What is an Actor?

An actor brings characters to life through their performances in various forms of entertainment, including theater, film, television, and other media. Actors use their talents to embody the personalities, emotions, and experiences of fictional or historical figures, effectively communicating their stories and connecting with audiences on an emotional level. Whether portraying heroes, villains, or everyday individuals, actors use their creativity, empathy, and training to breathe life into the roles they play.

Beyond mastering the technical aspects of acting, successful actors also possess a deep understanding of human nature and psychology, allowing them to inhabit their characters with authenticity and nuance. Through dedication, perseverance, and a passion for storytelling, actors strive to create compelling performances that entertain, inspire, and resonate with audiences around the world.

What does an Actor do?

An actress working outside, playing a character in a film.

Duties and Responsibilities
Actors have a wide range of duties and responsibilities that contribute to their success in the entertainment industry. Some of these duties include:

  • Auditioning: Actors must regularly attend auditions to compete for roles in theater productions, films, television shows, commercials, and other projects. This involves preparing audition materials, such as monologues or scenes, and showcasing their acting abilities to casting directors, producers, and other decision-makers.
  • Rehearsing: Once cast in a role, actors are responsible for attending rehearsals and collaborating with directors, fellow cast members, and production staff to develop their characters and stage or screen performances. This may involve memorizing lines, blocking scenes, practicing choreography, and fine-tuning their delivery to achieve the desired artistic vision.
  • Performing: The primary responsibility of an actor is to deliver compelling and authentic performances that engage and entertain audiences. Whether on stage or screen, actors bring characters to life through their interpretation of scripts, emotional depth, and physical expression, captivating viewers and eliciting emotional responses.
  • Continual Training: To stay competitive and hone their craft, actors often pursue ongoing training and professional development opportunities. This may include attending acting classes, workshops, and seminars to refine their skills, learn new techniques, and expand their range as performers.
  • Promoting Projects: In addition to their artistic responsibilities, actors may be required to participate in promotional activities to help generate buzz and publicity for projects in which they are involved. This may include interviews, press events, social media promotion, and other marketing initiatives to attract audiences and enhance visibility.
  • Networking: Building relationships within the entertainment industry is essential for actors to advance their careers and secure future opportunities. Actors often attend industry events, networking mixers, and professional gatherings to connect with agents, casting directors, producers, and fellow performers, fostering collaborations and cultivating professional connections.

Types of Actors
There are several types of actors, each with their own unique skillset and specialization. These are just a few examples of the different types of actors. Many actors may specialize in more than one area or transition between different types of roles throughout their career. Some common types of actors include:

  • Character Actors: Character actors specialize in portraying distinctive and memorable supporting or secondary characters in film, television, and theater. Known for their versatility and ability to transform themselves into a wide range of roles, character actors often bring depth, nuance, and authenticity to their performances, enriching storytelling and enhancing the overall production.
  • Commercial Actors: Commercial actors specialize in appearing in advertisements, commercials, and promotional videos to promote products, services, or brands. They are skilled at delivering persuasive performances that capture the attention of viewers and effectively convey the message or selling points of the advertised product or service.
  • Film Actors: Film actors appear in movies, ranging from blockbuster productions to independent films. They bring characters to life on the big screen, captivating audiences with their performances and contributing to the storytelling process through their interpretation of scripts and portrayal of emotions.
  • Improv Actors: Improv actors, also known as improvisational actors, specialize in performing unscripted scenes and sketches on the spot, often based on audience suggestions or prompts. They rely on quick thinking, creativity, and spontaneity to develop characters, dialogue, and storylines in real-time, creating entertaining and unpredictable performances.
  • Method Actors: Method actors immerse themselves deeply into their characters by drawing on personal experiences and emotions to portray authenticity in their roles. They often undergo intense preparation and research, utilizing techniques such as emotional recall and sense memory to fully embody their characters' thoughts, feelings, and motivations.
  • Stage Actors: Stage actors specialize in live theater productions, ranging from plays and musicals to operas and experimental performances. They captivate audiences with their ability to convey emotions, project their voices, and command the stage, bringing characters to life in front of live audiences night after night.
  • Voice Actors: Voice actors specialize in providing voiceovers for animated films, television shows, video games, commercials, audiobooks, and other forms of media. They use their vocal talents to bring characters to life, conveying emotions, personalities, and storytelling through their voices alone.

Are you suited to be an actor?

Actors have distinct personalities. They tend to be artistic individuals, which means they’re creative, intuitive, sensitive, articulate, and expressive. They are unstructured, original, nonconforming, and innovative. Some of them are also enterprising, meaning they’re adventurous, ambitious, assertive, extroverted, energetic, enthusiastic, confident, and optimistic.

Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if actor is one of your top career matches.

Take the free test now Learn more about the career test

What is the workplace of an Actor like?

The workplace of an actor is dynamic and diverse, encompassing a variety of settings where they perform, audition, rehearse, and collaborate with fellow artists. One of the primary workplaces for actors is the stage, where they perform live theater productions in venues ranging from small community theaters to large Broadway theaters in major cities like New York City. On stage, actors bring characters to life in front of live audiences, captivating viewers with their performances and contributing to the rich tradition of theatrical storytelling.

Additionally, actors often work in film and television, performing in studios, soundstages, and on location for various productions. In these settings, actors collaborate closely with directors, producers, and fellow cast members to bring scripts to life on screen, filming scenes multiple times from different angles to capture the desired performances. Film and television sets can range from intimate indie productions to large-scale Hollywood blockbusters, each offering unique challenges and opportunities for actors to showcase their talents. Furthermore, actors may also find opportunities in commercials, voiceover work, and other forms of media, expanding their reach and versatility as performers.

Frequently Asked Questions



Careers



Degrees

Continue reading

Pros and Cons of Being an Actor

While pursuing a career in acting can be rewarding and fulfilling, it also comes with its share of challenges and sacrifices. It's essential for aspiring actors to weigh the pros and cons carefully, consider their personal goals and values, and be prepared to navigate the highs and lows of the entertainment industry with resilience and determination.

Pros

  • Creativity and Expression: Acting offers a platform for creative expression, allowing individuals to embody diverse characters, explore different emotions, and tell compelling stories.
  • Versatility: Actors have the opportunity to work in various mediums, including theater, film, television, commercials, voiceover, and more, allowing for a diverse range of roles and experiences.
  • Impact on Audiences: Actors can influence and inspire audiences through their performances, eliciting emotional responses, sparking thought-provoking conversations, and fostering empathy and understanding.
  • Personal Growth: Acting often requires individuals to step out of their comfort zones, confront challenges, and develop new skills such as empathy, resilience, and adaptability, contributing to personal and professional growth.
  • Community and Collaboration: Actors often form strong bonds with fellow performers, directors, and crew members, fostering a sense of camaraderie and collaboration within the entertainment industry.
  • Recognition and Prestige: Successful actors may receive recognition and accolades for their work, including awards, critical acclaim, and fan appreciation, elevating their status and reputation in the industry.

Cons

  • Financial Instability: Acting can be financially unpredictable, with irregular income, periods of unemployment between projects, and fierce competition for roles, making it challenging to maintain financial stability and security.
  • Rejection and Criticism: Actors must cope with rejection and criticism, facing countless auditions, casting rejections, and negative reviews that can impact self-esteem and confidence.
  • Long Hours and Unpredictable Schedule: Acting often involves long hours on set or in rehearsals, irregular work schedules, and frequent travel, leading to physical and mental exhaustion and difficulty maintaining work-life balance.
  • Typecasting and Stereotyping: Some actors may experience typecasting or stereotyping, where they are repeatedly cast in similar roles based on their appearance, ethnicity, or previous performances, limiting opportunities for diversity and growth.
  • Health and Wellbeing: The demanding nature of acting can take a toll on physical and mental health, leading to stress, burnout, and health issues related to long hours, intense emotions, and the pressure to maintain a certain appearance.
  • Job Insecurity: Actors face constant uncertainty and competition in the industry, with roles often determined by factors beyond their control such as casting decisions, market trends, and industry politics, leading to anxiety about future opportunities and career longevity.

Actors are also known as:
Actress Dramatic Artist Dramatic Performer Thespian