A look at how smaller roles can mean a steadier career
By Aaron Starmer
Kurt Fuller. Frankie Faison. Edie McClurg. Grace Zabrinksi. Don't recognize the names? Well, you would probably recognize their faces. They're among the most popular and recognizable character actors working today. They may not be A-list stars, but they do something many actors don't. They work- all the time. Between the four of them, they have nearly 500 film and television credits.
While we'd all love to headline a blockbuster film, or win an Emmy, Tony or Oscar, but having a stable acting career is perhaps a more realistic goal. Working as a character actor can give you that and a stable career. What exactly is a character actor, though? Simply put, it's an actor who fills the secondary roles like shop owners and cops, teachers and doctors, crooks and office managers. They play "characters." The belief, in casting directors' minds, is that they are familiar looking, believable and but not distracting. They deliver their lines and give the production a feel of authenticity. To do so takes both talent and experience.
Look again at the names above. Out of the four, Edie McClurg was the youngest to get a major television or film role, when she appeared in Carrie at 25. Before then, she was on the radio learning the ins and outs of voice work. Grace Zabrinski, a poet and performer from New Orleans, didn't get her film break until she was nearly 38, when she appeared in Norma Rae. That's not to say you'll have to wait years for your first significant role. It just means there's more to being a character actor than walking into a casting agency with a distinctive voice or face. Perform in plays, commercials, and anything else you can. A variety of experiences will boost your confidence and abilities, which will shine through in your auditions and make you marketable.
In the past, character actors were often typecast. They exclusively played the mustache-twirling villain, the ditzy blonde, etc. That hasn't changed completely, but there's a lot more wiggle room in what you can play these days. You shouldn't necessarily set out to be a character actor, but rather than throwing yourself into the fierce competition for a lead role, try auditioning for smaller parts. Your experience will get you into more casting agencies, which will get you more jobs. Casting directors will remember you, which can lead to years of stable work.
Character roles may also lead to international recognition. With enough work and enough talent, a character actor can sometimes break into the big time. Consider Edie Falco, who after 10 years and nearly 30 television and film roles finally became a household name when she played mob wife Carmela Soprano in HBO's critically acclaimed series The Sopranos. Sure, she's a star now, but she's first and foremost a great actor because of her extensive experience with character roles. Whether you notice them or not, most character actors with long careers are great actors as well.
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