--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's weird that I've ended up playing so…" description: "\"It's weird that I've ended up playing so many real live people, because I was never any good at impersonations at school.\" — Michael Sheen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/831/michael-sheen-4062_any_it-s-weird-that-i-ve-ended-up-playing-so_1631970.jpg" --- # It's weird that I've ended up playing so many real live… ![“It's weird that I've ended up playing so many real live people, because I was never any good at impersonations at school.” quote by Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/831/michael-sheen-4062_any_it-s-weird-that-i-ve-ended-up-playing-so_1631970.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/831/michael-sheen-4062_any_it-s-weird-that-i-ve-ended-up-playing-so_1631970.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/831/michael-sheen-4062_any_it-s-weird-that-i-ve-ended-up-playing-so_1631970.jpg) > “It's weird that I've ended up playing so many real live people, because I was never any good at impersonations at school.” [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Even without formal training, improvisation can become a strength through experience. **In simple terms:** Practice can outweigh early skill. Key Takeaway Embrace learning through doing. Themes creativity improvisation growth Mood reflective humorous Type personal inspirational When to use this quote - theatre - public speaking - acting - improvisation Key Concepts skill acquisition confidence building Questions to Reflect On - What can you practice to improve? - How does experience shape skill? A Different Perspective Lack of early talent can cause self‑doubt. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) ## Related quotes > [I'm not very good at impersonations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-forte/i-m-not-very-good-at-impersonations/) [Will Forte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-forte/) > [It's weird... I've been an actor for a long time and you can walk around more or less anonymously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcelhinney/it-s-weird-i-ve-been-an-actor-for-a-long-time-and-you-can-walk-around/) [Ian McElhinney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcelhinney/) > [I think it's weird - I've had a weird experience growing up for sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruel/i-think-it-s-weird-i-ve-had-a-weird-experience-growing-up-for-sure/) Ruel > [“I like being weird. Weird's all I've got. That and my sweet style.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-moss/i-like-being-weird-weird-s-all-i-ve-got-that-and-my-sweet-style/) Maurice Moss > [Well you have to do a tremendous amount of research and if you're playing someone who's a real life person, especially someone who's alive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/well-you-have-to-do-a-tremendous-amount-of-research-and-if-you-re/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [The truth of the matter is, all of those guys on Star Trek: The Next Generation actually want to be me. These impersonations they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-stewart/the-truth-of-the-matter-is-all-of-those-guys-on-star-trek-the-next/) [Patrick Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-stewart/) > [I used to do impersonations: Harry Butler in the wild, or I'd do Gough Whitlam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wenham/i-used-to-do-impersonations-harry-butler-in-the-wild-or-i-d-do-gough/) [David Wenham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wenham/) > [Nobody can imitate me. You can always see impersonations of Katharine Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. But not me. Because I've always drawn on myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-crawford/nobody-can-imitate-me-you-can-always-see-impersonations-of-katharine/) [Joan Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-crawford/) > [I can't say I ever wanted to become an entertainer. I already was one, sort of-around the house, at school, doing my magic tricks,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/i-can-t-say-i-ever-wanted-to-become-an-entertainer-i-already-was-one/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [It's funny; recently I've started to notice people's impersonations of me, and it's basically like a hyperactive child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-grohl/it-s-funny-recently-i-ve-started-to-notice-people-s-impersonations-of/) [Dave Grohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-grohl/) > [The one thing I could do was voices and impersonations and weird characters, and there was really no call for that, except on Saturday…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hartman/the-one-thing-i-could-do-was-voices-and-impersonations-and-weird/) [Phil Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hartman/) > [All I can tell you with certainty is that I, for one, have no self, and that I am unwilling or unable to perpetrate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/all-i-can-tell-you-with-certainty-is-that-i-for-one-have-no-self-and/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [I love doing impersonations of people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-love-doing-impersonations-of-people/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I love how much people are drawn to my 'impersonations' of Trump because they aren't really impersonations at all. I'm not trying to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-cooper/i-love-how-much-people-are-drawn-to-my-impersonations-of-trump/) [Sarah Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-cooper/) > [Even when I was at 'SNL,' I didn't do impersonations. I always wanted to be the kind of person who could do them -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/even-when-i-was-at-snl-i-didn-t-do-impersonations-i-always-wanted-to/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) ## More by Michael Sheen > [I don't want to do something that I've done before; I can't see the point of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-don-t-want-to-do-something-that-i-ve-done-before-i-can-t-see-the/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [A lot of the times when I've auditioned for parts in America, the answer is, 'Sorry, we need a bigger name.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/a-lot-of-the-times-when-i-ve-auditioned-for-parts-in-america-the/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [Everyone deserves compassion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/everyone-deserves-compassion/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [I'm always aware that there are, broadly speaking, two different ways to act: there is acting, and then there's being, and I'm always more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-m-always-aware-that-there-are-broadly-speaking-two-different-ways/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [I always say if I'm not good at something it's just because I've not had time to focus on it... it's just uncrafted, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-always-say-if-i-m-not-good-at-something-it-s-just-because-i-ve-not/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [The first thing, when I read the script, is that I need to care about what happens and feel compelled by the story and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/the-first-thing-when-i-read-the-script-is-that-i-need-to-care-about/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [I think the story of 'Alice in Wonderland' in a way is a reminder that life is frightening, it can shift on you at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-think-the-story-of-alice-in-wonderland-in-a-way-is-a-reminder-that/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [For me, what makes life enjoyable is having a shared culture and shared references.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/for-me-what-makes-life-enjoyable-is-having-a-shared-culture-and/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [I perceive and relate to the world through where I grew up; that's part of me. It's what I judge everything else against.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-perceive-and-relate-to-the-world-through-where-i-grew-up-that-s/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [I'm not a Tony Blair impersonator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-m-not-a-tony-blair-impersonator/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [You don't want to get into doing the same thing, over and over again. I know I don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/you-don-t-want-to-get-into-doing-the-same-thing-over-and-over-again-i/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [We see death constantly on film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/we-see-death-constantly-on-film/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [Getting older is a struggle. I always feel that just under the surface of acceptance and enjoyment of the ageing process is a terrible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/getting-older-is-a-struggle-i-always-feel-that-just-under-the-surface/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [Wherever you come from, you carry the place with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/wherever-you-come-from-you-carry-the-place-with-you/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [I live a very Kenneth Williams-like existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-live-a-very-kenneth-williams-like-existence/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) [Explore all 116 Michael Sheen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) ## More Any quotes > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [At the very beginning, I was a page at Letterman, and I freelanced for any place that would let me write any word. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/at-the-very-beginning-i-was-a-page-at-letterman-and-i-freelanced-for/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [Any incarnation of 'Batman' I am delighted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/any-incarnation-of-batman-i-am-delighted-to-do/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [A lot of people have been saying 'The 100' reminds them of 'Lord Of The Flies,' 'Lost' and 'Battlestar Galactica,' and all of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-avgeropoulos/a-lot-of-people-have-been-saying-the-100-reminds-them-of-lord-of-the/) [Marie Avgeropoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-avgeropoulos/) > [I have never been in, nor have I had any strong particular desire to be in, what is termed a costume drama, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/i-have-never-been-in-nor-have-i-had-any-strong-particular-desire-to/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [We were so poor as kids. I didn't even see a bathtub, running water, hot water, commode - we didn't have any of that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-robertson/we-were-so-poor-as-kids-i-didn-t-even-see-a-bathtub-running-water-hot/) [Phil Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-robertson/) > [We earned any fans with the way we play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-white/we-earned-any-fans-with-the-way-we-play/) [Jimmy White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-white/) > [Hard work and a good education will take you further than any government program.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-schock/hard-work-and-a-good-education-will-take-you-further-than-any/) [Aaron Schock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-schock/) > [Anyone who's read my 'Terror in the Skies' series knows that I have not been writing with an eye toward approval from any government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-jacobsen/anyone-who-s-read-my-terror-in-the-skies-series-knows-that-i-have-not/) [Annie Jacobsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-jacobsen/) > [The system in Germany is different, as you sign up with a company for two or three years, and you work exclusively with them;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-wlaschiha/the-system-in-germany-is-different-as-you-sign-up-with-a-company-for/) [Tom Wlaschiha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-wlaschiha/) > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [I haven't shut any doors, and I'm really open to anything, so I think it's just about the material and what is going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-panabaker/i-haven-t-shut-any-doors-and-i-m-really-open-to-anything-so-i-think/) [Danielle Panabaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-panabaker/) > [I never want to look back on any moment and say I could have done more. So I go all in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-haze/i-never-want-to-look-back-on-any-moment-and-say-i-could-have-done/) [Scott Haze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-haze/) > [I love the sea, but I avoid any sort of seaside resort that has skyscrapers or seaside entertainments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-blake/i-love-the-sea-but-i-avoid-any-sort-of-seaside-resort-that-has/) [Quentin Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-blake/) Browse all 6,938 Any quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's weird that I've ended up playing so many real live people, because I was never any good at impersonations at school.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michael Sheen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/it-s-weird-that-i-ve-ended-up-playing-so-many-real-live-people/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Any" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/it-s-weird-that-i-ve-ended-up-playing-so-many-real-live-people/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/831/michael-sheen-4062_any_it-s-weird-that-i-ve-ended-up-playing-so_1631970.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/831/michael-sheen-4062_any_it-s-weird-that-i-ve-ended-up-playing-so_1631970.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/831/michael-sheen-4062_any_it-s-weird-that-i-ve-ended-up-playing-so_1631970.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's weird that I've ended up playing so many real live people, because I was never any good at…” — Michael Sheen", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Michael Sheen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It's weird that I've ended up...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/it-s-weird-that-i-ve-ended-up-playing-so-many-real-live-people/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/it-s-weird-that-i-ve-ended-up-playing-so-many-real-live-people/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```