--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I didn't even have a career before…" description: "\"I didn't even have a career before 'Stranger Things' - it was my first acting job, my first time on a professional set, and my character wasn't even su..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99d/shannon-purser-6228_acting_i-didn-t-even-have-a-career-before-stran_221555.jpg" --- # I didn't even have a career before 'Stranger Things' - it… ![“I didn't even have a career before 'Stranger Things' - it was my first acting job, my first time on a professional set, and my character wasn't even supposed to be a big deal - it all just exploded.” quote by Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99d/shannon-purser-6228_acting_i-didn-t-even-have-a-career-before-stran_221555.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99d/shannon-purser-6228_acting_i-didn-t-even-have-a-career-before-stran_221555.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99d/shannon-purser-6228_acting_i-didn-t-even-have-a-career-before-stran_221555.jpg) > “I didn't even have a career before 'Stranger Things' - it was my first acting job, my first time on a professional set, and my character wasn't even supposed to be a big deal - it all just exploded.” [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Her first major role launched an unexpected career, showing how a single opportunity can trigger rapid growth. **In simple terms:** A first role sparked sudden success. Key Takeaway Embrace early chances; stay ready. Themes career opportunity growth success media Mood excited hopeful reflective Type anecdotal inspirational When to use this quote - audition - first job - networking - media exposure Key Concepts breakthrough visibility industry entry Questions to Reflect On - How can you leverage a breakthrough? - What steps keep momentum after sudden fame? A Different Perspective Success may be fleeting without sustained effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Acting Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-job/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Big](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big/) [Big deal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-deal/) [Career Stranger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career-stranger-2262605/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [First time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-time/) [Stranger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stranger/) [Stranger Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stranger-things/) [Things Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-acting-918390/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Stranger Things' was my first job, and I was learning everything as I was doing it and it was such a whirlwind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/stranger-things-was-my-first-job-and-i-was-learning-everything-as-i/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [With 'Stranger Things' especially, I couldn't expect the show to become what it was, and I definitely didn't expect the whole Barb thing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/with-stranger-things-especially-i-couldn-t-expect-the-show-to-become/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [I'm always going to love Barb and I'm always going to be grateful to 'Stranger Things' and for the incredible opportunity I've had.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-m-always-going-to-love-barb-and-i-m-always-going-to-be-grateful-to/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [I had this incredible opportunity with 'Stranger Things,' and now all it tells me is that people like my work, so I need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-had-this-incredible-opportunity-with-stranger-things-and-now-all-it/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [Looking back on my wardrobe from 'Stranger Things,' I would probably wear a lot of it. I might style it a little bit differently…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/looking-back-on-my-wardrobe-from-stranger-things-i-would-probably/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [Just filming Season 1 was different because I had to fly back and forth, in and out. I remember the show was just so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-schnapp/just-filming-season-1-was-different-because-i-had-to-fly-back-and/) [Noah Schnapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-schnapp/) > [I've always loved music, and I've always sought out the stranger things, even in a record you could buy at the mall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-evans/i-ve-always-loved-music-and-i-ve-always-sought-out-the-stranger/) [Grant Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grant-evans/) > [Some people say, 'Oh, you look just like the guy from 'Stranger Things.' And I'm like, 'I am the guy.' And they think I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-keery/some-people-say-oh-you-look-just-like-the-guy-from-stranger-things/) [Joe Keery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-keery/) > [Yeah, in all of 'Stranger Things,' if I have a line or scene I really try to improvise, I'll ask the Duffers. They're pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caleb-mclaughlin/yeah-in-all-of-stranger-things-if-i-have-a-line-or-scene-i-really-try/) [Caleb McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caleb-mclaughlin/) > [As soon as they sent me an email saying that 'Stranger Things' is having an audition and they'd like you to come in, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-astin/as-soon-as-they-sent-me-an-email-saying-that-stranger-things-is/) [Sean Astin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-astin/) > [We wanted it to have a simplicity to it, so that if you're a 12-year-old and you're watching the show and you get inspired,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-duffer/we-wanted-it-to-have-a-simplicity-to-it-so-that-if-you-re-a-12-year/) [Ross Duffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-duffer/) > [I first heard about 'Stranger Things' from people dressed as the characters coming up to me at conventions saying, 'Hey, you have to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-astin/i-first-heard-about-stranger-things-from-people-dressed-as-the/) [Sean Astin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-astin/) > [Well I actually came to shoot 'Stranger Things' straight from filming a movie called 'Bridge of Spies,' which is directed by Stephen Spielberg, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-schnapp/well-i-actually-came-to-shoot-stranger-things-straight-from-filming-a/) [Noah Schnapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-schnapp/) > [I started 'Outer Banks,' because there's so much hype around it. I saw one episode and I didn't really continue, but I got to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-schnapp/i-started-outer-banks-because-there-s-so-much-hype-around-it-i-saw/) [Noah Schnapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-schnapp/) > [We were at a Giants game, and my manager told me, 'Sadie, you have an audition for a show called 'Stranger Things,'' and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadie-sink/we-were-at-a-giants-game-and-my-manager-told-me-sadie-you-have-an/) [Sadie Sink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadie-sink/) ## More by Shannon Purser > [When I was a little kid, I used to get in trouble a lot for lying. Being raised religious, I believed that lying was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-used-to-get-in-trouble-a-lot-for-lying/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [I related to 'Sierra' in the fact that I tend to come off as pretty confident in who I am, but definitely in high…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-related-to-sierra-in-the-fact-that-i-tend-to-come-off-as-pretty/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [Being on set is just a unique and surreal experience, and it's one I always dreamed about having. And then I had it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/being-on-set-is-just-a-unique-and-surreal-experience-and-it-s-one-i/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [I think people need a little light and a little happiness in their lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-think-people-need-a-little-light-and-a-little-happiness-in-their/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [Playing the nerd isn't necessarily the most ego-boosting role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/playing-the-nerd-isn-t-necessarily-the-most-ego-boosting-role/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [I love the style from the '80s, obviously some of it is a little, you know, out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-love-the-style-from-the-80s-obviously-some-of-it-is-a-little-you/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [I grew up in a house with all girls, so I'm used to having a lot of hormones around that can create craziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-grew-up-in-a-house-with-all-girls-so-i-m-used-to-having-a-lot-of/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [I certainly hope that we will get more women in power, when it comes to executives and producers and directors, because the problem is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-certainly-hope-that-we-will-get-more-women-in-power-when-it-comes/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [I think people are more alike than they are different, especially in high school. No matter what clique you belong to, everybody's trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-think-people-are-more-alike-than-they-are-different-especially-in/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [I've found beauty in such unexpected places. I think the most beautiful thing you can do is be yourself and to own it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-ve-found-beauty-in-such-unexpected-places-i-think-the-most/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [I don't know why, but I'm more intimidated by sharing my singing than just performing as an actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-don-t-know-why-but-i-m-more-intimidated-by-sharing-my-singing-than/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [I think we take our friends for granted a lot in high school. We're so busy worrying about our own problems that we ignore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-think-we-take-our-friends-for-granted-a-lot-in-high-school-we-re-so/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [Everyone has been an outcast at one point in their life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/everyone-has-been-an-outcast-at-one-point-in-their-life/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [Technology is a double-edged sword for sure. You can use it to get in touch with somebody, to get to know somebody, to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/technology-is-a-double-edged-sword-for-sure-you-can-use-it-to-get-in/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [It's always been important to me to do work that I'm proud of and be part of stories that I'm proud of, so being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/it-s-always-been-important-to-me-to-do-work-that-i-m-proud-of-and-be/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) [Explore all 99 Shannon Purser quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) ## More Acting 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/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [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/) > [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/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) [Ryan Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-newman/) > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I didn't even have a career before 'Stranger Things' - it was my first acting job, my first time on a professional set, and my character wasn't even supposed to be a big deal - it all just exploded.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Shannon Purser" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-didn-t-even-have-a-career-before-stranger-things-it-was-my-first/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-didn-t-even-have-a-career-before-stranger-things-it-was-my-first/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99d/shannon-purser-6228_acting_i-didn-t-even-have-a-career-before-stran_221555.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99d/shannon-purser-6228_acting_i-didn-t-even-have-a-career-before-stran_221555.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99d/shannon-purser-6228_acting_i-didn-t-even-have-a-career-before-stran_221555.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I didn't even have a career before 'Stranger Things' - it was my first acting job, my first time on a…” — Shannon Purser", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Shannon Purser", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I didn't even have a career...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-didn-t-even-have-a-career-before-stranger-things-it-was-my-first/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-didn-t-even-have-a-career-before-stranger-things-it-was-my-first/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```