ham actor
Theatrical stage hog
A ham actor is a performer who overacts—delivering lines with exaggerated emotion, theatrical gestures, and self-indulgent excess.
The term is mildly derogatory, suggesting someone who prioritizes showing off over subtlety or craft: He chewed the scenery like a ham actor in a Victorian melodrama.
Often shortened to just ham.
- overactingExcessive theatrical performance
- over the topExcessively theatrical or extreme
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
- melodramaticExaggeratedly emotional in expression
- scenery-chewingTheatrical overperformance
showboat · dramatic · exaggerated · mugging · campy · corny · playing to the gallery · thespian · diva · drama queen · grandstanding · bombastic · flamboyant · scene stealer · vaudeville · slapstick · spotlight · stage
- showoffsshowoff, show-off, braggart, bragger, boaster
- comedy typesclown, satire, parody, farce, slapstick
- actorsperformers, thespian, thespians, stage performers, performer
- amateur musiciansbedroom producer, garage band member, weekend warrior, open mic performer, busker
- Roleplayerslarper, reenactor, game master, dungeon master, GM