--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was younger, I had no idea that I…" description: "\"When I was younger, I had no idea that I would be an actor. I had an interest in it, but I never actually did it. I didn't really expect it to be a car..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/ross-butler-14424_actor_when-i-was-younger-i-had-no-idea-that-i_546776.jpg" --- # When I was younger, I had no idea that I would be an… ![“When I was younger, I had no idea that I would be an actor. I had an interest in it, but I never actually did it. I didn't really expect it to be a career path.” quote by Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/ross-butler-14424_actor_when-i-was-younger-i-had-no-idea-that-i_546776.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/ross-butler-14424_actor_when-i-was-younger-i-had-no-idea-that-i_546776.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/ross-butler-14424_actor_when-i-was-younger-i-had-no-idea-that-i_546776.jpg) > “When I was younger, I had no idea that I would be an actor. I had an interest in it, but I never actually did it. I didn't really expect it to be a career path.” [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects on unexpected career paths, noting that early interest didn't predict the eventual profession. **In simple terms:** Early interests may not predict future jobs. Key Takeaway Stay open to unexpected opportunities. Themes career selfdiscovery serendipity growth Mood reflective optimistic Type personal inspirational When to use this quote - college major decisions - career changes - hobby turning professional - life planning Key Concepts identity life trajectory choice Questions to Reflect On - How might hidden interests shape your future? - What steps can you take to explore unexpected paths? A Different Perspective Not all passions become careers; timing and chance matter. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) [Career path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career-path/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [Charity work is part of my life. I do it, I expect to do it, but it is not a career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/princess-michael-of-kent/charity-work-is-part-of-my-life-i-do-it-i-expect-to-do-it-but-it-is/) [Princess Michael of Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/princess-michael-of-kent/) > [Instead of going into politics, I decided to go into comedy, which is the second most daunting career path for a woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casey-wilson/instead-of-going-into-politics-i-decided-to-go-into-comedy-which-is/) [Casey Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/casey-wilson/) > [I come from Nova Scotia, and I'd never seen a theater or been inside of a theater. When I was 17, my dad asked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-sutherland/i-come-from-nova-scotia-and-i-d-never-seen-a-theater-or-been-inside/) [Donald Sutherland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-sutherland/) > [ One of my career ambitions was fulfilled working with John \[Hurt\]. I loved his work long before I ever had the idea of being… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/one-of-my-career-ambitions-was-fulfilled-working-with-john-hurt-i/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [I just loved the whole idea of being an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-macfadyen/i-just-loved-the-whole-idea-of-being-an-actor/) [Matthew Macfadyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-macfadyen/) > [The idea was to become an actor. Then I found I really didn't like acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lycett/the-idea-was-to-become-an-actor-then-i-found-i-really-didn-t-like/) [Joe Lycett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lycett/) > [And I was very shy as a kid; if you sang me 'Happy Birthday,' I would cry. Quite shy. So the idea of being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-horn/and-i-was-very-shy-as-a-kid-if-you-sang-me-happy-birthday-i-would-cry/) [Cody Horn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-horn/) > [I don't see a difference between the idea of what an actor does and what someone supposes a character actor is, really.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stuhlbarg/i-don-t-see-a-difference-between-the-idea-of-what-an-actor-does-and/) [Michael Stuhlbarg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stuhlbarg/) > [I can't think of anything worse than trying to schmooze someone with the idea that you're an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-can-t-think-of-anything-worse-than-trying-to-schmooze-someone-with/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The idea of an actor is that you should be able to play anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eileen-atkins/the-idea-of-an-actor-is-that-you-should-be-able-to-play-anything/) [Eileen Atkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eileen-atkins/) > [I was entirely wrapped up in the idea of becoming an actor. I learned how to write on the job, basically out of necessity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-howerton/i-was-entirely-wrapped-up-in-the-idea-of-becoming-an-actor-i-learned/) [Glenn Howerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-howerton/) > [I was raised in the theater and I started acting when I was nine. To me, the idea of being an actor was about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-knepper/i-was-raised-in-the-theater-and-i-started-acting-when-i-was-nine-to/) [Robert Knepper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-knepper/) > [You would be surprised how many directors don't know what they want. They might not know what they want until they see it, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/you-would-be-surprised-how-many-directors-don-t-know-what-they-want/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [Once I won the roles in 'Spender' and 'First Knight' it was much easier for everyone, me included, to get their heads around the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-ineson/once-i-won-the-roles-in-spender-and-first-knight-it-was-much-easier/) [Ralph Ineson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-ineson/) > [I had no idea how one became an actor. I didn't know things such as drama schools existed. It all just sort of happened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-thewlis/i-had-no-idea-how-one-became-an-actor-i-didn-t-know-things-such-as/) [David Thewlis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-thewlis/) ## More by Ross Butler > [Honestly, I love Ruth's Chris.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/honestly-i-love-ruth-s-chris/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [My acting technique is a combination of a lot of different ones. A lot of it is Meisner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/my-acting-technique-is-a-combination-of-a-lot-of-different-ones-a-lot/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [I'm not that much of a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/i-m-not-that-much-of-a-singer/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [Joseph Gordon-Levitt's career is kind of how I want to create my career. He's very involved with his recording and production company and also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/joseph-gordon-levitt-s-career-is-kind-of-how-i-want-to-create-my/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [I don't think I have any guilt or embarrassment about any of the TV shows I watch. Maybe the fact that the shows I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/i-don-t-think-i-have-any-guilt-or-embarrassment-about-any-of-the-tv/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [With social games, I bring my friends, and maybe they'll bring a friend or two, and when you're playing a game, you don't need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/with-social-games-i-bring-my-friends-and-maybe-they-ll-bring-a-friend/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [When I was growing up, my mom didn't let me watch a lot of TV. She said I couldn't watch 'Friends' or that era…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/when-i-was-growing-up-my-mom-didn-t-let-me-watch-a-lot-of-tv-she-said/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [People in high school either feel like they're with the cool kids in a clique, or they're isolated - there's no in-between.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/people-in-high-school-either-feel-like-they-re-with-the-cool-kids-in/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [There's so much diversity on TV. It's actually reflecting American culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/there-s-so-much-diversity-on-tv-it-s-actually-reflecting-american/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [I will say that 'Riverdale,' yes, is a little more sensationalized. It's based on comics, and it is a little bit more dramatic and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/i-will-say-that-riverdale-yes-is-a-little-more-sensationalized-it-s/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [I've played lacrosse players, football players, basketball players. I think that's just because of how I'm built. I look young, and I'm also a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/i-ve-played-lacrosse-players-football-players-basketball-players-i/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [If everything could be like 'Forrest Gump,' I'd be happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/if-everything-could-be-like-forrest-gump-i-d-be-happy/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [I know I play a lot of jocks, but I'm actually a really big board game and video game nerd. It's one of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/i-know-i-play-a-lot-of-jocks-but-i-m-actually-a-really-big-board-game/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [As actors, we have to take characters, and we have to feel for them and ultimately become them, and share that on screen so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/as-actors-we-have-to-take-characters-and-we-have-to-feel-for-them-and/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [Weirdly enough - if I make enough money one day - I want to open a board game bar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/weirdly-enough-if-i-make-enough-money-one-day-i-want-to-open-a-board/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) [Explore all 46 Ross Butler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) ## 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": "When I was younger, I had no idea that I would be an actor. I had an interest in it, but I never actually did it. 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