--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've had several in my life. In High…" description: "\"I've had several in my life. In High School there were two teachers who really paved the way for me and encouraged me to stick with theater. Their name..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e65/matthew-morrison-8213_great-men_i-ve-had-several-in-my-life-in-high-scho_339110.png" --- # I've had several in my life. In High School there were two… ![“I've had several in my life. In High School there were two teachers who really paved the way for me and encouraged me to stick with theater. Their names were David Green and Ralph Opacic. As of late, I've been fortunate enough to have mentors in the shows I've done. Dick Latessa, from Hairspray…” quote by Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e65/matthew-morrison-8213_great-men_i-ve-had-several-in-my-life-in-high-scho_339110.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e65/matthew-morrison-8213_great-men_i-ve-had-several-in-my-life-in-high-scho_339110.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e65/matthew-morrison-8213_great-men_i-ve-had-several-in-my-life-in-high-scho_339110.png) > “I've had several in my life. In High School there were two teachers who really paved the way for me and encouraged me to stick with theater. Their names were David Green and Ralph Opacic. As of late, I've been fortunate enough to have mentors in the shows I've done. Dick Latessa, from Hairspray, was and is still a great mentor to me. And while working on the film Once Upon a Mattress, Denis O'Hare was there to offer invaluable advice to me. I think the greatest thing about these mentors is that they wouldn't call themselves mentors. They are just amazing human beings who don't even know that they are inspiring people all around them. I feel lucky to have been in their presence.” [Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Mentors often influence others profoundly without recognizing their impact, showing that genuine leadership can be humble and indirect. **In simple terms:** Mentors inspire without labeling themselves. Key Takeaway Value humble guidance. Themes leadership mentorship humility Mood appreciative inspired Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - theater - film - career development - creative arts Key Concepts implicit influence role modeling Questions to Reflect On - How can you become an unnoticed mentor? - What qualities make a mentor effective? A Different Perspective Not everyone may have access to such mentors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Great men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-men/) [High school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mentors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mentors/) [Mentorship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mentorship/) ## Related quotes > [I was very fortunate to have several mentors in my life that believed in my ability on the football field. It was their support…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-ertz/i-was-very-fortunate-to-have-several-mentors-in-my-life-that-believed/) [Zach Ertz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-ertz/) > [“... it's good to have female or minority role models. But the important thing is to have mentors who care about you, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/it-s-good-to-have-female-or-minority-role-models-but-the-important/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [Colleagues are a wonderful thing - but mentors, that's where the real work gets done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junot-diaz/colleagues-are-a-wonderful-thing-but-mentors-that-s-where-the-real/) [Junot Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junot-diaz/) > [“Every great achiever is inspired by a great mentor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/every-great-achiever-is-inspired-by-a-great-mentor/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Unlike a lot of British directors, I hadn't done any theater. But, I had a great mentor who said, "What you're looking for is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-white/unlike-a-lot-of-british-directors-i-hadn-t-done-any-theater-but-i-had/) [Susanna White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-white/) > [George Boateng was a great guy, a great mentor, for sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jozy-altidore/george-boateng-was-a-great-guy-a-great-mentor-for-sure/) [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) > [What the great mentor is always looking for is a person who is willing to tap his genius, to put it through the refiner's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-demille/what-the-great-mentor-is-always-looking-for-is-a-person-who-is/) [Oliver DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-demille/) > [I grew up with great mentors in my life who helped me become the singer I am today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianne-reeves/i-grew-up-with-great-mentors-in-my-life-who-helped-me-become-the/) [Dianne Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianne-reeves/) > [I know I've had many great mentors and role models and guys to look up to; guys I've learned a lot from so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carson-palmer/i-know-i-ve-had-many-great-mentors-and-role-models-and-guys-to-look/) [Carson Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carson-palmer/) > [If I hadn't had mentors, I wouldn't be here today. I'm a product of great mentoring, great coaching... Coaches or mentors are very important.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indra-nooyi/if-i-hadn-t-had-mentors-i-wouldn-t-be-here-today-i-m-a-product-of/) [Indra Nooyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indra-nooyi/) > [I feel like I've been very blessed to have some great mentors through the years, starting with Don James, who was my college coach,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-saban/i-feel-like-i-ve-been-very-blessed-to-have-some-great-mentors-through/) [Nick Saban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-saban/) > [I had great mentors in my parents who always sought to understand the world around them. And they would push me to really think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-jemison/i-had-great-mentors-in-my-parents-who-always-sought-to-understand-the/) [Mae Jemison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-jemison/) > [I've talked to Frank Gore, Willis McGahee - different guys who had similar injuries to me. Those guys have been great mentors to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-bridgewater/i-ve-talked-to-frank-gore-willis-mcgahee-different-guys-who-had/) [Teddy Bridgewater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-bridgewater/) > [“A great mentor is full of understanding, trust, respect and willing to help his/her mentees to reach the right direction in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/a-great-mentor-is-full-of-understanding-trust-respect-and-willing-to/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [Coach Dyer was a great mentor for me and a great teacher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/coach-dyer-was-a-great-mentor-for-me-and-a-great-teacher/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) ## More by Matthew Morrison > [In all the shows I've done, I'm always the first to leave - it's in my make-up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-morrison/in-all-the-shows-i-ve-done-i-m-always-the-first-to-leave-it-s-in-my/) [Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) > [In high school, I had two friends that were suffering from cancer. I would go and sing for them while they were in hospital,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-morrison/in-high-school-i-had-two-friends-that-were-suffering-from-cancer-i/) [Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) > [This is the theater. And this is the best place for the imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-morrison/this-is-the-theater-and-this-is-the-best-place-for-the-imagination/) [Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) > [My dad is a nurse midwife, one of about only 50 male midwives in the U.S., I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-morrison/my-dad-is-a-nurse-midwife-one-of-about-only-50-male-midwives-in-the-u/) [Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) > [Everyone thinks I'm a nice guy, which is not a bad way to be perceived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-morrison/everyone-thinks-i-m-a-nice-guy-which-is-not-a-bad-way-to-be-perceived/) [Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) > [I've had way more rejections than I've had jobs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-morrison/i-ve-had-way-more-rejections-than-i-ve-had-jobs/) [Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) > [Ll the kids are twittering everything they do...I kind of was into Facebook... because I kind of got to that place where like I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-morrison/ll-the-kids-are-twittering-everything-they-do-i-kind-of-was-into/) [Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) > [I dont think anyone can get away from high school unscathed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-morrison/i-dont-think-anyone-can-get-away-from-high-school-unscathed/) [Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) > [How do I feel about the jokes about my hair? It doesnt bother me, but I do feel I should be paid more money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-morrison/how-do-i-feel-about-the-jokes-about-my-hair-it-doesnt-bother-me-but-i/) [Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) > [I know my own truth. I'm in a great relationship with a woman. Maybe before it used to bother me. Then I was like,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-morrison/i-know-my-own-truth-i-m-in-a-great-relationship-with-a-woman-maybe/) [Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) > [I dont get this Bieber thing. I really dont get it. I hear he was in Australia and they kicked him out because he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-morrison/i-dont-get-this-bieber-thing-i-really-dont-get-it-i-hear-he-was-in/) [Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) > [All the kids in the cast tell me they hated high school, but I had the best time. I guess I was one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-morrison/all-the-kids-in-the-cast-tell-me-they-hated-high-school-but-i-had-the/) [Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) > [I wouldn't be where I am today without the amazing public arts education that I had.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-morrison/i-wouldn-t-be-where-i-am-today-without-the-amazing-public-arts/) [Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) > [Oh, God! That is just a rumor, but I would have no shame in perpetuating it. I'll be John Wayne's grandson! You know, his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-morrison/oh-god-that-is-just-a-rumor-but-i-would-have-no-shame-in-perpetuating/) [Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) > [I'm not worried about mortal sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-morrison/i-m-not-worried-about-mortal-sin/) [Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) [Explore all 83 Matthew Morrison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) ## More Great men quotes > [I think the next 50 years are going to present the human race with challenges that so far exceed the limitations of geopolitical boundaries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/i-think-the-next-50-years-are-going-to-present-the-human-race-with/) [Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/) > [“You are destiny for greatness. Your future is in the hands of the Lord.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-are-destiny-for-greatness-your-future-is-in-the-hands-of-the-lord/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Great men don't 'move to the center' - great men move the center!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-neil-smith/great-men-don-t-move-to-the-center-great-men-move-the-center/) [L. Neil Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-neil-smith/) > [“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-emerich-edward-dalberg-acton/power-tends-to-corrupt-and-absolute-power-corrupts-absolutely-great/) [John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-emerich-edward-dalberg-acton/) > [“The origins of great companies inevitably start with the ideas and enterprise of great men.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-scott/the-origins-of-great-companies-inevitably-start-with-the-ideas-and/) [Bill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-scott/) > [A wholesome regard for the memory of the great men of long ago is the best assurance to a people of a continuation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/a-wholesome-regard-for-the-memory-of-the-great-men-of-long-ago-is-the/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [My father was a really great man. I'll never forget the last thing he ever said to me. Nor will I ever repeat it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-hall/my-father-was-a-really-great-man-i-ll-never-forget-the-last-thing-he/) [John S. Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-hall/) > [I ruined my hands in the ring. The referee kept stepping on them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-hope/i-ruined-my-hands-in-the-ring-the-referee-kept-stepping-on-them/) [Bob Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-hope/) > [No sadder proof can be given by a man of his own littleness than disbelief in great men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/no-sadder-proof-can-be-given-by-a-man-of-his-own-littleness-than/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) > [First at the outset, let me commend the great men and women of the United States Coast Guard for what they do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vito-fossella/first-at-the-outset-let-me-commend-the-great-men-and-women-of-the/) [Vito Fossella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vito-fossella/) > [Greatness by nature includes a power, but not a will to power. ... The great man, whether we comprehend him in the most intense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-buber/greatness-by-nature-includes-a-power-but-not-a-will-to-power-the/) [Martin Buber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-buber/) > [Be a pattern to others, and then all will go well; for as a whole city is affected by the licentious passions and vices…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/be-a-pattern-to-others-and-then-all-will-go-well-for-as-a-whole-city/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) > [“Pretty girls lie at the centre of straight culture, dyke culture, fag culture. They sell everything, they buy everything, they ruin great men and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zadie-smith/pretty-girls-lie-at-the-centre-of-straight-culture-dyke-culture-fag/) [Zadie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zadie-smith/) > [If you're early on in your career and they give you a choice between a great mentor or higher pay, take the mentor every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-druckenmiller/if-you-re-early-on-in-your-career-and-they-give-you-a-choice-between/) [Stanley Druckenmiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-druckenmiller/) > [Great men undertake great things because they are great; fools, because they think them easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luc-de-clapiers/great-men-undertake-great-things-because-they-are-great-fools-because/) [Luc de Clapiers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luc-de-clapiers/) [Browse all 1,454 Great men quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-men/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've had several in my life. 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