--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I usually play characters that are a lot…" description: "\"I usually play characters that are a lot different than me. I mean, I'm never in a fight in a movie and if I'm in them, I'm usually losing.\" — Matt Damon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/matt-damon-3371_character_i-usually-play-characters-that-are-a-lot_1328928.jpg" --- # I usually play characters that are a lot different than… ![“I usually play characters that are a lot different than me. I mean, I'm never in a fight in a movie and if I'm in them, I'm usually losing.” quote by Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/matt-damon-3371_character_i-usually-play-characters-that-are-a-lot_1328928.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/matt-damon-3371_character_i-usually-play-characters-that-are-a-lot_1328928.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/matt-damon-3371_character_i-usually-play-characters-that-are-a-lot_1328928.jpg) > “I usually play characters that are a lot different than me. I mean, I'm never in a fight in a movie and if I'm in them, I'm usually losing.” [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He chooses roles that contrast his real personality, often avoiding heroics and facing defeat. **In simple terms:** He plays characters unlike himself, rarely winning fights. Key Takeaway Embrace roles that challenge your self‑image. Themes self‑exploration acting character Mood introspective creative Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - typecasting - career development - personal growth - creative risk Key Concepts identity risk Questions to Reflect On - How does playing unlike characters affect your self‑perception? - What benefits arise from consistently losing roles? A Different Perspective Choosing contrasting roles may limit typecasting but can hinder mainstream appeal. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Fighting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighting/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Losing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/losing/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie/) [Movie Usually](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie-usually-1006959/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Play Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play-characters/) [Usually Losing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/usually-losing-4284728/) [Usually Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/usually-play-287951/) ## Related quotes > [My nightmares are usually about losing you. I'm okay once I realize you're here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/my-nightmares-are-usually-about-losing-you-i-m-okay-once-i-realize/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [My nightmare are usually about losing you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peeta-mellark/my-nightmare-are-usually-about-losing-you/) [Peeta Mellark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peeta-mellark/) > [My nightmares are usually about losing you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-nightmares-are-usually-about-losing-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can usually play polarizing characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-ransone/i-can-usually-play-polarizing-characters/) [James Ransone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-ransone/) > [If I wrote a play with four characters every single one of them would talk like me regardless of age or sex.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-maccaig/if-i-wrote-a-play-with-four-characters-every-single-one-of-them-would/) [Norman MacCaig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-maccaig/) > [You have to play your characters, not like them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/you-have-to-play-your-characters-not-like-them/) [John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/) > [I normally play very serious characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bunbury/i-normally-play-very-serious-characters/) [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) > [I've been lucky to play characters that are really broad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-yelchin/i-ve-been-lucky-to-play-characters-that-are-really-broad/) [Anton Yelchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-yelchin/) > [I do tend to play characters that have a lot of costume and hair change. I sort of like the change of physicality thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katey-sagal/i-do-tend-to-play-characters-that-have-a-lot-of-costume-and-hair/) [Katey Sagal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katey-sagal/) > [Every actor, I don't care what they say, their roles are a lot more interesting than we are, and at the end of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moon-bloodgood/every-actor-i-don-t-care-what-they-say-their-roles-are-a-lot-more/) [Moon Bloodgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moon-bloodgood/) > [If you look at the rest of my stuff, I always play characters that kind of don't look like me, 'cause I love transforming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-rasuk/if-you-look-at-the-rest-of-my-stuff-i-always-play-characters-that/) [Victor Rasuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-rasuk/) > [Even while I'm really interested in playing female characters that are varied and interesting and dynamic, I'm not of the mind that you always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-thompson/even-while-i-m-really-interested-in-playing-female-characters-that/) [Tessa Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-thompson/) > [I do not fault anyone else who makes choices to play characters that they wished they hadn't... Because at the end of the day,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-dinklage/i-do-not-fault-anyone-else-who-makes-choices-to-play-characters-that/) [Peter Dinklage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-dinklage/) > [When I want to relax, I plop down on my couch and watch some great movie, usually a British drama - anything with Colin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobie-smulders/when-i-want-to-relax-i-plop-down-on-my-couch-and-watch-some-great/) [Cobie Smulders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobie-smulders/) > [You can tell when you watch a movie, usually, what the actors' experience was on the movie, because even the smallest of roles were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-eisenberg/you-can-tell-when-you-watch-a-movie-usually-what-the-actors/) [Jesse Eisenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-eisenberg/) ## More by Matt Damon > [I'm actively trying to get away from the over-exposure that happened eight years ago. The only thing a celebrity can do in one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/i-m-actively-trying-to-get-away-from-the-over-exposure-that-happened/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) > [ \[Americans\] can't understand that the water in our toilet is cleaner than 880 million have access to. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/americans-can-t-understand-that-the-water-in-our-toilet-is-cleaner/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) > [As for poker, I've stayed away from that, even though when I was in Vegas for Ocean's Eleven, I would get accosted by these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/as-for-poker-i-ve-stayed-away-from-that-even-though-when-i-was-in/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) > [Now that I have kids, I'm probably more overprotective than I've ever been. My wife's nickname for me is 'red alert.' I sometimes check…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/now-that-i-have-kids-i-m-probably-more-overprotective-than-i-ve-ever/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) > [I didn't grow up with great privilege, nor did I grow up wanting for anything. I was a middle-class kid and, relative to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/i-didn-t-grow-up-with-great-privilege-nor-did-i-grow-up-wanting-for/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) > [I think it's something that the citizenry needs to be vigilant about - participating in democracy, and that includes issues like what's going on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/i-think-it-s-something-that-the-citizenry-needs-to-be-vigilant-about/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) > [We're here for such a short time. When your great-great-grandkids study history, don't you want them to be proud that you were part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/we-re-here-for-such-a-short-time-when-your-great-great-grandkids/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) > [If you're just an actor you're reactive. You're saying, "Well, I hope Hollywood gives me a role, or gives me a chance at a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/if-you-re-just-an-actor-you-re-reactive-you-re-saying-well-i-hope/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) > [Clint Eastwood expects you to know what you're doing. He's going to take two giant steps back and let you do it. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/clint-eastwood-expects-you-to-know-what-you-re-doing-he-s-going-to/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) > [As actors, we react to the material that's out there, and I probably just react more strongly to things that I feel will have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/as-actors-we-react-to-the-material-that-s-out-there-and-i-probably/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) > [The only sci-fi movie that I've ever been offered that, had circumstances been different, I would have definitely done, was 'Avatar.' And I literally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/the-only-sci-fi-movie-that-i-ve-ever-been-offered-that-had/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) > [And you know, we were talking about American identity, and where we've come from and where we are and where we're headed. We knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/and-you-know-we-were-talking-about-american-identity-and-where-we-ve/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) > [He's famous for being obsessive about details.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/he-s-famous-for-being-obsessive-about-details/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) > [Generally, the bigger the budget, the less interesting the characters become.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/generally-the-bigger-the-budget-the-less-interesting-the-characters/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) > [Listen, here's the thing. If you can't spot the sucker in the first half hour at the table, then you ARE the sucker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/listen-here-s-the-thing-if-you-can-t-spot-the-sucker-in-the-first/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) [Explore all 132 Matt Damon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) [David Hudgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hudgins/) > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/) [Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [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/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [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/) [Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I usually play characters that are a lot different than me. 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