--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For me, selfishly, The Postman didn't…" description: "\"For me, selfishly, The Postman didn't kill my career. It meant I didn't shoot straight and painfully into the limelight, but Rushmore came out of it. N..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a63/olivia-williams-10935_postman_for-me-selfishly-the-postman-didn-t-kill_498940.jpg" --- # For me, selfishly, The Postman didn't kill my career. It… ![“For me, selfishly, The Postman didn't kill my career. It meant I didn't shoot straight and painfully into the limelight, but Rushmore came out of it. No one would have known where I was to cast me in Rushmore had I not been in The Postman. Because they shared a producer. Nor would I have been in…” quote by Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a63/olivia-williams-10935_postman_for-me-selfishly-the-postman-didn-t-kill_498940.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a63/olivia-williams-10935_postman_for-me-selfishly-the-postman-didn-t-kill_498940.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a63/olivia-williams-10935_postman_for-me-selfishly-the-postman-didn-t-kill_498940.jpg) > “For me, selfishly, The Postman didn't kill my career. It meant I didn't shoot straight and painfully into the limelight, but Rushmore came out of it. No one would have known where I was to cast me in Rushmore had I not been in The Postman. Because they shared a producer. Nor would I have been in The Sixth Sense. Nor would I be speaking to you now if Kevin Costner hadn't cast me in The Postman.” [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Chance encounters and networking can pivot a career, leading to unexpected opportunities and success. **In simple terms:** Random connections shape careers. Key Takeaway Cultivate relationships and stay open to unexpected roles. Themes career networking serendipity Mood reflective hopeful Type inspirational career advice When to use this quote - acting auditions - film casting - career planning - industry events Key Concepts industry dynamics personal branding Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take to create your own opportunities? - How do you balance chance with preparation? A Different Perspective Reliance on luck can overlook skill development. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Postman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/postman/) [Sixth sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sixth-sense/) ## Related quotes > [That was a bizarre and unlikely event, which has misled a generation of drama students from my old drama school that dreams really do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/that-was-a-bizarre-and-unlikely-event-which-has-misled-a-generation/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) > [I don't want the giant ego. I don't want to become Kevin Costner, singing on the soundtrack to The Postman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/i-don-t-want-the-giant-ego-i-don-t-want-to-become-kevin-costner/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [Where's that diamond ring you promised? My fingers looking bare, where's that valentine, be honest, the postman didn't bring it here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellie-goulding/where-s-that-diamond-ring-you-promised-my-fingers-looking-bare-where/) [Ellie Goulding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellie-goulding/) > [I had the best teacher in the business. Kevin Costner was my teacher. I was acting opposite him and he was directing me. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/i-had-the-best-teacher-in-the-business-kevin-costner-was-my-teacher-i/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) > [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/) > [Dry land is not a myth. I've seen it. Kevin Costner. Waterworld. I don't know what the big fuss is about. I saw that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/dry-land-is-not-a-myth-i-ve-seen-it-kevin-costner-waterworld-i-don-t/) [Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/) > [All my buddies over the years, like Kevin Costner and the guys - I see 'em go here, I see 'em go there -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-fahey/all-my-buddies-over-the-years-like-kevin-costner-and-the-guys-i-see/) [Jeff Fahey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-fahey/) > [Directors, writers, and actors are interested in making movies with me. Producers and movie studio people are not interested in me as they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-o-keefe/directors-writers-and-actors-are-interested-in-making-movies-with-me/) [Michael O'Keefe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-o-keefe/) > [It's still a trip for me to see somebody that I've only seen on television or in a movie. When they are there in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-atkins/it-s-still-a-trip-for-me-to-see-somebody-that-i-ve-only-seen-on/) [Rodney Atkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-atkins/) > [This January, Kevin Costner will be honored by the Palm Springs International Film Festival for his contribution to film. This gives Costner just two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/this-january-kevin-costner-will-be-honored-by-the-palm-springs/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > ['Field of Dreams.' Definitely one of the best baseball films of all time. When Kevin Costner spoke to his dad, and his dad answered,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-willard/field-of-dreams-definitely-one-of-the-best-baseball-films-of-all-time/) [Fred Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-willard/) > [One minute you're invited to Puff Daddy's party, the next you're at a bash with Donald Trump, Kevin Costner and all these movie stars.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-daly/one-minute-you-re-invited-to-puff-daddy-s-party-the-next-you-re-at-a/) [Tess Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-daly/) > [I remember watching a lot of the 90s films on laser disk. A lot of Kevin Costner, Kurt Russell films because they were the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harshvardhan-kapoor/i-remember-watching-a-lot-of-the-90s-films-on-laser-disk-a-lot-of/) [Harshvardhan Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harshvardhan-kapoor/) > [“What sealed the deal for me was that the cloak wouldn't come off without a generous donation of my tears. Those used to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hearne/what-sealed-the-deal-for-me-was-that-the-cloak-wouldn-t-come-off/) [Kevin Hearne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hearne/) > [I can't remember any of the films I've done. You go from one to another, and they all blend in to a big mass.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gambon/i-can-t-remember-any-of-the-films-i-ve-done-you-go-from-one-to/) [Michael Gambon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gambon/) ## More by Olivia Williams > [I am a pathetic and gushing Nick Hornby fan, and I wanted to be in High Fidelity, and I wanted to be in About…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/i-am-a-pathetic-and-gushing-nick-hornby-fan-and-i-wanted-to-be-in/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) > [My very first friend was my stand-in, who's a very dear friend to this day, and she kind of saved my ass. She told…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/my-very-first-friend-was-my-stand-in-who-s-a-very-dear-friend-to-this/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) > [It was as big as a Beatles concert, I guess. Friends was unbelievably popular in Britain, and it was incredibly exciting. I had never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/it-was-as-big-as-a-beatles-concert-i-guess-friends-was-unbelievably/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) > [I guess maybe I was hired to play in the Doll House because of my dinner scene in The Sixth Sense, which has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/i-guess-maybe-i-was-hired-to-play-in-the-doll-house-because-of-my/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) > [There are movies where I've walked onto the set and felt, "This is home," and I'm confident in myself and my work, but that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/there-are-movies-where-i-ve-walked-onto-the-set-and-felt-this-is-home/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) > [I love the ups and downs and the eccentricities of my career. The worst movies have produced some of the best friendships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/i-love-the-ups-and-downs-and-the-eccentricities-of-my-career-the/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) > [As an actor, you're just taking temperature. I am anyway, all the time, and responding appropriately. I was again cast very last-minute for Rushmore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/as-an-actor-you-re-just-taking-temperature-i-am-anyway-all-the-time/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) > [Ewan McGregor and I said this to each other after we saw The Ghost Writer. Every time Roman Polanski did a "No, no, no!,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/ewan-mcgregor-and-i-said-this-to-each-other-after-we-saw-the-ghost/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) > [My parents' long and happy marriage was a great ideal to live up to, but a tough one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/my-parents-long-and-happy-marriage-was-a-great-ideal-to-live-up-to/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) > [Ewan McGregor is a very genial and entertaining man, and Pierce Brosnan is possibly the nicest man in the world. Actually, it was quite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/ewan-mcgregor-is-a-very-genial-and-entertaining-man-and-pierce/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) > [The excruciating moments of drama are when people are allowed to show or say what they feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/the-excruciating-moments-of-drama-are-when-people-are-allowed-to-show/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) > [I really needed to have something in my life, because I realized there were other things more important than my career. So I love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/i-really-needed-to-have-something-in-my-life-because-i-realized-there/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) > [My parents taught me everything and set me up for life. I owe to them all the things I'm passionate about: music, art, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/my-parents-taught-me-everything-and-set-me-up-for-life-i-owe-to-them/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) > [Carey Mulligan is completely self-possessed. She knows what she's doing, and again, quite like the big-hitters I was talking about, my job was just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/carey-mulligan-is-completely-self-possessed-she-knows-what-she-s/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) > [I loved Rushmore. I loved the script. I mean, that is what drew me to it, just the actual piece of literature the script…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/i-loved-rushmore-i-loved-the-script-i-mean-that-is-what-drew-me-to-it/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) [Explore all 62 Olivia Williams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) ## More Postman quotes > [If, for instance, they have heard something from the postman, they attribute it to a semi-official statement; if they have fallen into conversation with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/if-for-instance-they-have-heard-something-from-the-postman-they/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [I was reading Neil Postman's 'Amusing Ourselves to Death'. It's one of my favourites.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-faiyaz/i-was-reading-neil-postman-s-amusing-ourselves-to-death-it-s-one-of/) [Brent Faiyaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-faiyaz/) > [“Most witches don’t believe in gods. They know that the gods exist, of course. They even deal with them occasionally. But they don’t believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/most-witches-don-t-believe-in-gods-they-know-that-the-gods-exist-of/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [If efforts to do social work are couched in selfish motives, then they will die a premature death. Why would my efforts get politicised?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sachin-tendulkar/if-efforts-to-do-social-work-are-couched-in-selfish-motives-then-they/) [Sachin Tendulkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sachin-tendulkar/) > [I'm a Conservative, but I talk for the ordinary working classes. I get on with the boys at the pub, but I can also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinnie-jones/i-m-a-conservative-but-i-talk-for-the-ordinary-working-classes-i-get/) [Vinnie Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinnie-jones/) > [“This is how you must imagine your letters arriving, and me carrying them off to read in peace, and saying 'oh darling Virginia', and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vita-sackville-west/this-is-how-you-must-imagine-your-letters-arriving-and-me-carrying/) [Vita Sackville-West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vita-sackville-west/) > [I like extravagance. Letters which give the postman a stiff back to carry, books which overflow from their covers, sexuality which bursts the thermometers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-like-extravagance-letters-which-give-the-postman-a-stiff-back-to/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [I've quit my new job as a postman. They handed me my first letter to deliver, I looked at it and thought: 'This isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-quit-my-new-job-as-a-postman-they-handed-me-my-first-letter-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My best songs were written very quickly. Just about as much time as it takes to write it down is about as long as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/my-best-songs-were-written-very-quickly-just-about-as-much-time-as-it/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [The Postman Always Rings Twice that's a book that I think every writer should read - that has to do with technique. But it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dee/the-postman-always-rings-twice-that-s-a-book-that-i-think-every/) [Jonathan Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dee/) > [The postman wants an autograph. The cab driver wants a picture. The waitress wants a handshake. Everyone wants a piece of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lennon/the-postman-wants-an-autograph-the-cab-driver-wants-a-picture-the/) [John Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lennon/) > [Why do they put pictures of criminals up in the Post Office? What are we supposed to do, write to them? Why don't they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/why-do-they-put-pictures-of-criminals-up-in-the-post-office-what-are/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [If the postman is saying hello to you, then I feel like, wow, thats something special.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/if-the-postman-is-saying-hello-to-you-then-i-feel-like-wow-thats/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Luck lies in bed, and wishes the postman would bring him news of a legacy; labor turns out at six, and with busy pen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-smiles/luck-lies-in-bed-and-wishes-the-postman-would-bring-him-news-of-a/) [Samuel Smiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-smiles/) > [“He had never imagined so clearly the consequences of mailing a letter—the impossibility of retrieving it from the iron mouth of the box; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-simonson/he-had-never-imagined-so-clearly-the-consequences-of-mailing-a-letter/) [Helen Simonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-simonson/) [Browse all 79 Postman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/postman/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "For me, selfishly, The Postman didn't kill my career. It meant I didn't shoot straight and painfully into the limelight, but Rushmore came out of it. No one would have known where I was to cast me in Rushmore had I not been in The Postman. Because they shared a producer. Nor would I have been in The Sixth Sense. 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