William Shakespeare (among others) said "There are no small parts*--". William Shatner may have said it too, but the longhair with the tights was first, or so the reports go. In this feature we will explore what it really means to be an actor working in Motion Pictures and Television.

Broad public acknowledgment may have eluded some who find their way to these pages, or perhaps they may have brushed against what is referred to as stardom by virtue of one or more remarkable performances. However for many, the rewards of plying their craft in a field which has allowed them to earn a living may exceed the burdens of public acclaim. Given the chance, some in this clan might prefer the longevity offered by anonymity over the potential for short lived fame.

These individuals, either by design or fate, have managed to sustain a career by crafting performances which rendered them a good casting choice. They are usually thought of as a face you recognize, but you just can't get the name past the tip of your tongue.

Most of these folks have spent countless hours on stage in theaters ranging from 20 seats to 2000, building characters from the works of Ibsen, to Eliot, to Williams, to yes even Shakespeare, and so many of the modern Playwrights. They have rounded their skills doing drama, comedy, & musicals. Their work is a serious venture.

These people have given us screen performances which quite often were the catalyst that brought an Oscar or Emmy to another and yet they continue to work as "Characters" or "Co-Stars" without the trophies and plaques adorning their mantle.
* Technically, it was Konstantin Stanislavski who coined the phrase "There are no small parts, only small actors", but we like the "William" references just for fun!

Quill
Attn Actors, Agents, Managers, Publicists: We are now seeking recommendations for new Working Actor Profiles to extend this series.
If you have a recommendation of an actor (who meets the above criteria with the appropriate credit history) we welcome your request. Please get in touch via our contact page
Mindy Sterling  | "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" (1999) [a]

Mindy Sterling - Always busy acting!

Mindy Sterling remembers what happened when she told her father, comedian Dick Sterling, that she wanted to become a performer. 'At the age of 13 my dad decided to get me private acting lessons to do Shakespeare', the Florida-raised Sterling recalls. He said: 'If you learn Shakespeare, you'll be a great actor'. 'And I was hideous - when you're thirteen years old, Shakespeare is NOT how you want to spend your free time! Needless to say, to this day I hate doing Shakespeare.'

0 comments
Richard Roundtree | Working Actor

Richard Roundtree (1942 - 2023)

Although with consistency being the benchmark for stardom in Hollywood, Richard Roundtree proved to be a star in every sense of the word. As a leading actor and co-star of over forty-five years, he established himself as a constant force with his stellar work in both feature films and television. And yet this "Working Actor" still fit the bill as his roles had varied and his appetite for continued acting assignments never wavered!

0 comments
John Aylward | Working Actor

John Aylward- Firing on All Cylinders

John Aylward may be best known for his portrayal of the hard-nosed Dr. Anspaugh on NBC's "ER", however, he has spent decades on theatre stages throughout the U.S. and Canada and has performed everything from Shakespeare & Moliere to Shepard & Mamet. And while audiences of TV and film have generally seen him play serious men and downright curmudgeons, Aylward's comic prowess is legend. His versality and talent have made him one busy actor.

0 comments