--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I used to take acting so seriously, but…" description: "\"I used to take acting so seriously, but after we did the Quest pilot and the show sold, Kurt Russel said, \"You know, you work too hard. You'll make you..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c12/tim-matheson-8397_acting_i-used-to-take-acting-so-seriously-but-a_828742.jpg" --- # I used to take acting so seriously, but after we did the… ![“I used to take acting so seriously, but after we did the Quest pilot and the show sold, Kurt Russel said, "You know, you work too hard. You'll make yourself sick. You can't work that hard doing a series, because it goes on so long. It's like a baseball season. You've got 162 games. You can't just…” quote by Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c12/tim-matheson-8397_acting_i-used-to-take-acting-so-seriously-but-a_828742.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c12/tim-matheson-8397_acting_i-used-to-take-acting-so-seriously-but-a_828742.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c12/tim-matheson-8397_acting_i-used-to-take-acting-so-seriously-but-a_828742.jpg) > “I used to take acting so seriously, but after we did the Quest pilot and the show sold, Kurt Russel said, "You know, you work too hard. You'll make yourself sick. You can't work that hard doing a series, because it goes on so long. It's like a baseball season. You've got 162 games. You can't just go all-out the first week or two. You can't maintain that pace." And it's true.” [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He recounts advice that sustained work on a long series can cause burnout, likening it to a marathon season. **In simple terms:** Too much work leads to illness. Key Takeaway Balance effort with rest to avoid burnout. Themes worklife health Mood cautious pragmatic Type advice motivational When to use this quote - TV production schedules - freelance projects - academic research - startup development Key Concepts sustainability burnout prevention Questions to Reflect On - How can you pace long‑term projects? - What signs indicate you need to slow down? A Different Perspective May underestimate individual resilience differences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Acting Seriously](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-seriously-539486/) [Adventure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adventure/) [Baseball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baseball/) [Baseball season](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baseball-season/) [Doing Series](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-series-539488/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Russel Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/russel-said-539489/) [Sick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sick/) [Used Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used-acting-539487/) [Week](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/week/) ## Related quotes > [“Wow,” Russel said. “That goes against nature, man. Eating dead, bloody animals is up there with sex: you gotta have it or die.” “We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milly-taiden/wow-russel-said-that-goes-against-nature-man-eating-dead-bloody/) [Milly Taiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milly-taiden/) > [You used to be my everything. Now, you're acting like our something was nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ericson-grey/you-used-to-be-my-everything-now-you-re-acting-like-our-something-was/) [Ericson Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ericson-grey/) > [When my second child was born, I gave up acting - two young children out on the road was too difficult to manage. I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-downham/when-my-second-child-was-born-i-gave-up-acting-two-young-children-out/) [Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) > [In my early days, I used to go to many acting gurus, Asha Chandra and Roshan Taneja being two of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chunky-pandey/in-my-early-days-i-used-to-go-to-many-acting-gurus-asha-chandra-and/) [Chunky Pandey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chunky-pandey/) > [A man who is used to acting in one way never changes; he must come to ruin when the times, in changing, no longer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-man-who-is-used-to-acting-in-one-way-never-changes-he-must-come-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you're the star of a show, the next one has to be as good or better, and if you're doing a series, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/june-whitfield/if-you-re-the-star-of-a-show-the-next-one-has-to-be-as-good-or-better/) [June Whitfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/june-whitfield/) > [I think that there's something really special about doing a series. You get inside the skin of that character 'cause it's such a long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bridget-regan/i-think-that-there-s-something-really-special-about-doing-a-series/) [Bridget Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bridget-regan/) > [Really, the golden egg of doing a series is that you cross that very stupid bridge that says 'Name Actors Only' in casting sessions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-alexander/really-the-golden-egg-of-doing-a-series-is-that-you-cross-that-very/) [Jason Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-alexander/) > [When I first heard about the possibility of doing a series, I didn't want to do it. When it came up a second time,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-don-baker/when-i-first-heard-about-the-possibility-of-doing-a-series-i-didn-t/) [Joe Don Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-don-baker/) > [I love doing a series because you get to see changes in a character and see her grow. It's a journey with change, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/i-love-doing-a-series-because-you-get-to-see-changes-in-a-character/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [I think of doing a series as very hard work. But then I've talked to coal miners, and that's really hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shatner/i-think-of-doing-a-series-as-very-hard-work-but-then-i-ve-talked-to/) [William Shatner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shatner/) > [The hardest thing about doing a series and having it stick is that you've never performed with each other, and the pilot is kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-giuntoli/the-hardest-thing-about-doing-a-series-and-having-it-stick-is-that/) [David Giuntoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-giuntoli/) > [I have no plans of doing a series of 'Raja' films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/govinda/i-have-no-plans-of-doing-a-series-of-raja-films/) [Govinda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/govinda/) > [One of the great things about doing series television is the guest actors that you can have come on and play around with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-duchovny/one-of-the-great-things-about-doing-series-television-is-the-guest/) [David Duchovny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-duchovny/) > [What's fun about doing a series is you get to take some time to create the character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/what-s-fun-about-doing-a-series-is-you-get-to-take-some-time-to/) [Russell Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/) ## More by Tim Matheson > [My life honestly didn't start until I got married and had kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/my-life-honestly-didn-t-start-until-i-got-married-and-had-kids/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [We wanted to make Tucker's Witch just more human and playful, because I don't think we see enough playfulness between characters on TV. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/we-wanted-to-make-tucker-s-witch-just-more-human-and-playful-because/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [I've played historical characters before, and I think the trap of all of them is if you try to do an impression. If that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/i-ve-played-historical-characters-before-and-i-think-the-trap-of-all/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [I always wanted to be an actor. I was one of those lucky kids - or cursed kids - who always knew what he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/i-always-wanted-to-be-an-actor-i-was-one-of-those-lucky-kids-or/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [Ronald Reagan was the Governor of California. He had earned the right to be considered for President of the United States. You learn a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/ronald-reagan-was-the-governor-of-california-he-had-earned-the-right/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [Anything is better than sitting around waiting for the right movie to come along. I lose my edge when I'm sitting around the pool…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/anything-is-better-than-sitting-around-waiting-for-the-right-movie-to/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [I love John F. Kennedy. My mother had been a worker on his campaign and adored him. I was just a kid when he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/i-love-john-f-kennedy-my-mother-had-been-a-worker-on-his-campaign-and/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [I always wanted to be an actor. I was one of those lucky kids - or cursed kids - who always knew what he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/i-always-wanted-to-be-an-actor-i-was-one-of-those-lucky-kids-or-2/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [I had read the Animal House script, and by hook and crook, I finally got an audition. It was a great one. John Landis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/i-had-read-the-animal-house-script-and-by-hook-and-crook-i-finally/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [As an actor and a director, I always let my actors go... assuming they have good ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/as-an-actor-and-a-director-i-always-let-my-actors-go-assuming-they/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [The core of Animal House was about prejudice, about equality, and about inclusion/exclusion. It was about a group of people who were together and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/the-core-of-animal-house-was-about-prejudice-about-equality-and-about/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [I think it's that if you don't have the visual, you have to infuse the full personality into the voice. Think of Daffy Duck.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/i-think-it-s-that-if-you-don-t-have-the-visual-you-have-to-infuse-the/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [It's the kind of sage wisdom coming from a guy who was 25 at the time, but already had 20 years of experience. Kurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/it-s-the-kind-of-sage-wisdom-coming-from-a-guy-who-was-25-at-the-time/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [I went to the prom with a girlfriend of my sister's, a platonic date.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/i-went-to-the-prom-with-a-girlfriend-of-my-sister-s-a-platonic-date/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [Sam Kinison was one of the most compulsive people I'd ever seen. James Belushi was that way, and Chris Farley was that way. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/sam-kinison-was-one-of-the-most-compulsive-people-i-d-ever-seen-james/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) [Explore all 81 Tim Matheson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) ## 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 used to take acting so seriously, but after we did the Quest pilot and the show sold, Kurt Russel said, \"You know, you work too hard. You'll make yourself sick. You can't work that hard doing a series, because it goes on so long. It's like a baseball season. You've got 162 games. 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