Can anyone become an actor?

Question

Justin Parker · Accepted Answer

No, not anyone can become an actor. While it is possible for anyone to pursue this career, it is not possible for everyone to become successful or to book paid work as an actor. The main reason for this is that acting requires talent. Some of this talent can be learned and honed through acting classes and similar activities, but other aspects must be inherent in each actor.

To become an actor a person needs to have a combination of a wide variety of skills, including strong communication, creativity and imagination, great memorization skills, physical stamina, and expert emotional intelligence. Some of these skills can be learned, while others must be somewhat inherent for a person who is pursuing acting to become successful.

Another critical aspect of a career in this field is dedication and the ability to handle being rejected. Auditioning is one of the hardest parts of being an actor. You are liable to go on hundreds of auditions and be rejected the majority of the time. Learning to deal with rejection and finding the fortitude to keep going is an essential skill for most actors.