--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At awards time, The Exorcist was…" description: "\"At awards time, The Exorcist was nominated in 11 categories, everybody but the janitor was up for an Oscar. There was no category for what I did.\" — Me..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a77/mercedes-mccambridge-13004_awards_at-awards-time-the-exorcist-was-nominate_2296959.png" --- # At awards time, The Exorcist was nominated in 11… ![“At awards time, The Exorcist was nominated in 11 categories, everybody but the janitor was up for an Oscar. There was no category for what I did.” quote by Mercedes McCambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a77/mercedes-mccambridge-13004_awards_at-awards-time-the-exorcist-was-nominate_2296959.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a77/mercedes-mccambridge-13004_awards_at-awards-time-the-exorcist-was-nominate_2296959.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a77/mercedes-mccambridge-13004_awards_at-awards-time-the-exorcist-was-nominate_2296959.png) > “At awards time, The Exorcist was nominated in 11 categories, everybody but the janitor was up for an Oscar. There was no category for what I did.” [Mercedes McCambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-mccambridge/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She humorously points out that her behind‑the‑scenes work isn’t recognized by awards categories, highlighting gaps in industry acknowledgment. **In simple terms:** Her work isn’t Oscar‑eligible. Key Takeaway Recognize contributions beyond formal awards. Themes recognition industry invisible work Mood ironic reflective Type commentary humor When to use this quote - film production - award ceremonies - career retrospectives Key Concepts media awards crew roles acknowledgment Questions to Reflect On - How can we better honor behind‑the‑scenes talent? - What categories are missing in major awards? A Different Perspective Awards often ignore essential contributors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Oscars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oscars/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“For one thing, she hadn't exactly chosen a field; although she has since childhood imagined picking up her Oscar, the category has never been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-crane/for-one-thing-she-hadn-t-exactly-chosen-a-field-although-she-has/) Elizabeth Crane > [I think The Exorcist was the hardest work I've ever done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-mccambridge/i-think-the-exorcist-was-the-hardest-work-i-ve-ever-done/) [Mercedes McCambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-mccambridge/) > [“If Mary had applied for a job as janitor, the doors to the school would swing wide open. As a professional engineer-in-training with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margot-lee-shetterly/if-mary-had-applied-for-a-job-as-janitor-the-doors-to-the-school/) [Margot Lee Shetterly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margot-lee-shetterly/) > [But at the end of the day, I refuse to believe there arent more qualified African-Americans, women, people of color in general for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-clark/but-at-the-end-of-the-day-i-refuse-to-believe-there-arent-more/) [Tony Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-clark/) > [The American Left complains that we have no right to be the world's police force. On the contrary. We've been the world's janitor for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-bruce/the-american-left-complains-that-we-have-no-right-to-be-the-world-s/) [Tammy Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-bruce/) > [I've been a DJ, janitor, ditch digger, waitress, computer instructor, programmer, mechanic, web developer, clerk, manager, marketing director, tour guide and dorm manager, among…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/i-ve-been-a-dj-janitor-ditch-digger-waitress-computer-instructor/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [In proportion to the mental energy he spent, the man who creates a new invention receives but a small percentage of his value in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/in-proportion-to-the-mental-energy-he-spent-the-man-who-creates-a-new/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [ Developing a good work ethic is a key \[to success\]. Apply yourself at whatever you do, whether you're a janitor or taking your first… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-perry/developing-a-good-work-ethic-is-a-key-to-success-apply-yourself-at/) [Tyler Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-perry/) > [The needs of a society determine its ethics, and in the Black American ghettos the hero is that man who is offered only the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/the-needs-of-a-society-determine-its-ethics-and-in-the-black-american/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [If they had told me I was the janitor and would have to mop up and clean the toilets after the show in order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/if-they-had-told-me-i-was-the-janitor-and-would-have-to-mop-up-and/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [Individually the poor are not too tempting to thieves, for obvious reasons. Mug a banker and you might score a wallet containing a month's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-ehrenreich/individually-the-poor-are-not-too-tempting-to-thieves-for-obvious/) [Barbara Ehrenreich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-ehrenreich/) > [When I went to school, sex education was mainly muttered warnings about the janitor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frankie-boyle/when-i-went-to-school-sex-education-was-mainly-muttered-warnings/) [Frankie Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frankie-boyle/) > [I daydream about a high school where everybody plays the harmonica: the students, the teachers, the principal, the janitor and the cook in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brautigan/i-daydream-about-a-high-school-where-everybody-plays-the-harmonica/) [Richard Brautigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brautigan/) > [“In a society that prioritizes man’s health, a cleaner is more important than a lawyer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/in-a-society-that-prioritizes-man-s-health-a-cleaner-is-more/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [I remember my own life as a small boy, son of Jewish immigrants, in a janitor's flat on Orchard and Stanton streets on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-k-javits/i-remember-my-own-life-as-a-small-boy-son-of-jewish-immigrants-in-a/) [Jacob K. Javits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-k-javits/) ## More by Mercedes McCambridge > [I've always had bronchitis. I've been administered the Sacrament of Death three times for it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-mccambridge/i-ve-always-had-bronchitis-i-ve-been-administered-the-sacrament-of/) [Mercedes McCambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-mccambridge/) > [Like many alcoholics, I was a staggering woman in a chic apartment, sick and utterly disgusting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-mccambridge/like-many-alcoholics-i-was-a-staggering-woman-in-a-chic-apartment/) [Mercedes McCambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-mccambridge/) > [While I am rehearsing a play, I try to read nothing that might distract my concentration from the work in progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-mccambridge/while-i-am-rehearsing-a-play-i-try-to-read-nothing-that-might/) [Mercedes McCambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-mccambridge/) > [When I am rehearsing for a play, I try to read nothing that might distract my concentration from the work in progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-mccambridge/when-i-am-rehearsing-for-a-play-i-try-to-read-nothing-that-might/) [Mercedes McCambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-mccambridge/) > [Like so many other recovered alcoholics, I am to this day bewildered that it took so long for me to understand that there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-mccambridge/like-so-many-other-recovered-alcoholics-i-am-to-this-day-bewildered/) [Mercedes McCambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-mccambridge/) > [I find it next to impossible to remain politely silent when people prate to me about the glory of being given another chance to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-mccambridge/i-find-it-next-to-impossible-to-remain-politely-silent-when-people/) [Mercedes McCambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-mccambridge/) > [Alcohol is a very patient drug. It will wait for the alcoholic to pick it up one more time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-mccambridge/alcohol-is-a-very-patient-drug-it-will-wait-for-the-alcoholic-to-pick/) [Mercedes McCambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-mccambridge/) > [I have always had a lot more trouble with my truths than with my deceits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-mccambridge/i-have-always-had-a-lot-more-trouble-with-my-truths-than-with-my/) [Mercedes McCambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-mccambridge/) > [A rich man can afford to be generous to many.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-mccambridge/a-rich-man-can-afford-to-be-generous-to-many/) [Mercedes McCambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-mccambridge/) > [I have reached a state in life where I can buy a whole house full of chairs and can bump into them until they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-mccambridge/i-have-reached-a-state-in-life-where-i-can-buy-a-whole-house-full-of/) [Mercedes McCambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-mccambridge/) > [I never wanted a Guardian Angel. I didn't ask for one. One was assigned to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-mccambridge/i-never-wanted-a-guardian-angel-i-didn-t-ask-for-one-one-was-assigned/) [Mercedes McCambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-mccambridge/) > [Radio is truly the theater of the mind. The listener constructs the sets, colors them from his own palette, and sculpts and costumes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-mccambridge/radio-is-truly-the-theater-of-the-mind-the-listener-constructs-the/) [Mercedes McCambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-mccambridge/) > [With two leftover husbands to account for, my wicked soul has just about shriveled and died](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-mccambridge/with-two-leftover-husbands-to-account-for-my-wicked-soul-has-just/) [Mercedes McCambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-mccambridge/) > [Nobody understands that by the time the addiction has set in the alcoholic is mandated to drink ... he cannot not drink! Nobody wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-mccambridge/nobody-understands-that-by-the-time-the-addiction-has-set-in-the/) [Mercedes McCambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-mccambridge/) > [It is a remarkably beautiful piece of home furnishing, the Oscar. I used to keep it up in front of a mirror so that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-mccambridge/it-is-a-remarkably-beautiful-piece-of-home-furnishing-the-oscar-i/) [Mercedes McCambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-mccambridge/) [Explore all 52 Mercedes McCambridge quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-mccambridge/) ## More Awards quotes > [My friend made me a leather dress for the MTV awards. It gives you confidence, wearing something you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-deeley/my-friend-made-me-a-leather-dress-for-the-mtv-awards-it-gives-you/) [Cat Deeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-deeley/) > [It was a conscious decision on my part to take up fewer films. And if you're not seen that often on screen, nobody calls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-lever/it-was-a-conscious-decision-on-my-part-to-take-up-fewer-films-and-if/) [Johnny Lever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-lever/) > [I love awards, especially if I get them. It's up to the courage of the filmmakers to make art in cinema, not just business.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-gazzara/i-love-awards-especially-if-i-get-them-it-s-up-to-the-courage-of-the/) [Ben Gazzara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-gazzara/) > [I'm not a great believer in awards-of course the fact that I've never won one has nothing to do with it at all!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iain-banks/i-m-not-a-great-believer-in-awards-of-course-the-fact-that-i-ve-never/) [Iain Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iain-banks/) > [“Stop spending money to be nominated for worthless awards with no substance and no worth to your career. If you have to spend money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loren-weisman/stop-spending-money-to-be-nominated-for-worthless-awards-with-no/) [Loren Weisman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loren-weisman/) > [I'm process-orientated. Awards, by their nature, are results-orientated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-jenkins/i-m-process-orientated-awards-by-their-nature-are-results-orientated/) [Barry Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-jenkins/) > [I can't imagine anyone thinking, 'Oh good, it's awards season!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-morgan/i-can-t-imagine-anyone-thinking-oh-good-it-s-awards-season/) [Peter Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-morgan/) > [It feels fantastic, I never thought I would get anything, I've won awards and things but I never thought I would get an OBE…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/it-feels-fantastic-i-never-thought-i-would-get-anything-i-ve-won/) [Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) > [Well, I met Sandy Bullock at an awards thing a couple years ago, and she said to me, “If I were gay, you’d be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/well-i-met-sandy-bullock-at-an-awards-thing-a-couple-years-ago-and/) [Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/) > [Thi is the malady onf the humans, that they can hold on to that which is fleeting and of little consequence and call it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-fabry/thi-is-the-malady-onf-the-humans-that-they-can-hold-on-to-that-which/) [Chris Fabry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-fabry/) > [I remember when I first won the Academy Award and how much I loved it. I just wish there was an award around that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanne-woodward/i-remember-when-i-first-won-the-academy-award-and-how-much-i-loved-it/) [Joanne Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanne-woodward/) > [The three of us just try put our heads down and stay creative. The awards truly are just cake. It's one of those things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-scott/the-three-of-us-just-try-put-our-heads-down-and-stay-creative-the/) [Hillary Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-scott/) > [As a Nobel Prize winner I cannot but regret that the award was never given to Mark Twain, nor to Henry James, speaking only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/as-a-nobel-prize-winner-i-cannot-but-regret-that-the-award-was-never/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [You don't want to make awards the reason you're doing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-nolte/you-don-t-want-to-make-awards-the-reason-you-re-doing-things/) [Nick Nolte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-nolte/) > [I don't care about awards and public image. We know the business of entertainment. We worship our work, we worship our clients and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shailender-singh/i-don-t-care-about-awards-and-public-image-we-know-the-business-of/) [Shailender Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shailender-singh/) Browse all 1,232 Awards quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "At awards time, The Exorcist was nominated in 11 categories, everybody but the janitor was up for an Oscar. 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