A Question of Character

A Question of Character

By: Elizabeth Yoffe

Some of the most beautiful actors in the world are character actors. I'm not talking about the kind of physical beauty that Hollywood emphasizes. I'm talking about the beauty that comes from being able to inhabit a role so fully and meticulously that the audience never forgets the experience. In Hollywood terms, a character actor, no matter the gender, is usually someone who doesn’t conform to the typical standards of physical beauty that are expected of leading men and women. If you think about it, the majority of actors in film and television are character actors - how dull would great stories be without them? You might as well be watching soap operas - which have their place, certainly, but aren’t considered extraordinary works of art or entertainment.

It used to be that character actors were more often supporting players rather than leads, although there were some who became major stars - Humphrey Bogart, Dustin Hoffman, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand for example. But the typical “star” was more often in the mold of Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Tylor, Paul Newman, Angelina Jolie or Brad Pitt. Interestingly, things are changing these days. Television, which has become just as important and respected as film, has an abundance of terrific character actors in leading roles. But whether they're considered stars or supporting players, character actors are some of the best of the best!

Great character actors will work forever. Time is much kinder to them. You can be Steve Buscemi, Judi Dench, Laurence Fishburne, or Frances McDormand, and as you age people will watch your performances without any ugly, little thought bubbles popping up about how much older you look or how much plastic surgery you must have had. The reality is that after a certain age those gorgeous leading men and women who make it to the A-list start battling the crueler side of nature and both the industry and the audience can be unforgiving. This obsession with youth and allure is especially prevalent in Hollywood which leads to a very odd situation for many mature actresses. So often they seek out cosmetic procedures to keep age at bay only to find themselves in career killing limbo. They are no longer considered to be the stunning ingenues or sultry sirens they once were, but because they aren’t letting themselves age naturally they can’t be cast as believable women their age. For leading men, there’s a lot more leeway about the aging process, but the pressure remains. Those who succumb to the temptation of looking younger often end up ruining their appeal by getting one nip or tuck too many and becoming unrecognizable. In many countries other than America, actresses and actors usually let themselves age gracefully and remain working throughout their lives. Good for them! 

All this emphasis on what a leading man or woman looks like can trap stars into focusing on their appearance rather than craft. Ever notice how many supporting actors with interesting, unusual looks are often more skilled and effective than the glamorous leads in a film or on a television show? You often hear how some character actor in a supporting role “stole the show” because of their great performance. That’s because they’re concentrating on the nuances of their character rather than worrying about if they are being filmed at a flattering angle or in the best light.  

It's very important to understand the benefits and power of being a character actor because if you happen to fall outside the narrow spectrum of what Hollywood considers a leading man or woman, and most people do, you shouldn't spend endless hours trying to look like one. It's a waste of time, and a frustrating distraction. What’s far more important than how you look is what you emanate. Are you aware of who you are? What qualities you are bringing to your character? Are you open, focused and letting yourself work with your emotions, your body,  and your creativity to deliver a performance that will resonate with the audience? That’s what a dedicated actor should be thinking about.

I've seen too many supremely talented young actors twist themselves in knots trying to prove to Hollywood that they're hot enough, sexy enough or good-looking enough. Enough for what? You can't prove anything to Hollywood except that you're desirable because of who you are, not what you think they want you to be. Embrace your individual beauty as an actor. Become the greatest actor you can possibly be. Blow them away with how prepared, interesting and unique you are. You’ve probably heard the term that “your body and voice are your instrument.” That’s not just an analogy, it’s the ultimate truth for an actor. A flute, a violin, a cello, a drum, a guitar are all capable of making endless sounds and variations of music depending on the desire and skill of the player. Have you explored the full range of your incredible instrument? Have you really understood how you can master its infinite ability to express itself? Or do you just play the same notes and tunes over and over? 

If you're large, scrawny, goofy, weird, or comically cute- that's great! There's actually more work for you in your field than for the very few “perfect people" whose reigns tend to be glorious but far more brief and limited. Your beauty shines from within - let us see it!!

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Producer Elizabeth Yoffe is head of the production company True Studio Media. She received a B.A. in Theater Arts from Bennington College and an M.A. in Education from Antioch University, Seattle. She worked as a regional casting director for many film and television projects including Waiting For The Light starring Shirley MacLaine, Dogfight starring River Phoenix and David Lynch’s classic series, Twin Peaks. In Los Angeles she served as president of Cinewomen L.A., a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the role of women in film. She is the producer of USA The Movie and the award-winning documentary My Big Break. She also produced the award-winning Independent Film Channel favorite Brightness starring Eric Idle and co-produced the Toronto International Film Festival official selection Carving Out Our Name. Her next project with True Studio Media will be about the legendary director Stanley Kubrick. Yoffe’s work as a freelance writer has appeared in Slate, The Week, Natural Health, Healing Journal and The New York Times.