--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's tough to make it as an actor…" description: "\"It's tough to make it as an actor, tougher still to make it as an actress - the Screen Actors Guild is eager to provide the statistics to verify the la..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc7/persis-khambatta-20558_actor_it-s-tough-to-make-it-as-an-actor-toughe_2925847.jpg" --- # It's tough to make it as an actor, tougher still to make… ![“It's tough to make it as an actor, tougher still to make it as an actress - the Screen Actors Guild is eager to provide the statistics to verify the latter.” quote by Persis Khambatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc7/persis-khambatta-20558_actor_it-s-tough-to-make-it-as-an-actor-toughe_2925847.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc7/persis-khambatta-20558_actor_it-s-tough-to-make-it-as-an-actor-toughe_2925847.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc7/persis-khambatta-20558_actor_it-s-tough-to-make-it-as-an-actor-toughe_2925847.jpg) > “It's tough to make it as an actor, tougher still to make it as an actress - the Screen Actors Guild is eager to provide the statistics to verify the latter.” [Persis Khambatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acting careers are challenging for all, but women face additional systemic barriers and lack of representation. **In simple terms:** Acting is tough, especially for women. Key Takeaway Advocate for gender equity in entertainment. Themes gender career industry inequality Mood determined hopeful Type social activist When to use this quote - auditions - pay negotiations - media representation Key Concepts feminism labor rights Questions to Reflect On - How can industry improve gender parity? - What support helps women succeed? A Different Perspective Progress is slow despite awareness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actor Tougher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor-tougher-3955410/) [Actors Guild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors-guild-496031/) [Actress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actress/) [Eager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eager/) [Guild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guild/) [Latter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latter/) [Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make/) [Make Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-actor-1184423/) [Make Actress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-actress-1269671/) [Provide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/provide/) [Screen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/screen/) [Screen Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/screen-actors-496033/) [Statistics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/statistics/) [Still](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/still/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tough/) [Tougher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tougher/) [Verify](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/verify/) ## Related quotes > [Being an actor: that's a pretty big net. That's a big playing field. The Screen Actors' Guild is filled with many, many, many, many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-olyphant/being-an-actor-that-s-a-pretty-big-net-that-s-a-big-playing-field-the/) [Timothy Olyphant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-olyphant/) > [It's one thing in this business to actually work. 5 percent of the Screen Actors' Guild works. It's another thing to do work that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianna-margulies/it-s-one-thing-in-this-business-to-actually-work-5-percent-of-the/) [Julianna Margulies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianna-margulies/) > [Filming in Cloak & Dagger I was trying to get my Screen Actors Guild card. Everybody tries to get their SAG card if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louie-anderson/filming-in-cloak-dagger-i-was-trying-to-get-my-screen-actors-guild/) [Louie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louie-anderson/) > [There are 100,000 actors in the Screen Actors Guild. Only 2,000 of them make more than $75,000 a year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-guttenberg/there-are-100-000-actors-in-the-screen-actors-guild-only-2-000-of/) [Steve Guttenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-guttenberg/) > [From 1980 to 1990, I shot more films than any other actor in the Screen Actors Guild, apart from Gene Hackman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-guttenberg/from-1980-to-1990-i-shot-more-films-than-any-other-actor-in-the/) [Steve Guttenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-guttenberg/) > [I think there is something like 90% unemployment in the Screen Actors Guild, so we are the exception.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-spiner/i-think-there-is-something-like-90-unemployment-in-the-screen-actors/) [Brent Spiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-spiner/) > [I accepted that it would be very difficult to become an actor and it's even tougher once you become an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nidhhi-agerwal/i-accepted-that-it-would-be-very-difficult-to-become-an-actor-and-it/) [Nidhhi Agerwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nidhhi-agerwal/) > [Give me a couple of years, and I'll make that actress an overnight success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-goldwyn/give-me-a-couple-of-years-and-i-ll-make-that-actress-an-overnight/) [Samuel Goldwyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-goldwyn/) > [I felt totally released from the need to make it as an actress. I had experienced complete fulfillment in something that had nothing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-heaton/i-felt-totally-released-from-the-need-to-make-it-as-an-actress-i-had/) [Patricia Heaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-heaton/) > [You can't stop being a citizen just because you have a Screen Actors' Guild card.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-newman/you-can-t-stop-being-a-citizen-just-because-you-have-a-screen-actors/) [Paul Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-newman/) > [When I was 18, I joined the Screen Actors Guild, and after college I came to New York.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marla-maples/when-i-was-18-i-joined-the-screen-actors-guild-and-after-college-i/) [Marla Maples](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marla-maples/) > [I went to an acting class for 3 years. But then I figured out that, since there were already 26,000 actors in SAG (Screen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-needham/i-went-to-an-acting-class-for-3-years-but-then-i-figured-out-that/) [Hal Needham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-needham/) > [Stage is the ultimate test; I like watching established screen actors on stage to see if they can really do it. But it's great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/stage-is-the-ultimate-test-i-like-watching-established-screen-actors/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) > [I admired Marlon Brando as I grew up. I though he was one of the finest screen actors around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-caine/i-admired-marlon-brando-as-i-grew-up-i-though-he-was-one-of-the/) [Michael Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-caine/) > [I know a lot of screen actors who think they left it too long to go back on stage and now they have really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-lou-wood/i-know-a-lot-of-screen-actors-who-think-they-left-it-too-long-to-go/) [Aimee Lou Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-lou-wood/) ## More by Persis Khambatta > [Maybe I'm being philosophical and spiritual, but I believe that if you put negative energy out there that that is what will come back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/maybe-i-m-being-philosophical-and-spiritual-but-i-believe-that-if-you/) [Persis Khambatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/) > [I'm going down in history with Star Trek. It's a great feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/i-m-going-down-in-history-with-star-trek-it-s-a-great-feeling/) [Persis Khambatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/) > [You see, being bald and wearing that gray starship uniform, I would have looked like a boy. I wanted to look like a sexy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/you-see-being-bald-and-wearing-that-gray-starship-uniform-i-would/) [Persis Khambatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/) > [I mean, every Star Trek episode you saw was just phenomenal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/i-mean-every-star-trek-episode-you-saw-was-just-phenomenal/) [Persis Khambatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/) > [Creative people are very insecure people because they don't know whether people like them or are in awe of them. That insecurity always comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/creative-people-are-very-insecure-people-because-they-don-t-know/) [Persis Khambatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/) > [If I send out positive messages, it will set a chain of healthy thought processes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/if-i-send-out-positive-messages-it-will-set-a-chain-of-healthy/) [Persis Khambatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/) > [I also had this artist friend who'd paint butterflies and things like that on my head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/i-also-had-this-artist-friend-who-d-paint-butterflies-and-things-like/) [Persis Khambatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/) > [I love America. I eagerly became a citizen. I have no bitterness toward those casting directors who dismissed me because of my accent, nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/i-love-america-i-eagerly-became-a-citizen-i-have-no-bitterness-toward/) [Persis Khambatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/) > [I was thrilled, because I like the big screen and I could then move on to the next thing. It was the biggest break…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/i-was-thrilled-because-i-like-the-big-screen-and-i-could-then-move-on/) [Persis Khambatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/) > [I was brought to Hollywood by Gene Roddenberry and Michael Eisner, chosen from 600 hopefuls to star in the original 'Star Trek' motion picture.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/i-was-brought-to-hollywood-by-gene-roddenberry-and-michael-eisner/) [Persis Khambatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/) > [Basically, they had asked me if I would shave my head or wear a bald cap. I said look, if you are doing a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/basically-they-had-asked-me-if-i-would-shave-my-head-or-wear-a-bald/) [Persis Khambatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/) > [Gene Roddenberry was a genius.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/gene-roddenberry-was-a-genius/) [Persis Khambatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/) > [I just have beautiful memories of what has happened in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/i-just-have-beautiful-memories-of-what-has-happened-in-my-life/) [Persis Khambatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/) > [I had a growing career as a model and an actress in London - I had starred opposite Michael Caine and Sidney Poitier in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/i-had-a-growing-career-as-a-model-and-an-actress-in-london-i-had/) [Persis Khambatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/) > [Having shaved my head for the role put a spotlight on me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/having-shaved-my-head-for-the-role-put-a-spotlight-on-me/) [Persis Khambatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/) [Explore all 30 Persis Khambatta quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/) ## 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! 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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": "It's tough to make it as an actor, tougher still to make it as an actress - the Screen Actors Guild is eager to provide the statistics to verify the latter.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Persis Khambatta" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/it-s-tough-to-make-it-as-an-actor-tougher-still-to-make-it-as-an/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/it-s-tough-to-make-it-as-an-actor-tougher-still-to-make-it-as-an/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc7/persis-khambatta-20558_actor_it-s-tough-to-make-it-as-an-actor-toughe_2925847.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc7/persis-khambatta-20558_actor_it-s-tough-to-make-it-as-an-actor-toughe_2925847.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc7/persis-khambatta-20558_actor_it-s-tough-to-make-it-as-an-actor-toughe_2925847.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's tough to make it as an actor, tougher still to make it as an actress - the Screen Actors Guild is eager…” — Persis Khambatta", "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": "Persis Khambatta", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It's tough to make it as...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/it-s-tough-to-make-it-as-an-actor-tougher-still-to-make-it-as-an/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/it-s-tough-to-make-it-as-an-actor-tougher-still-to-make-it-as-an/#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 } } ] } ```