From my experience, I think that every actor has to make sure that they’re in charge of their own career somehow or other.

Rickman’s remark distills a pragmatic lesson drawn from the precariousness of acting work: talent alone does not steer an artistic life. To be “in charge” suggests actively shaping one’s trajectory—choosing roles with intention, cultivating collaborators, and resisting being defined solely by casting trends or short-term visibility. The phrase “somehow or other” acknowledges that control can take many forms, from producing and directing to simply setting boundaries and pursuing training, theatre work, or passion projects between screen jobs. The quote’s significance lies in reframing career management not as cynicism but as professional self-determination: an actor must protect the conditions under which meaningful work remains possible.