--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Hollywood didn't know if I was an actor…" description: "\"Hollywood didn't know if I was an actor or a nut or if I was this crazy character I was playing. I had developed an image of being a little bit unusual..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a84/nicolas-cage-1199_actors_hollywood-didn-t-know-if-i-was-an-actor_1572452.jpg" --- # Hollywood didn't know if I was an actor or a nut or if I… ![“Hollywood didn't know if I was an actor or a nut or if I was this crazy character I was playing. I had developed an image of being a little bit unusual, different and wild.” quote by Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a84/nicolas-cage-1199_actors_hollywood-didn-t-know-if-i-was-an-actor_1572452.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a84/nicolas-cage-1199_actors_hollywood-didn-t-know-if-i-was-an-actor_1572452.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a84/nicolas-cage-1199_actors_hollywood-didn-t-know-if-i-was-an-actor_1572452.jpg) > “Hollywood didn't know if I was an actor or a nut or if I was this crazy character I was playing. I had developed an image of being a little bit unusual, different and wild.” [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He felt misunderstood, seen as eccentric rather than a serious actor, shaping his self‑image as an unconventional performer. **In simple terms:** He thought people saw him as odd, not just an actor. Key Takeaway Embrace your unique identity. Themes identity perception career self‑image Mood reflective defiant introspective Type personal celebrity When to use this quote - acting auditions - media interviews - personal branding - managing reputation Key Concepts celebrity culture personal branding public perception Questions to Reflect On - How does public perception shape your self‑concept? - Can embracing uniqueness be a career advantage? A Different Perspective Some may view eccentricity as a barrier to mainstream success. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Hollywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hollywood/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [I didn't set out to be unusual or different. I just wanted to do things my way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilly-pulitzer/i-didn-t-set-out-to-be-unusual-or-different-i-just-wanted-to-do/) [Lilly Pulitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lilly-pulitzer/) > [While it's fun to write your own sketch and be a crazy character, it's also equally as rewarding to just be a straight man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-sherman/while-it-s-fun-to-write-your-own-sketch-and-be-a-crazy-character-it-s/) [Sarah Sherman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-sherman/) > [I think some people can see you do a bizarre, crazy character online, and if maybe they don't get it, they'll be like, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-stalter/i-think-some-people-can-see-you-do-a-bizarre-crazy-character-online/) [Megan Stalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-stalter/) > [I think the simpler it is when you have a crazy character to play is almost more creepy and interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emilie-de-ravin/i-think-the-simpler-it-is-when-you-have-a-crazy-character-to-play-is/) [Emilie de Ravin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emilie-de-ravin/) > [My own mum cared about Hollywood, and I didn't. I wanted to act, and I loved the creativity of it, but I didn't care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-barrymore/my-own-mum-cared-about-hollywood-and-i-didn-t-i-wanted-to-act-and-i/) [Drew Barrymore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-barrymore/) > [A lot of nudity in my early movies was out of necessity. When I came out to Hollywood, I didn't know anybody, I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-heard/a-lot-of-nudity-in-my-early-movies-was-out-of-necessity-when-i-came/) [Amber Heard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-heard/) > [The truth is that I got to Hollywood, and I didn't know what to do once I got there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/the-truth-is-that-i-got-to-hollywood-and-i-didn-t-know-what-to-do/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) > [With 'Women in Hollywood,' I didn't direct it, but I produced it, and what we did is followed the money of Hollywood and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-kennedy/with-women-in-hollywood-i-didn-t-direct-it-but-i-produced-it-and-what/) [Rory Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-kennedy/) > [I'm the only actress in Hollywood who didn't pay to have these lips.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-bernhard/i-m-the-only-actress-in-hollywood-who-didn-t-pay-to-have-these-lips/) [Sandra Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-bernhard/) > [“the casting had been typically Hollywood: they didn't look or act a bit alike.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-pynchon/the-casting-had-been-typically-hollywood-they-didn-t-look-or-act-a/) [Thomas Pynchon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-pynchon/) > [Hollywood didn't kill Marilyn Monroe, it's the Marilyn Monroes who are killing Hollywood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-wilder/hollywood-didn-t-kill-marilyn-monroe-it-s-the-marilyn-monroes-who-are/) [Billy Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-wilder/) > [I consider my relationship with acting in Hollywood as sort of a mutual breakup. Through puberty, Hollywood didn't really want me anymore, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/i-consider-my-relationship-with-acting-in-hollywood-as-sort-of-a/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [When I got to Hollywood I didn't know anything about the business and you don't make the best of friends. You make a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mischa-barton/when-i-got-to-hollywood-i-didn-t-know-anything-about-the-business-and/) [Mischa Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mischa-barton/) > [I'm a painter, really. To be successful, you have to go to Hollywood, and I didn't like to travel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-r-giger/i-m-a-painter-really-to-be-successful-you-have-to-go-to-hollywood-and/) [H. R. Giger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-r-giger/) > [I really thought Reagan was going to push the button and blow us all up. It was scary. So when they did the 1998…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-warner/i-really-thought-reagan-was-going-to-push-the-button-and-blow-us-all/) [Brad Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-warner/) ## More by Nicolas Cage > [The end of the world is on people's minds. We have the power to destroy or save ourselves, but the question is what do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/the-end-of-the-world-is-on-people-s-minds-we-have-the-power-to/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [People often say that you should never work with child actors. I think that's all wrong. Children have not had the imagination kicked out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/people-often-say-that-you-should-never-work-with-child-actors-i-think/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [First of all the criteria that I have that goes into any career decision is whether or not I have the life experience, emotional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/first-of-all-the-criteria-that-i-have-that-goes-into-any-career/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [The only reason why I tend to pass on a movie is either I don't think I'm right for the material and can't play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/the-only-reason-why-i-tend-to-pass-on-a-movie-is-either-i-don-t-think/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [I've always had a soft spot for comic books. I learned to read from them. The words in them were so interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/i-ve-always-had-a-soft-spot-for-comic-books-i-learned-to-read-from/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [I love all animals. I have a fascination with fish, birds, whales - sentient life - insects, reptiles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/i-love-all-animals-i-have-a-fascination-with-fish-birds-whales/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [I definitely went through my magic phase. I think all little boys do at some point or another - they get fascinated by magic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/i-definitely-went-through-my-magic-phase-i-think-all-little-boys-do/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [One day, one of my dreams is to someday get to do Nemo in '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/one-day-one-of-my-dreams-is-to-someday-get-to-do-nemo-in-20-000/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [I'm very impressed with 'Drive.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/i-m-very-impressed-with-drive/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [I think I jump around more when I'm alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/i-think-i-jump-around-more-when-i-m-alone/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [I love it all. I don't want to go through my career with one hand tied behind my back. I love making kids happy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/i-love-it-all-i-don-t-want-to-go-through-my-career-with-one-hand-tied/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [When I won the Oscar, I made a point of actively going against that and doing adventure films like 'Con Air' and 'Gone in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/when-i-won-the-oscar-i-made-a-point-of-actively-going-against-that/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [My father was always getting excited about something. It's genetically inside me somewhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/my-father-was-always-getting-excited-about-something-it-s-genetically/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [I remember once imagining what my life would be like, what I'd be like. I pictured having all these qualities, strong positive qualities that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/i-remember-once-imagining-what-my-life-would-be-like-what-i-d-be-like/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [I think that if you go about making movies to win Oscars, you're really going about it the wrong way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/i-think-that-if-you-go-about-making-movies-to-win-oscars-you-re/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) [Explore all 275 Nicolas Cage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) ## More Actors quotes > [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/) [Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/) > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [Forget the credit, they (male actors) take all the money as well. We don't get paid even one-third of what male actors get. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kangana-ranaut/forget-the-credit-they-male-actors-take-all-the-money-as-well-we-don/) [Kangana Ranaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kangana-ranaut/) > [I love film people and actors and I am in the right world because I am one of those people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewan-mcgregor/i-love-film-people-and-actors-and-i-am-in-the-right-world-because-i/) [Ewan McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ewan-mcgregor/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [When we watch a film as actors, you have to understand that we always see much more than what's on screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-khemu/when-we-watch-a-film-as-actors-you-have-to-understand-that-we-always/) [Kunal Khemu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-khemu/) > [As actors, you become an expert at starting over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupita-nyong-o/as-actors-you-become-an-expert-at-starting-over/) [Lupita Nyong'o](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupita-nyong-o/) > [The whole concept of stage fright is fascinating. Actors get stage fright, but they wouldn't be on the stage in the first place if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/the-whole-concept-of-stage-fright-is-fascinating-actors-get-stage/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [No actor wants to choose - they just want all of the options available to them all the time; we tend to be pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-jacobs/no-actor-wants-to-choose-they-just-want-all-of-the-options-available/) [Gillian Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-jacobs/) > [A rapper is about being completely true to yourself. Being an actor is about changing who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/a-rapper-is-about-being-completely-true-to-yourself-being-an-actor-is/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [I've been a professional actor for almost 40 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-perlman/i-ve-been-a-professional-actor-for-almost-40-years/) [Ron Perlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-perlman/) > [American actors are coy. We all have pricks and cunts, or are you different from the rest of us?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-greenaway/american-actors-are-coy-we-all-have-pricks-and-cunts-or-are-you/) [Peter Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-greenaway/) [Browse all 11,394 Actors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Hollywood didn't know if I was an actor or a nut or if I was this crazy character I was playing. 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