--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Had I not done Shakespeare, Pinter…" description: "\"Had I not done Shakespeare, Pinter, Moliere and things such as 'Godspell' - I played Judas in a hugely successful production before I did 'Elm Street' ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/robert-englund-2458_before_had-i-not-done-shakespeare-pinter-molier_1902551.jpg" --- # Had I not done Shakespeare, Pinter, Moliere and things… ![“Had I not done Shakespeare, Pinter, Moliere and things such as 'Godspell' - I played Judas in a hugely successful production before I did 'Elm Street' - I'd probably be on a psychiatrist's couch saying: 'Freddy ruined me.' But I'd already done 13 movies and years of non-stop theatre.” quote by Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/robert-englund-2458_before_had-i-not-done-shakespeare-pinter-molier_1902551.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/robert-englund-2458_before_had-i-not-done-shakespeare-pinter-molier_1902551.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/robert-englund-2458_before_had-i-not-done-shakespeare-pinter-molier_1902551.jpg) > “Had I not done Shakespeare, Pinter, Moliere and things such as 'Godspell' - I played Judas in a hugely successful production before I did 'Elm Street' - I'd probably be on a psychiatrist's couch saying: 'Freddy ruined me.' But I'd already done 13 movies and years of non-stop theatre.” [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He reflects on a career of diverse roles, noting how early horror work shaped his psyche despite later successes. **In simple terms:** Early horror roles left a lasting impact despite later achievements. Key Takeaway Acknowledge how past roles influence current self‑perception. Themes career reflection identity typecasting Mood reflective nostalgic Type personal career When to use this quote - acting career - typecasting - mental health - public perception Key Concepts psychology media studies Questions to Reflect On - How have your early roles shaped your identity? - Can you separate character from self? A Different Perspective The narrative may romanticize trauma and overlook other factors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Judas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judas/) [Movies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movies/) [Psychiatrist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychiatrist/) [Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shakespeare/) [Street](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/street/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [The very first proper play I did was 'Godspell,' and I played the guitar for it, and I had a small part in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-isaac/the-very-first-proper-play-i-did-was-godspell-and-i-played-the-guitar/) [Oscar Isaac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-isaac/) > [So I heard u like bad guys huh!?! Well I'm not tryna brag or anything...but I watch PG-13 movies. ThugLife!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/so-i-heard-u-like-bad-guys-huh-well-i-m-not-tryna-brag-or-anything/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only problem is I can't get into PG-13 Land. I just get stuck in R rated movies, which they would love us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-silver/the-only-problem-is-i-can-t-get-into-pg-13-land-i-just-get-stuck-in-r/) [Joel Silver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-silver/) > [No one's up in arms about these PG-13 movies where it's literally about the end of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-graynor/no-one-s-up-in-arms-about-these-pg-13-movies-where-it-s-literally/) [Ari Graynor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-graynor/) > [I was an undergrad math major and a grad student in computer science. I'm hugely introverted, not atypical of math majors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-faulkner/i-was-an-undergrad-math-major-and-a-grad-student-in-computer-science/) Judith Faulkner > [Subsidies are hugely important; they represent America's de facto energy policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-goodell/subsidies-are-hugely-important-they-represent-america-s-de-facto/) [Jeff Goodell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-goodell/) > [Being an actor is often very tedious, which is why it helps hugely if your fellow cast members are also good friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-strickson/being-an-actor-is-often-very-tedious-which-is-why-it-helps-hugely-if/) [Mark Strickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-strickson/) > [There will be an end point to how good TV pictures can get. The boob tube has hugely benefited from the rapid advance of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/there-will-be-an-end-point-to-how-good-tv-pictures-can-get-the-boob/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [I was hugely disappointed that 'Whites' was cancelled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-davies/i-was-hugely-disappointed-that-whites-was-cancelled/) [Alan Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-davies/) > [Foxconn is hugely important, not only in China - it's the largest employer in China - Foxconn is important around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/foxconn-is-hugely-important-not-only-in-china-it-s-the-largest/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [The wrongful arrest of tens of thousands of British Muslims after the September 11 attacks can be explained by the very poor intelligence the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/the-wrongful-arrest-of-tens-of-thousands-of-british-muslims-after-the/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [David Bowie worked with Brian Eno and dressed up in extraordinary clothes, but he was also a brilliant songwriter who captured the thoughts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bat-for-lashes/david-bowie-worked-with-brian-eno-and-dressed-up-in-extraordinary/) [Bat for Lashes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bat-for-lashes/) > [My wife is a brilliant, hugely understanding person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-dornan/my-wife-is-a-brilliant-hugely-understanding-person/) [Jamie Dornan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-dornan/) > [I turned down plenty of films which proved to be hugely successful. And, of course, I've also had plenty of experiences where everyone thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewen-bremner/i-turned-down-plenty-of-films-which-proved-to-be-hugely-successful/) [Ewen Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ewen-bremner/) > ['The Hunger Games' takes place in Panem, a country which is part of America. It's post-apocalyptic. There's been a global war. The Panem country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-hemsworth/the-hunger-games-takes-place-in-panem-a-country-which-is-part-of/) [Liam Hemsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-hemsworth/) ## More by Robert Englund > [There's plenty of great stuff out there. I think it's just what we do is we all spend our allowance on the thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/there-s-plenty-of-great-stuff-out-there-i-think-it-s-just-what-we-do/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) > [I was quite a snob when I was a theatre actor earlier in my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/i-was-quite-a-snob-when-i-was-a-theatre-actor-earlier-in-my-career/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) > [Any film you make is a crap shoot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/any-film-you-make-is-a-crap-shoot/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) > [I didn't make good money on 'Nightmare' until part three. I eventually got some nice merchandising checks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/i-didn-t-make-good-money-on-nightmare-until-part-three-i-eventually/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) > [I used to drive up from theatre in Michigan to Stratford, Ontario to watch every show. I idolized the actors from Stratford. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/i-used-to-drive-up-from-theatre-in-michigan-to-stratford-ontario-to/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) > [I make a star's salary when I do horror, because I can still open a movie in Italy or Spain or Germany.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/i-make-a-star-s-salary-when-i-do-horror-because-i-can-still-open-a/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) > [Surfing is real private. It's a solo, loner sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/surfing-is-real-private-it-s-a-solo-loner-sport/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) > [I've worked with pythons and such in a couple of movies, and I had to wrangle around, but I was okay. Still, if I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/i-ve-worked-with-pythons-and-such-in-a-couple-of-movies-and-i-had-to/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) > [I was trained to serve the writer and director as an actor before I serve myself. Not to say that's gotten in my way,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/i-was-trained-to-serve-the-writer-and-director-as-an-actor-before-i/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) > [I do a lot of stuff in my career, but I like to keep a hand in horror.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/i-do-a-lot-of-stuff-in-my-career-but-i-like-to-keep-a-hand-in-horror/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) > [By the time I'm out of makeup, I'm ready to act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/by-the-time-i-m-out-of-makeup-i-m-ready-to-act/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) > [The roughest make-up I ever wore was for 'Phantom of the Opera' because the phantom's face was all disfigured, and he's trying to pass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/the-roughest-make-up-i-ever-wore-was-for-phantom-of-the-opera-because/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) > [I don't choose roles. I go where I'm wanted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/i-don-t-choose-roles-i-go-where-i-m-wanted/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) > [I'm at that stage in my career, especially now where I go where I am wanted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/i-m-at-that-stage-in-my-career-especially-now-where-i-go-where-i-am/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) > [Jeff Bridges taught me a lot about how to keep a scene fresh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/jeff-bridges-taught-me-a-lot-about-how-to-keep-a-scene-fresh/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) [Explore all 165 Robert Englund quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) ## More Before quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [I want to make myself and the crowd happy by way of something different, and that makes things difficult. I'm never playing something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiesto/i-want-to-make-myself-and-the-crowd-happy-by-way-of-something/) [Tiesto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiesto/) > [My writing routine is: get son off to school and sit down at 8 A.M. I read what I wrote the day before, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-chevalier/my-writing-routine-is-get-son-off-to-school-and-sit-down-at-8-a-m-i/) [Tracy Chevalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-chevalier/) > [There aren't traditions of freedom in a place like Iraq. They're going to have to come to grips with a concept that they hadn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-wallop/there-aren-t-traditions-of-freedom-in-a-place-like-iraq-they-re-going/) [Malcolm Wallop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-wallop/) > [I don't like just traveling in for a short time. I've done that before, because sometimes you work for magazines and they have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-sacco/i-don-t-like-just-traveling-in-for-a-short-time-i-ve-done-that-before/) [Joe Sacco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-sacco/) > [Music is almost like a therapy for me. It helps keep me centered and think straight. Before I discovered it, I was walking around,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banks/music-is-almost-like-a-therapy-for-me-it-helps-keep-me-centered-and/) [Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banks/) > [My first company, Pure Software, was exciting and innovative in the first few years and bureaucratic and painful in the last few before it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reed-hastings/my-first-company-pure-software-was-exciting-and-innovative-in-the/) [Reed Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reed-hastings/) > [For the Russian masses, the proletarians, knew for certain, and already saw during the war, and in part before their very eyes, that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-gorter/for-the-russian-masses-the-proletarians-knew-for-certain-and-already/) [Herman Gorter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-gorter/) > [The Constitution is very clear on the - on the declaration of war or reacting to international crimes - crimes against nations. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pitts/the-constitution-is-very-clear-on-the-on-the-declaration-of-war-or/) Joe Pitts > [I've been told before, and I tend to believe it, I'm not like most actresses out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moira-kelly/i-ve-been-told-before-and-i-tend-to-believe-it-i-m-not-like-most/) [Moira Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moira-kelly/) > [Before I got addicted to comedy, I was seriously thinking about playing tennis full time. I joined the tennis team and played with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrot-top/before-i-got-addicted-to-comedy-i-was-seriously-thinking-about/) [Carrot Top](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrot-top/) > [But even before I was in the military, I was extremely jumpy when asleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kyle/but-even-before-i-was-in-the-military-i-was-extremely-jumpy-when/) [Chris Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kyle/) > [When I'm making stuff, the thing that excites me most is not the result, but the process and trying to do something I've never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spike-jonze/when-i-m-making-stuff-the-thing-that-excites-me-most-is-not-the/) [Spike Jonze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spike-jonze/) > [I've pulled ticks off of me before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-ve-pulled-ticks-off-of-me-before/) [Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/) > [You know, before I would think, my cab driver hates me. Now I think my limo driver hates me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-romano/you-know-before-i-would-think-my-cab-driver-hates-me-now-i-think-my/) [Ray Romano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-romano/) Browse all 4,123 Before quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Had I not done Shakespeare, Pinter, Moliere and things such as 'Godspell' - I played Judas in a hugely successful production before I did 'Elm Street' - I'd probably be on a psychiatrist's couch saying: 'Freddy ruined me.' 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