--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was young, I dreamt of being a…" description: "\"When I was young, I dreamt of being a starlet in Hollywood. But there comes a point in every African American's life when you realize the limitations, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/ruby-dee-7465_african-american_when-i-was-young-i-dreamt-of-being-a-sta_2257813.png" --- # When I was young, I dreamt of being a starlet in… ![“When I was young, I dreamt of being a starlet in Hollywood. But there comes a point in every African American's life when you realize the limitations, that you could only play maids or some little supporting role. Even Lena Horne couldn't get good parts.” quote by Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/ruby-dee-7465_african-american_when-i-was-young-i-dreamt-of-being-a-sta_2257813.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/ruby-dee-7465_african-american_when-i-was-young-i-dreamt-of-being-a-sta_2257813.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/ruby-dee-7465_african-american_when-i-was-young-i-dreamt-of-being-a-sta_2257813.png) > “When I was young, I dreamt of being a starlet in Hollywood. But there comes a point in every African American's life when you realize the limitations, that you could only play maids or some little supporting role. Even Lena Horne couldn't get good parts.” [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Highlights systemic typecasting limiting roles for African American actors, especially women, despite talent. **In simple terms:** Black actors face limited roles due to racism. Key Takeaway Advocate for diverse casting. Themes racism representation career Mood frustrated determined Type critical historical When to use this quote - auditions - casting decisions - career planning - advocacy - film studies Key Concepts Hollywood typecasting systemic bias Questions to Reflect On - How can casting directors broaden role opportunities? - What actions can actors take to challenge stereotypes? A Different Perspective Progress requires industry-wide change, not just individual effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [African american](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-american/) [Hollywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hollywood/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [I don't consider myself a starlet or a Hollywood person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mia-wasikowska/i-don-t-consider-myself-a-starlet-or-a-hollywood-person/) [Mia Wasikowska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mia-wasikowska/) > [When I realized that you can't necessarily be cast in a really great part living in Austin, even when Hollywood comes to town, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hawkes/when-i-realized-that-you-can-t-necessarily-be-cast-in-a-really-great/) [John Hawkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hawkes/) > [It's funny... you can make fun of AIDS or Haiti, but if you make fun of some starlet in Hollywood's looks? That's like the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tosh/it-s-funny-you-can-make-fun-of-aids-or-haiti-but-if-you-make-fun-of/) [Daniel Tosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tosh/) > [“The person above is the creation of a handful of talented people whose job it is to make me look good. I’m of course…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-kaling/the-person-above-is-the-creation-of-a-handful-of-talented-people/) [Mindy Kaling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-kaling/) > [Like with 'Starlet,' we intentionally did not look at 'Boogie Nights' before making 'Starlet,' and I should have. Because there are one or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-baker/like-with-starlet-we-intentionally-did-not-look-at-boogie-nights/) [Sean Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-baker/) > [I call myself a geriatric starlet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-call-myself-a-geriatric-starlet/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [In Hollywood a starlet is the name for any woman under thirty who is not actively employed in a brothel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-hecht/in-hollywood-a-starlet-is-the-name-for-any-woman-under-thirty-who-is/) [Ben Hecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-hecht/) > [I hoped 'Starlet' would finally open doors for me and lead to a much bigger budgeted movie, but that didn't happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-baker/i-hoped-starlet-would-finally-open-doors-for-me-and-lead-to-a-much/) [Sean Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-baker/) > [I suppose you could pass for a starlet. You do have that femme fatale air about you. Like you crush boys’ dreams in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janette-rallison/i-suppose-you-could-pass-for-a-starlet-you-do-have-that-femme-fatale/) [Janette Rallison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janette-rallison/) > ['Tangerine' was less than half the budget of 'Starlet,' and 'Starlet' was already a microbudget film. A director always wants more time, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-baker/tangerine-was-less-than-half-the-budget-of-starlet-and-starlet-was/) [Sean Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-baker/) > [When I was 17, I studied at RADA in London for the summer. I wanted to live abroad and to pursue drama, so it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dree-hemingway/when-i-was-17-i-studied-at-rada-in-london-for-the-summer-i-wanted-to/) [Dree Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dree-hemingway/) > [I am a tip-top starlet. That is my job that I am paid to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/i-am-a-tip-top-starlet-that-is-my-job-that-i-am-paid-to-do/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [Once you were a starlet. Then you're a star. Can you be a starlet again?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayne-mansfield/once-you-were-a-starlet-then-you-re-a-star-can-you-be-a-starlet-again/) [Jayne Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayne-mansfield/) > [“It's not the weight of the load, but how you carry it. ~Lena Horne~”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trenice-carter/it-s-not-the-weight-of-the-load-but-how-you-carry-it-lena-horne/) Trenice Carter > [“I love Lena Horne's "It's not the load that breaks you down. It's the way you carry it." And Annie Dillard"s roughly remembered: Sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeri-parker/i-love-lena-horne-s-it-s-not-the-load-that-breaks-you-down-it-s-the/) Jeri Parker ## More by Ruby Dee > [Just staying together is not a real virtue, if you're not happy. Or you're being denied. Or one person is being squashed. Or you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/just-staying-together-is-not-a-real-virtue-if-you-re-not-happy-or-you/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [I'm proud of doing 'Long Day's Journey into Night,' for which I won an ACE award.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/i-m-proud-of-doing-long-day-s-journey-into-night-for-which-i-won-an/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [See, I don’t expect to win a prize for stoic control and dignity at mourning time. Death deserve tantrums. Beating back shocked indignation, kicks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/see-i-don-t-expect-to-win-a-prize-for-stoic-control-and-dignity-at/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [You hear people say, 'We take our Tennessee Williams very seriously. There is no laughter here.' It's full of humor! Not to laugh is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/you-hear-people-say-we-take-our-tennessee-williams-very-seriously/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [A trustworthy marriage has weathered temptation and anger and jealousy, resentment, self-righteousness and a little bit of selfishness. When you get over and get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/a-trustworthy-marriage-has-weathered-temptation-and-anger-and/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [OK, boss, I don't mind shuffling, but I won't scratch my head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/ok-boss-i-don-t-mind-shuffling-but-i-won-t-scratch-my-head/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [Marriage is really an exciting adventure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/marriage-is-really-an-exciting-adventure/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [We don't realize how much racism has tainted our self-image as human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/we-don-t-realize-how-much-racism-has-tainted-our-self-image-as-human/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [Gangsters lived in the neighborhood. They weren't apart from it. Their relationships with people were both benevolent and scary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/gangsters-lived-in-the-neighborhood-they-weren-t-apart-from-it-their/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [My experience for myself as a performer is not one of high expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/my-experience-for-myself-as-a-performer-is-not-one-of-high/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [The Divine Impulse - it's always safe to follow it. We've got to trust it and go wherever it takes us. Especially women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/the-divine-impulse-it-s-always-safe-to-follow-it-we-ve-got-to-trust/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [Revolutionaries don't get job security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/revolutionaries-don-t-get-job-security/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [It's getting increasingly difficult to be a dreamer under any circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/it-s-getting-increasingly-difficult-to-be-a-dreamer-under-any/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [My whole life is not defined by what Hollywood does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/my-whole-life-is-not-defined-by-what-hollywood-does/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [I think I have something unique that I'd like to share.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/i-think-i-have-something-unique-that-i-d-like-to-share/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) [Explore all 91 Ruby Dee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) ## More African american quotes > [This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/this-is-for-an-accomplished-latino-an-accomplished-african-american/) [Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/) > [I grew up in Synagogue in the boys' choir. We didn't listen to music in the house; only at temple. Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/) [Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/) > [I agreed a long time ago, I would not live at any cost. If I am moved or forced away from what I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-agreed-a-long-time-ago-i-would-not-live-at-any-cost-if-i-am-moved/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [There could be no more powerful argument against mixing religion and government than the success of independent African American churches in placing racial segregation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/there-could-be-no-more-powerful-argument-against-mixing-religion-and/) [Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/) > [“This popularity extended to Trump himself, who, according to private demographic research conducted at the time, was even more popular with African American and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-green/this-popularity-extended-to-trump-himself-who-according-to-private/) [Joshua Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-green/) > [American civil rights leader, Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? Lynching is a murder. For the past four hundred years our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/american-civil-rights-leader-where-do-we-go-from-here-chaos-or/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [I know I'm more forgiving than most African Americans when it comes to second chances for White people who not only commit a racial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-capehart/i-know-i-m-more-forgiving-than-most-african-americans-when-it-comes/) [Jonathan Capehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-capehart/) > [Some Republicans gave up on winning the African-American vote, looking the other way or trying to benefit politically from racial polarization. I am here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-mehlman/some-republicans-gave-up-on-winning-the-african-american-vote-looking/) [Ken Mehlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-mehlman/) > [It's unfortunate that a lot of people think African-American female artists are monolithically R&B this-or-that, don't have to do anything by default.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/it-s-unfortunate-that-a-lot-of-people-think-african-american-female/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [Whereas our ancestors (not of choice) were the first successful cultivators of the wilds of America, we their descendants feel ourselves entitled to participate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-allen/whereas-our-ancestors-not-of-choice-were-the-first-successful/) [Richard Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-allen/) > [It may be changing, but still it's the one place, that total control of an institution, that African Americans have. So sometimes, you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-emerson/it-may-be-changing-but-still-it-s-the-one-place-that-total-control-of/) [Michael Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-emerson/) > [Most of the more celebrated names among African-American authors, poets, and artists are known to the world because of their association with specific cultural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aberjhani/most-of-the-more-celebrated-names-among-african-american-authors/) [Aberjhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aberjhani/) > [I think it's easier for African American and white comics to be praised than it is Latinos because they think our culture or our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lopez/i-think-it-s-easier-for-african-american-and-white-comics-to-be/) [George Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lopez/) > [“Alabama in 1927 alone, 27,701 men were arrested on misdemeanor charges and offered for sale by county sheriffs. In Blackmon’s estimation, “roughly half of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-haney-l-pez/alabama-in-1927-alone-27-701-men-were-arrested-on-misdemeanor-charges/) [Ian Haney López](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-haney-l-pez/) > [I'm just trying to touch the world and touch the people and just get good material. And show them that we can get it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-hardrict/i-m-just-trying-to-touch-the-world-and-touch-the-people-and-just-get/) [Cory Hardrict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-hardrict/) [Browse all 1,848 African american quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-american/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was young, I dreamt of being a starlet in Hollywood. But there comes a point in every African American's life when you realize the limitations, that you could only play maids or some little supporting role. 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