An actor (actress) is a performer who brings a character to life.. They use their skills in acting, singing, and dancing to create a believable and engaging character for the audience. Actors work with directors, writers, and other actors to develop their characters and to create the best possible performance.
They can appear in films, television, or in plays.
Actors need to be able to:
- Research their characters: they need to develop a deep understanding of their motivations, backstory, and physical appearance. This may involve reading books, watching documentaries, or interviewing people who have had similar experiences to their character.
- Collaborate with the director and other actors: people in this field work closely with the director and other actors to create a cohesive and believable performance. This may involve discussing the script, improvising scenes, and giving feedback to each other.
- Adapt to different filming conditions: Actors need to be able to adapt to different filming conditions, such as working on location, filming at night, and performing in extreme weather.
- Promote the film: Once the film is finished, they may be asked to promote it by attending interviews and events.
Acting in films can be a very demanding career, but it is also very rewarding. Actors have the opportunity to be creative and to express themselves through their work. They can also travel the world and meet new people. It is an industry which can make a lot of money and top actors have some of the highest incomes.
Here are some additional skills that are important for actors in films:
- Emotional intelligence: need to be able to understand and express a wide range of emotions in order to create believable performances.
- Physicality: they use their bodies to communicate emotions and to perform physical actions such as fighting or dancing.
- Imagination: be able to put themselves in different situations and to create believable characters.
- Versatility: be able to play a variety of different roles.
The last is essential if an individual wants to avoid being typecast.
Acting is a tough field to break into. The allure of Hollywood is great. There is an old saying about the starving actor. Most do not live the millionaire lifestyle that is commonly portrayed. Only a select few are able to make it to the top.
History of Actors
The story of actors unfolds like a captivating play, spanning millennia and weaving through diverse cultures.
Act I: Ancient Origins (6th Century BC - 4th Century AD)
- Birth of the Actor: In Athens, around 534 BC, Thespis steps out of the chorus and embodies a character, igniting the spark of individual acting. Greek theatre flourishes, birthing tragedy, comedy, and satyr plays, all performed by exclusively male actors wearing masks.
- Expansion Across Empires: Roman actors emerge, adapting Greek plays and introducing pantomime. Across Asia, vibrant theatrical traditions blossom in India, China, and Japan, each developing unique acting styles and techniques.
Act II: The Medieval Spotlight (5th Century - 15th Century AD)
- Shifting Sands: Theatre finds new forms in religious rituals and traveling troupes. Court jesters and minstrels entertain nobility, while morality plays engage the masses. Women begin appearing on stage, often playing male roles due to societal restrictions.
- Seeds of Change: The Renaissance rekindles interest in classical traditions, leading to the development of professional acting companies in England and Italy. Playwrights like Shakespeare create masterpieces that shape the art form.
Act III: The Rise of the Star (16th Century - 19th Century AD)
- Taking Center Stage: Individual actors gain fame and recognition, becoming stars like David Garrick in England and Sarah Bernhardt in France. Acting techniques evolve, focusing on naturalism and emotional expression.
- Breaking Barriers: Women fight for equal opportunities on stage, paving the way for actresses like Ellen Terry and Fanny Kemble. Theatrical movements like Romanticism and Realism challenge social norms and push the boundaries of storytelling.
Act IV: Lights, Camera, Action! (20th Century - Present)
- A New Canvas: Film revolutionizes acting, demanding new skills and adapting stage techniques to the silver screen. Stars like Charlie Chaplin and Marlon Brando redefine cinematic presence.
- Breaking the Mold: Television expands the reach of actors, while globalization fosters exchange of ideas and techniques. Diversity on stage and screen becomes a growing focus, with marginalized voices finding representation.
Today, actors continue to captivate audiences across mediums. Technological advancements offer new avenues for performance, while the core elements of passion, dedication, and the ability to tell stories remain the heart of the craft. The future of acting holds endless possibilities, promising to entertain, inspire, and challenge us as long as the curtain rises.
Types of Actors
Here are some of the most common types of actors:
By Acting Technique:
- Method Actors: Immerse themselves completely in the character's psychology and background, often using personal experiences to inform their performance. Examples include Daniel Day-Lewis and Marlon Brando.
- Classical Actors: Trained in traditional techniques like voice projection, movement, and stage presence, often used in theater productions and Shakespearean plays. Examples include Judi Dench and Benedict Cumberbatch.
- Improvisational Actors: Adept at thinking on their feet and creating dialogue and scenes spontaneously, often used in comedic roles or sketch comedy. Examples include Tina Fey and Will Ferrell.
By Medium:
- Stage Actors: Primarily perform in live theater productions, known for their strong stage presence and ability to connect with an audience directly. Examples include Viola Davis and Denzel Washington.
- Screen Actors: Specialize in film and television acting, adapting their performances to the nuances of camera work and close-ups. Examples include Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio.
- Voice Actors: Bring life to animated characters and commercials through their vocal talents, often without being seen on screen. Examples include Steve Carell and Nancy Cartwright.
By Speciality:
- Stunt Actors: Perform physically demanding and dangerous actions for the camera, often doubling for lead actors in risky scenes. Examples include Tom Cruise and Jackie Chan.
- Comedic Actors: Excel at making audiences laugh through their timing, delivery, and comedic persona. Examples include Jim Carrey and Melissa McCarthy.
- Dramatic Actors: Possess a strong range of emotions and the ability to convey complex characters and situations through their performances. Examples include Anthony Hopkins and Cate Blanchett.
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Stars
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Stars is a list of the top actors in Hollywood history. It was announced by the American Film Institute on June 16, 1999.
The list was originally going to contain 100 stars but there were only 50 released.
| No. | Male Legends | Female Legends |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Humphrey Bogart | Katharine Hepburn |
| 25 December 1899 – 14 January 1957 | 12 May 1907 – 29 June 2003 | |
| 2. | Cary Grant | Bette Davis |
| 18 January 1904 – 29 November 1986 | 5 April 1908 – 6 October 1989 | |
| 3. | James Stewart | Audrey Hepburn |
| 20 May 1908 – 2 July 1997 | 4 May 1929 – 20 January 1993 | |
| 4. | Marlon Brando | Ingrid Bergman |
| 3 April 1924 – 1 July 2004 | 29 August 1915 – 29 August 1982 | |
| 5. | Fred Astaire | Greta Garbo |
| 10 May 1899 – 22 June 1987 | 18 September 1905 – 15 April 1990 | |
| 6. | Henry Fonda | Marilyn Monroe |
| 16 May 1905 – 12 August 1982 | 1 June 1926 – 4 August 1962 | |
| 7. | Clark Gable | Elizabeth Taylor |
| 1 February 1901 – 16 November 1960 | 27 February 1932 – 23 March 2011 | |
| 8. | James Cagney | Judy Garland |
| 17 July 1899 – 30 March 1986 | 10 June 1922 – 22 June 1969 | |
| 9. | Spencer Tracy | Marlene Dietrich |
| 5 April 1900 – 10 June 1967 | 27 December 1901 – 6 May 1992 | |
| 10. | Charlie Chaplin | Joan Crawford |
| 16 April 1889 – 25 December 1977 | 23 March 1904 – 10 May 1977 | |
| 11. | Gary Cooper | Barbara Stanwyck |
| 7 May 1901 – 13 May 1961 | 16 July 1907 – 20 January 1990 | |
| 12. | Gregory Peck | Claudette Colbert |
| 5 April 1916 – 12 June 2003 | 13 September 1903 – 30 July 1996 | |
| 13. | John Wayne | Grace Kelly |
| 26 May 1907 – 11 June 1979 | 12 November 1929 – 14 September 1982 | |
| 14. | Laurence Olivier | Ginger Rogers |
| 22 May 1907 – 11 July 1989 | 16 July 1911 – 25 April 1995 | |
| 15. | Gene Kelly | Mae West |
| 23 August 1912 – 2 February 1996 | 17 August 1893 – 22 November 1980 | |
| 16. | Orson Welles | Vivien Leigh |
| 6 May 1915 – 10 October 1985 | 5 November 1913 – 8 July 1967 | |
| 17. | Kirk Douglas | Lillian Gish |
| 9 December 1916 – 5 February 2020 | 14 October 1893 – 27 February 1993 | |
| 18. | James Dean | Shirley Temple |
| 8 February 1931 – 30 September 1955 | 23 April 1928 – 10 February 2014 | |
| 19. | Burt Lancaster | Rita Hayworth |
| 2 November 1913 – 20 October 1994 | 17 October 1918 – 14 May 1987 | |
| 20. | The Marx Brothers | Lauren Bacall |
| Chico 22 March 1887 – 11 October 1961 | 16 September 1924 – 12 August 2014 | |
| Harpo 23 November 1888 – 28 September 1964 | ||
| Groucho 2 October 1890 – 19 August 1977 | ||
| 21. | Buster Keaton | Sophia Loren |
| 4 October 1895 – 1 February 1966 | (born 20 September 1934 | |
| 22. | Sidney Poitier | Jean Harlow |
| 20 February 1927 – 6 January 2022 | 3 March 1911 – 7 June 1937 | |
| 23. | Robert Mitchum | Carole Lombard |
| 6 August 1917 – 1 July 1997 | 6 October 1908 – 16 January 1942 | |
| 24. | Edward G. Robinson | Mary Pickford |
| 12 December 1893 – 26 January 1973 | 8 April 1892 – 29 May 1979 | |
| 25. | William Holden | Ava Gardner |
| 17 April 1918 – 12 November 1981 | 24 December 1922 – 25 January 1990 |