--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I dropped the script in the fireplace…" description: "\"I dropped the script in the fireplace, called my agent and said, they can jail me, sue me, but I'm never acting again, unless I can do something worthw..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d4/piper-laurie-32811_acting_i-dropped-the-script-in-the-fireplace-ca_2641789.png" --- # I dropped the script in the fireplace, called my agent and… ![“I dropped the script in the fireplace, called my agent and said, they can jail me, sue me, but I'm never acting again, unless I can do something worthwhile.” quote by Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d4/piper-laurie-32811_acting_i-dropped-the-script-in-the-fireplace-ca_2641789.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d4/piper-laurie-32811_acting_i-dropped-the-script-in-the-fireplace-ca_2641789.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d4/piper-laurie-32811_acting_i-dropped-the-script-in-the-fireplace-ca_2641789.png) > “I dropped the script in the fireplace, called my agent and said, they can jail me, sue me, but I'm never acting again, unless I can do something worthwhile.” [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A declaration to stop acting unless the work has meaningful purpose, rejecting fame for integrity. **In simple terms:** Stop acting unless work matters. Key Takeaway Choose purpose over fame. Themes integrity purpose career self‑respect Mood determined reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career crossroads - creative projects - personal values - public scrutiny Key Concepts ethical decision artistic integrity Questions to Reflect On - What would you create if only purpose mattered? - How to balance livelihood and integrity? A Different Perspective May limit opportunities if too rigid. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Jail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jail/) [Sue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sue/) [Worthwhile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worthwhile/) ## Related quotes > [I mean, stand up you're by yourself and it's live and when you're acting, unless you're doing a monologue, you're interacting with somebody else.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/i-mean-stand-up-you-re-by-yourself-and-it-s-live-and-when-you-re/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [When I got my very first phone call that I'd hit the 'New York Times' list, I had a small rush of 'I've made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-gardner/when-i-got-my-very-first-phone-call-that-i-d-hit-the-new-york-times/) [Lisa Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-gardner/) > [It wasn't exactly a cattle call. I had an agent, and they were seeing people for the parts, so my agent said, "Here's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-spiner/it-wasn-t-exactly-a-cattle-call-i-had-an-agent-and-they-were-seeing/) [Brent Spiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-spiner/) > [I wanted to draw and do costumes. I was prepared to train for that, but I needed something to do on my time off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemence-poesy/i-wanted-to-draw-and-do-costumes-i-was-prepared-to-train-for-that-but/) [Clemence Poesy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemence-poesy/) > [My agent said that every Monday after an episode of 'Entourage,' at the staff meeting at the agency, that's all they do is talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-connolly/my-agent-said-that-every-monday-after-an-episode-of-entourage-at-the/) [Kevin Connolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-connolly/) > [My agent said that I was one of the top three busiest people in the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casey-kasem/my-agent-said-that-i-was-one-of-the-top-three-busiest-people-in-the/) [Casey Kasem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/casey-kasem/) > [“An Indian Affairs agent said, 'The question will suggest itself, which of these people are the savages?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-grann/an-indian-affairs-agent-said-the-question-will-suggest-itself-which/) [David Grann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-grann/) > [I was approached by my agent, who said they were interested in me for 'Mr. Robot'. Then I binge-watched the show, and I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-robinson/i-was-approached-by-my-agent-who-said-they-were-interested-in-me-for/) [Craig Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-robinson/) > [ I came across the script \[42\], and I read it, and I said, "I really want to do this." And when I had my… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harrison-ford/i-came-across-the-script-42-and-i-read-it-and-i-said-i-really-want-to/) [Harrison Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harrison-ford/) > [I think, being an actress, you know that you're getting old. I'm 44. I mean, an agent said when I turned 40, "It won't get better."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-gainsbourg/i-think-being-an-actress-you-know-that-you-re-getting-old-i-m-44-i/) [Charlotte Gainsbourg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-gainsbourg/) > [My agent sent me the script and I loved it. I wondered how they would turn me into a chimp. My agent said it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-hunter/my-agent-sent-me-the-script-and-i-loved-it-i-wondered-how-they-would/) [Kim Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-hunter/) > [We basically got a call from our agent that said we were on the list of directors that Marvel was interested in talking to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-russo/we-basically-got-a-call-from-our-agent-that-said-we-were-on-the-list/) [Anthony Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-russo/) > [My agent said to me five years ago, 'Hugh, I can see one day you... if I had to plan a goal for you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-jackman/my-agent-said-to-me-five-years-ago-hugh-i-can-see-one-day-you-if-i/) [Hugh Jackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-jackman/) > [I came first to America in 1977 at the invitation of a man who wanted to make my life story into a musical. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/i-came-first-to-america-in-1977-at-the-invitation-of-a-man-who-wanted/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [My agent once said, 'You're not very driven.' And it's true. I'm not the type to ring up and go, 'Get me this part!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-vegas/my-agent-once-said-you-re-not-very-driven-and-it-s-true-i-m-not-the/) [Johnny Vegas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-vegas/) ## More by Piper Laurie > [If I had stayed in Hollywood, I would have killed myself. Or someone would have done it for me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/if-i-had-stayed-in-hollywood-i-would-have-killed-myself-or-someone/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [I was so flattered to be asked to be in the movies - the idea of being paid to act was heady stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/i-was-so-flattered-to-be-asked-to-be-in-the-movies-the-idea-of-being/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [I'm one of those people who has always been a bridesmaid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/i-m-one-of-those-people-who-has-always-been-a-bridesmaid/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [Ive always felt robbed of something by people not knowing I was a Jew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/ive-always-felt-robbed-of-something-by-people-not-knowing-i-was-a-jew/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [And even then when you take it, you've got to take it with your whole heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/and-even-then-when-you-take-it-you-ve-got-to-take-it-with-your-whole/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [I had highfalutin ideas about being a serious actress when I was 16, 17, and first signed at Universal. I was so flattered to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/i-had-highfalutin-ideas-about-being-a-serious-actress-when-i-was-16/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [It took a long time, but I have learned that you just can't take anything you want out of life without putting something back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/it-took-a-long-time-but-i-have-learned-that-you-just-can-t-take/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [I've always felt robbed of something by people not knowing I was a Jew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/i-ve-always-felt-robbed-of-something-by-people-not-knowing-i-was-a-jew/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [One thing is certain. The old Piper Laurie is no more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/one-thing-is-certain-the-old-piper-laurie-is-no-more/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [Back then, everyone was Lana and Rock. No one had ethnic names.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/back-then-everyone-was-lana-and-rock-no-one-had-ethnic-names/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [And if real life was like the movies, I should have lived happily ever after.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/and-if-real-life-was-like-the-movies-i-should-have-lived-happily-ever/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [Believe me, when an actress is told that her very name is synonymous with bad acting, she's had it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/believe-me-when-an-actress-is-told-that-her-very-name-is-synonymous/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [The fact is, I never wanted to be a movie star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/the-fact-is-i-never-wanted-to-be-a-movie-star/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [I never forget, remember that. Not an action, not a name, not a face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/i-never-forget-remember-that-not-an-action-not-a-name-not-a-face/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) [Explore all 15 Piper Laurie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) ## More Acting 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/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [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/) > [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/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I dropped the script in the fireplace, called my agent and said, they can jail me, sue me, but I'm never acting again, unless I can do something worthwhile.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Piper Laurie" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/i-dropped-the-script-in-the-fireplace-called-my-agent-and-said-they/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/i-dropped-the-script-in-the-fireplace-called-my-agent-and-said-they/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d4/piper-laurie-32811_acting_i-dropped-the-script-in-the-fireplace-ca_2641789.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d4/piper-laurie-32811_acting_i-dropped-the-script-in-the-fireplace-ca_2641789.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d4/piper-laurie-32811_acting_i-dropped-the-script-in-the-fireplace-ca_2641789.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I dropped the script in the fireplace, called my agent and said, they can jail me, sue me, but I'm never…” — Piper Laurie", "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": "Piper Laurie", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I dropped the script in the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/i-dropped-the-script-in-the-fireplace-called-my-agent-and-said-they/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/i-dropped-the-script-in-the-fireplace-called-my-agent-and-said-they/#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 } } ] } ```