You can’t just trust to luck; you have to really listen to what that character is telling you.

Meaning of the quote

In this quote, the actress Estelle Parsons is saying that you can't just rely on luck to be successful. Instead, you need to pay close attention to the characters you are playing and really understand what they are trying to tell you. This means that you need to work hard and put in the effort to fully understand the characters you are portraying, rather than just hoping that things will work out by chance.

About Estelle Parsons

Estelle Parsons is an acclaimed American actress who won an Oscar for her role in Bonnie and Clyde. She had a successful career in film, theater, and television, including a long-running role on the sitcom Roseanne. Parsons was nominated for several Tony Awards and was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2004.

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More quotes from Estelle Parsons

At this point the theater America is in such a precarious place.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

The staff, stage managers, ushers all behaved as if they respected the actors.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

For anyone with half a brain they can see that this play is about the human condition.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

Don’t forget the prices are so high in theater; it isn’t really where a young person can go on a date and buy two tickets and take someone out anymore.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

You can’t just trust to luck; you have to really listen to what that character is telling you.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

Acting is very start and stop.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

In theater, the wellspring of the character comes from the doing of it, like a trial by fire, but in front of an audience.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

It is so important to get respect for what you do and at the same time give it.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

I have never been interested in specific roles.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

I talked with Brian Stokes Mitchell, who agreed with me that if you have a gift there is always stuff to do.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

I know people like spectacle, but I’m interested in moving people.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

When I see what I want, I do it.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

But today I felt different, today I forgot how long it takes to get into the skin of a character and I remembered it, because today I actually got into that skin and it felt so different.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

I think in small towns like this one, whether you’re a man or a woman, you basically do what there is to do.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

I believe in things that move people, if the audience isn’t deeply caught up and moved to either laughter or tears then I don’t think it is theater.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

Getting work in theater has always been sort of cyclical.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

I like time off because I also have a life outside of theater.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

There is some sadness for me now about acting because it used to be that there was a reverence for actors.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

I mean, there are times when you aren’t working, but still believe that work will come.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

All of the generations go to what is chic for them, and theater seems to be an older generation’s art form.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

People who call themselves actors and can’t ever get work; they do need to get another profession.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

I find that there are few reviews that extol women as wonderful artists.

Estelle Parsons

American actress

We all need to go to good theater; that is what I believe will save it.

Estelle Parsons

American actress