William H. Macy Quotes

I can't watch myself on screen without dying a little bit inside. And there are lots of moments when I think, 'What am I doing as an actor? I can't act!'

I've always been a bit of a self-doubter. I think a lot of actors are.

As actors, you always have that moment thinking you've been absolutely terrible or a fraud.

Usually when I see myself in a film or on television, there's about a six-month period where I can't look at it because all I'll see are the mistakes. I'm just appalled by the person that I see.

I'm very wary with impressions - I don't think I'm very good at impressions, I hate doing them.

You still get these waves of doubt that come over you, for example, when you get a bad review or you accept a part and think, 'Oh, God, what have I just accepted? I can't do that.' I don't think that's something that will ever go away in me.

I'm not sure I'd hire myself in anything. I certainly couldn't be an actor. That would be terrible. For everyone.

I always wanted to be a Broadway girl. But once I got Tony-nominated, it really messed with me, because it was like, yes, I'm getting this affirmation that you're right where you're supposed to be, but there was still this voice saying, 'You're not good enough.'

You're only as good as your last joke, your last show, your last whatever. The confidence is there, but underneath, there is always insecurity.

Like most comedians, I have crippling low self-esteem, so I always think that what I've just done is rubbish.

I'm always nervous before a job! I always think I'm going to be fired, I always think I can't do it. I always think I'm going to disappoint somebody, myself included.

When I was younger, I never wanted to rehearse because I thought that someone would figure out I don't know what I'm doing.

I hate those people that get up and they're amazing. I think you just have to be kind of wasted to go and do it.

Every single time I step into the studio, I say, 'Can I still do this? Do I still have it? Have I ever had it?' I suppose there's a good amount of self-loathing that goes into any form of artisanship.

The biggest insecurity I had was my singing. Even though I had sold 70 million records, there was this feeling like, I'm not good at this.

I lack confidence as an actor.

I have fear, always, on the set. Insecurity to the point where the first week I always think I could be fired. I think that's a fear most actors have.

I was kind of scared of failing at acting.

I think I failed miserably on NewsRadio. I was very nervous because of the caliber of the cast - especially Dave Foley - so I think I did a terrible job.

But I'm guessing every actor is insecure.

I always get nervous when I watch what I'm in. Very self-critical.

As far as I can tell, most actors' main motivation is self-doubt and neuroses.

I am not comfortable telling people I am trying stand-up because to me that implies confidence. I'm - well, I'm not.

Most actors on most days don't think they're worthy.

Because I've got an AFI award, I feel there is a certain expectation when I walk into a room, you know, that 'That Deb Mailman must know something!' But I'm just as nervous with every experience. I still doubt whether or not I can pull something off. I still think, 'When is the review going to come along that says Deb Mailman's not very good?'