--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being a good actor is sort of…" description: "\"Being a good actor is sort of understanding the complexity of the human psyche and also knowing that we are none of us perfect.\" — Paula Malcomson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/paula-malcomson-21448_actor_being-a-good-actor-is-sort-of-understand_2749935.jpg" --- # Being a good actor is sort of understanding the complexity… ![“Being a good actor is sort of understanding the complexity of the human psyche and also knowing that we are none of us perfect.” quote by Paula Malcomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/paula-malcomson-21448_actor_being-a-good-actor-is-sort-of-understand_2749935.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/paula-malcomson-21448_actor_being-a-good-actor-is-sort-of-understand_2749935.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/paula-malcomson-21448_actor_being-a-good-actor-is-sort-of-understand_2749935.jpg) > “Being a good actor is sort of understanding the complexity of the human psyche and also knowing that we are none of us perfect.” [Paula Malcomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Good acting involves understanding human complexity and accepting imperfection. **In simple terms:** Acting requires empathy and humility. Key Takeaway Embrace flaws in performance. Themes theatre psychology imperfection Mood introspective inspired Type artistic philosophical When to use this quote - stage work - film - personal growth Key Concepts character study self‑awareness Questions to Reflect On - How does imperfection enhance authenticity? - What techniques reveal human complexity? A Different Perspective Over‑analysis can hinder spontaneity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Complexity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complexity/) [Complexity Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complexity-human-365685/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Good actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-actor/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Human psyche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-psyche/) [Psyche Knowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psyche-knowing-3091902/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) [Us](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/us/) ## Related quotes > [What music is better able to do than language is to represent the complexity of human emotional states.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-levitin/what-music-is-better-able-to-do-than-language-is-to-represent-the/) [Daniel Levitin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-levitin/) > [I like the movies that embrace the complexity of the human condition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-simien/i-like-the-movies-that-embrace-the-complexity-of-the-human-condition/) [Justin Simien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-simien/) > [Being actors we are dealing with the beauty and complexity of human confusion, no? And we are always trying to get answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penelope-cruz/being-actors-we-are-dealing-with-the-beauty-and-complexity-of-human/) [Penelope Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penelope-cruz/) > [Why do any of us act the way we do? Is it our beliefs or our biology that shapes us? Lauren Grodstein considers this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-lavalle/why-do-any-of-us-act-the-way-we-do-is-it-our-beliefs-or-our-biology/) [Victor LaValle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-lavalle/) > [The complexity of human relationships is never simple to follow; it is like intricate lacework, but lacework made of steel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mignon-g-eberhart/the-complexity-of-human-relationships-is-never-simple-to-follow-it-is/) [Mignon G. Eberhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mignon-g-eberhart/) > [He always reminded us that every atom in our bodies was once part of a distant star that had exploded. He talked about how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/he-always-reminded-us-that-every-atom-in-our-bodies-was-once-part-of/) [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) > [People are very complex. And for a psychologist, you get fascinated by the complexity of human beings, and that is what I have lived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kahneman/people-are-very-complex-and-for-a-psychologist-you-get-fascinated-by/) [Daniel Kahneman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kahneman/) > [One can truly say that the irresistible progress of natural science since the time of Galileo has made its first halt before the study…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-can-truly-say-that-the-irresistible-progress-of-natural-science/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I’ve spent many long hours thinking about the bits and pieces of things; the complexity of human interaction; personalities and emotions; temperaments; the knowns,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-spent-many-long-hours-thinking-about-the-bits-and-pieces-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In life, we are all more than one thing, but for some reason in movies, you're either this or that. It reduces the complexity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hong-chau/in-life-we-are-all-more-than-one-thing-but-for-some-reason-in-movies/) [Hong Chau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hong-chau/) > [I believe in the complexity of the human story, and that there's no way you can tell that story in one way and say,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/i-believe-in-the-complexity-of-the-human-story-and-that-there-s-no-2/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [“(U)derneath all the complexity of human life that uneasy stare at an alien nature is still haunting us, and the problem of surmounting it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/northrop-frye/u-derneath-all-the-complexity-of-human-life-that-uneasy-stare-at-an/) [Northrop Frye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/northrop-frye/) > [“Jesus doesn’t call us to simple. He calls us into complexity. The human soul, psyche, mind, and emotions are complicated. And if he calls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-sauls/jesus-doesn-t-call-us-to-simple-he-calls-us-into-complexity-the-human/) [Scott Sauls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-sauls/) > [Something in our nature cries out to be loved by another. Isolation is devastating to the human psyche. That is why solitary confinement is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-chapman/something-in-our-nature-cries-out-to-be-loved-by-another-isolation-is/) [Gary Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-chapman/) > [“I am now convinced that Google searches are the most important dataset ever collected on the human psyche. This”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-stephens-davidowitz/i-am-now-convinced-that-google-searches-are-the-most-important/) [Seth Stephens-Davidowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-stephens-davidowitz/) ## More by Paula Malcomson > [I don't work with a lot of preparation. I think very well on my feet, and I'm very good when the pressure is on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/i-don-t-work-with-a-lot-of-preparation-i-think-very-well-on-my-feet/) [Paula Malcomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/) > [A room full of hundreds, let alone thousands, of people is not my most fun thing in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/a-room-full-of-hundreds-let-alone-thousands-of-people-is-not-my-most/) [Paula Malcomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/) > [Listen, I'm from Belfast. We're not polite people. And it's language. We're direct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/listen-i-m-from-belfast-we-re-not-polite-people-and-it-s-language-we/) [Paula Malcomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/) > [I'm not a Method actor - ask anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/i-m-not-a-method-actor-ask-anybody/) [Paula Malcomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/) > [I have the same criteria for choosing roles as I have always had: fantastic writing and complicated characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/i-have-the-same-criteria-for-choosing-roles-as-i-have-always-had/) [Paula Malcomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/) > [I don't have keepsakes from shows, really. It's in the work. It's all there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/i-don-t-have-keepsakes-from-shows-really-it-s-in-the-work-it-s-all/) [Paula Malcomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/) > [I'm not interested in a pretty world. It's boring to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/i-m-not-interested-in-a-pretty-world-it-s-boring-to-me/) [Paula Malcomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/) > [I've done network shows. A director will call me and say, 'Do you want to do this with me?' and I'll say, 'Sure,' but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/i-ve-done-network-shows-a-director-will-call-me-and-say-do-you-want/) [Paula Malcomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/) > [I always go for just really, hopefully, great writing and great acting, being in the company of great actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/i-always-go-for-just-really-hopefully-great-writing-and-great-acting/) [Paula Malcomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/) > [I'm pretty excited about the state of TV these days. There's great opportunity for really complicated relationships, in a way that I don't really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/i-m-pretty-excited-about-the-state-of-tv-these-days-there-s-great/) [Paula Malcomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/) > [To me, movies is just scratching the surface for the work. There are people who are so, so great at that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/to-me-movies-is-just-scratching-the-surface-for-the-work-there-are/) [Paula Malcomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/) > [I just want to play strong characters, whatever that is in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/i-just-want-to-play-strong-characters-whatever-that-is-in/) [Paula Malcomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/) > [I like to work long-term on projects. It's fun to go in and out and get in there and do something and leave it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/i-like-to-work-long-term-on-projects-it-s-fun-to-go-in-and-out-and/) [Paula Malcomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/) > [I try not to be too profane around children or old people. Other than that, that's how I speak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/i-try-not-to-be-too-profane-around-children-or-old-people-other-than/) [Paula Malcomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/) > [I love 'Happy Valley.' I love 'Transparent.' I love 'Fleabag.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/i-love-happy-valley-i-love-transparent-i-love-fleabag/) [Paula Malcomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/) [Explore all 29 Paula Malcomson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/) ## 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": "Being a good actor is sort of understanding the complexity of the human psyche and also knowing that we are none of us perfect.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paula Malcomson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/being-a-good-actor-is-sort-of-understanding-the-complexity-of-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/being-a-good-actor-is-sort-of-understanding-the-complexity-of-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/paula-malcomson-21448_actor_being-a-good-actor-is-sort-of-understand_2749935.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/paula-malcomson-21448_actor_being-a-good-actor-is-sort-of-understand_2749935.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/paula-malcomson-21448_actor_being-a-good-actor-is-sort-of-understand_2749935.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Being a good actor is sort of understanding the complexity of the human psyche and also knowing that we are…” — Paula Malcomson", "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": "Paula Malcomson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Being a good actor is sort...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/being-a-good-actor-is-sort-of-understanding-the-complexity-of-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/being-a-good-actor-is-sort-of-understanding-the-complexity-of-the/#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 } } ] } ```