17 Famous Actors on the Teachers That Changed Their Lives

Teachers provide a strong influence on our lives, and create the foundation that many of us need to pursue our interests and careers.

In the spirit of gratitude, let’s look at the words of acknowledgment and appreciation that famous actors have expressed about the teachers that had a profound and lasting impact on their lives. Hats off to these educators who nurtured talents, instilled confidence and encouraged their students to pursue a career in acting.

Insights on Acting Teachers

Seek teachers or mentors who believe in your potential and encourage you to take risks and embrace vulnerability in your acting.

Focus on developing authenticity and emotional depth by exploring your own experiences and pushing beyond your comfort zone.

Cultivate a love for storytelling and continuous learning to deepen your craft and expand your creative imagination.

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Tom Hanks

“My high school drama teacher, Rawley Farnsworth, saw that I had some talent and suggested that I hone my skills. That was a turning point in my life. He taught me the fundamentals of acting and instilled in me the importance of hard work and dedication.”

Natalie Portman

“I had an amazing drama teacher in high school who saw potential in me and encouraged me to pursue acting. She taught me to take risks, embrace vulnerability and believe in myself.”

Morgan Freeman

“My sixth-grade teacher, Ms. Connie Taylor, taught me the importance of reading and expanding my imagination. She ignited my love for storytelling, which ultimately led me to pursue a career in acting.”

Meryl Streep

“One of my teachers, Mr. William Dickey, inspired me to explore different characters and push the boundaries of my abilities. He challenged me to dig deeper and always strive for excellence.”

Viola Davis

“I had a teacher in high school, Mrs. Miller, who saw the potential in me and pushed me to pursue acting. She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, and her guidance and support changed the trajectory of my life.”

Noah Centineo

“I was pretty hyperactive as a kid. I had a pretty wild imagination, as a lot of us do, and I didn’t really have a good way to control it. And [Ms. Redan] wouldn’t get me in trouble. She took that, and she said, ‘Okay, you like to move around a lot. Here’s djembe; start playing djembe. Come to drum club after school. You talk a lot during class and you’re funny. Okay, join the theater program.’ She coached me and taught me how to do a monologue. Without that teacher, Sue Redan, I had no one to be like, ‘You should be doing this.’ My teacher was the reason.”

Denzel Washington

“My acting teacher, Ms. Ponder, taught me the power of authenticity and being true to myself as an actor. She pushed me to break through my own limitations and always strive for truth in my performances.”

Hugh Jackman

“I had an incredible music teacher, Mrs. Ford, who saw something in me and nurtured my passion for performing. She believed in me and gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams.”

Eva Longoria

“Mrs. Rodriguez, my high school speech and drama teacher, completely changed my life. She saw something in me and encouraged me to pursue acting. She taught me to embrace my heritage, to be proud of who I am and to believe in myself. Her belief in me gave me the confidence to chase my dreams and paved the way for my career in Hollywood.”

Anthony Hopkins

“My acting teacher, Dr. John Gielgud, completely transformed my approach to the craft. He taught me the power of stillness, the importance of listening and the depth of understanding that can be achieved through silence. Dr. Gielgud not only honed my acting skills, but also instilled in me a lifelong love for the art form. His guidance and wisdom continue to shape my performances and my perspective on life.”

Marisa Tomei

“I had an incredible acting teacher in college, Professor Leonard Melfi, who completely changed my perspective on acting. He taught me to tap into my vulnerability and explore the depths of my emotions. Professor Melfi pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged me to take risks and be fearless in my performances. His guidance and belief in me gave me the confidence to pursue acting as a career and shaped me as an artist.”

Jamie Lee Curtis

“I had a remarkable drama teacher in high school named Dr. Susan Myers. She saw something in me and nurtured my passion for acting. Dr. Myers not only taught me the techniques of acting, but also instilled in me the importance of empathy and understanding the human experience. Her guidance and support shaped me not only as an actress, but also as a person. I will forever be grateful for her influence on my life.”

Keanu Reeves

“I had a high school English teacher named Paul Aaron who really changed my life. He taught me not just about literature and language, but also about life. He challenged me to think critically, to question things and to never stop learning. Mr. Aaron believed in me and my potential, and he encouraged me to pursue my passions. I owe a great deal of my success to his guidance and inspiration.”

Jenna Ortega

“I had an incredible teacher in middle school, Mrs. Thompson, who truly changed my life. She saw potential in me and encouraged me to express myself through acting. Mrs. Thompson nurtured my creativity and taught me the importance of storytelling. She believed in me and gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams.”

Brendan Fraser

“I had a remarkable drama teacher in high school named Mrs. Davis who changed my life. She saw something in me and encouraged me to explore my passion for acting. Mrs. Davis taught me to be fearless, to take risks and to believe in myself. She pushed me to dig deep and discover the depths of my abilities. Her mentorship and support played a pivotal role in shaping my career and instilling in me a love for the craft.”

Thandie Newton

“I had an extraordinary drama teacher named Mr. Morgan who truly changed my life. He saw something in me and encouraged me to pursue acting. Mr. Morgan taught me the importance of authenticity, vulnerability and fearlessness in my craft. He pushed me to explore the depths of my emotions and challenged me to step outside my comfort zone. His guidance and mentorship gave me the confidence to embrace my talents and pursue a career in acting.”

Ethan Hawke

“I had a teacher named Mrs. Caruso who really changed my life. She taught me English in high school, but she did so much more than that. Mrs. Caruso saw something in me, something I didn’t even see in myself at the time. She encouraged my love for storytelling, challenged me to think deeper and inspired me to pursue my dreams. Her passion for literature and her belief in the power of words shaped my perspective on art and life.”

Final Takeaways

Teachers often play a crucial role in shaping an actor’s journey, providing encouragement, guidance, and skills that fuel growth and confidence. Many famous actors credit their teachers with inspiring them to take risks, explore their emotions, and believe in themselves. Here are some key takeaways new actors can apply from these stories of mentorship and support.

Find mentors who see your potential and push you to embrace vulnerability and take creative risks.

Work on building authenticity by tapping into your own emotions and experiences.

Develop a strong foundation in storytelling and keep expanding your imagination through reading and learning.

Be open to feedback and challenges that help you grow beyond your comfort zone.

Believe in yourself even when doubts arise, and seek out people who remind you of your worth and talent.