An actor (or sometimes actress for female, see terminology) is
a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in
film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity.[1] The
ancient Greek word for an "actor," ὑποκριτής (hypokrites),
means literally "one who interprets";[2] in this sense, an
actor is one who interprets a dramatic character or
personality
Actor Jonah Hill Freaks Out durring interview
Terminology
The etymology is a derivation from actor with ess added.[4]
The word actor refers to a person who acts regardless of
gender, while actress refers specifically to a female person
who acts; this form "remains in general use" therefore a
female can be referred to by either term. After 1660, when
women first appeared on stage, actor and actress were
initially used interchangeably for female performers, but
later, influenced by the French actrice, actress became the
usual term.[4] As actress is a specifically feminine word,
some groups assert that the word is sexist. Gender-neutral
usage of actor has re-emerged in modern English,[5][6]
especially when referring to male and female performers
collectively, but actress remains the common term used in
major acting awards given to female recipients and is common
in general usage.[6]
The gender-neutral term "player" was common in film in the
early days of the Motion Picture Production Code with regards
to the cinema of the United States, but is now generally
deemed archaic. However, it remains in use in the theatre,
often incorporated into the name of a theatre group or company
(such as the East West Players)
