My Hot Take: Is an Acting Career Worth it?

From the time I was in High School, I remember having dreams of being an actress. These dreams and aspirations have shifted however, as I’ve come to better understand how this industry operates and why I like (and dislike) certain things about it.  

This blog post is not intended to dissuade you from pursuing an acting career but rather, encourage you to (transparently) and without judgement, see the industry for what it is and weigh out its pros and its cons.

Ultimately, the decision to pursue an acting career (like anything else in life) is YOURS.

What Does it Mean to be an Actor?

Being an actor means a lot of things, but at the heart of it, being an actor means being a performer. Logistically speaking, being an actor is the interpretation of another person (character) and bringing it to life on stage or on screen.

Emotionally speaking, being an actor means being in touch with your feelings. Ultimately, actors need to pull from their emotions in order to represent those of their characters (like grief, joy, among others).  For most people, this can come at the cost of their own well-being and emotional health, as not everyone feels comfortable revisiting certain memories that illicit these feelings or sensations. That’s why, simply put, being an actor is not for everyone.

Essentially, actors need to manipulate their emotions at the cost of a theatrical performance. Depending on what type of acting projects you take on and how often you are working, it can take a toll on your mental health. Sure, there are ways to navigate this but it’s certainly something to consider.

Socially speaking, being an actor means being able to sell yourself. Think about it: you are constantly auditioning in the hopes of booking SOMETHING: a commercial here, a film there, etc. etc. As actors, we are responsible for marketing ourselves. Your mentality (whether you like it or not) should be: how can I prove that I’m the best person for this job? It’s like interviewing for any other average, run-of-the-mill position, the only difference is that you’re doing it ALL DAY… every day. It can take a toll, to say the least.  

Is an Acting Career Worth it?

An acting career, like anything else we decide to pursue in life is always worth it. With that said, it’s important to understand when its time to pull the plug and pivot in in another direction (IF we decide to do so). At the end of the day, as long as something makes YOU happy, it’ll always be worth it. It only stops being worth it when it’s no longer fulfilling your needs or your overall state of joy.

So, the real question here is not really whether it’s “worth it” or not, it’s about whether or not you WANT to pursue it in spite of the challenges it will come along with … and that’s a personal choice.

Let’s talk about some of the pros and cons that exist when you decide to pursue an acting career. I hope it offers you a bit more clarity in deciding if an acting career is truly “worth it” or not.

Pros: likeminded people

While the acting industry harbors a great deal of challenges and toxic traits (trust me, we’ll talk about them in a minute), it also constitutes a wonderful community of people. I’ve come to find that actors are some of the most wonderful, accepting, creative, warm, thought-provoking, supportive and intelligent individuals. I think these characteristics really nurtures a supportive community of artists and getting the opportunity to work with people like this is truly a privilege.

After a creative project, whether it be a stage show or a day on set, I always say the same thing: it’s the people and the memories that make it all worthwhile. Behind every creative project, there’s a group of people that coexist under one roof: a roof that houses a shared dream, a joint objective and a common understanding about what it takes to reach it. It’s a comradery like no other and to be able to experience it, is truly special.

Pros: the pursuit of a passion

I think ultimately what makes an acting career so worth it is the fact that you’re pursuing a passion. Getting the opportunity to chase what you love and see your dreams come to fruition is a privilege, one that certainly shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Acting is an artform. At the core, it’s a creative profession. Those who choose an acting career are ultimately prioritizing their craft and the pursuit of a creative lifestyle. Being able to accomplish this and work in your chosen field, is a beautiful thing.

The Harsh Realities of Being an Actor

While there are positives to leading a creative lifestyle and pursuing a career in acting, the truth is that there are many harsh realities to it, as well. I’d argue that there are more negatives than benefits to being an actor, but that’s a conversation for another time.

Being an actor is not for the weak. This industry is not for the weak. While it can be a beautiful profession to work in, the work itself is not easy to come by. The acting industry is branded as being very competitive (and rightfully so), as only a very small percentage of actors are actually able to live sustainably doing just that: acting.

Cons: an unstable career

At the root of it, an acting career is an unstable career. Acting is not like a standard 9-5 office job where you go in and get your work done and go home. Acting requires a constant pursuit, one that can easily turn into a vicious and toxic cycle. As an actor, your job (before you actually GET a job) is to market yourself, audition for the role and either:

A.     Get rejected and start over again or

B.     Get hired for said role, do the work and then …. start over again.

All acting related work is contractual, meaning you work for a temporary period of time on any given project. This could look a whole bunch of ways: a day on set, a two-month theatrical run, a week-long contractual agreement for a television show, a film, a commercial, a PSA… the list goes on.

Regardless what type of project you are booked for, the project will always come to an end, in which case, you will have to audition and start the whole process over again. Like I mentioned earlier, it’s like going in for a job interview… CONSTANTLY. This structure promotes a brutal sense of instability, even for the most successful actors.

Ultimately, the most unstable aspect of this industry is the fact that you are constantly putting in effort for very little in return. You’re essentially making yourself available and spending TONS of money (on headshots, and classes, etc.) for an industry that can make no promises in return. Under this pretense, it’s very easy to fall prisoner to a system that can make no guarantees. It’s like playing the lottery and spending money for the chance of winning $3.00 in a scratch off ticket.  Sure, there’s also the off chance that you can book something amazing or long-term, but like winning the lottery… it doesn’t happen very often.

As controversial as this take might be, it’s the truth: you can love the industry and you can accept how it operates, but it’s also important to call it for what it is: an unstable structure that promotes a very unhealthy lifestyle.

Cons: a highly competitive environment

It’s no secret that the acting industry is competitive, and rightfully so. Because actors are constantly auditioning (in the hopes of booking more roles), they are subjecting themselves to competition (between other actors who are essentially in search of the same things).

Competition is not inherently bad but when you encounter it so frequently, it can definitely nurture toxic habits between people.

We are imperfect beings and to paint this “always positive” / “I’m so happy for you” image is simply… not realistic. You’re going to be upset sometimes. You’re going to be frustrated. You’re going to wonder why someone else (once again) booked the role that you didn’t. These are NORMAL feelings and sometimes the acting industry will make us feel guilty for feeling them in the first place, when in actuality, it’s OKAY to be angry and it’s okay to NOT be okay sometimes (as long as you’re not taking it out on another actor). This brings me to:

… the fact that a highly competitive environment can also nurture friction between two or more people. Competition in the acting industry can make actors feel like others are a threat to them, and it can bring out the worst in someone. As a result, we might find ourselves navigating rude, mean or generally fake people.

When an Acting Career Comes at the Cost of your Personal Life

Having an acting career can certainly be wonderful but not if it comes at the cost of other wonderful things… like your well-being and your personal life.

The acting industry operates very quickly, and it doesn’t really consider YOUR needs (most of the time). Think about it: how many times have you received a last-minute audition (with likely 5-7 pages of dialogue to memorize) …. all due the next day? This industry doesn’t care if you have a college thesis to write, or a baby shower to go to or a wedding to attend. It cares about their needs and how fast someone can meet them. It’s a sense of urgency that can feel quite exhausting, but in their defense: it’s not their job to take care of you. It’s YOUR job to do that, just the same way that it’s YOUR job to determine what you are and aren’t willing to tolerate.

So, is an acting career worth it? Who’s to say. Because the answer to this question is so personal, the only one who can truly answer it… is you.