---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's a cliche, but there really is no…"
description: "\"It's a cliche, but there really is no handbook about the celebrity thing; you have to figure it out as you go along\" — Nathan Lane"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0b/nathan-lane-14095_cliche_it-s-a-cliche-but-there-really-is-no-han_1472782.jpg"
---

#  It's a cliche, but there really is no handbook about the…

![“It's a cliche, but there really is no handbook about the celebrity thing; you have to figure it out as you go along” quote by Nathan Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0b/nathan-lane-14095_cliche_it-s-a-cliche-but-there-really-is-no-han_1472782.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0b/nathan-lane-14095_cliche_it-s-a-cliche-but-there-really-is-no-han_1472782.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0b/nathan-lane-14095_cliche_it-s-a-cliche-but-there-really-is-no-han_1472782.jpg)

> “It's a cliche, but there really is no handbook about the celebrity thing; you have to figure it out as you go along”

[Nathan Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-lane/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

There is no definitive guide to fame; one must learn through experience and adapt continuously.

**In simple terms:** Fame lacks a manual; learn by doing.

Key Takeaway

Stay adaptable and learn on the job.

Themes

celebrity learning adaptability experience

Mood

reflective pragmatic

Type

motivational career

When to use this quote

- acting
- public appearances
- social media
- networking

Key Concepts

career development self‑education resilience

Questions to Reflect On

- What lessons can you extract from early missteps?
- How do you balance authenticity with public expectations?

A Different Perspective

Relying solely on trial and error can be risky without mentorship.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Celebrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celebrity/) [Cliche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cliche/) [Fame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fame/)

## Related quotes

> [“As for clichés, they’re an illusion. When you think about it, anything could be considered a cliché. It’s when you really bring truth to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-marinello-sweeney/as-for-clich-s-they-re-an-illusion-when-you-think-about-it-anything/)

[Gina Marinello-Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-marinello-sweeney/)

> ['Downton Abbey' is just one cliche after another, and it is a really, really poor piece of drama. But that's only me talking. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hirst/downton-abbey-is-just-one-cliche-after-another-and-it-is-a-really/)

[Michael Hirst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hirst/)

> [The more you give, the more you get - it's a cliche, but it's really true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christie-brinkley/the-more-you-give-the-more-you-get-it-s-a-cliche-but-it-s-really-true/)

[Christie Brinkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christie-brinkley/)

> [The celebrity thing is such a thing in itself now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrissie-hynde/the-celebrity-thing-is-such-a-thing-in-itself-now/)

[Chrissie Hynde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrissie-hynde/)

> [The celebrity thing's completely crazy. I think I just have to move away or give it up altogether. I couldn't have kids in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keira-knightley/the-celebrity-thing-s-completely-crazy-i-think-i-just-have-to-move/)

[Keira Knightley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keira-knightley/)

> [The star thing, the celebrity thing, is new to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-renner/the-star-thing-the-celebrity-thing-is-new-to-me/)

[Jeremy Renner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-renner/)

> [There's this celebrity thing that goes along with making records or being a rock star. I'm into this celebrity thing just enough to let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrissie-hynde/there-s-this-celebrity-thing-that-goes-along-with-making-records-or/)

[Chrissie Hynde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrissie-hynde/)

> [The whole celebrity thing is not something I'm overly interested in. I don't pop up at parties. It's just not my thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alanis-morissette/the-whole-celebrity-thing-is-not-something-i-m-overly-interested-in-i/)

[Alanis Morissette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alanis-morissette/)

> [I got caught up in the whole celebrity thing, lost control at times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-briggs/i-got-caught-up-in-the-whole-celebrity-thing-lost-control-at-times/)

[Shannon Briggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-briggs/)

> [Celebrity, to me, is not a thing to seek.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-quinn/celebrity-to-me-is-not-a-thing-to-seek/)

[Aidan Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-quinn/)

> [I don't like to be recognized on the street or in restaurants, and I don't like the whole celebrity thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrissie-hynde/i-don-t-like-to-be-recognized-on-the-street-or-in-restaurants-and-i/)

[Chrissie Hynde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrissie-hynde/)

> [I can't get sucked into that celebrity thing, because I think it's just crass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-mcqueen/i-can-t-get-sucked-into-that-celebrity-thing-because-i-think-it-s/)

[Alexander McQueen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-mcqueen/)

> [This stupid celebrity thing is just a consequence of being good at what you do. I mean, no one would photograph David Beckham if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-moran/this-stupid-celebrity-thing-is-just-a-consequence-of-being-good-at/)

[Nick Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-moran/)

> [I was an unusually private person - in a way, kind of insufferably so. I think I thought the celebrity thing when it happened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-pauley/i-was-an-unusually-private-person-in-a-way-kind-of-insufferably-so-i/)

[Jane Pauley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-pauley/)

> [The celebrity thing, I mean, Lindsay Lohan - what's she for? I look at that and throw my hands up in despair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-dickinson/the-celebrity-thing-i-mean-lindsay-lohan-what-s-she-for-i-look-at/)

[Bruce Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-dickinson/)

## More by Nathan Lane

> [Relationships, for me, have been elusive. And I would say mostly it's been my fault. I was always more concentrated on my career. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/relationships-for-me-have-been-elusive-and-i-would-say-mostly-it-s/)

[Nathan Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-lane/)

> [As a kid, I loved Godot because of the poetry and the humor and the strangeness, but then as you get older, its much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/as-a-kid-i-loved-godot-because-of-the-poetry-and-the-humor-and-the/)

[Nathan Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-lane/)

> [There doesn't seem to be a lot of middle ground with me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/there-doesn-t-seem-to-be-a-lot-of-middle-ground-with-me/)

[Nathan Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-lane/)

> [People have to do things in their own time, and that's what I did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/people-have-to-do-things-in-their-own-time-and-that-s-what-i-did/)

[Nathan Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-lane/)

> [But in order for anyone to become successful, sometimes you have to be that driven and focused, and maybe there isn't a lot left…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/but-in-order-for-anyone-to-become-successful-sometimes-you-have-to-be/)

[Nathan Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-lane/)

> [I'm one of those old-fashioned homosexuals, not one of the newfangled ones who are born joining parades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/i-m-one-of-those-old-fashioned-homosexuals-not-one-of-the-newfangled/)

[Nathan Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-lane/)

> [It's certainly not a shock to find that the industry has no imagination. I think people don't know what it is I do. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/it-s-certainly-not-a-shock-to-find-that-the-industry-has-no/)

[Nathan Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-lane/)

> [Look, I'm over 40, I'm single, and I work in musical theater - you do the math!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/look-i-m-over-40-i-m-single-and-i-work-in-musical-theater-you-do-the/)

[Nathan Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-lane/)

> [I have to accept the fact that, no matter what I do, it's going to annoy someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/i-have-to-accept-the-fact-that-no-matter-what-i-do-it-s-going-to/)

[Nathan Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-lane/)

> [If you've seen Mary Poppins and The Grinch, come to the Booth Theater and let me shove a little coal down your stocking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/if-you-ve-seen-mary-poppins-and-the-grinch-come-to-the-booth-theater/)

[Nathan Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-lane/)

> [People always think I'm Jewish and changed my last name from Rabinowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/people-always-think-i-m-jewish-and-changed-my-last-name-from/)

[Nathan Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-lane/)

> [All I can do is try to create the best show possible, and I feel we've truly done that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/all-i-can-do-is-try-to-create-the-best-show-possible-and-i-feel-we-ve/)

[Nathan Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-lane/)

> [My oldest brother used to take me to the theater. The first play he took me to see was 'Black Comedy,' then he took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/my-oldest-brother-used-to-take-me-to-the-theater-the-first-play-he/)

[Nathan Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-lane/)

> [Hollywood... Real diamonds, fake breasts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/hollywood-real-diamonds-fake-breasts/)

[Nathan Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-lane/)

> [Kevin Costner. I love Kevin Costner. That's all I have to say. I love Kevin Costner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/kevin-costner-i-love-kevin-costner-that-s-all-i-have-to-say-i-love/)

[Nathan Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-lane/)

[Explore all 48 Nathan Lane quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-lane/)

## More Celebrity quotes

> [“I'm always looking for evidence to support my conjecture that celebrity in Hollywood is sort of like a Joel Peter Witkin photograph: It looks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cintra-wilson/i-m-always-looking-for-evidence-to-support-my-conjecture-that/)

[Cintra Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cintra-wilson/)

> [“Take care of your costume and your confidence will take care of itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/take-care-of-your-costume-and-your-confidence-will-take-care-of-itself/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [I gave up some of my celebrity to be with my children for 14 years, but it's been fine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-rabbitt/i-gave-up-some-of-my-celebrity-to-be-with-my-children-for-14-years/)

[Eddie Rabbitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-rabbitt/)

> [Unfortunately, celebrity is a powerful thing. It can influence people, but if it can influence people in a good way, then that's a great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-furnish/unfortunately-celebrity-is-a-powerful-thing-it-can-influence-people/)

[David Furnish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-furnish/)

> [There's only one me. I'm obsessed with pop culture and celebrity. I used to be an actor, I used to be a journalist and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/there-s-only-one-me-i-m-obsessed-with-pop-culture-and-celebrity-i/)

[Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/)

> [To become a celebrity is to become a brand name. There is Ivory Soap, Rice Krispies, and Philip Roth. Ivory is the soap that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/to-become-a-celebrity-is-to-become-a-brand-name-there-is-ivory-soap/)

[Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/)

> [I don't like the word celebrity. If I become a good actress and be in movies where I'm expected to be a good actress,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/i-don-t-like-the-word-celebrity-if-i-become-a-good-actress-and-be-in/)

[Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/)

> [I loved 'Celebrity Fit Club,' working out six days a week, running a mile and a half three times a week, and doing 1,000…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralphie-may/i-loved-celebrity-fit-club-working-out-six-days-a-week-running-a-mile/)

[Ralphie May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralphie-may/)

> [Royalty is completely different than celebrity. Royalty has a magic all its own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-treacy/royalty-is-completely-different-than-celebrity-royalty-has-a-magic/)

[Philip Treacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-treacy/)

> [I suppose people also have to be a little more careful or circumspect if they're going to leverage their celebrity to promote their political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-rundgren/i-suppose-people-also-have-to-be-a-little-more-careful-or-circumspect/)

[Todd Rundgren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-rundgren/)

> [I surprised the hell out of myself when I got MVP for the 2018 All Star Legends Celebrity game. I had no idea I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-miz/i-surprised-the-hell-out-of-myself-when-i-got-mvp-for-the-2018-all/)

[The Miz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-miz/)

> [I grew up in celebrity world, so I know what famous people are like, and I've never looked up to them in that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-allen/i-grew-up-in-celebrity-world-so-i-know-what-famous-people-are-like/)

[Lily Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-allen/)

> [Well, I knew I wanted to be an actor, and I didn't necessarily need or want to be famous or a celebrity actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-fischer/well-i-knew-i-wanted-to-be-an-actor-and-i-didn-t-necessarily-need-or/)

[Jenna Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-fischer/)

> [People are people. All that celebrity tagging doesn't bother me at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-price/people-are-people-all-that-celebrity-tagging-doesn-t-bother-me-at-all/)

[Katie Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-price/)

> [There's a line between being an artist and being a celebrity. Whether you're a famous photographer or artist, or you're an actor or director,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-heard/there-s-a-line-between-being-an-artist-and-being-a-celebrity-whether/)

[Amber Heard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-heard/)

[Browse all 1,675 Celebrity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celebrity/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It's a cliche, but there really is no handbook about the celebrity thing; you have to figure it out as you go along",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Nathan Lane"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/it-s-a-cliche-but-there-really-is-no-handbook-about-the-celebrity/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Celebrity"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/it-s-a-cliche-but-there-really-is-no-handbook-about-the-celebrity/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0b/nathan-lane-14095_cliche_it-s-a-cliche-but-there-really-is-no-han_1472782.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0b/nathan-lane-14095_cliche_it-s-a-cliche-but-there-really-is-no-han_1472782.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0b/nathan-lane-14095_cliche_it-s-a-cliche-but-there-really-is-no-han_1472782.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It's a cliche, but there really is no handbook about the celebrity thing; you have to figure it out as you…” — Nathan Lane",
                "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": "Nathan Lane",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-lane/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It's a cliche, but there really...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/it-s-a-cliche-but-there-really-is-no-handbook-about-the-celebrity/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-lane/it-s-a-cliche-but-there-really-is-no-handbook-about-the-celebrity/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
