Acting is a tough but extremely rewarding, and most importantly, fun career choice. A lot of people dream to be actors and join the elite of Hollywood A-listers, but the path is not for everybody.
Have you ever wondered if acting was really the best choice for you? Here are 20 signs that say you were probably destined to become an actor. You don’t need to fit into all of them, but it’s good to check as many of these boxes as you can.
READ THIS: Acting for Beginners 101 – The Ultimate Guide
20 Signs You Were Destined to Become an Actor
1. You watch a lot of movies
Many people are naturally talented actors, but it’s the passion for the craft and the industry that will make you a working actor and help you push through all the hardships of this business.
Leonardo Di Caprio said in his acceptance speech at the SAG Award 2016 that he would never become such a great actor if he wasn’t watching movies made by great directors and with wonderful actors.
2. You find performing to be fun
Stage fright and nervousness about public speaking is a real thing. Many people are afraid of performing or talking on stage when they’re the focus of everybody’s attention, feeling like they are being judged as they speak or how they are dressed.
It is quite normal to do that, even for actors (look at how uncomfortable Johnny Depp always is), but ultimately, if you find the pleasure being at the center of attention, and if think performing for others and entertaining them is fun, then acting just may be the profession for you.
Dustin Hoffman during his Inside the Actors Studio interview has probably put it best:
3. You love studying
It often happens that when you are doing your school production of another Shakespeare play, the only thing you care about is to finally be done with it and forget about it.
But if you are spending hours in front of the mirror reciting the lines all over again, and if you’re enjoying the process rather than just waiting for the final result, then continue this pursuit.
Once again, I’ll borrow from Inside the Actors Studio interview with Kevin Spacey where he explains it best:
4. You dream about it
Have you ever found yourself after watching the Academy Awards in a bathroom, thanking your parents and your drama teacher while looking at the mirror and holding a bottle of shampoo? It’s a cliche thing, but many of us have done something similar to that.
It’s a good dream to have, and maybe something that keeps you pushing through the difficult times. Just remember to wake up and take action so that you can make your dreams come true.
Here’s the great Bryan Cranston encouraging actors to simply “find a place to act” and just do it:
5. It’s not all about the money
Hollywood is rich, and many A-list actors make crazy amounts of money. However, very few aspiring actors will ever get to that point, and that’s okay. It’s not all about the money, and it cannot be.
Do you always volunteer to act in the school production of famous plays? You are not paid and you don’t get credits, but you still enjoy it? If yes, then get your acting career started.
6. You are inspiring
Has someone ever approached you and said that they love listening to you, or watching you? It’s possible that you inspire people just by speaking to them, or by actions you take in your own life.
Many people need someone to look up to. If that’s you, it will definitely help you in your acting career.
7. You have a lot of viewers on your YouTube channel
Just because you’re a creative person with no stage and no better creative outlet, you choose what’s available to you. What’s the best platform for putting your acting abilities out there, making people laugh or cry, and entertaining them? YouTube.
Do you spend your free time making YouTube videos and sharing them with others? Even if you think that they aren’t as good as other people’s videos, but you get a sense of fulfillment from this, you should probably consider taking this further.
8. You are always concentrated
A lot of students go to study in the library because it’s easier to concentrate there with no people or TV around. For others, it’s the opposite. Either way, it all comes down to being able to focus on the task at hand.
Being an actor means that you’ll have to do your job in front many people, whether it’s on a film set or a theatre stage. You need the skill of concentration and constantly staying focused, in character, no matter what. If that’s you, then you’re already a step ahead of many others.
9. You are good at dealing with the situation
This does not apply to everybody, if you’re great at not letting things get to you, and dealing with people, then it’s a valuable skill to have as an actor.
Actors have to deal with a lot of people: directors, agents, journalists and other actors. It’s possible that sometimes they will drive you crazy and you can easily loose your focus and your cool, but if you are good at handling such situations, then you are one step closer to not driving your acting career into a wall.
10. You are too emotional
Many people believe that showing your emotions in public isn’t the best quality for a person. That could not be further from the truth for actors. Performers cannot be self-conscious about their emotions, because self-consciousness is the death of a good actor.
As an actor, you’ll have to show all of the emotions you never thought even existed in you. You must remain vulnerable and keep your emotions on the surface so that you can easily access them. If that’s you, then that’s half of your acting training done.
11. You are perfectionist
If you are very detail-oriented and like to do everything perfectly, this can fit your acting career very well. Being an actor means showing your best in every single scene.
12. You love art
Instead of going to football pitch or tennis court with friends, you prefer going to museums and theatres? If so, get ready for your next acceptance speech at one of the film awards.
13. You are charismatic
People love you even when you don’t say or do anything? It’s all because of your charisma that is very crucial for your future career as an actor.
14. You are good at accents
When foreigners watch Hollywood films they have so much fun when they hear actors making funny accents (British, Russian, Australian, German etc.)
Even though, you will never have a truly Russian or British accent, being able to remotely recreate them is a good quality.
15. You have good imagination
Being an actor is creating a piece of art that everyone is going to interpret differently, that’s what acting is all about.
So, if you love imagining different things and ideas on stage or anywhere else, then you should definitely give a chance to you as an actor.
16. You use a lot of gestures
Some people don’t even move their hands when they talk, but others actively use their body while talking.
If you are of the second type, – that’s great! It is a very important quality for actors.
17. You can easily make people laugh
Making people laugh is a quality that can be useful for a lot of professions, and especially for actors.
Even if you are not planning to make a career in acting in comedies, it will be great to use your sense of humor on auditions and interviews.
18. You care about your look
Your friends make fun of you when you spend a lot of time preparing for a meeting or just for going out with them?
It’s great that you do it, because as an actor you have to look great all the time. Whether you’re in London or Hollywood, this is an industry obsessed with looks, because it has to be.
19. You think that time is money
Every evening you spend some time to make a to-do list for the next day, so you will be able to finish all the projects and tasks you plan?
It’s great, because as an actor you’ll have to do the same, especially before you get an agent.
20. You like working in a team
Some people think that being an actor is an individual profession. They are wrong, because you’ll have to be a part of a team both on and off set, – from acting some scenes with other actors to working with the team of make-up artists and costume makers.
