me-up-in-the/) [Will Poulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-poulter/) > [New York is looked at as the grad school of comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-vaughn/new-york-is-looked-at-as-the-grad-school-of-comedy/) [Baron Vaughn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-vaughn/) > [I'd say I've gone to grad school for comedy being on 'Community.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-jacobs/i-d-say-i-ve-gone-to-grad-school-for-comedy-being-on-community/) [Gillian Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-jacobs/) > [I joined the after-school club, School of Comedy, which progressed wildly, and in quite a Hollywood way. It sounds like 'School of Rock', right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-poulter/i-joined-the-after-school-club-school-of-comedy-which-progressed/) [Will Poulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-poulter/) > [I always tell people I went to the Harvard School of Comedy in front of America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-lawrence/i-always-tell-people-i-went-to-the-harvard-school-of-comedy-in-front/) [Vicki Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-lawrence/) > [I went to theater school, and then comedy... just happened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-osment/i-went-to-theater-school-and-then-comedy-just-happened/) [Emily Osment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-osment/) > [Probably spending 12 years at boarding school - comedy became a survival gene. But I think some people are funny right off the bat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-idle/probably-spending-12-years-at-boarding-school-comedy-became-a/) [Eric Idle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-idle/) > [Apparently nobody really read it, it was a cheap movie, it fit their schedule in terms of things so fine, let the guy make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-levinson/apparently-nobody-really-read-it-it-was-a-cheap-movie-it-fit-their/) [Barry Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-levinson/) > [The beautiful thing about it is that no two directors or actors work the same way. You also learn not to be afraid of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewan-mcgregor/the-beautiful-thing-about-it-is-that-no-two-directors-or-actors-work/) [Ewan McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ewan-mcgregor/) > [A director really doesn't deal with performance that much, especially if you deal with great actors. Their work is the performance. What you're helping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zal-batmanglij/a-director-really-doesn-t-deal-with-performance-that-much-especially/) [Zal Batmanglij](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zal-batmanglij/) > [It's what I learn from the great actors that I work with. Stillness. That's all and that's the hardest thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-freeman/it-s-what-i-learn-from-the-great-actors-that-i-work-with-stillness/) [Morgan Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-freeman/) > [Young actors are serious about their work and don't take any time out from it. I'm very serious about my work; there are probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-otto/young-actors-are-serious-about-their-work-and-don-t-take-any-time-out/) [Miranda Otto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-otto/) > [I was trained to serve the writer and director as an actor before I serve myself. Not to say that's gotten in my way,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/i-was-trained-to-serve-the-writer-and-director-as-an-actor-before-i/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) > [I feel that I'd rather know an actors' work, or have an instinct about them and sit down and have coffee with them, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rapp/i-feel-that-i-d-rather-know-an-actors-work-or-have-an-instinct-about/) [Adam Rapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rapp/) ## More by Mathew Horne > [Most dressing rooms are sterile and they feel like someone else's space. But over two weeks of previews, before the show officially opens, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathew-horne/most-dressing-rooms-are-sterile-and-they-feel-like-someone-else-s/) [Mathew Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-horne/) > [I've always been a clothes horse, and I spend a lot of money on designers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathew-horne/i-ve-always-been-a-clothes-horse-and-i-spend-a-lot-of-money-on/) [Mathew Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-horne/) > [I am not really a fan of beaches or lying by swimming pools, and as I have quite sensitive skin, the sun is my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathew-horne/i-am-not-really-a-fan-of-beaches-or-lying-by-swimming-pools-and-as-i/) [Mathew Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-horne/) > [There have been a lot of strong women who have had a huge influence on my career. I'm working with Imelda Staunton at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathew-horne/there-have-been-a-lot-of-strong-women-who-have-had-a-huge-influence/) [Mathew Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-horne/) > [My first relationship at 15 made me really, really mature because it was so destructive and intense. We were inseparable for three years and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathew-horne/my-first-relationship-at-15-made-me-really-really-mature-because-it/) [Mathew Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-horne/) > [If I wake up after eight hours it's right; after nine I'm groggy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathew-horne/if-i-wake-up-after-eight-hours-it-s-right-after-nine-i-m-groggy/) [Mathew Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-horne/) > [A dressing room is both a personal space and a workspace. It changes with the flick of a switch: turn on the relay -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathew-horne/a-dressing-room-is-both-a-personal-space-and-a-workspace-it-changes/) [Mathew Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-horne/) > [I wore a dress as a child for six months and I wouldn't take it off. I was three. I've seen the pictures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathew-horne/i-wore-a-dress-as-a-child-for-six-months-and-i-wouldn-t-take-it-off-i/) [Mathew Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-horne/) > [I'm quite ritualistic about my preparation. I always shower before a show, even if I had one before leaving my flat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathew-horne/i-m-quite-ritualistic-about-my-preparation-i-always-shower-before-a/) [Mathew Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-horne/) > [I played in goal for Notts County juniors. I liked that sense that goalkeepers were outsiders, mavericks. But I stopped when I realised I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathew-horne/i-played-in-goal-for-notts-county-juniors-i-liked-that-sense-that/) [Mathew Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-horne/) > [A sketch show by its very nature is hit and miss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathew-horne/a-sketch-show-by-its-very-nature-is-hit-and-miss/) [Mathew Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-horne/) > [I go to bed at 9.30pm and listen to Radio 4.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathew-horne/i-go-to-bed-at-9-30pm-and-listen-to-radio-4/) [Mathew Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-horne/) > [I go to the gym four times a week and play football about twice a week. I'm pretty active.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathew-horne/i-go-to-the-gym-four-times-a-week-and-play-football-about-twice-a/) [Mathew Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-horne/) > [I feel most relaxed when I am acting or writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathew-horne/i-feel-most-relaxed-when-i-am-acting-or-writing/) [Mathew Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-horne/) > [Elves, Eskimos and aliens are the type of girls I am attracted to. I've been going out with my current girlfriend for a year.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathew-horne/elves-eskimos-and-aliens-are-the-type-of-girls-i-am-attracted-to-i-ve/) [Mathew Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-horne/) [Explore all 34 Mathew Horne quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-horne/) ## 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 was nine when I started getting laughs in a school comedy sketch one day, and acting became all I wanted to do. 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