John Gavin Quotes

I moved right to L.A., and I had a year of active unemployment. I had 50-something auditions for 50-something different projects, testing and doing callbacks, and could not get hired. And then, almost a year to the day of being out in L.A., I booked my first job, and then I started booking something every other month.

Before my big break in 'MADtv,' I was doing a lot of commercial work.

To get asked to do stuff like 'United States Of Tara' and 'Caprica' is terrific. I can't complain.

As an actor, I felt I couldn't compete. I wasn't as cute as the leading man; I wasn't as brilliant as Robin Williams.

I was lucky - the first eight productions I auditioned for, I got cast.

I've been an actor for 14 years now and a lot of that time was spent in theatre and television. Then I moved to L.A. to try and build upon that and it's starting to pay off!

I went through the process of auditioning like every other struggling actress in this town.

People weren't willing to bet on 'The Commercial Guy' when they were casting movies and television in the beginning, but I stuck around, and now it's slowly starting to pay off.

There's no slow build anymore where you get a little part, then you get a little better part, then a better part, until one day your agent calls you us and says, 'guess what, you're a movie star,' and you say, 'Thank you!'

When actors first come up, you're auditioning for everything - you're trying to sniff it out like a pig with a truffle and you would do anything!

I really appreciate an actor who has paid their dues and who has learned hard knocks and has been rewarded in the end. I don't understand young actors who get off the turnip truck and land in Hollywood and get a great job. They do not realize how fortunate they are.

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

Los Angeles is not going to be a big naive step for me. I know it's tough out there, but I do think there's a place for Irish actors in that market.

I opened the door for one of the great stars of today, Mr. Ernie Hudson. I put him in 'Human Tornado.' It was the first film he ever made. I put him in the film and gave him a break.

I started doing movies when I was 14.

My first professional gig was on a show called 'Nikita,' and I played Al Qaeda No. 2. At that time I had to take those roles because I just wanted to get my foot in the door.

When I first came to L.A., I was plotting out my career choices as if I actually had a choice. Unless you're Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, impossibly good-looking, or look like a freak, you have to be malleable and open to everything that comes your way because that's what makes it possible to pay your mortgage and eat.

I went from auditioning for roles to being offered films directly.

People doubted me, said I lacked skill. I'm just trying to stay consistent, use my minutes wisely, and do what I can with the opportunity.

I'm an actress who likes to work as much as possible, so I'm very grateful for all these opportunities.

There were nights I was at home crying, thinking I'd never make it. I'd get up the next day and go to the audition, do my best, and try my hardest.

'13 Reasons Why' was my first professional job out of college, so I don't have much to compare it to.

I think once you get noticed as an actor you get roles irrespective of the characters you portray.

It's a tough journey as an actor in Los Angeles.

I struggled and I did theater for 10 years, for 15 years, I tried to get little parts here and there in TV shows. So, for me, the opportunity to work with Jim Carrey was amazing, it was phenomenal, it was eye-opening.