Quote Of The Day: Sebastian Stan On Being Unique

There aren’t many actors who traverse between the MCU and indie films, but Sebastian Stan has chosen that seldom-traveled path. The Romanian-American actor, who first got noticed on “Gossip Girl,” has become something of a Hollywood chameleon. From wearing tattoos to play Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee in “Pam & Tommy” to donning a wig and orange-tinted makeup to portray Donald Trump in “The Apprentice,” no part is too daunting for Stan. 

Ever since he was cast as the infamous Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier in “Captain America: The First Avenger,” Stan has been on a roll, earning his first Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Trump and winning his first Golden Globe for “A Different Man.” In his latest project, “Fjord,” Stan plays a Romanian father suspected of harming his children. The film has already won the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2026, positioning Stan as a probable awards contender for next year.

Amid the high point of his career, Stan continues to reflect on his experience coming from an immigrant family and his slow path to success. His quote of the day celebrates his multicultural background as a core part of his identity.

“With age, you realize that uniqueness doesn’t come from what you share with others, but precisely from those qualities and experiences that shape your own identity and challenge you to build a path of your own. Our differences and particularities are, in the end, what give us an original perspective on the world and allow us to live detached from norms, in accord with who we truly are.”

The above quote comes from Sebastian Stan’s 2026 interview with Cultura la dubă conducted during a break from filming “Fjord.” In his conversation with the Romanian outlet, the actor discussed his experience immigrating to the U.S. at a young age and how working with Romanian director Cristian Mungiu helped him reconnect with his roots. 

The Oscar nominee said that his continued desire to get to know the country he was born in has been integral to discovering more about himself and what makes him unique. His quote discusses how our differences shouldn’t be perceived negatively, but rather as an asset. 

Although Sebastian Stan was discussing his own path to reconnecting with his Romanian heritage, the quote applies to anyone who has ever felt like a misfit for being different. At 42 years old, Stan has learned to to celebrate all of the unique experiences that have shaped him. His own challenges and triumphs have informed his worldview, and that’s why he gravitates toward characters that will challenge him to understand different perspectives. 

In 2024, the actor revealed that he wasn’t able to participate in Variety’s Actors on Actors because other Hollywood names didn’t want to talk about “The Apprentice.” Stan thought it was a disservice to be so reluctant to discuss Trump because the controversial film could have rendered a thought-provoking conversation. “Fjord,” which is set to premiere in U.S. theaters in early October, similarly invites audiences to discuss how religion and different cultural traditions might prevent people from making a fair judgement.

Stan continues to play roles that many would deem uncomfortable, which makes his performances compelling and buzz-worthy. His quote ultimately encourages us all to form original viewpoints and embrace what makes us unique. 

• “Embrace your differences and the qualities about you that you think are weird. Eventually they’re going to be the only things separating you from everyone else.” — from a 2011 interview with Seventeen

• “It’s a thing for immigrants. You try to leave the past to build up a new life. For me, the journey back was very important in order to accept you are not the one or the other. You are just the sum of your life experiences.” — from a 2021 interview with IndieWire

• “Our ignorance and discomfort around disability and disfigurement have to end now. We have to normalize it and continue to expose ourselves [and our children] to it. Encourage acceptance. One way we can do that is by continuing to champion stories that are inclusive.” — from his acceptance speech at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards