--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It’s such a floating freak show. You get…" description: "\"It’s such a floating freak show. You get a bit older and you start to see what’s going on backstage in the collective psyche of this ridiculous industr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/259/robert-downey-jr-3620_awe_it-s-such-a-floating-freak-show-you-get_2187365.jpg" --- # It’s such a floating freak show. You get a bit older and… ![“It’s such a floating freak show. You get a bit older and you start to see what’s going on backstage in the collective psyche of this ridiculous industry. … Nothing pleases me more than when somebody who was awe-inspired to be working with me realizes I’m just another schmuck that they’re bored of…” quote by Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/259/robert-downey-jr-3620_awe_it-s-such-a-floating-freak-show-you-get_2187365.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/259/robert-downey-jr-3620_awe_it-s-such-a-floating-freak-show-you-get_2187365.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/259/robert-downey-jr-3620_awe_it-s-such-a-floating-freak-show-you-get_2187365.jpg) > “It’s such a floating freak show. You get a bit older and you start to see what’s going on backstage in the collective psyche of this ridiculous industry. … Nothing pleases me more than when somebody who was awe-inspired to be working with me realizes I’m just another schmuck that they’re bored of hanging out with on a set. I love that moment. I like it when that persistent illusion is smashed.” [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The industry is a chaotic spectacle; seeing behind the scenes reveals its absurdity, and the speaker enjoys exposing pretentiousness. **In simple terms:** Entertainment is a circus; the speaker likes debunking false images. Key Takeaway Expose the façade, cherish authenticity. Themes entertainment illusion reality ego industry Mood cynical humorous Type critical observational When to use this quote - film sets - award shows - press events - networking Key Concepts media criticism psychology of fame authenticity Questions to Reflect On - How does revealing truth affect relationships? - What value lies in the “schmuck” moments? A Different Perspective Smashed illusions may alienate collaborators. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Awe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awe/) [Backstage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backstage/) [Bored](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bored/) [Hanging out](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hanging-out/) [Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion/) [Industry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/industry/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Persistent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persistent/) [Schmucks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/schmucks/) ## Related quotes > [My dad loves going backstage. I try not to have him give too many jokes to people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-shookus/my-dad-loves-going-backstage-i-try-not-to-have-him-give-too-many/) [Lindsay Shookus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-shookus/) > [There's something about being a part of Broadway and going backstage. You know, like when I go to see a show now and going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosie-o-donnell/there-s-something-about-being-a-part-of-broadway-and-going-backstage/) [Rosie O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosie-o-donnell/) > [Better to be king for a night. Than schmuck for a lifetime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/better-to-be-king-for-a-night-than-schmuck-for-a-lifetime/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm not expecting the American literary community to welcome me with open arms. To them I'm just some schmuck kid who wrote some book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/macaulay-culkin/i-m-not-expecting-the-american-literary-community-to-welcome-me-with/) [Macaulay Culkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/macaulay-culkin/) > [Dad sometimes patted me on the knee and called me his Little Schmuck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-reagan/dad-sometimes-patted-me-on-the-knee-and-called-me-his-little-schmuck/) [Michael Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-reagan/) > [I'm not a schmuck. Even if the world goes to hell in a handbasket, I won't lose a penny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-not-a-schmuck-even-if-the-world-goes-to-hell-in-a-handbasket-i/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [Put two things together which have never been put together before, and some schmuck will buy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/put-two-things-together-which-have-never-been-put-together-before-and/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [The Eskimos have four hundred words for snow, and the Jewshave four hundred for schmuck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/the-eskimos-have-four-hundred-words-for-snow-and-the-jewshave-four/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [There are more Democratic schmucks than there are Republican ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-mason/there-are-more-democratic-schmucks-than-there-are-republican-ones/) [Jackie Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-mason/) > [Yeah, I made it. It sneaks up on you. You're some schmuck and you wake up one day and you go, Good God, I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-macy/yeah-i-made-it-it-sneaks-up-on-you-you-re-some-schmuck-and-you-wake/) [William H. Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-macy/) > [Know your load. That's rule numero uno in this business, which is why I make them count the penguins out in front of me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-m-appel/know-your-load-that-s-rule-numero-uno-in-this-business-which-is-why-i/) [Jacob M. Appel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-m-appel/) > [When in doubt, parenthesize. At the very least it will let some poor schmuck bounce on the % key in vi.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-wall/when-in-doubt-parenthesize-at-the-very-least-it-will-let-some-poor/) [Larry Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-wall/) > [It’s the downside of a family business: anything good is because I’m somebody’s son; otherwise, I’m a schmuck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-bronfman-jr/it-s-the-downside-of-a-family-business-anything-good-is-because-i-m/) [Edgar Bronfman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-bronfman-jr/) > [My feeling is that the hero has now been defined by phrases like the odious one that we were all raised with - crimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-miller/my-feeling-is-that-the-hero-has-now-been-defined-by-phrases-like-the/) [Frank Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-miller/) > [It’s worth noting that you can devote your life to community service and be a total schmuck. You can spend your life on Wall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brooks/it-s-worth-noting-that-you-can-devote-your-life-to-community-service/) [David Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brooks/) ## More by Robert Downey, Jr > [I was kind of like chasing my tail and trying to do the right thing, and was a little bit stupid. Or irresponsible, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/i-was-kind-of-like-chasing-my-tail-and-trying-to-do-the-right-thing/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [Discipline for me is about respect. It's not even about self-respect; it's about respect for life and all it offers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/discipline-for-me-is-about-respect-it-s-not-even-about-self-respect/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [Give me a scotch, I'm starving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/give-me-a-scotch-i-m-starving/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [People never change because they are under threat or under duress. Never. They change because they see something that makes their life seem valuable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/people-never-change-because-they-are-under-threat-or-under-duress/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [Remember that just because you hit bottom doesn't mean you have to stay there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/remember-that-just-because-you-hit-bottom-doesn-t-mean-you-have-to/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [I don't like words coming out of a character's mouth that I adore because not only is he a little bit duplicitous but he's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/i-don-t-like-words-coming-out-of-a-character-s-mouth-that-i-adore/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [I don't want to be so confident in myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/i-don-t-want-to-be-so-confident-in-myself/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [Pick a dysfunction and it's a family problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/pick-a-dysfunction-and-it-s-a-family-problem/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [My old man had a philosophy: peace means having a bigger stick than the other guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/my-old-man-had-a-philosophy-peace-means-having-a-bigger-stick-than/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [Nobody learns a German aria overnight, except Jared Harris.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/nobody-learns-a-german-aria-overnight-except-jared-harris/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [You can't go from a $2,000-a-night suite at La Mirage to a penitentiary, and really understand it, and come out a liberal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/you-can-t-go-from-a-2-000-a-night-suite-at-la-mirage-to-a/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [I'm an actor, a husband, a father of two, and a full-time Avenger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/i-m-an-actor-a-husband-a-father-of-two-and-a-full-time-avenger/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [I take some pride in... representing myself exactly how I would like to have my son remember me to his kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/i-take-some-pride-in-representing-myself-exactly-how-i-would-like-to/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [Peace means having a bigger stick than the other guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/peace-means-having-a-bigger-stick-than-the-other-guy/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [I've always just shown up and tried to figure out what's for lunch and am I going to get to play some racquetball that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/i-ve-always-just-shown-up-and-tried-to-figure-out-what-s-for-lunch/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) [Explore all 126 Robert Downey, Jr quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) ## More Awe quotes > [Because I've never had any higher education of any sort, I've never held in awe those who have had it or have a sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-corbyn/because-i-ve-never-had-any-higher-education-of-any-sort-i-ve-never/) [Jeremy Corbyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-corbyn/) > [Of course the Dharma-body of the Buddha was the hedge at the bottom of the garden. At the same time, and no less obviously,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/of-course-the-dharma-body-of-the-buddha-was-the-hedge-at-the-bottom/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [When I look at the human brain I'm still in awe of it. Every single time you lift off the bone and open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/when-i-look-at-the-human-brain-i-m-still-in-awe-of-it-every-single/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [“I know you deserve better than me. You think I don’t know that? But if there was any woman made for me … it’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-mcguire/i-know-you-deserve-better-than-me-you-think-i-don-t-know-that-but-if/) [Jamie McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-mcguire/) > [There are certain scenes that would awe an atheist into belief without the help of any other argument.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-gray/there-are-certain-scenes-that-would-awe-an-atheist-into-belief/) [Thomas Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-gray/) > [As we contemplate with reverence and awe how our Savior embraces us, comforts us, and heals us, let us commit to become His hands,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/as-we-contemplate-with-reverence-and-awe-how-our-savior-embraces-us/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [My journey deep into coma, outside this lowly physical realm and into the loftiest dwelling place of the almighty Creator, revealed the indescribably immense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eben-alexander/my-journey-deep-into-coma-outside-this-lowly-physical-realm-and-into/) [Eben Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eben-alexander/) > [Awe combined with intimacy is the essence of Christian worship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/awe-combined-with-intimacy-is-the-essence-of-christian-worship/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Everything we perceive to be solid and static is made up of almost entirely empty space.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/everything-we-perceive-to-be-solid-and-static-is-made-up-of-almost/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [“Oftentimes we call Life bitter names, but only when we ourselves are bitter and dark. And we deem her empty and unprofitable, but only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/oftentimes-we-call-life-bitter-names-but-only-when-we-ourselves-are/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [The laws of nature are the skeleton of the universe. They support it, give it shape, tie it together. Taken as a whole, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-trefil/the-laws-of-nature-are-the-skeleton-of-the-universe-they-support-it/) James Trefil > [When you look at yourself and feel dissatisfaction about any part of you, you will continue to attract feelings of dissatisfaction, because the law…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/when-you-look-at-yourself-and-feel-dissatisfaction-about-any-part-of/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [“What can we make of the inexpressible joy of children? It is a kind of gratitude, I think—the gratitude of the ten-year-old who wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/what-can-we-make-of-the-inexpressible-joy-of-children-it-is-a-kind-of/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) > [Sometimes not seeing things can be a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/sometimes-not-seeing-things-can-be-a-blessing/) [August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/) > [I'm always in awe at how fast television is and how quickly you're called upon to be 100 percent invested in a character with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/i-m-always-in-awe-at-how-fast-television-is-and-how-quickly-you-re/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) [Browse all 1,119 Awe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awe/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It’s such a floating freak show. You get a bit older and you start to see what’s going on backstage in the collective psyche of this ridiculous industry. … Nothing pleases me more than when somebody who was awe-inspired to be working with me realizes I’m just another schmuck that they’re bored of hanging out with on a set. I love that moment. 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