actor
Person playing roles
An actor is a person who performs in plays, films, or television, portraying characters through speech, gesture, and movement.
The word applies to performers of any gender, though actress persists for women.
Beyond entertainment, actor extends to anyone who takes action or plays a role: a bad actor in the industry, state actors in international affairs.
In legal and political contexts, an actor is any entity capable of action.
Venue for live drama
- rehearsalPre-performance practice session
- auditionTrial performance for selection
- monologueUninterrupted solo address
- soliloquyDramatic speech to oneself
dialogue · blocking · cue · curtain · proscenium · backstage · spotlight · prop
Professional humor performer
Position or part
- characterNature, symbol, or role
- portrayalDepiction of someone
- methodOrderly way of doing
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
backstory · transformation · arc · protagonist · antagonist · hero · villain · persona
Motion picture theater
- HollywoodAmerican film industry center
- BollywoodIndian film industry
- NollywoodNigerian film industry
- screenDisplay or barrier
camera · take · scene · cut · director · casting · audition · screenplay
Luminous astronomical object
- famePublic recognition, widespread
- superstarExceptionally famous performer
- A-listerTop-tier famous person
- iconPictorial screen symbol
idol · headliner · marquee · red-carpet · paparazzi · tabloid · fanbase · autograph
One who leads
- producerOne who makes things
- cinematographerPerson capturing screen visuals
- screenwriterAuthor of film scripts
- gripSecure manual hold
theater
Venue for live drama
- rehearsalPre-performance practice session
- auditionTrial performance for selection
- monologueUninterrupted solo address
soliloquy · dialogue · blocking · cue · curtain · proscenium · backstage · spotlight · prop · costume
comedian
Professional humor performer
mime · extra · stand-in · scene-stealer
role
Position or part
motivation · backstory · transformation · arc · protagonist · antagonist · hero · villain · persona · lead
cinema
Motion picture theater
screen · camera · take · scene · cut · director · casting · audition · screenplay · soundstage
star
Luminous astronomical object
- famePublic recognition, widespread
- superstarExceptionally famous performer
- A-listerTop-tier famous person
icon · idol · headliner · marquee · red-carpet · paparazzi · tabloid · fanbase · autograph · celebrity
director
One who leads
- producerOne who makes things
- cinematographerPerson capturing screen visuals
- screenwriterAuthor of film scripts
- celebritiesmovie stars, A-lister, pop stars, superstar, celebrity
- entertainerssingers, dancers, musicians, singer, comedians
- Film and TVcamera, cast, crew, director, editing
- jobsdoctor, administrator, lawyer, teacher, nurse
- occupationsdoctor, teacher, baker, lawyer, nurse
- careersdoctor, lawyer, teacher, engineer, nurse
actornonactor
One who doesn't perform
real person · genuine article · straight shooter · real deal · truth-teller
- caught in the actDiscovered mid-wrongdoing
- act outPerform or misbehave
- acting upBehaving badly or failing
- get in on the actBegin participating in ongoing activity
- act upBehave badly or fail
- Civil Rights ActLaw prohibiting discrimination
act, action, active, acting, activity, actress, react, actual, actually