--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I wanted fame, but I thought it would be…" description: "\"I wanted fame, but I thought it would be incremental, and I became afraid of the overnight-sensation thing.\" — Wes Bentley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/064/wes-bentley-21238_afraid_i-wanted-fame-but-i-thought-it-would-be_1656870.jpg" --- # I wanted fame, but I thought it would be incremental, and… ![“I wanted fame, but I thought it would be incremental, and I became afraid of the overnight-sensation thing.” quote by Wes Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/064/wes-bentley-21238_afraid_i-wanted-fame-but-i-thought-it-would-be_1656870.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/064/wes-bentley-21238_afraid_i-wanted-fame-but-i-thought-it-would-be_1656870.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/064/wes-bentley-21238_afraid_i-wanted-fame-but-i-thought-it-would-be_1656870.jpg) > “I wanted fame, but I thought it would be incremental, and I became afraid of the overnight-sensation thing.” [Wes Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-bentley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The pursuit of fame can become paralyzing when one fears fleeting success, leading to hesitation. **In simple terms:** Fame can cause fear of quick success. Key Takeaway Balance ambition with realistic expectations. Themes ambition fear success Mood reflective cautious Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - entertainment industry - personal goals - social media Key Concepts psychology career motivation Questions to Reflect On - What defines success for you beyond fame? - How can you stay grounded while pursuing goals? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on fame may neglect personal growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fame/) [Incremental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incremental/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) ## Related quotes > [When I started playing the game of baseball, the more I played and the better numbers I got, the more I started thinking about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-alomar/when-i-started-playing-the-game-of-baseball-the-more-i-played-and-the/) [Roberto Alomar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-alomar/) > [We never even thought about a Hall of Fame. We never even thought about a gold record, tell you the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dj-yella/we-never-even-thought-about-a-hall-of-fame-we-never-even-thought/) [DJ Yella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dj-yella/) > [I think people think how I got work came easy. People assume that I was an overnight sensation, because they're just now hearing about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-holliday/i-think-people-think-how-i-got-work-came-easy-people-assume-that-i/) [Tess Holliday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-holliday/) > [To some people, being in the business only starts when you're in the WWE. So I guess for those people, I'm kind of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesaro/to-some-people-being-in-the-business-only-starts-when-you-re-in-the/) [Cesaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesaro/) > [It took eight years for DDP Yoga to become an overnight sensation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diamond-dallas-page/it-took-eight-years-for-ddp-yoga-to-become-an-overnight-sensation/) [Diamond Dallas Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diamond-dallas-page/) > [It generally takes about 10 years to become an overnight sensation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/it-generally-takes-about-10-years-to-become-an-overnight-sensation/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [I was an overnight sensation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-presley/i-was-an-overnight-sensation/) [Elvis Presley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-presley/) > [No one's an overnight sensation unless you're Batman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-crane/no-one-s-an-overnight-sensation-unless-you-re-batman/) [Bob Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-crane/) > [When Twisted Sister exploded internationally few people realised that they were an overnight sensation that had been ten years in the making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-snider/when-twisted-sister-exploded-internationally-few-people-realised-that/) [Dee Snider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-snider/) > [Everyone's like, 'overnight sensation.' It's not overnight. It's years of hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margot-robbie/everyone-s-like-overnight-sensation-it-s-not-overnight-it-s-years-of/) [Margot Robbie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margot-robbie/) > [The success is the thing I always wanted - successful in my craft, a successful actor. But I never wanted fame. I think sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-ackie/the-success-is-the-thing-i-always-wanted-successful-in-my-craft-a/) [Naomi Ackie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-ackie/) > [That was the trouble with so many reality programmes on television - everyone wanted fame these days without necessarily working at anything to achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-beaton/that-was-the-trouble-with-so-many-reality-programmes-on-television/) [M.C. Beaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-beaton/) > [I only ever wanted fame on my own terms, which was naive. I didn't understand the rules of engagement, that networking was an essential…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-fitzgerald/i-only-ever-wanted-fame-on-my-own-terms-which-was-naive-i-didn-t/) [Tara Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-fitzgerald/) > [I don't think I ever wanted fame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sullivan/i-don-t-think-i-ever-wanted-fame/) [Susan Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sullivan/) > [“He thought of how convincingly he could describe this scene to friends and make them envy the fullness of his contentment. Why couldn't he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/he-thought-of-how-convincingly-he-could-describe-this-scene-to/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) ## More by Wes Bentley > [Both my parents are Methodist preachers, I grew up in a church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-bentley/both-my-parents-are-methodist-preachers-i-grew-up-in-a-church/) [Wes Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-bentley/) > [A reflection of an exact image is the closest thing to you-so that you can see it-but it's far enough away so that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-bentley/a-reflection-of-an-exact-image-is-the-closest-thing-to-you-so-that/) [Wes Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-bentley/) > [A lot of actors will complain about the green screen work, but what you do get to do is what you probably should have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-bentley/a-lot-of-actors-will-complain-about-the-green-screen-work-but-what/) [Wes Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-bentley/) > [Sometimes when you're doing fantasy, that's the most important thing, is to be a blank space, because the last thing you want to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-bentley/sometimes-when-you-re-doing-fantasy-that-s-the-most-important-thing/) [Wes Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-bentley/) > [As far as the creative side, the more I do this, the more I know that it's all about the writing. We don't always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-bentley/as-far-as-the-creative-side-the-more-i-do-this-the-more-i-know-that/) [Wes Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-bentley/) > [The first year at Juilliard is, I think, the best. And partly why I left - I only went one year. Partly why I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-bentley/the-first-year-at-juilliard-is-i-think-the-best-and-partly-why-i-left/) [Wes Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-bentley/) > [A lot of actors like to get themselves worked up, and I think from what I saw from Mr. Redford, he goes the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-bentley/a-lot-of-actors-like-to-get-themselves-worked-up-and-i-think-from/) [Wes Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-bentley/) > [You treat characters like people you meet in life-friends or mentors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-bentley/you-treat-characters-like-people-you-meet-in-life-friends-or-mentors/) [Wes Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-bentley/) > [You want to have the experience. 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Part of what I love about acting is to live the lives of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-bentley/i-live-to-experience-different-things-part-of-what-i-love-about/) [Wes Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-bentley/) > [I think the greatest gift actually acting is that I have a true fascination and love for people, and the way they are, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-bentley/i-think-the-greatest-gift-actually-acting-is-that-i-have-a-true/) [Wes Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-bentley/) > [I'd like to play a guy who doesn't think so much. I'd like a character whose words come out before he thinks about it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-bentley/i-d-like-to-play-a-guy-who-doesn-t-think-so-much-i-d-like-a-character/) [Wes Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-bentley/) > [Being in New Zealand, which is incredibly beautiful - I think it's paradise - it's just the perfect place. Everything about it I love,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-bentley/being-in-new-zealand-which-is-incredibly-beautiful-i-think-it-s/) [Wes Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-bentley/) [Explore all 29 Wes Bentley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-bentley/) ## More Afraid quotes > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [I used to be afraid of my temper, but it turns out I don't really have one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-bell/i-used-to-be-afraid-of-my-temper-but-it-turns-out-i-don-t-really-have/) [Zoe Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-bell/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I am not afraid of praise, for I have practiced it on myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-am-not-afraid-of-praise-for-i-have-practiced-it-on-myself/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I'm a pretty fearless person. I'm afraid of, like, creepy men in white vans and sidewalks with no streetlights. But I'm not afraid to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-totah/i-m-a-pretty-fearless-person-i-m-afraid-of-like-creepy-men-in-white/) [Josie Totah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-totah/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) Darlene Senger > [Why am I so afraid to loose you,when you're not even mine?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-am-i-so-afraid-to-loose-you-when-you-re-not-even-mine/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I want to tell you, but I cant, becuase I'm afraid if I do you'll never treat me same the again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-orante/i-want-to-tell-you-but-i-cant-becuase-i-m-afraid-if-i-do-you-ll-never/) [Cristina Orante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-orante/) > [Mistakes I've made in the past make me afraid to try new things in the future. I want to be perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/mistakes-i-ve-made-in-the-past-make-me-afraid-to-try-new-things-in/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) > [“Humans are naturally scared and confused beings. They not only fear the unknown, as they live fearing themselves... ☥”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-marques/humans-are-naturally-scared-and-confused-beings-they-not-only-fear/) [Luis Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-marques/) > [If you are too afraid of failure, you cant possibly do what needs to be done to succeed in living a fulfilling life. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-you-are-too-afraid-of-failure-you-cant-possibly-do-what-needs-to/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [We cannot be afraid of the dark that they live in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burnie-burns/we-cannot-be-afraid-of-the-dark-that-they-live-in/) [Burnie Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burnie-burns/) > [“I think the reason we're cruel sometimes is that we're afraid we're going to like something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/i-think-the-reason-we-re-cruel-sometimes-is-that-we-re-afraid-we-re/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [I'm still with that feeling that I am afraid of doing the wrong thing, because somebody is going to punish me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eartha-kitt/i-m-still-with-that-feeling-that-i-am-afraid-of-doing-the-wrong-thing/) [Eartha Kitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eartha-kitt/) Browse all 5,519 Afraid quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I wanted fame, but I thought it would be incremental, and I became afraid of the overnight-sensation thing.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Wes Bentley" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-bentley/i-wanted-fame-but-i-thought-it-would-be-incremental-and-i-became/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Afraid" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-bentley/i-wanted-fame-but-i-thought-it-would-be-incremental-and-i-became/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/064/wes-bentley-21238_afraid_i-wanted-fame-but-i-thought-it-would-be_1656870.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/064/wes-bentley-21238_afraid_i-wanted-fame-but-i-thought-it-would-be_1656870.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/064/wes-bentley-21238_afraid_i-wanted-fame-but-i-thought-it-would-be_1656870.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I wanted fame, but I thought it would be incremental, and I became afraid of the overnight-sensation thing.” — Wes Bentley", "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": "Wes Bentley", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-bentley/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I wanted fame, but I thought...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-bentley/i-wanted-fame-but-i-thought-it-would-be-incremental-and-i-became/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-bentley/i-wanted-fame-but-i-thought-it-would-be-incremental-and-i-became/#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 } } ] } ```