Anthony Anderson Quotes

There never were any roles for my kind of acting. That's the story of my life.

In 'Taxi,' I kept doing the same scene for three years. I was underused.

It never really worked out for me in my own country. They said, 'You're not famous enough for the lead roles, and you're too present for the supporting roles - you'd overpower the lead.'

Every actor thinks he's underused - unless he's a movie star.

When I was younger in the theater, I didn't really feel like I got much recognition from the powers that be. I got a lot of small roles - I never got the standout roles.

I don't like to sound immodest, but I believe in what I can do. Sometimes it's been frustrating because I haven't gotten to bat; if you're on the bench, and an unimaginative person doesn't see you as right for a certain role, you don't get the chance to hit the home run.

I'm bored. I'm bored with the kind of parts I get offered. I can do more.

I think it's very difficult when you're constantly on the bench and waiting for your time to come on and make an impression.

I can never forget my early days, when I was running from pillar to post to get chance to exhibit my prowess at higher level, but no one was ready to give me a break.

I wrote six pilots, none of which ever got picked up. When you stop trying, it then it falls in your lap.

I used to walk around saying that I'm just another black man without a college degree.

From the time I was 16 to really up until turning 21, the roles were really, really few and far between. I had people say that I just wasn't a good singer. They didn't know what to do with me; I would never fit in any markets. I almost quit acting altogether.

I know so many amazing actors who don't get work... and then there are a bunch of real duds that work all the time. The industry is just not fair in that way.

So much to do, so little done, such things to be.

I'm either offered window-dressing parts in large movies or little art films no one ever sees. People think the movies I end up doing are my real choices. I do the best things I'm offered.

When I finished my A-levels, I assumed I'd be able to get work as an actor. But I couldn't. I didn't get an audition. Nothing. So I thought I'd better train and then the parts would come.

You know you have more to offer, and it gets frustrating when you aren't given the chance.

I knew guys way more talented than me who fell through the cracks.

There are great actors we'll never see just because they haven't had my luck.

Both my parents were far smarter than the opportunities they had.

The worst part about not playing is when you think that you are ready to do it. You try to get more minutes, taking the chances, but you end up in a situation where things have not gone well for you for weeks - or for years. That is like swimming wet clothes.

It sounds so dramatic, but I'll say it: Hollywood just doesn't know what to do with me. And it's not for lack of trying.

If I had gotten the parts in 'Scream' or 'I Know What You Did Last Summer,' I would not have been very good in them, and I would've squandered whatever success I had gotten because I wasn't ready for that sort of thing. So I feel grateful for all of the years that I have behind me trying to get traction and a career.

I wasn't playing at Arsenal, and I was frustrated. I was doing everything I could do, looking after myself, scoring, and playing in the Europa League then when the cup came, but it wasn't enough for me, and I wanted more.

It's difficult when you're young and you're not playing for your club.