--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As an actor, you have to have your history." description: "\"As an actor, you have to have your history.\" — Nora Dunn" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ed/nora-dunn-37554_actor_as-an-actor-you-have-to-have-your-histor_1885093.png" --- # As an actor, you have to have your history. ![“As an actor, you have to have your history.” quote by Nora Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ed/nora-dunn-37554_actor_as-an-actor-you-have-to-have-your-histor_1885093.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ed/nora-dunn-37554_actor_as-an-actor-you-have-to-have-your-histor_1885093.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ed/nora-dunn-37554_actor_as-an-actor-you-have-to-have-your-histor_1885093.png) > “As an actor, you have to have your history.” [Nora Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-dunn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Actors must understand their personal history to inform their craft. **In simple terms:** Know your past for authentic performance. Key Takeaway Study your story. Themes acting self‑knowledge craft Mood introspective creative Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - theatre rehearsals - film auditions - personal monologues - workshop exercises Key Concepts introspection storytelling authenticity Questions to Reflect On - How does your history shape your art? - What parts of your past can you let go? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on past may hinder present. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actor History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor-history-1698999/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [I made more lousy pictures than any actor in history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/humphrey-bogart/i-made-more-lousy-pictures-than-any-actor-in-history/) [Humphrey Bogart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/humphrey-bogart/) > [I guess if I weren't an actor, I'd be a history professor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-berenger/i-guess-if-i-weren-t-an-actor-i-d-be-a-history-professor/) [Tom Berenger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-berenger/) > [My curiosity and my appetite for evolving as an actor is one of the main components of me still working today in the business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-cattrall/my-curiosity-and-my-appetite-for-evolving-as-an-actor-is-one-of-the/) [Kim Cattrall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-cattrall/) > [I've always said that I benefit, as an actor, from not having the illusion of security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-sparks/i-ve-always-said-that-i-benefit-as-an-actor-from-not-having-the/) [Hal Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-sparks/) > [As an actor I kind of do. I started out doing voice overs in the mid 80s when I was in grad school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-haden-church/as-an-actor-i-kind-of-do-i-started-out-doing-voice-overs-in-the-mid/) [Thomas Haden Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-haden-church/) > [I've been on the stage my entire life as an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-piven/i-ve-been-on-the-stage-my-entire-life-as-an-actor/) [Jeremy Piven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-piven/) > [There are many different ways the public can respond to actors - they can see you on TV and feel they know you and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiwetel-ejiofor/there-are-many-different-ways-the-public-can-respond-to-actors-they/) [Chiwetel Ejiofor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiwetel-ejiofor/) > [A lot of actors get the leading role after doing a bunch of smaller things and people get to know them. I came out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sasha-luss/a-lot-of-actors-get-the-leading-role-after-doing-a-bunch-of-smaller/) [Sasha Luss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sasha-luss/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) ## More by Nora Dunn > [I love improvisation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-dunn/i-love-improvisation/) [Nora Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-dunn/) > [When I'm with my friends I'm funny, but I don't feel like I'm a funny clown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-dunn/when-i-m-with-my-friends-i-m-funny-but-i-don-t-feel-like-i-m-a-funny/) [Nora Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-dunn/) > [Milk Duds kept me going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-dunn/milk-duds-kept-me-going/) [Nora Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-dunn/) > [The gun issue is a big, unresolved issue in this country right now. I think it's out of control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-dunn/the-gun-issue-is-a-big-unresolved-issue-in-this-country-right-now-i/) [Nora Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-dunn/) > [It's funny when people ask if I'm a lesbian. I played a real estate agent in 'Father of the Bride, Part II,' but no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-dunn/it-s-funny-when-people-ask-if-i-m-a-lesbian-i-played-a-real-estate/) [Nora Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-dunn/) > [I think it's interesting that when you play a lesbian, people ask you if you're a lesbian, but if you play a serial killer,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-dunn/i-think-it-s-interesting-that-when-you-play-a-lesbian-people-ask-you/) [Nora Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-dunn/) > [I prepared for the part by drinking, but I was sober when I was performing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-dunn/i-prepared-for-the-part-by-drinking-but-i-was-sober-when-i-was/) [Nora Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-dunn/) > [John Cusack is a dream. I did one one-on-one scene with him and we got to shoot it so many times, and he did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-dunn/john-cusack-is-a-dream-i-did-one-one-on-one-scene-with-him-and-we-got/) [Nora Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-dunn/) > [I never thought I was funny, but I enjoy being funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-dunn/i-never-thought-i-was-funny-but-i-enjoy-being-funny/) [Nora Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-dunn/) > [Years ago I was a runway model, and I used to get laughs. I thought it was a joke anyway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-dunn/years-ago-i-was-a-runway-model-and-i-used-to-get-laughs-i-thought-it/) [Nora Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-dunn/) > [I think at the end of a show, you have to walk out with a message. That's my hardest struggle right now; that's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-dunn/i-think-at-the-end-of-a-show-you-have-to-walk-out-with-a-message-that/) [Nora Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-dunn/) [Explore all 12 Nora Dunn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-dunn/) ## More Actor 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/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [There has got to be a way for me to have a role on TV or in film that is just as normal as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adeel-akhtar/there-has-got-to-be-a-way-for-me-to-have-a-role-on-tv-or-in-film-that/) [Adeel Akhtar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adeel-akhtar/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [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/) > [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/) > [I never planned to do female roles. It just happened. I was typecast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divine/i-never-planned-to-do-female-roles-it-just-happened-i-was-typecast/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divine/) > [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/) [Browse all 21,590 Actor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As an actor, you have to have your history.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Nora Dunn" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-dunn/as-an-actor-you-have-to-have-your-history/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-dunn/as-an-actor-you-have-to-have-your-history/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ed/nora-dunn-37554_actor_as-an-actor-you-have-to-have-your-histor_1885093.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ed/nora-dunn-37554_actor_as-an-actor-you-have-to-have-your-histor_1885093.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ed/nora-dunn-37554_actor_as-an-actor-you-have-to-have-your-histor_1885093.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“As an actor, you have to have your history.” — Nora Dunn", "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": "Nora Dunn", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-dunn/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "As an actor, you have to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-dunn/as-an-actor-you-have-to-have-your-history/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-dunn/as-an-actor-you-have-to-have-your-history/#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 } } ] } ```