Albert Brooks Quotes

Even when they have a star that they're going after, casting directors love, if anything, just the excuse to see people. They like to have a dugout full of actors that they can go to.

I once literally had a casting director ask my agent, 'Can she play anything other than a drunk?'

They had an opening. You know, it was one of those deals. I auditioned and got it in '93.

I know an actor who would play one type of part but could never get cast as tough. Once he got cast as tough, as a cop, he only got offered cop roles. It's a funny business in that regard. It's all about perception.

Originally they wanted me to be Buster but I really like the Tobias part.

Making the choice to cast someone in a lead role is a big one. You don't want to squander your opportunity.

Once you don't smile on film, they say, 'Let's have that bloke who doesn't smile.'

The thing about acting is you have to wait to be asked to the dance.

Whenever any actor comes into a producer session, they have so many questions, and we still can't really tell them that much until they get the job.

I think every actor has their list of roles that were near misses. I've had my share. I was very close and almost cast in Philip Seymour Hoffman's 'Capote.'

I get typecast as doctors, principals, middle-management-type guys - which, when you look at me, you realize is completely against my physical characteristics. I should be an action hero. So I don't understand what's going on.

I didn't have a problem with rejection, because when you go into an audition, you're rejected already. There are hundreds of other actors. You're behind the eight ball when you go in there.

Oftentimes, actors don't have the luxury of picking their part. You go from one project to the next, and you hope that you find one that fits you and that you're suited for, and then they see that you're fit for it.

Actors work and slave and it is the color of your hair that can determine your fate in the end.

I think the reason they cast me as the good girls is because they couldn't find any in Hollywood.

If you look a little punkish, then they're going to give you the parts. And if you play an iconic villain early on in your career, you tend to get asked to play one over and over and over again.

I know a lot of really good actors - tons, just tons - who I still don't know why they don't work all the time because they're that good. It's just a weird business, and I know a lot of actors who shouldn't be working, but they work all the time.

I'm on the list that I thought I'd never be on. I'm not sitting here thinking, 'God, I might get this part' or 'is it too late for me to play Hamlet?' It's really about: who do I get to work with? There's so many people on that list.

When I first met my agent, I said, If something comes up and it fits my age range and personality, I would like you to send me up for it, even if it specifies blonde or brunette.

To get a movie star, you have to give them two hours of screen time.

If a great role comes along, and you are too tall to play it, then I think the role is too small for your talents.

When you do casting in Hollywood, it's always the same question: 'Who is available?'

It's no good being the best actor in the world if nobody sees you because you didn't happen to be there at the right day when a part was being cast.

Usually, when you're an actress, you have to audition 20 times.

My first audition for 'The Magicians' came up in conversation with a close friend who, right then, handed me the first book.