supporting actor
Not the lead
A supporting actor plays a secondary role in a film, television show, or stage production—important to the story but not the lead.
The term often appears in award categories: She won Best Supporting Actor for her role as the protagonist's mother.
Despite the gendered noun, the phrase applies to performers of any gender in industry usage.
Performer eclipsing the lead
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- castPerformers, throw, or splint
- performanceCarrying out a task
- screen timeDuration on digital displays
billing · credits · chemistry · director · audition · callback · agent · typecast
Notable secondary performer
- co-starEqual-billed performer
- below the lineNon-recurring financial items
- marqueeTheater entrance canopy
- bit partSmall acting role
cameo · walk-on · extra · day player · understudy · stand-in · principal · lead
Temporary celebrity cast member
- recurring roleRepeated character across episodes
- series regularContracted performer for ongoing episodes
- sitcomEpisodic TV comedy series
- drama seriesOngoing fictional television program
character arc · episode · season · primetime · showrunner · spin-off · pilot · ensemble cast
Subordinate adventure partner
- foilDefeat a plan
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
- villainWicked story antagonist
- love interestRomantic focus of a story
best friend · comic relief · antagonist · confidant · henchman · rival · parent · narrator
Academy's golden award
- Golden GlobeFilm and television prize
- BAFTAUK film awards organisation
- SAG AwardActors' guild trophy
- EmmyTelevision industry accolade
Tony · Screen Actors Guild · nominee · winner · acceptance speech · category · recognition · nomination
scene-stealer
Performer eclipsing the lead
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- castPerformers, throw, or splint
- performanceCarrying out a task
screen time · billing · credits · chemistry · director · audition · callback · agent · typecast · breakout
featured player
Notable secondary performer
- co-starEqual-billed performer
- below the lineNon-recurring financial items
- marqueeTheater entrance canopy
bit part · cameo · walk-on · extra · day player · understudy · stand-in · principal · lead
guest star
Temporary celebrity cast member
- recurring roleRepeated character across episodes
- series regularContracted performer for ongoing episodes
- sitcomEpisodic TV comedy series
drama series · character arc · episode · season · primetime · showrunner · spin-off · pilot · ensemble cast · network
sidekick
Subordinate adventure partner
love interest · best friend · comic relief · antagonist · confidant · henchman · rival · parent · narrator · deuteragonist
Oscar
Academy's golden award
- Golden GlobeFilm and television prize
- BAFTAUK film awards organisation
- SAG AwardActors' guild trophy
Emmy · Tony · Screen Actors Guild · nominee · winner · acceptance speech · category · recognition · nomination · ceremony
- Acting AwardsOscar, Emmy, Tony, Golden Globe, BAFTA
- actorsactors, actresses, actress, performers, thespian
- awardsaward, awards, winner, winners, prize
- performersdancer, actress, singer, musician, comedian
- theater jobsdirector, playwright, choreographer, stage manager, costume designer
- TV/Film Rolesguest star, recurring character, series regular, villain, hero
supporting actorlead actor
star · leading man · leading lady · headliner · top billing
supporting actorprotagonist
Story's central figure
main character · lead · central character · title character · hero
support, actor, supporter, supported, supporting, supportive, supports, supporters, insupportable