Joanna Going Quotes

Powerful Joanna Going for Daily Growth

About Joanna Going

Joanna Going (born October 31, 1971) is an American actress, writer, and producer, best known for her roles in film and television. Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Going developed a passion for acting at a young age and moved to New York City to pursue a career following her graduation from the University of Southern Mississippi. Her breakthrough role came in 1997 when she starred as the titular character in the independent film "Grey State," which was praised for its raw, emotional performance. This led to a string of roles in critically acclaimed films such as "The Perfect Storm" (2000), "The Bourne Legacy" (2012), and "Madame Bovary" (2014). In television, Going has made notable appearances on shows like "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Damages," and "The Newsroom." Her performance as the lead character in the HBO miniseries "The Leftovers" (2014-2017) earned her critical acclaim and a Satellite Award nomination for Best Actress – Television Series Drama. Going's writing career began with the publication of her first novel, "The Other Daughter," in 2008. The book tells the story of a woman who discovers she has a long-lost sister and explores themes of family, identity, and secrets. Her second novel, "Sister Wife," was released in 2014 and delves into the complexities of marriage, infidelity, and loyalty. Throughout her career, Going has been influenced by a diverse range of artists, from classic Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe to contemporary authors such as Jodi Picoult. She continues to push boundaries in both acting and writing, bringing unique and compelling characters to life on screen and page.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I think as actors we're all just trying to tell the truth."

This quote by Joanna Going underscores the essence of an actor's craft: authenticity. Actors strive to portray their characters truthfully, not merely mimicking their lines or actions but embodying their emotions, thoughts, and experiences. By focusing on telling the truth in their performances, actors create believable and relatable characters that resonate with audiences, immersing them in the story being told.


"You can't control how other people feel about your work, but you can control how hard you try and how much heart you put into it."

This quote suggests that while an artist cannot dictate or predict others' reactions to their work, they have the power to exert control over their effort and emotion invested in their craft. The emphasis lies on the importance of personal dedication and sincerity towards one's work as a means to ensure authenticity and quality, which can positively influence how the work is received by others.


"Acting is such a collaborative art form. It requires trust, empathy, and the ability to be open and vulnerable."

Joanna Going's quote emphasizes that acting, being a collaborative art form, necessitates three key elements: trust, empathy, and vulnerability. Trust is essential among actors and crew members for creating an environment conducive to creative exploration. Empathy helps actors understand their characters and connect with them on a deeper level, thereby delivering authentic performances. Lastly, being open and vulnerable allows actors to expose their inner selves, fostering believable and emotionally resonant portrayals of the characters they play.


"I believe that the most interesting characters are complex, flawed, and human."

This quote underscores the idea that compelling characters in literature, film, or any form of storytelling, are those that exhibit depth, complexity, and a mix of virtues and flaws. Such characters resonate with audiences because they reflect the intricate and multifaceted nature of human beings. They are not one-dimensional caricatures, but individuals with strengths and weaknesses, dreams and fears, successes and failures - just like us. This approach to character creation fosters empathy and understanding in the audience, making stories more engaging and meaningful.


"Every role I take on teaches me something new about myself and about life."

This quote suggests that every acting role taken on by Joanna Going offers her opportunities to learn more about herself as a person and gain insights into life's nuances. Essentially, the roles she plays serve as reflections of different aspects of humanity and personal growth, helping her grow both personally and professionally.


When I was 18, I took it for granted and was eager to move on to the bigger cities like Boston and then New York. But I've been to enough places to have gained a greater appreciation for the beauty and rich culture of all of Rhode Island. I am grateful for all that it offered during my childhood.

- Joanna Going

Beauty, Boston, Been, Eager

Soap operas were my first professional experiences, and I always knew I was eager to explore a lot more work in a lot more arenas.

- Joanna Going

Always, Operas, Eager, Soap Operas

When I attended Emerson College in Boston, it was confined to the Back Bay, but now it has taken over a lot of Boston, which is great.

- Joanna Going

College, Boston, Attended, Bay

When I went to school at Emerson, I was completely charmed living there and loved the architecture of the Back Bay.

- Joanna Going

School, Loved, Living, Bay

I was my parent's first child, Joanna Catherine Going, named for my great-great grandmother Catherine, and my father's maternal aunt Johanna Burke, and bearing the initials of my father's father, John Christopher, who passed away just months before I was born.

- Joanna Going

Parent, Away, Named, Aunt

I love doing period work, like all the trappings and the wigs and everything. It really helps when it's such a different world that you're immersing yourself in; it helps to get into the story, I think, and step into that different place.

- Joanna Going

Love, Doing, I Think, Different Place

I have dogs, and I hike.

- Joanna Going

Dogs, Hike

To have real issues to delve into, research-wise, always makes it a lot more satisfying to me. I can pull from a lot of resources and put them into my work and just have as much information as possible.

- Joanna Going

I Can, Issues, Put, Satisfying

We do have depression in the family, and I've experienced it as it pops up from time to time. It is easier to deal with when I have someone looking to me to do things.

- Joanna Going

Someone, Deal, Pops, From Time To Time

My favorite scene that we shot in Season 1 of 'Kingdom' was the 'dance party' the boys and I had after we had gone thrift shopping, and then a lovely family dinner together.

- Joanna Going

Lovely, Had, Then, Season

I grew up in Newport, so I went to Boston growing up. The city holds a lot of special memories of my childhood, like the Swan Boats and Make Way for Ducklings.

- Joanna Going

Childhood, City, Boston, Boats

I was born in Washington, D.C., where my father was working for the Federal Trade Commission, and my mom was editor for the National Council of Catholic Women, but my parents were simply awaiting my birth before moving back to their roots in Rhode Island to raise their family.

- Joanna Going

Father, Back, Before, Commission

My mom's father came from a family of 11 children who came over from the island of Ischia, Italy, and settled in Providence, RI. Her mother was part of the large community of French-speaking Canadians who settled in Woonsocket, RI.

- Joanna Going

Island, Over, Large, Canadians

Being in New Mexico was such a great experience for me, and I hope to get back there one day for some more films or TV.

- Joanna Going

New, Some, Films, Great Experience

I am of Irish, Italian, and French Canadian descent.

- Joanna Going

I Am, Irish, Descent, French

I love hotels. I generally prefer smaller boutique hotels to large chains, especially when attention and wit has been given to interesting design elements and beautiful bathrooms.

- Joanna Going

Love, Given, Smaller, Hotels

I have had struggles with some eating disorders, just eating issues.

- Joanna Going

Some, Had, Disorders, Struggles

As bad as it feels, it's familiar to you. And the depression itself is making you unable to reach out. So, I've definitely experienced that in my life.

- Joanna Going

My Life, Making, Feels, Experienced

My first flight was in my early 20s, from New York City to Los Angeles, to shoot a Cherry 7-UP commercial.

- Joanna Going

Cherry, Flight, New, Shoot

I kind of prefer bouncing back and forth between theater and films. It's like having the best of both worlds, both very different experiences.

- Joanna Going

Very, Films, Having, Bouncing

I had a wonderful time making 'Dark Shadows.'

- Joanna Going

Dark, Making, Wonderful Time, Shadows

'House of Cards' was amazing to work on. I couldn't believe I landed there.

- Joanna Going

Work, Amazing, Cards, House Of Cards

In real life, I don't love working out, but I've been driven to it.

- Joanna Going

Love, Driven, Been, Real Life

For me, yoga is like a moving meditation, and I do believe in a mind-body connection.

- Joanna Going

Meditation, Me, Like, Connection

I've struggled with depression in my life and sort of the way that the depression itself becomes an addiction.

- Joanna Going

My Life, Addiction, Itself, Depression

I was on 'Search for Tomorrow' for about nine months, then 'Another World' for two years.

- Joanna Going

Search, Nine, Months, Nine Months

I'm always looking for what there is to see that's weird and wonderful and off the beaten path.

- Joanna Going

Path, Weird, Always, Beaten

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