"What career? A man's got a body of film of about four movies in about 10 years or something. I do it because I think I can do a good job of something and I'll enjoy it, do it, and sort of vanish. I don't want to be an actor for hire"

Paul Hogan expresses a clear resistance to the traditional idea of a Hollywood career, especially one defined by relentless productivity and the pursuit of fame. By questioning "What career?", Hogan dismisses the notion that his contributions to film amount to a typical body of work for a professional actor. He notes having only produced "about four movies in about 10 years", which starkly contrasts the output of many actors in the industry who might appear in multiple projects each year. This underscores the intentional selectivity Hogan employs in his professional choices.

His approach to acting relies less on building a steady, public-facing career and more on a personal standard of enjoyment and craftsmanship. He takes on projects only when he feels confident he can perform well and when he finds genuine satisfaction in the work. The sequence "do it, and sort of vanish" indicates a preference for privacy and withdrawal after a project concludes. Hogan is not interested in the constant exposure or the grind that often defines Hollywood stardom, he is comfortable with intermittent appearances and maintaining a low profile in between.

By stating, "I don't want to be an actor for hire", Hogan stresses his desire to avoid becoming a commodity within the entertainment industry. He refuses the model of accepting roles merely for financial gain or visibility, preferring instead to work selectively, dictated by his own interest rather than market demand or external expectations. His philosophy reveals an artist more committed to authenticity, autonomy, and enjoyment rather than fame or a prolific resume. This resistance to standard career pressures exemplifies a pursuit of personal fulfillment over traditional markers of success, illustrating a perspective that privileges individuality and self-direction above ambition for continual public recognition.