--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'd always dabbled in acting." description: "\"I'd always dabbled in acting.\" — Nelsan Ellis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f73/nelsan-ellis-12920_acting_i-d-always-dabbled-in-acting-1994264_1994264.jpg" --- # I'd always dabbled in acting. ![“I'd always dabbled in acting.” quote by Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f73/nelsan-ellis-12920_acting_i-d-always-dabbled-in-acting-1994264_1994264.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f73/nelsan-ellis-12920_acting_i-d-always-dabbled-in-acting-1994264_1994264.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f73/nelsan-ellis-12920_acting_i-d-always-dabbled-in-acting-1994264_1994264.jpg) > “I'd always dabbled in acting.” [Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker admits to having briefly tried acting, suggesting a tentative or exploratory relationship with the craft. **In simple terms:** He tried acting a little. Key Takeaway Explore interests before committing fully. Themes exploration career artistry Mood curious thoughtful Type personal motivational When to use this quote - career decision - hobby trial - skill development - audition process Key Concepts self‑discovery creative pursuit Questions to Reflect On - What draws you to try new creative fields? - How can brief experiments inform long‑term goals? A Different Perspective Limited experience may not reflect true potential. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Dabbled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dabbled-2932441/) [Dabbled Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dabbled-acting-3473598/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [I've always dabbled. I've always nearly written a book, I've always tried painting, I've always tried to make something out of ideas, really. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-ve-always-dabbled-i-ve-always-nearly-written-a-book-i-ve-always/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [I've always been a fan of magic. When I was younger, I dabbled in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sisqo/i-ve-always-been-a-fan-of-magic-when-i-was-younger-i-dabbled-in-it/) [Sisqo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sisqo/) > [I went through a few phases of finding myself: I dabbled in musical theater, chess club, dance troupe, splatter-painting, school mascot (go Wildcats), babysitter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/i-went-through-a-few-phases-of-finding-myself-i-dabbled-in-musical/) [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) > [I dabbled in verse and it became my life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-kavanagh/i-dabbled-in-verse-and-it-became-my-life/) [Patrick Kavanagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-kavanagh/) > [I cannot escape the feeling that I was, at best, a cancer tourist, that my survival means I dabbled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rakoff/i-cannot-escape-the-feeling-that-i-was-at-best-a-cancer-tourist-that/) [David Rakoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rakoff/) > [I've dabbled in several different religions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-hall/i-ve-dabbled-in-several-different-religions/) [Jerry Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-hall/) > [I wanted to be an actor, like, so, so bad. I took acting classes, I auditioned for Disney, and then I realized how nervous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-mendes/i-wanted-to-be-an-actor-like-so-so-bad-i-took-acting-classes-i/) [Shawn Mendes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-mendes/) > [I love actors, and I love good acting. I love what actors do when they're good, and I'm a big acting fan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-carney/i-love-actors-and-i-love-good-acting-i-love-what-actors-do-when-they/) [John Carney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-carney/) > [I think the secret of great acting is that you have to bring your imagination to the party. You have to have a great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-think-the-secret-of-great-acting-is-that-you-have-to-bring-your/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [I have some friends who are actors. I've watched them work. And I would say that of all the arts, acting is the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-stewart/i-have-some-friends-who-are-actors-i-ve-watched-them-work-and-i-would/) [Kristen Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-stewart/) > [People are in denial all the time, hiding things. If I tell you a racist or dirty joke and you laugh, you're telling me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-landau/people-are-in-denial-all-the-time-hiding-things-if-i-tell-you-a/) [Martin Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-landau/) > [My first job was a film called 'Storm Damage' for the BBC. I was 16 and working with really respected British actors. I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-madekwe/my-first-job-was-a-film-called-storm-damage-for-the-bbc-i-was-16-and/) [Ashley Madekwe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-madekwe/) > [I hate acting when I see it. I don't want to feel it, I don't want to see it, I want to be taken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rutger-hauer/i-hate-acting-when-i-see-it-i-don-t-want-to-feel-it-i-don-t-want-to/) [Rutger Hauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rutger-hauer/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) ## More by Nelsan Ellis > [It's hard to get an education when teachers spend 70 percent of their time trying to discipline students.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/it-s-hard-to-get-an-education-when-teachers-spend-70-percent-of-their/) [Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) > [Whenever you have a character in which one of his defining qualities is his sexuality, it's always challenging, because you don't want to bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/whenever-you-have-a-character-in-which-one-of-his-defining-qualities/) [Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) > [When I moved to Chicago, I was coming from a school that didn't have any arts in Alabama. I essentially came from a town…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/when-i-moved-to-chicago-i-was-coming-from-a-school-that-didn-t-have/) [Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) > [I'm not an emotional person; I keep it in, and I wouldn't know how to get it out if it weren't for acting and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/i-m-not-an-emotional-person-i-keep-it-in-and-i-wouldn-t-know-how-to/) [Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) > [At some point in my life, I wanted to be in a vampire movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/at-some-point-in-my-life-i-wanted-to-be-in-a-vampire-movie/) [Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) > [I was quiet, and I was artistic. I liked writing poetry, and that was very strange, so I was bullied a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/i-was-quiet-and-i-was-artistic-i-liked-writing-poetry-and-that-was/) [Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) > [When you're in a position that you can comfortably give, you need to pay it forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/when-you-re-in-a-position-that-you-can-comfortably-give-you-need-to/) [Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) > [I am a vampire/werewolf and sci-fi fanatic. God is so good! I get to play in a series that has all that!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/i-am-a-vampire-werewolf-and-sci-fi-fanatic-god-is-so-good-i-get-to/) [Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) > [There were not many black students at Juilliard, unfortunately. So when you get there, you become very good friends, in particular, with the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/there-were-not-many-black-students-at-juilliard-unfortunately-so-when/) [Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) > [Although I can be a leading man, you wouldn't look at me and go, 'He's a leading man.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/although-i-can-be-a-leading-man-you-wouldn-t-look-at-me-and-go-he-s-a/) [Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) > [My mom's side, they're southern Baptist Christian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/my-mom-s-side-they-re-southern-baptist-christian/) [Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) > [I had no intention of being an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/i-had-no-intention-of-being-an-actor/) [Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) > [You go back to my town, it's like going back to the 1960s... just not a great place to grow up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/you-go-back-to-my-town-it-s-like-going-back-to-the-1960s-just-not-a/) [Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) > [Being different makes you beautiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/being-different-makes-you-beautiful/) [Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) > [The sci-fi fans in America... they are die-hard. They will follow you to the ends of the Earth. Once they attach themselves to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/the-sci-fi-fans-in-america-they-are-die-hard-they-will-follow-you-to/) [Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) [Explore all 52 Nelsan Ellis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) [Ryan Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-newman/) > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'd always dabbled in acting.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Nelsan Ellis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/i-d-always-dabbled-in-acting/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/i-d-always-dabbled-in-acting/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f73/nelsan-ellis-12920_acting_i-d-always-dabbled-in-acting-1994264_1994264.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f73/nelsan-ellis-12920_acting_i-d-always-dabbled-in-acting-1994264_1994264.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f73/nelsan-ellis-12920_acting_i-d-always-dabbled-in-acting-1994264_1994264.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I'd always dabbled in acting.” — Nelsan Ellis", "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": "Nelsan Ellis", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I'd always dabbled in acting.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/i-d-always-dabbled-in-acting/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/i-d-always-dabbled-in-acting/#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 } } ] } ```