Eleanor Mondale Quotes

It was easy for me to leave acting for school, because I wasn't really in it as an adolescent for fulfilling reasons.

I didn't intend to be an actress. It was one of many things I was interested in, and it just took off. I was an actress between the ages of 18 and 22, and it was a wonderful, fun thing to do, but it wasn't what I intended long term. I parked acting a long time ago.

All of my girlfriends have been actors, and I've realized that maybe it's not for me - and find something else outside of the industry.

In 2000, I realized I had reached that certain age when the parts get scarcer. So I decided to try my hand at directing.

I became an actress because my mom wanted me to become an actress. It took me until my mid-30s to realize I actually didn't. I actually wanted to write and direct and be more involved in politics and humanitarian issues.

I was successful and I enjoyed modeling, but it got to a point where I felt like I had 'been there, done that.' I wanted something that would inspire me and challenge me. I needed something that required more creativity. I started writing and I started auditioning. Simply posing in front of the camera was no longer enough.

The roles... the deep roles that I've gotten to play have turned my course. They've changed my life experience.

Know who you are, because that's how you will be cast at first. Then you can be Meryl Streep further down the road.

After I quit dancing, I tried a lot of jobs. But I could always bake.

After graduating from college I worked at a variety of jobs, from banking to politics. I enjoyed whatever I was doing at the time but I didn't love my work.

I haven't given up on acting, but I've gone away from it for a while to concentrate on myself and the fans of 'Star Wars.'

I wanted to be a dramatic actor. I never realized I was funny until I was 20-something.

I've tried to reinvent myself from time to time, and I enjoy doing movies.

After graduating from high school, I worked at an advertising agency as a designer. After I left, I spent a year doing nothing in particular. At age 23, I drew my first comic.

In fact I spent a lot of time in my childhood trying to figure out what other people wanted of me. That made me study other people very much. Then I actually started university and I got quite bored. This is when I found out I wanted to be an actor.

I feel one should do things which pleases them, and my progression into super model then to an actress and now to an entrepreneur is based on this.

I never want to be like somebody but be my own person, but follow along those lines like a Matt Millen, Michael Strahan. There's so many players that have transitioned to being an anchor or a broadcaster, and it kind of just goes hand-in-hand.

I think the first time I realized I was actually acting was during Felicity. Before that, I was just going along for the ride.

When you pick a career like acting, it's challenging, but it's a lesson every time you put yourself out there. I wouldn't change it for the world - I love what I learn every single day.

Working on 'Gossip Girl' was a fantastic experience. It was my first real gig and I'm thankful for it - I got to learn a lot. I'm glad I got to explore getting comfortable in my own shoes in the background on a show like 'Gossip Girl.'

I don't think the roles that I'm necessarily known for in this country are my best work, or even anywhere near it. I didn't think I was great in 'Arcadia.' I think it's a great part and a great play and had a lot of attention.

Since I quit banking, all my major life decisions, when they could, have revolved around writing.

So I did that for a long time in my career, and I waited for parts to play myself just physically down a little bit. But I do feel like I'm at a place in my career now where I don't necessarily fret about that too much anymore.

The day the producers aren't minting money, or the fans are done with me and, most of all, I as a person get bored of acting, I will stop and pursue my other interests. There is a lot to do: painting, writing, direction.

I think some people in their 20s really get it, that acting is about creativity and the work. They get their maturity from their work.