I got an agent. He said, what do you wanna do, and I said, I want an Oscar nomination. That's your job, that's what I'm paying you for. And I got it. William H. Macy More Quotes by William H. Macy More Quotes From William H. Macy Shameless is a rough show, and it’s not for everyone, but it’s also beautiful. William H. Macy shameless rough beautiful I'll tell you this about the Oscars - they're real. William H. Macy oscars real I was a dog in a past life. Really. I'll be walking down the street and dogs will do a sort of double take. Like, Hey, I know him. William H. Macy pet dog past You have to do whatever you can to limit the things that could make you feel insecure. William H. Macy insecure limits feels Emotions are the natural result of striving for something. Every single scene has two or more people in it, and nobody wants the same thing, so they are negotiating this one way or another. The result of that negotiation will bring out all kinds of emotional stuff in you. William H. Macy emotional two people I think what all actors share is that, somewhere down in your solar plexus, there's this fear that you're not going to be able to come up with the goods, that this is the one movie where you're going to look like a fool, and they should have cast someone else. And you feel ugly, and you've got three chins, and you've gained too much weight, and you're losing your hair, and there are so many better actors who could do this. But if you've got chops, what you realize is that everybody feels that way, so just show up and do the job. William H. Macy hair jobs thinking I love metaphor the way some people love junk food. William H. Macy junk people way The emotions will take care of themselves. You don't have to prod them along. As a matter of fact, you get in trouble when you prod them along. William H. Macy care matter facts It's hard to be depressed around a ukulele. You just pick it up and you're halfway home. William H. Macy halfway ukulele home You should know the lines, be prepared, get sleep, and have the script analyzed so you're ready to rock and roll. William H. Macy rock-and-roll rocks sleep There are some older women out there who are just knockouts, real beauties, and they're not getting the roles they should. William H. Macy roles real should You'd much rather act with a pal, someone you know really well. That way, you can cut all the niceties and go right to insulting each other. William H. Macy pals cutting insulting We always want to see people strive and see the human spirit triumph against adversity. That's what it's all about because that's what we're doing. We're trying to triumph in our lives. William H. Macy adversity trying people Actors are embracing a new aesthetic, which is leaning more toward truthful and simple and direct, as opposed to what we would normally call sitcom acting. William H. Macy actors acting simple I've always felt that, no matter where you go, people are just people. William H. Macy felt matter people The roughest part is showing up. Once you throw yourself into the scene, it's just great fun to let it all go and not be self-conscious, and stop questioning whether you're sufficient. William H. Macy showing-up self fun I really love hanging out on the set, and I love the life, and all of that. But I don't think I could stick with this profession if it weren't for those 15 minutes a day when I get to act. That's the part I love. For some strange reason, it's the time that I'm the least self-conscious in my whole life. William H. Macy sticks self thinking We must admit that it is quite common that people do have affairs with their leading ladies and men. William H. Macy common men people All that back-story stuff doesn't help. What you get paid for is to stand toe-to-toe with the other actor and get him to do your will. William H. Macy actors stories stuff The character and the actor in a long-running series slowly become one. I think there must be funny stories about actors who, in the pilot for a TV series, did some weird thing with their eyes, or some speech impediment or something, and the next thing you know, it's eight years later, and they're still doing that freaking gag. William H. Macy eye running character