--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't recall making a conscious…" description: "\"I don't recall making a conscious decision to become an actor. I just remember winning a prize at a theatre festival when I was 17 and saying: 'Oh, tha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/159/simon-mcburney-7667_actor_i-don-t-recall-making-a-conscious-decisi_1460723.png" --- # I don't recall making a conscious decision to become an… ![“I don't recall making a conscious decision to become an actor. I just remember winning a prize at a theatre festival when I was 17 and saying: 'Oh, that's what I have to do.'” quote by Simon McBurney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/159/simon-mcburney-7667_actor_i-don-t-recall-making-a-conscious-decisi_1460723.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/159/simon-mcburney-7667_actor_i-don-t-recall-making-a-conscious-decisi_1460723.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/159/simon-mcburney-7667_actor_i-don-t-recall-making-a-conscious-decisi_1460723.png) > “I don't recall making a conscious decision to become an actor. I just remember winning a prize at a theatre festival when I was 17 and saying: 'Oh, that's what I have to do.'” [Simon McBurney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mcburney/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He describes an unplanned path to acting, sparked by early recognition and a feeling of destiny. **In simple terms:** He became an actor after winning a prize and feeling it was his calling. Key Takeaway Trust early signs of passion and pursue them. Themes career destiny creative awakening early success Mood inspirational thoughtful Type personal career When to use this quote - career choice - artistic development - personal growth - skill building Key Concepts calling self‑discovery theatre arts Questions to Reflect On - What early moments guided your career? - Do you think destiny or choice matters more? A Different Perspective May overlook practical preparation needed for sustained success. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actor Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor-just/) [Become](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/become/) [Conscious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscious/) [Conscious decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscious-decision/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Decision Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision-actor-2409222/) [Festival](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/festival/) [Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just/) [Making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making/) [Oh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oh/) [Prize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prize/) [Recall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recall/) [Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember/) [Remember Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember-winning-1206903/) [Saying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saying/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Theatre Festival](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre-festival-5276336/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [It was not a conscious decision to become an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ishita-dutta/it-was-not-a-conscious-decision-to-become-an-actor/) [Ishita Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ishita-dutta/) > [I don't remember the decision to be an actor. It was just... a very stark interest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-corrin/i-don-t-remember-the-decision-to-be-an-actor-it-was-just-a-very-stark/) [Emma Corrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-corrin/) > [Being on a Paul Thomas Anderson film, the best decision an actor can make is to listen to Paul Thomas Anderson. Because he's probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rami-malek/being-on-a-paul-thomas-anderson-film-the-best-decision-an-actor-can/) [Rami Malek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rami-malek/) > [My father quite honestly played no role in my decision to become an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-minghella/my-father-quite-honestly-played-no-role-in-my-decision-to-become-an/) [Max Minghella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-minghella/) > [I go with the flow. I don't think too much. If the script demands and my gut feelings allow I follow my instinct and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargun-mehta/i-go-with-the-flow-i-don-t-think-too-much-if-the-script-demands-and/) [Sargun Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargun-mehta/) > [I remember winning the first time, you know, suddenly everybody expects, well, okay, now he should win every time he tees it up, win…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/retief-goosen/i-remember-winning-the-first-time-you-know-suddenly-everybody-expects/) [Retief Goosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/retief-goosen/) > [I was on a cruise with my grandma when I was a kid. I remember winning $10 on the slot machine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-gilbert/i-was-on-a-cruise-with-my-grandma-when-i-was-a-kid-i-remember-winning/) [Chad Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-gilbert/) > [It is possible to wish so greatly for the unattained that in time you believe it has been won - indeed, you can even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-l-rice/it-is-possible-to-wish-so-greatly-for-the-unattained-that-in-time-you/) [Craig L. Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-l-rice/) > [“No," said the old man, deep under. "I don't remember anyone winning anywhere any time. War's never a winning things, Charlie. You just lose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/no-said-the-old-man-deep-under-i-don-t-remember-anyone-winning/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [Racquetball was always number one but when our first child was born things I thought I cherished weren't as important. You put yourself in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kane-waselenchuk/racquetball-was-always-number-one-but-when-our-first-child-was-born/) [Kane Waselenchuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kane-waselenchuk/) > [It's incredible. Nine? Wow. I just remember winning my first one, getting the medal and the plate, the pin with the diamond for first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-kwan/it-s-incredible-nine-wow-i-just-remember-winning-my-first-one-getting/) [Michelle Kwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-kwan/) > [If I have given my all and still do not win, I haven't lost. Others might remember winning or losing; I remember the journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-have-given-my-all-and-still-do-not-win-i-haven-t-lost-others/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't ever remember anyone winning a tournament like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-littler/i-can-t-ever-remember-anyone-winning-a-tournament-like-that/) [Gene Littler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-littler/) > [I remember winning the Asian Cup in 2004 in China, coming through so much adversity including a final against the hosts. We won 3-1…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zico/i-remember-winning-the-asian-cup-in-2004-in-china-coming-through-so/) [Zico](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zico/) > [It was a conscious decision on my part to take up fewer films. And if you're not seen that often on screen, nobody calls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-lever/it-was-a-conscious-decision-on-my-part-to-take-up-fewer-films-and-if/) [Johnny Lever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-lever/) ## More by Simon McBurney > [The brain constantly assures us, reassures us, that we are in control. But the closer you look, the more questions you have about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mcburney/the-brain-constantly-assures-us-reassures-us-that-we-are-in-control/) [Simon McBurney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mcburney/) > [Theatre artists are essentially sort of charlatans and thieves, I mean that's the tradition that we come from, so I have absolutely no, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mcburney/theatre-artists-are-essentially-sort-of-charlatans-and-thieves-i-mean/) [Simon McBurney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mcburney/) > [My work is not generally in the commercial sector. However, I'm not worried by the commercial sector. I refuse to work in any other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mcburney/my-work-is-not-generally-in-the-commercial-sector-however-i-m-not/) [Simon McBurney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mcburney/) > [In my opinion, there's nothing new in the theatre, ever. Theatre-makers are thieves, in the honourable tradition of charlatans. They fake it very, very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mcburney/in-my-opinion-there-s-nothing-new-in-the-theatre-ever-theatre-makers/) [Simon McBurney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mcburney/) > [Our lives are a sequence of things. When we're alive, they're continuing, just as my words now are an improvisation. So the idea of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mcburney/our-lives-are-a-sequence-of-things-when-we-re-alive-they-re/) [Simon McBurney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mcburney/) > [We try to place the human body in relation to the image all the time, so it's never a kind of a backdrop, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mcburney/we-try-to-place-the-human-body-in-relation-to-the-image-all-the-time/) [Simon McBurney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mcburney/) > [I constantly want to know - what is a table, or what is a cat?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mcburney/i-constantly-want-to-know-what-is-a-table-or-what-is-a-cat/) [Simon McBurney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mcburney/) > [The only reality of the theater exists in the mind of the audience. That audience looks collectively at what is going on on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mcburney/the-only-reality-of-the-theater-exists-in-the-mind-of-the-audience/) [Simon McBurney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mcburney/) > [I suppose as an actor you become very sensitive to rhythm, not just rhythm as you look at it sort of from the, from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mcburney/i-suppose-as-an-actor-you-become-very-sensitive-to-rhythm-not-just/) [Simon McBurney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mcburney/) > [I remember the fact that milk was delivered every day by a milkman. In summer, my mother would make what now seem in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mcburney/i-remember-the-fact-that-milk-was-delivered-every-day-by-a-milkman-in/) [Simon McBurney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mcburney/) > ['Mnemonic' is a play about memory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mcburney/mnemonic-is-a-play-about-memory/) [Simon McBurney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mcburney/) > [I have always felt more at home in a culture that has nothing to do with the one I was born and brought up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mcburney/i-have-always-felt-more-at-home-in-a-culture-that-has-nothing-to-do/) [Simon McBurney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mcburney/) > [Yes it was chaos, working through chaos, you never quite knew what you were going to do each day, but you knew that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mcburney/yes-it-was-chaos-working-through-chaos-you-never-quite-knew-what-you/) [Simon McBurney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mcburney/) > [One of the things he liked about playwriting as to any other kind of writing is that a playwright is a w-r-i-g-h-t, not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mcburney/one-of-the-things-he-liked-about-playwriting-as-to-any-other-kind-of/) [Simon McBurney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mcburney/) > [With the theatre, for God's sake, everything makes sense. You create a clear sequential reality for a specific audience at one particular time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mcburney/with-the-theatre-for-god-s-sake-everything-makes-sense-you-create-a/) [Simon McBurney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mcburney/) [Explore all 89 Simon McBurney quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mcburney/) ## 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. 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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": "I don't recall making a conscious decision to become an actor. 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