---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My influences were Peter Sellers and the…"
description: "\"My influences were Peter Sellers and the great British character actors.\" — Tracey Ullman"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa2/tracey-ullman-11932_actors_my-influences-were-peter-sellers-and-the_106756.jpg"
---

#  My influences were Peter Sellers and the great British…

![“My influences were Peter Sellers and the great British character actors.” quote by Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa2/tracey-ullman-11932_actors_my-influences-were-peter-sellers-and-the_106756.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa2/tracey-ullman-11932_actors_my-influences-were-peter-sellers-and-the_106756.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa2/tracey-ullman-11932_actors_my-influences-were-peter-sellers-and-the_106756.jpg)

> “My influences were Peter Sellers and the great British character actors.”

[Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The performer draws inspiration from Peter Sellers’ chameleon‑like versatility and the nuanced craft of classic British character actors.

**In simple terms:** She admires versatile British actors.

Key Takeaway

Influence comes from adaptable, character‑driven performance.

Themes

acting inspiration British cinema

Mood

admiring curious

Type

personal reflection artistic influence

When to use this quote

- Preparing for a sketch comedy role
- Studying character work in drama school
- Analyzing performance styles for a documentary

Key Concepts

method acting comedic timing

Practical Applications

- Watch key Sellers films for range
- Study character actor monologues for depth

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you blend classic influence with personal innovation?
- What aspects of Sellers’ technique are most applicable today?

A Different Perspective

Relying heavily on past styles may limit original voice.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [British](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-actors/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/)

## Related quotes

> [The actors I respect are the real character actors, who are the real chameleon actors that completely change from role to role. I love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-kranz/the-actors-i-respect-are-the-real-character-actors-who-are-the-real/)

[Fran Kranz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-kranz/)

> [The question is, 'how bad at sports were you as a kid?' I grew up near where they film Jersey Shore. If you weren't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/the-question-is-how-bad-at-sports-were-you-as-a-kid-i-grew-up-near/)

[Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/)

> [Peter Sellers was just a brilliant actor, and also comedic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/peter-sellers-was-just-a-brilliant-actor-and-also-comedic/)

[Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/)

> [My dad turned me onto Peter Sellers as a kid. I loved the fact that he was a unique combination of being extremely subtle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferrell/my-dad-turned-me-onto-peter-sellers-as-a-kid-i-loved-the-fact-that-he/)

[Will Ferrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferrell/)

> [We should do another 10 Bad Boys movies. I could come in in one of those electric wheelchairs, like Peter Sellers in Dr Strangelove,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pantoliano/we-should-do-another-10-bad-boys-movies-i-could-come-in-in-one-of/)

[Joe Pantoliano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-pantoliano/)

> [Comedy. It was just huge in my house. Peter Sellers and Alec Guinness, Monty Python and all those James Bond movies were highly regarded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-myers/comedy-it-was-just-huge-in-my-house-peter-sellers-and-alec-guinness/)

[Mike Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-myers/)

> [Comedy was why I got into acting the first place. Peter Sellers was a huge influence on my wanting to act. I grew up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hawkins/comedy-was-why-i-got-into-acting-the-first-place-peter-sellers-was-a/)

[Sally Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hawkins/)

> [My favorite, favorite, favorite, and the greatest comedian that could ever exist if you could Frankenstein a comedian together, would be one part Richard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keegan-michael-key/my-favorite-favorite-favorite-and-the-greatest-comedian-that-could/)

[Keegan-Michael Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keegan-michael-key/)

> [The great thing about Google is that you type in neuro-surgery and somehow you end up with Peter Sellers or watching Frank Sinatra. Google…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/the-great-thing-about-google-is-that-you-type-in-neuro-surgery-and/)

[Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/)

> [I prefer not to wink out from behind the character as myself, saying to the audience, "It's just me here, right, guys?" Peter Sellers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-daly/i-prefer-not-to-wink-out-from-behind-the-character-as-myself-saying/)

[Andy Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-daly/)

> [I've always loved Peter Sellers and Alec Guinness movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-hamill/i-ve-always-loved-peter-sellers-and-alec-guinness-movies/)

[Mark Hamill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-hamill/)

> [I know of only six genuine comic geniuses in movie history; Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Groucho Marx &amp; Harpo Marx, Peter Sellers, and W.C.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/i-know-of-only-six-genuine-comic-geniuses-in-movie-history-charlie/)

[Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/)

> [Peter Sellers constantly reinvented himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merrie-spaeth/peter-sellers-constantly-reinvented-himself/)

[Merrie Spaeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merrie-spaeth/)

> [To me, if you are in the same building with Peter Sellers or John Cleese, or any of those guys and holding your own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-cooper/to-me-if-you-are-in-the-same-building-with-peter-sellers-or-john/)

[Alice Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-cooper/)

> [I love to come in and play with a wig or glasses or clothes. I love using props. I'm from the Peter Sellers school…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-aykroyd/i-love-to-come-in-and-play-with-a-wig-or-glasses-or-clothes-i-love/)

[Dan Aykroyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-aykroyd/)

## More by Tracey Ullman

> [Every character I do is based on someone I know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/every-character-i-do-is-based-on-someone-i-know/)

[Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/)

> [It's like a woman's birthright to knit. It's primal. It's timeless. You don't need electricity to knit. You can do it with a candle,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/it-s-like-a-woman-s-birthright-to-knit-it-s-primal-it-s-timeless-you/)

[Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/)

> [I've never looked ahead very much in my life. I've never had any grand plan from the outset. I had no burning ambition to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/i-ve-never-looked-ahead-very-much-in-my-life-i-ve-never-had-any-grand/)

[Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/)

> [A lot of stand-up comedy is embarrassing: too many idiots doing it in orange neckties against brick walls. I find most sitcoms embarrassing, too,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/a-lot-of-stand-up-comedy-is-embarrassing-too-many-idiots-doing-it-in/)

[Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/)

> [I grew up with Jilly and Tamsin driving Volvos. But I wasn't one of them... I always felt more comfortable with Cockney and working-class…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/i-grew-up-with-jilly-and-tamsin-driving-volvos-but-i-wasn-t-one-of/)

[Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/)

> [You become so encapsulated in this world of being a star. People listen to what you say, you have this voice, it becomes unreal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/you-become-so-encapsulated-in-this-world-of-being-a-star-people/)

[Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/)

> [I'm fascinated by Bollywood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/i-m-fascinated-by-bollywood/)

[Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/)

> [I worked with Paul McCartney for a while and saw what it does to you to be treated like a god for twenty years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/i-worked-with-paul-mccartney-for-a-while-and-saw-what-it-does-to-you/)

[Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/)

> [I like going to France, because no one knows who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/i-like-going-to-france-because-no-one-knows-who-i-am/)

[Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/)

> [There are different types of love, and my love for my child is like me and my mum. We've gone through a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/there-are-different-types-of-love-and-my-love-for-my-child-is-like-me/)

[Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/)

> [The show I did in England catered to a broad range of people. I like that. I don't want nouveau cult status, though I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/the-show-i-did-in-england-catered-to-a-broad-range-of-people-i-like/)

[Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/)

> [I've always been a misfit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/i-ve-always-been-a-misfit/)

[Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/)

> [I love John Waters. There's stuff in it that's beyond the boundaries of my taste, but his movies have always been like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/i-love-john-waters-there-s-stuff-in-it-that-s-beyond-the-boundaries/)

[Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/)

> [Did you know David Letterman was offered millions of dollars to do a commercial for dog food?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/did-you-know-david-letterman-was-offered-millions-of-dollars-to-do-a/)

[Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/)

> [It's sometimes shocking to find out what people really believe in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/it-s-sometimes-shocking-to-find-out-what-people-really-believe-in/)

[Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/)

[Explore all 57 Tracey Ullman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/)

## More Actors quotes

> [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/)

[Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/)

> [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/)

[Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/)

> [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/)

[Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/)

> [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/)

[Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/)

> [Forget the credit, they (male actors) take all the money as well. We don't get paid even one-third of what male actors get. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kangana-ranaut/forget-the-credit-they-male-actors-take-all-the-money-as-well-we-don/)

[Kangana Ranaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kangana-ranaut/)

> [I love film people and actors and I am in the right world because I am one of those people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewan-mcgregor/i-love-film-people-and-actors-and-i-am-in-the-right-world-because-i/)

[Ewan McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ewan-mcgregor/)

> [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/)

> [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/)

[Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/)

> [When we watch a film as actors, you have to understand that we always see much more than what's on screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-khemu/when-we-watch-a-film-as-actors-you-have-to-understand-that-we-always/)

[Kunal Khemu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-khemu/)

> [As actors, you become an expert at starting over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupita-nyong-o/as-actors-you-become-an-expert-at-starting-over/)

[Lupita Nyong'o](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupita-nyong-o/)

> [The whole concept of stage fright is fascinating. Actors get stage fright, but they wouldn't be on the stage in the first place if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/the-whole-concept-of-stage-fright-is-fascinating-actors-get-stage/)

[Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/)

> [No actor wants to choose - they just want all of the options available to them all the time; we tend to be pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-jacobs/no-actor-wants-to-choose-they-just-want-all-of-the-options-available/)

[Gillian Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-jacobs/)

> [A rapper is about being completely true to yourself. Being an actor is about changing who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/a-rapper-is-about-being-completely-true-to-yourself-being-an-actor-is/)

[Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/)

> [I've been a professional actor for almost 40 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-perlman/i-ve-been-a-professional-actor-for-almost-40-years/)

[Ron Perlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-perlman/)

> [American actors are coy. We all have pricks and cunts, or are you different from the rest of us?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-greenaway/american-actors-are-coy-we-all-have-pricks-and-cunts-or-are-you/)

[Peter Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-greenaway/)

[Browse all 11,394 Actors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "My influences were Peter Sellers and the great British character actors.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Tracey Ullman"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/my-influences-were-peter-sellers-and-the-great-british-character/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Actors"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/my-influences-were-peter-sellers-and-the-great-british-character/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa2/tracey-ullman-11932_actors_my-influences-were-peter-sellers-and-the_106756.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa2/tracey-ullman-11932_actors_my-influences-were-peter-sellers-and-the_106756.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa2/tracey-ullman-11932_actors_my-influences-were-peter-sellers-and-the_106756.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“My influences were Peter Sellers and the great British character actors.” — Tracey Ullman",
                "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": "Tracey Ullman",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "My influences were Peter Sellers and...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/my-influences-were-peter-sellers-and-the-great-british-character/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/my-influences-were-peter-sellers-and-the-great-british-character/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
