--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have the mentality of a supporting actor." description: "\"I have the mentality of a supporting actor.\" — Paul Giamatti" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcd/paul-giamatti-12727_actor_i-have-the-mentality-of-a-supporting-act_1267771.png" --- # I have the mentality of a supporting actor. ![“I have the mentality of a supporting actor.” quote by Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcd/paul-giamatti-12727_actor_i-have-the-mentality-of-a-supporting-act_1267771.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcd/paul-giamatti-12727_actor_i-have-the-mentality-of-a-supporting-act_1267771.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcd/paul-giamatti-12727_actor_i-have-the-mentality-of-a-supporting-act_1267771.png) > “I have the mentality of a supporting actor.” [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Describes seeing oneself as a supporting role, emphasizing collaboration over leading. **In simple terms:** Values supporting contributions over starring. Key Takeaway Embrace teamwork. Themes collaboration humility role self-awareness team dynamics Mood humble reflective Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - project teams - family life - community service Key Concepts leadership supportive behavior Questions to Reflect On - How does supporting others empower you? - When might you need to lead instead? A Different Perspective May limit personal ambition or recognition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Mentality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mentality/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [I don't consider myself a very interesting person. I have the mentality of a supporting actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/i-don-t-consider-myself-a-very-interesting-person-i-have-the/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) > [I don't want to be just considered a breakout comedic supporting actor. I want to be a breakout actor in anything that's a lead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-faison/i-don-t-want-to-be-just-considered-a-breakout-comedic-supporting/) [Donald Faison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-faison/) > [I'm much more open to being a supporting actor right now. At the age of 60, I'll be second fiddle. Fine. I'm happy to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-williams/i-m-much-more-open-to-being-a-supporting-actor-right-now-at-the-age/) [Robin Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-williams/) > [If you're a lead actor, people are just waiting to say 'you're too old' or 'you're too unhip.' If you're a supporting actor, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-gottfried/if-you-re-a-lead-actor-people-are-just-waiting-to-say-you-re-too-old/) [Gilbert Gottfried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-gottfried/) > [There is an imperative need for the creator in every supporting actor to be able to perceive the gravity of these roles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thambi-ramaiah/there-is-an-imperative-need-for-the-creator-in-every-supporting-actor/) [Thambi Ramaiah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thambi-ramaiah/) > [It's my job as a supporting actor - which I usually am - to support the film: to make 1, 2, or 3 on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/it-s-my-job-as-a-supporting-actor-which-i-usually-am-to-support-the/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) > [I was always a supporting actor. It is nice to know one has the equipment to be a leading actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-hawthorne/i-was-always-a-supporting-actor-it-is-nice-to-know-one-has-the/) [Nigel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-hawthorne/) > [“Humor is the most faithful supporting actor in a tragedy. So”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbj-rg-wassmo/humor-is-the-most-faithful-supporting-actor-in-a-tragedy-so/) Herbjørg Wassmo > [The supporting thing can be harder to pop in and out of. The hardest thing is the people who have to come in and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/the-supporting-thing-can-be-harder-to-pop-in-and-out-of-the-hardest/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) > [I want to do a movie, but it has to be the right movie, whether it's independent or a studio movie. I'm much more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-williams/i-want-to-do-a-movie-but-it-has-to-be-the-right-movie-whether-it-s/) [Robin Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-williams/) > [“Ken didn't die for your benefit, you know. It's like everyone's a supporting actor in the flm of your life story." Of course. Isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/ken-didn-t-die-for-your-benefit-you-know-it-s-like-everyone-s-a/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [“It's like everyone's a supporting actor in the film of your life story.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/it-s-like-everyone-s-a-supporting-actor-in-the-film-of-your-life-story/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [My name had been sent for the award for Best Supporting Actor in 'Tere Naam,' but I missed it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-kishan/my-name-had-been-sent-for-the-award-for-best-supporting-actor-in-tere/) [Ravi Kishan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-kishan/) > [The trademark Joseph Abboud style is the man first and the clothes second. The guy's the star. Everything else is a supporting actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-abboud/the-trademark-joseph-abboud-style-is-the-man-first-and-the-clothes/) [Joseph Abboud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-abboud/) > [God is not a supporting actor in our life movie. We exist for his purposes, not the other way around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horton/god-is-not-a-supporting-actor-in-our-life-movie-we-exist-for-his/) [Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/) ## More by Paul Giamatti > [Lead roles are fun, but I'm especially happy other, more colorful supporting stuff has come along.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/lead-roles-are-fun-but-i-m-especially-happy-other-more-colorful/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) > [Somehow whatever I play ends up being sleazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/somehow-whatever-i-play-ends-up-being-sleazy/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) > [It'd be disingenuous to say I don't like attention - I'm an actor for God's sake - and it's flattering and all, but attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/it-d-be-disingenuous-to-say-i-don-t-like-attention-i-m-an-actor-for/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) > [I'm not a big wine guy. And bars, I never go to bars anymore. It's such a drag, man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/i-m-not-a-big-wine-guy-and-bars-i-never-go-to-bars-anymore-it-s-such/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) > [Well, you know, when people say stuff about you, it's always really flattering. But does it mean anything to me? It's not really real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/well-you-know-when-people-say-stuff-about-you-it-s-always-really/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) > [I suppose there must be some way in which I'm compelled to show some side of myself - or of people - that's paranoid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/i-suppose-there-must-be-some-way-in-which-i-m-compelled-to-show-some/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) > [As an actor, to have achieved financial stability is amazing. But I always have this weird fear that I'm not going to get any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/as-an-actor-to-have-achieved-financial-stability-is-amazing-but-i/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) > [Academia is a rarified culture, especially an Ivy League academic background.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/academia-is-a-rarified-culture-especially-an-ivy-league-academic/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) > [Maybe it's because I have too much pride or self-respect, but I thought, 'Why does a guy who has thinning hair and who is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/maybe-it-s-because-i-have-too-much-pride-or-self-respect-but-i/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) > [I've very critical of myself, and film has been an adjustment for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/i-ve-very-critical-of-myself-and-film-has-been-an-adjustment-for-me/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) > [I'd like to have permanent time off, really. The goal is financial security and permanent time off, basically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/i-d-like-to-have-permanent-time-off-really-the-goal-is-financial/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) > [ My definition of likeable may be different from other people's. That's not traditional likeable. Sympathy is a different thing \[to define it\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/my-definition-of-likeable-may-be-different-from-other-people-s-that-s/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) > [I don't mind being stereotyped in some way and playing certain kinds of guys, but if I can find something to occasionally get a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/i-don-t-mind-being-stereotyped-in-some-way-and-playing-certain-kinds/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) > [I definitely have a tendency to only see the blemishes of things, and see lots of things about my acting that I don't like.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/i-definitely-have-a-tendency-to-only-see-the-blemishes-of-things-and/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) > [And I asked my mother 'can I touch the lady in the water? And she said yes I could, but I had to touch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/and-i-asked-my-mother-can-i-touch-the-lady-in-the-water-and-she-said/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) [Explore all 53 Paul Giamatti quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) ## 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": "I have the mentality of a supporting actor.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paul Giamatti" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/i-have-the-mentality-of-a-supporting-actor/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/i-have-the-mentality-of-a-supporting-actor/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcd/paul-giamatti-12727_actor_i-have-the-mentality-of-a-supporting-act_1267771.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcd/paul-giamatti-12727_actor_i-have-the-mentality-of-a-supporting-act_1267771.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcd/paul-giamatti-12727_actor_i-have-the-mentality-of-a-supporting-act_1267771.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have the mentality of a supporting actor.” — Paul Giamatti", "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": "Paul Giamatti", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I have the mentality of a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/i-have-the-mentality-of-a-supporting-actor/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/i-have-the-mentality-of-a-supporting-actor/#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 } } ] } ```