--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's the persona that makes you a leading…" description: "\"It's the persona that makes you a leading actor. A leading actor has something extra that's fun to watch. But it isn't usually about acting.\" — Val Kilmer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/389/val-kilmer-3242_acting_it-s-the-persona-that-makes-you-a-leadin_853470.jpg" --- # It's the persona that makes you a leading actor. A leading… ![“It's the persona that makes you a leading actor. A leading actor has something extra that's fun to watch. But it isn't usually about acting.” quote by Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/389/val-kilmer-3242_acting_it-s-the-persona-that-makes-you-a-leadin_853470.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/389/val-kilmer-3242_acting_it-s-the-persona-that-makes-you-a-leadin_853470.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/389/val-kilmer-3242_acting_it-s-the-persona-that-makes-you-a-leadin_853470.jpg) > “It's the persona that makes you a leading actor. A leading actor has something extra that's fun to watch. But it isn't usually about acting.” [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. An actor’s charisma and unique presence captivate audiences more than technique alone. **In simple terms:** Charisma matters more than skill. Key Takeaway Cultivate a distinctive personal style. Themes performance charisma authenticity Mood enthusiastic analytical Type interview philosophical When to use this quote - audition preparation - public speaking - leadership presentations - creative workshops Key Concepts presence audience connection Questions to Reflect On - What makes a performer unforgettable? - How can you develop your own “extra”? A Different Perspective Skill still matters for credibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actor Leading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor-leading-775421/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Extras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extras/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Leading Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leading-actor-775422/) [Persona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persona/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Usually Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/usually-acting-775423/) [Watches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watches/) ## Related quotes > [I don't really think there's much difference between a character actor and a leading man besides aesthetics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-renner/i-don-t-really-think-there-s-much-difference-between-a-character/) [Jeremy Renner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-renner/) > [I'm an actor. I'll take a lead if it's offered. The really good actors can fill a character, no matter what the role is.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-herrmann/i-m-an-actor-i-ll-take-a-lead-if-it-s-offered-the-really-good-actors/) [Edward Herrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-herrmann/) > [I was never really a character actor - I was a leading man who was always cast as a character. I wanted to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-shaw/i-was-never-really-a-character-actor-i-was-a-leading-man-who-was/) [Robert Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-shaw/) > [Fortunately and unfortunately, people don't see me as a character actor. They see me as a leading man or nothing, which makes it really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-holloway/fortunately-and-unfortunately-people-don-t-see-me-as-a-character/) [Josh Holloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-holloway/) > [I've been nominated twice before as actor in a leading part. Now I'm nominated as actor in a supporting part. If I don't win,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/i-ve-been-nominated-twice-before-as-actor-in-a-leading-part-now-i-m/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [I have a problem with the term 'leading man.' It's so limiting; it involves not upsetting anyone. Obviously, we have anti-heroes now, but if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmi-simpson/i-have-a-problem-with-the-term-leading-man-it-s-so-limiting-it/) [Jimmi Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmi-simpson/) > [I didn't have this feeling that I should be a leading actor in the cinema. And I wouldn't want the responsibility of the opening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-didn-t-have-this-feeling-that-i-should-be-a-leading-actor-in-the/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [Every human being has a plethora of emotions. As an actor, we are lucky to take them out and portray onscreen. But in normal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-kay-menon/every-human-being-has-a-plethora-of-emotions-as-an-actor-we-are-lucky/) [Kay Kay Menon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-kay-menon/) > [When I came into the acting profession, it was quite hierarchical. You didn't sit at the same table as the leading actor. Sir Laurence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/when-i-came-into-the-acting-profession-it-was-quite-hierarchical-you/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [I went to the RSC, and I became a leading actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-fearon/i-went-to-the-rsc-and-i-became-a-leading-actor/) [Ray Fearon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-fearon/) > [I've learned 90 percent of what I know from watching and listening to actors. A good leading actor is the rock of the show.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wittrock/i-ve-learned-90-percent-of-what-i-know-from-watching-and-listening-to/) [Finn Wittrock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wittrock/) > [I always thought the leading actor should be the best supporting actor, because you're the only person that can help every other actor on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-costner/i-always-thought-the-leading-actor-should-be-the-best-supporting/) [Kevin Costner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-costner/) > [I was always a supporting actor. It is nice to know one has the equipment to be a leading actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-hawthorne/i-was-always-a-supporting-actor-it-is-nice-to-know-one-has-the/) [Nigel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-hawthorne/) > [If you're a leading actor you don't work with another actor. You work with a lady.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-caine/if-you-re-a-leading-actor-you-don-t-work-with-another-actor-you-work/) [Michael Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-caine/) > [I watch America's Next Top Model in the gym and go, 'If I stay an extra 15 minutes, I will look like that girl!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-love-hewitt/i-watch-america-s-next-top-model-in-the-gym-and-go-if-i-stay-an-extra/) [Jennifer Love Hewitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-love-hewitt/) ## More by Val Kilmer > [I'm a better person when I'm preparing for a role, when I'm studying a role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/i-m-a-better-person-when-i-m-preparing-for-a-role-when-i-m-studying-a/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [A lot of old guys in movies are like cowboys - they talk like cowboys and they dress like cowboys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/a-lot-of-old-guys-in-movies-are-like-cowboys-they-talk-like-cowboys/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [I'm very wary of news on television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/i-m-very-wary-of-news-on-television/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [Youth is seen as everything. You don't know anything when you're young. It's great being older, just having a more balanced perspective. I wake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/youth-is-seen-as-everything-you-don-t-know-anything-when-you-re-young/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [It's a really weird thing, modern divorce. I found out I was getting divorced on television. That was kind of weird.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/it-s-a-really-weird-thing-modern-divorce-i-found-out-i-was-getting/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [I was in love with Tina Goodman since I was three and her parents came popping out of the trash cans. I think it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/i-was-in-love-with-tina-goodman-since-i-was-three-and-her-parents/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [Without deadlines and restrictions I just tend to become preoccupied with other things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/without-deadlines-and-restrictions-i-just-tend-to-become-preoccupied/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [Do what you like to do so well that someone will pay you wages for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/do-what-you-like-to-do-so-well-that-someone-will-pay-you-wages-for-it/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [Hollywood's like a warehouse. It's just a place that you go. What's interesting in the warehouse has to do with the creative people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/hollywood-s-like-a-warehouse-it-s-just-a-place-that-you-go-what-s/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [I don't believe in death. I think it's just a state of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/i-don-t-believe-in-death-i-think-it-s-just-a-state-of-mind/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [Acting is very immediate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/acting-is-very-immediate/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [There are lots of actors who are awful people, but nobody talks about them being awful because they've made billions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/there-are-lots-of-actors-who-are-awful-people-but-nobody-talks-about/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [Mark Twain had a way of telling stories that shifts your consciousness away from labels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/mark-twain-had-a-way-of-telling-stories-that-shifts-your/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [I've found that Hollywood's a really honest business. They don't pull any punches. They tell you exactly what you want-I want the fake breasts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/i-ve-found-that-hollywood-s-a-really-honest-business-they-don-t-pull/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [There was such a relationship between the buffalo and the American Indian - the Indians would eat them, live inside their pelts, use every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/there-was-such-a-relationship-between-the-buffalo-and-the-american/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) [Explore all 135 Val Kilmer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) ## 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": "It's the persona that makes you a leading actor. A leading actor has something extra that's fun to watch. 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