--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An actor's got a serious duty to perform…" description: "\"An actor's got a serious duty to perform. God's given him the gift to interpret his creatures. He has to do that honestly and conscientiously.\" — Saeed..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/saeed-jaffrey-36201_actor_an-actor-s-got-a-serious-duty-to-perform_1845276.jpg" --- # An actor's got a serious duty to perform. God's given him… ![“An actor's got a serious duty to perform. God's given him the gift to interpret his creatures. He has to do that honestly and conscientiously.” quote by Saeed Jaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/saeed-jaffrey-36201_actor_an-actor-s-got-a-serious-duty-to-perform_1845276.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/saeed-jaffrey-36201_actor_an-actor-s-got-a-serious-duty-to-perform_1845276.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/saeed-jaffrey-36201_actor_an-actor-s-got-a-serious-duty-to-perform_1845276.jpg) > “An actor's got a serious duty to perform. God's given him the gift to interpret his creatures. He has to do that honestly and conscientiously.” [Saeed Jaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saeed-jaffrey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Actors have a moral responsibility to truthfully embody characters, using their talent with integrity. **In simple terms:** Actors must act honestly with their gifts. Key Takeaway Approach roles with sincerity and ethical awareness. Themes responsibility integrity artistry Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - rehearsals - casting decisions - director feedback Key Concepts ethical performance creative duty Questions to Reflect On - What does honesty mean in performance? - How do you honor a character’s truth? A Different Perspective Commercial pressures may tempt shortcuts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gift/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [God given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-given/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [If you perform your part, God will fulfill His. And once you put off specifically, you should just as thoroughly believe that God will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/if-you-perform-your-part-god-will-fulfill-his-and-once-you-put-off/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [I believe that the confidence, really being okay with myself, and really being okay with my gift have grown over the years. It just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brely-evans/i-believe-that-the-confidence-really-being-okay-with-myself-and/) [Brely Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brely-evans/) > [The work of God can only be carried on by the power of God. The church is a spiritual organism fighting spiritual battles: only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cymbala/the-work-of-god-can-only-be-carried-on-by-the-power-of-god-the-church/) [Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) > [“A soldier had his duty to perform and he did it. It might mean hunger and thirst and exhaustion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-m-curtis/a-soldier-had-his-duty-to-perform-and-he-did-it-it-might-mean-hunger/) [C.M. Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-m-curtis/) > [“This assignment is my duty to perform for the US Army. My job is outside your command, my friend. You know my security clearance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-braungart/this-assignment-is-my-duty-to-perform-for-the-us-army-my-job-is/) [Karl Braungart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-braungart/) > [People in positions of power and privilege have a duty to perform at a higher level. If not them, then who?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-parker/people-in-positions-of-power-and-privilege-have-a-duty-to-perform-at/) [Kathleen Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-parker/) > [It is better to do one's own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-better-to-do-one-s-own-duty-however-defective-it-may-be-than-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What drew me into being an actor was that I never got cast in the school plays - and it used to kill me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/what-drew-me-into-being-an-actor-was-that-i-never-got-cast-in-the/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) > [I am a very blessed actor because I have always got the chance to portray various characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manini-mishra/i-am-a-very-blessed-actor-because-i-have-always-got-the-chance-to/) [Manini Mishra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manini-mishra/) > [Before 'Sarkar,' I used to introduce myself as Kay Kay, the actor and then that got reduced to just Kay Kay as people realised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-kay-menon/before-sarkar-i-used-to-introduce-myself-as-kay-kay-the-actor-and/) [Kay Kay Menon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-kay-menon/) > [I never wanted to be an actor. I got stuck in it and kind of liked what I was doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-garner/i-never-wanted-to-be-an-actor-i-got-stuck-in-it-and-kind-of-liked/) [James Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-garner/) > [I wanted to be an actor ever since I got on stage for the first time, aged 13. Before that, I thought I might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiwetel-ejiofor/i-wanted-to-be-an-actor-ever-since-i-got-on-stage-for-the-first-time/) [Chiwetel Ejiofor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiwetel-ejiofor/) > [I made my living as a theater actor before I got my record deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lari-white/i-made-my-living-as-a-theater-actor-before-i-got-my-record-deal/) [Lari White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lari-white/) > [I hung around New York and did a little stock-company stuff. I wasn't really sure at that time if I even wanted to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bronson/i-hung-around-new-york-and-did-a-little-stock-company-stuff-i-wasn-t/) [Charles Bronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bronson/) > [I think I discovered I wanted to be an actor when I got the first pay cheque.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-fimmel/i-think-i-discovered-i-wanted-to-be-an-actor-when-i-got-the-first-pay/) [Travis Fimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-fimmel/) ## More by Saeed Jaffrey > [Though I was born a Muslim, my father's job as a medical officer meant that we travelled a great deal and I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saeed-jaffrey/though-i-was-born-a-muslim-my-father-s-job-as-a-medical-officer-meant/) [Saeed Jaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saeed-jaffrey/) > [The years up to the age of 40 are Capricorn's apprenticeship years, when you get to know love. Life. Letters. The world. After that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saeed-jaffrey/the-years-up-to-the-age-of-40-are-capricorn-s-apprenticeship-years/) [Saeed Jaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saeed-jaffrey/) > [You don't have any credibility unless you are working on 12 films at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saeed-jaffrey/you-don-t-have-any-credibility-unless-you-are-working-on-12-films-at/) [Saeed Jaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saeed-jaffrey/) > [I tell my stories the way I tell them in real life, the way I talk or describe things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saeed-jaffrey/i-tell-my-stories-the-way-i-tell-them-in-real-life-the-way-i-talk-or/) [Saeed Jaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saeed-jaffrey/) > [I find that the more you achieve, the more modest you become.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saeed-jaffrey/i-find-that-the-more-you-achieve-the-more-modest-you-become/) [Saeed Jaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saeed-jaffrey/) > [You see, Hinduism is not confined to the strictness of the desert, but belongs to the universe. Judaism, Christianity and Islam become limited by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saeed-jaffrey/you-see-hinduism-is-not-confined-to-the-strictness-of-the-desert-but/) [Saeed Jaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saeed-jaffrey/) > [It is essential to forgive. Otherwise it stunts the growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saeed-jaffrey/it-is-essential-to-forgive-otherwise-it-stunts-the-growth/) [Saeed Jaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saeed-jaffrey/) > [Many scores of ladies have come into my life and gone away happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saeed-jaffrey/many-scores-of-ladies-have-come-into-my-life-and-gone-away-happy/) [Saeed Jaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saeed-jaffrey/) > [I'm a Capricorn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saeed-jaffrey/i-m-a-capricorn/) [Saeed Jaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saeed-jaffrey/) > [I was exposed to a Muslim school, so I learnt Urdu. I was exposed to a Hindu school, so I learnt Hindi. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saeed-jaffrey/i-was-exposed-to-a-muslim-school-so-i-learnt-urdu-i-was-exposed-to-a/) [Saeed Jaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saeed-jaffrey/) > [I never view my ladies as conquests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saeed-jaffrey/i-never-view-my-ladies-as-conquests/) [Saeed Jaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saeed-jaffrey/) > [Whenever I walk down Oxford Street I see thousands of ties and there is always one that winks at me and says 'get me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saeed-jaffrey/whenever-i-walk-down-oxford-street-i-see-thousands-of-ties-and-there/) [Saeed Jaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saeed-jaffrey/) [Explore all 13 Saeed Jaffrey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saeed-jaffrey/) ## 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": "An actor's got a serious duty to perform. God's given him the gift to interpret his creatures. 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