--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only guy that was ever affected by…" description: "\"The only guy that was ever affected by climactic conditions in his acting was Kirk Douglas. He did a superb job in 'Lonely Are the Brave' because we we..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65a/walter-matthau-17641_acting_the-only-guy-that-was-ever-affected-by-c_3103219.png" --- # The only guy that was ever affected by climactic… ![“The only guy that was ever affected by climactic conditions in his acting was Kirk Douglas. He did a superb job in 'Lonely Are the Brave' because we were shooting that picture up at about 12,000 feet, and the rarefied atmosphere sapped him of any energy or strength that he had. That was his best…” quote by Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65a/walter-matthau-17641_acting_the-only-guy-that-was-ever-affected-by-c_3103219.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65a/walter-matthau-17641_acting_the-only-guy-that-was-ever-affected-by-c_3103219.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65a/walter-matthau-17641_acting_the-only-guy-that-was-ever-affected-by-c_3103219.png) > “The only guy that was ever affected by climactic conditions in his acting was Kirk Douglas. He did a superb job in 'Lonely Are the Brave' because we were shooting that picture up at about 12,000 feet, and the rarefied atmosphere sapped him of any energy or strength that he had. That was his best performance.” [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Actor Kirk Douglas delivered his best performance due to high altitude affecting his stamina, creating a raw, vulnerable portrayal. **In simple terms:** High altitude made his acting more authentic. Key Takeaway Leverage environmental challenges to enhance performance. Themes acting environment performance vulnerability authenticity Mood intense reflective Type cinematic analytical When to use this quote - film set - high altitude shooting - character immersion - physical endurance Key Concepts physiology method acting stress response Questions to Reflect On - How can actors use physical constraints to deepen a role? - What limits does extreme environment impose on performance? A Different Perspective If the environment is too harsh, it may hinder rather than help performance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Acting Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-kirk-5386891/) [Affected Climactic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affected-climactic-5386892/) [Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best/) [Brave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brave/) [Climactic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climactic-1658071/) [Climactic Conditions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climactic-conditions-2708954/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Feet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feet/) [Kirk Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kirk-douglas-2475039/) [Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength/) ## Related quotes > [Most climatologists agree that, at best, global warming is a theory about future climactic conditions and cannot be proven based upon the historic record.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/most-climatologists-agree-that-at-best-global-warming-is-a-theory/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [“I had no idea that my world was about to change because of her. Thus it is that major, climactic moments come and pass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhaskar-ghose/i-had-no-idea-that-my-world-was-about-to-change-because-of-her-thus/) [Bhaskar Ghose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhaskar-ghose/) > [If I could have somehow been the kind of artist who could crank out two or three issues a year, that's different. That's sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-clowes/if-i-could-have-somehow-been-the-kind-of-artist-who-could-crank-out/) [Daniel Clowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-clowes/) > [I was a Valley girl; I hung out, and through a photographer friend. I met Peter Douglas, who was one of Kirk Douglas's kids.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theresa-russell/i-was-a-valley-girl-i-hung-out-and-through-a-photographer-friend-i/) [Theresa Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theresa-russell/) > [ There is something that you have that no one else ever had ... When you watch Kirk's \[Douglas\] performance in anything, in anything he's… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/there-is-something-that-you-have-that-no-one-else-ever-had-when-you/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [I always wanted to be an actor, even when I was a little kid. When I used to run away from home, I'd go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lance-henriksen/i-always-wanted-to-be-an-actor-even-when-i-was-a-little-kid-when-i/) [Lance Henriksen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lance-henriksen/) > [ I've been shooting movies and television shows for now 47 years and I've worked with the best of them and \[Kirk Douglas\] is the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-ve-been-shooting-movies-and-television-shows-for-now-47-years-and-i/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [If I have a rough day, and I'm angry, I'll just go into Kirk Douglas and throw over a table. And when I need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-little/if-i-have-a-rough-day-and-i-m-angry-i-ll-just-go-into-kirk-douglas/) [Rich Little](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-little/) > [I used to dream of being normal. For me, if Kirk Douglas walked into the house, that was normal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/i-used-to-dream-of-being-normal-for-me-if-kirk-douglas-walked-into/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [ There aren't many male stars - that's a loose term - like Kirk \[Douglas\] around. Most of those virile personalities have to keep working,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elia-kazan/there-aren-t-many-male-stars-that-s-a-loose-term-like-kirk-douglas/) [Elia Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elia-kazan/) > [I remember a long, long day of filming and it took forever to get Kirk Douglas up on his cross. We played a terrible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-simmons/i-remember-a-long-long-day-of-filming-and-it-took-forever-to-get-kirk/) [Jean Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-simmons/) > [It's always brave to be yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-yifei/it-s-always-brave-to-be-yourself/) [Liu Yifei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-yifei/) > [Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore do not take lightly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/be-convinced-that-to-be-happy-means-to-be-free-and-that-to-be-free/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [If You Love Someone, Be Brave Enough To Tell Them., Otherwise Be Brave Enough To Watch Them To Be Loved By Someone Else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bilal-zahoor/if-you-love-someone-be-brave-enough-to-tell-them-otherwise-be-brave/) [Bilal Zahoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bilal-zahoor/) > [In the current climate, things that are true, brave human stories become political.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-blanchett/in-the-current-climate-things-that-are-true-brave-human-stories/) [Cate Blanchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-blanchett/) ## More by Walter Matthau > [I still think I'm 28. I'm 73. I think I'm 28, though, except that I won't get into a fight with anybody because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-still-think-i-m-28-i-m-73-i-think-i-m-28-though-except-that-i-won-t/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [To be successful in show business, all you need are 50 good breaks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/to-be-successful-in-show-business-all-you-need-are-50-good-breaks/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [I was playing Russell Long, the senator from Louisiana. I had 12 speech teachers watching me. All the other passengers on the airplane were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-was-playing-russell-long-the-senator-from-louisiana-i-had-12-speech/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [Doing a movie is like eating five hundred canapes at a cocktail party - you're never really full. You don't feel as though you've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/doing-a-movie-is-like-eating-five-hundred-canapes-at-a-cocktail-party/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [I always had one ear offstage, listening for the call from the bookie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-always-had-one-ear-offstage-listening-for-the-call-from-the-bookie/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [Every actor looks all his life for a part that will combine his talents with his personality... 'The Odd Couple' was mine. That was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/every-actor-looks-all-his-life-for-a-part-that-will-combine-his/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [I can relate to anything. I once played Macbeth. I got a lot of laughs, so I quit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-can-relate-to-anything-i-once-played-macbeth-i-got-a-lot-of-laughs/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [Sometimes it takes me six months before I find out what a line means, even if the writing is superficial... To do a play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/sometimes-it-takes-me-six-months-before-i-find-out-what-a-line-means/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [You see, my father was a Catholic priest, Greek Orthodox, but I think he started out as a Jew, then he became a Catholic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/you-see-my-father-was-a-catholic-priest-greek-orthodox-but-i-think-he/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [We're writing a book together. She just finished one. Did you read it? Among the Porcupines?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/we-re-writing-a-book-together-she-just-finished-one-did-you-read-it/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [I have more talent in my smallest fart than you have in your entire body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-have-more-talent-in-my-smallest-fart-than-you-have-in-your-entire/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [My doctor gave me six months to live, but when I couldn't pay the bill he gave me six months more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/my-doctor-gave-me-six-months-to-live-but-when-i-couldn-t-pay-the-bill/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [The first girl you go to bed with is always pretty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/the-first-girl-you-go-to-bed-with-is-always-pretty/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [When I was about eighteen, I saw myself as a rather sensitive, delicate, poetic, romantic figure. And then I got into the Civilian Conservation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/when-i-was-about-eighteen-i-saw-myself-as-a-rather-sensitive-delicate/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [I could play a cop, I could play a crook, I could play a lawyer, I could play a dentist, I could play an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-could-play-a-cop-i-could-play-a-crook-i-could-play-a-lawyer-i-could/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) [Explore all 36 Walter Matthau quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) ## 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": "The only guy that was ever affected by climactic conditions in his acting was Kirk Douglas. He did a superb job in 'Lonely Are the Brave' because we were shooting that picture up at about 12,000 feet, and the rarefied atmosphere sapped him of any energy or strength that he had. 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