How To Make a Living as an Actor

The first step to making a living as an actor is making a commitment to yourself. If you want acting to be more than just your hobby, you need to treat it like a job. Acting is not a career you can pursue half-heartedly. You’ll need to focus all your energies and efforts toward your ultimate goal of being a professional actor.

Prowl castings like it’s your job. Sign up for Backstage and seek out every opportunity you can find. No one will hand you jobs, especially in the beginning. It’s up to you to go out there and find them.

Be the best that you can be. There’s no shortage of competition for acting jobs. In order to book, you will have to set yourself apart and be at the top of your game. That means taking classes, working on monologues and scenes, keeping abreast of industry trends and news, and keeping your marketing materials up-to-date.

Maximize your skill set. Identify and hone the special skills and talents that set you apart; they can get you into more audition rooms. Athletic skills like parkour, for instance, are often in demand, as are the ability to play musical instruments and various styles of dance.

Crush the audition. Most actors hate auditioning, but it’s a necessary evil. Our advice? Get good at auditioning. Auditioning is a skill. Think of it as a muscle that you need to warm up, condition, and flex regularly; you can’t expect biceps if you don’t go to the gym. Instead of seeing auditions as a chore, think of them as a chance to act, to practice for the next, and to make new fans.

Limit yourself to paid work. It’s impossible to make a living as an actor if you only do unpaid work. Acting is hard work, and as with any job, you deserve to be paid for your time. You are a professional; it’s within your rights to demand to be treated as such. Backstage has a “paid only” filter which you can use to only search for paid gigs.

But don’t rule out the occasional unpaid gig if you can afford to. Not all productions can afford to pay, and some unpaid projects can pay off in unexpected ways. If you see artistic value in the project, think it will help you grow as an actor, believe it is a story that needs to be told, want to add credits to your resume or certain clips to your reel, or have a chance to make promising connections within the industry, it’s not a bad idea to consider the occasional unpaid gig every now and then. Student projects in particular can be an investment, as their films often make it into the festival circuit, and these fledgling directors often have bright futures ahead of them.

Work as much as possible. Work begets work. Every gig, no matter how small, is part of your journey and offers you the chance to practice your craft, to learn from other members of the community, and to grow your network. Each job could lead to the next. Stay in touch with people you work with. The AD on that student film set might end up snagging a job at a big casting agency in a few years. Be sure to exchange information when you wrap on a gig.

Be a consummate professional. Unprofessional behavior on set can ruin your chances of being hired again. Word travels fast in the industry. Be on time, know your lines, and don’t be a diva.

Network. Referrals are the oil in the cogs of the industry machine. Directors, casting directors, and other actors prefer to work with people they already know. Go to networking events. You’ll get to meet like minds, and you never know who you might meet. Always carry business cards with you.

Find an agent. Your agent only makes money if you make money, so it’s in their best interest to push you for high-paying jobs.

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How to Become an Actor

If you’re reading this page, you likely already have an idea of the type of acting work you hope to do. Maybe you dream of enthralling a full house in a Broadway theater, or long to see yourself on the big screen someday. But acting is a vast and varied career field that encompasses opportunities you may never have considered, many of which pay—and some of which can be quite lucrative!  Below is a guide to the types of acting jobs available to the working actor beyond those in film, TV, or theater:

• Web series: Netflix and Hulu have expanded the realm of television beyond cable, and more and more independent content creators (including proactive actors creating their own opportunities) are bypassing TV gatekeepers to create their own content online. These jobs might not pay much in the beginning, but can gain fan followings (which can translate to additional funding from Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns) or get picked up by networks. The Comedy Central smash hit Broad City had its start as a humble, grainy, 2-minute video on YouTube, and HBO star Issa Rae (“Insecure”) was once just an “Awkward Black Girl.”
• YouTube: Ever heard of Jenna Marbles? How about Justin Bieber? YouTube has obliterated the traditional roadblocks to stardom by making it possible for anyone to broadcast their talents and gain fan followings in the seven digits. Increasingly, casting directors and show creators are looking to YouTube for the Next Big Thing. YouTube fame has launched the careers of actors like Darren Criss, who made the jump from “A Very Potter Musical” to “Glee” and comedians Bo Burnham and Lilly Singh. And YouTube stars can rake in millions of dollars a year—as much as an actor on a hit TV show.
• Commercials: We’ve all been swayed into buying products by great commercials, and advertisers are always on the lookout for actors with charisma, charm, and dazzling smiles to help them do so. If you’re lucky, you could make a year’s salary in one TV spot and reap the rewards of residuals for years to come, or (just ask Flo the Progressive Lady).
• Print modeling: Forget the runway. Print modeling is another often lucrative gig for actors (print modeling jobs seek regular people over traditional runway models). You could see yourself in catalogs, posters, website banners, and other promotional images for businesses and organizations.
• Voiceover: We’ve all heard that signature voice in commercials. If you have a compelling voice and a talent for enunciating and emoting, there’s a ton of work out there narrating anything from commercials, audiobooks, videos, documentaries, podcasts and voicing characters in animated films, commercials, video games.
• Industrials: Companies hire actors to play employees in internal corporate training videos. These videos usually aren’t circulated outside of the company, but as with anything in the corporate sector, typically pay well.
• Hosting: Travel, cooking, fashion, entertainment, science...you could get paid to share your passion for just about any subject as a host for TV shows, radio shows, and websites, as long as you bring your bubbly personality and boundless enthusiasm.
• Cruise ships: Cruise lines hire performers (usually musical theatre) to be in shows as onboard entertainment for their guests. These contracts can last anywhere from a few months (depending on on- and off-seasons) to several years. Grab your passport, and you could be getting paid to act, sing, and dance your way around the world!
• Theme parks: Disney World and Universal Studios have built their empires on creating classic, beloved movie and TV characters, and hire actors to bring those characters to life for children and their families visiting from around the globe.

Don’t underestimate your employability and experience as an actor: you possess skills that are highly sought after by employers, among them empathy, performance, public speaking, communication, and emotional intelligence. Here are some jobs outside the entertainment industry that specifically seek out actors.

• Standardized patient: Medical schools and hospitals specifically seek out actors to play patients in training simulations. Typically, you’ll play a role according to a character breakdown provided by the school, memorize the case history, improvise patient-practitioner interactions, and evaluate students and give feedback on their bedside manner and information gathering skills.
• Law: Courts and law firms hire actors to play witnesses and jury members to do a “trial run” of the different ways in which cases may play out.
• Business: Many companies hire actors to conduct internal trainings for their employees to practice and hone their corporate communication and presentation skills.
• Children’s party performers: Remember when you were a kid and wanted Batman or a Disney princess at your party? Now it’s your chance to fulfill your own childhood dream of playing these iconic characters and brighten up children's’ special days while you’re at it. Children’s party companies also seek actors with skill in clown performance and magic shows.
• Educational theater: Some theater companies tour the country performing at schools and colleges to raise awareness for and educate young adults on causes like the environment, women’s rights, and social justice.
• Teaching: What could be more fulfilling than sharing your passion for the craft with young minds? You can teach acting at just about any level, from young preschoolers just having fun to serious actors in BFA, MFA, conservatory programs, or classes.
• Promotional modeling: Actors are sought after by companies looking for attractive, friendly people to help raise awareness of their brands. You may be handing out product samples or flyers on the street, staffing events, or approaching potential customers at stores.
• Trade shows: These jobs entail manning booths at industry shows and representing a company or brand, possibly doing demonstrations, and educating and networking with potential clients and other professionals in the industry.

While there is a lot of work out there, there are also a lot of actors out there. Competition is stiff, and there are always a whole host of reasons why you might not book a given job. And even though each gig you book is a victory, acting gigs tend to be short-lived, lasting anywhere from a day to a few weeks. It is extremely rare as an actor to be working every week of the year, let alone every day. Constant hustling for your next gig is part of an actor’s lifestyle. Acting isn’t like other jobs, where you put in a few years and steadily move up the corporate ladder as you gain qualifications and experience. Even very established actors may have dry spells. Understand that the life of an actor is unpredictable, and accept both the ebb and the flow.

Some types of jobs offer more long-term stability than others. Regional theater contracts can last anywhere from four weeks. You’ll get paid a weekly rate for rehearsals and shows, and either be given a stipend or provided housing. Long-running Broadway shows like “The Phantom of the Opera” offer performers the opportunity to be steadily employed, though schedules of eight performances a week can get exhausting and lead to burnout. TV offers perhaps the best opportunity for ongoing work—the dream is to land a series regular role on a pilot that gets picked up and runs on the air for several years.

The great irony is that despite the financially sporadic nature of an actor’s income, acting is an expensive business. And if you want to be a professional actor, you’ll have to be willing to invest in your career. Here are some non-negotiable career-related costs that you will have to factor into your budget:

• Headshot printing
• Resume printing
• Personal website fees
• Casting website fees
• Classes and workshops

Of course, cost can and should factor into your process of shopping around for photographers and classes, but quality often correlates with higher prices. And since acting is heavily appearance-based, you may have to factor in regular grooming expenses (makeup, hairstyling), character-specific and audition-appropriate wardrobe items, and your gym membership. However, there is no shortage of free workshops and events, it costs nothing to practice monologues and scenes on your own or with friends, and many acting schools also offer work/study or exchange programs.

These costs are one reason making a realistic budget is so important for a working actor. You may have to cut back in other areas of your life to support your career as an actor. Make a list of yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily costs. After essentials like rent and food, keep a tally of how much you can afford to spend on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis, and always be sure to set aside some of your income for savings. Then make a tally of these non-negotiable expenses and factor in how much you can realistically afford to spend on each.

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How to Be an Actor on a Budget

Actors are treated by the IRS as independent contractors, rather than employees of particular companies, which means you’ll have to file as such. Since your income will likely come from various sources, keep an organized file of each W-2 or 1099 you receive per gig. The difference between a W-2 and a 1099 is that W-2s have taxes automatically taken out, while 1099s have taxes taken out later. You can choose to do your taxes yourself, and there are many resources like TurboTax that can make the process easier. But it’s equally valid to feel overwhelmed by the and want to save yourself the headache by going to a professional.

To reduce your taxable income as an actor, there are certain expenses you can deduct, with the provision that they are necessary, reasonable, not excessive, and directly related to your acting career (keep your receipts). Here’s a list of deductible expenses for actors:

• Promotional expenses: headshots, website fees, subscription fees (including Backstage)
• Tickets to films, theater, and other research
• Transportation expenses going to and from jobs and auditions
• Union dues
• Agent fees
• Expenses incurred on the job
• Meals (the maximum you can deduct is 50%)
• Insurance (which is 100% deductible for self-employed contractors, including actors)

RELATED:

• The Actor’s Guide to Filing Taxes in the U.S.
• 7 Financial Terms Actors Should Know
• 5 Tips to Make Tax Season Easier for Actors

If you want to make a living as an actor long-term, it’s a good idea to eventually join the union respective to the medium in which you want to work. SAG-AFTRA is the major union for film and TV actors, while theatre actors should consider joining the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA). Why should you join a union? Being a member of a union entitles you to health insurance, pension and retirement plans, labor protections, minimum rates, job resources, career development, crisis support, and other benefits. Joining can also give you a leg up for future career prospects. SAG projects, especially commercials, pay much higher rates than non-union projects, and Equity members get first dibs on sign ups for Equity Principal Auditions—which means you get an actual appointment time, instead of lining up at 7 a.m. and still not being seen.

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Everything You Need To Know About Actors’ Unions

No matter how hard you hustle and how many jobs you book, you will inevitably find yourself in lulls without acting work. Even actors at the top of their game are not immune to dry spells. It’s important to have a stable source of income outside of acting, so you don’t have to rely on the notorious unpredictability of booking jobs in order to pay your rent. You don’t want to walk into every audition room carrying the baggage of, “I need to book this job because I have $0.01 in my bank account!” Financial stress can also be a drain on your artistic energies. It’s hard to focus on telling a story and building a character if you’re distracted by your anxiety about how you’re going to put food on the table.

Survival jobs keep you going while you pursue your true career. An ideal survival job is flexible enough to let you go on auditions (or one you can pick up in the interim between gigs if you have to leave for weeks at a time for shows), well-paying enough to cover your basic expenses (and a bit more to cover your acting expenses and allow you to save and enjoy life), and ideally, allows you to do something you enjoy. Of course, you may not love it as much as acting, but you need to sustain yourself through the cycles of auditions and short-term gigs until you can make a living as an actor. If you’re drained from dealing with rude customers all day, your art will suffer.

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9 Survival Jobs Actors Can Do From Home

Being an actor is no doubt a difficult path. But it’s above all an inner calling. Actors act for the love of telling stories, of sharing experiences and discovering new ones, of being able to connect with and inspire people. To be able to make a living while doing that is a blessing. If you want to make a living as an actor, you have to believe in yourself, keep going through the rough patches, and refuse to give up. It’s a marathon, not a race.