Acting Quote by Michael Shurtleff
“Acting in theatre or television or screen is only for the irrecoverably diseased, those so smitten with the need that there is no choice.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Acting for the Camera by Michael Shurtleff, 1978
Acting demands an obsessive, almost compulsive drive that can feel like a disease.
In simple terms: Acting can feel like an uncontrollable passion.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the drive, but guard balance.
Themes
passion
obsession
creativity
Mood
intense
reflective
Type
motivational
cautionary
When to use this quote
- audition preparation
- career choice
- creative burnout
- self‑care
Key Concepts
psychology
artistic compulsion
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate healthy dedication from harmful obsession?
- What boundaries protect your well‑being?
A Different Perspective
The intensity may lead to unhealthy sacrifice.
![“Humor [in a scene] is not jokes. It is that attitude toward being alive without which you would long ago have jumped off the 59th Street Bridge.” quote by Michael Shurtleff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/504/michael-shurtleff-19554_acting_humor-in-a-scene-is-not-jokes-it-is-that_611053.jpg)
