Lori Petty Quotes

I would take up any small job on the sets, just so that I could hang around with the hope of getting noticed.

Before 'New Girl,' I had just been grinding in TV for a really long time. I had been testing for so many shows and not getting them. You don't know how difficult it is or how lucky you have to be - and I only say lucky because there are so many people out there - to get a show on the air and keep it going.

If you hang around long enough to show these people what you can do, you have a chance in this acting business.

I believe this: If an actor wants a role or wants to work with somebody, then you do everything within reason to try to get that role. If they want you to audition, you audition. If they want you to screen-test, you screen-test. If they want you to come and tap-dance in their hallway, you tap-dance in their hallway.

'One Tree Hill' gave me my first shot into acting, and they gave me the biggest chance, and that's something that I'll always respect and be grateful for.

When I moved out to L.A., I went on 156 auditions before I booked a single thing.

I don't like to audition. I just want people to give me parts.

I started writing when I was trying to be an actor, and I happened to be friends with Tina Fey, who happened to have her show '30 Rock' coming out. So Tina, who happens to be a mentor to me, gave me my slot and hired me.

I remember going to the audition for 'Corrie.' I wasn't an actor - what they're often looking for in these rooms is a character, not what's on the page. They want to see what you are going to bring. So somehow, I got the job on 'Corrie.' For the first time in a while, someone really believed in me.

I finished my junior year of high school and flew out to Los Angeles. I didn't know the difference between a manager and an agent. But I got here and just started hustling and meeting anyone I could.

I feel very, very lucky to have been involved with a project that's gone on as long as 'The Closer' has. You really don't get to do that in this profession.

I have some talent. So, I'm going to show it off. No matter what, I'm gonna keep going.

I was determined to be an actor and make a name in the industry, and hence, I did.

I haven't let anybody take me off my path or deter me in any way. It's about seeing an opportunity and taking it.

It doesn't matter who they put in front of me, I just want people to remember me.

I was distributing DVDs in Mumbai in 2006, and that is when I got my first TV show offer - 'Left Right Left.'

Even after I got started in TV and the movies, I didn't sit around waiting on parts. I kept busy.

I was crazy poor, but I was learning and putting myself out there and getting hired to do whatever gig I could and auditioning.

In fact, my uncle did his first full play at the Westin Playhouse because my dad put in a good word for him to the producer.

I wanted to have the no. 1 show on the Discovery channel. I went for it for a very long time, and I was knocking on every door in L.A. that would answer, and sleeping in front of Discovery's office, probably. It wasn't working, so I decided to regroup and take a break from knocking on doors.

I'm still passionate now about my job, but when I first started out as a kid, I was so motivated. No one had ever acted in my family before, and my parents had no idea how to help with that. I would leave notes on my parents pillow every night at 13 saying, "Please help me find an agent!" Eventually it worked, so I relate to that go-getter mentality.

Everybody wants to be a series regular. It's something that a lot of actors would kill to have.

I met some people in college and I kept cracking away until someone pointed me in the right direction.

I chose to live my life unafraid even during times when I WAS afraid. I discovered that opportunities don't find you; you find your opportunities.

I was your typical struggling actress. I went to every audition, took a million acting, dancing and singing lessons and spent years wondering where my next meal was coming from.