National Occupation Code (NOC): 5135

Actors and comedians perform roles in motion picture, television, theatre and radio productions to entertain a variety of audiences. They are employed by motion picture, television, theatre and other production companies. This unit group includes acting teachers employed by private acting schools.

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Job Duties for Actors and comedians

• Study and rehearse lines, gestures and expressions to interpret a role
• Portray roles in video or motion picture productions, television shows, theatre productions, radio dramas, commercials and other productions or perform the narration
• Sing or dance as required by specific roles
• Perform comedy acts in nightclubs alone or as members of comedy troupes
• Improvise a role

Acting teachers

• Train students in interpretation of scripts, speech, movement, and dramatic theory
• Prepare acting students for specific auditions and performances

Working Conditions for Actors and comedians

Work is performed indoors and outdoors, depending on the performance or exercise. The risk of injury may be present when performing physical stunts or working with sound systems.

Alternate Job Titles

• Acting Teacher - Private Or Studio
• Actor/actress
• Comedian
• Comic
• Diction Coach
• Drama Actor
• Drama Coach
• Drama Teacher - Private Or Studio
• Dramatic Arts Teacher - Private Or Studio
• Dramatic Reader
• Film Dubber
• Humorist - Performing Arts
• Improviser
• Mime
• Movie Actor
• Narrator
• Performing Arts Extra
• Reader - Performing Arts
• Standardized Patient
• Stand-up Comedian
• Story Teller
• Straight Man
• Voice Coach
• Voice-over Actor
• Cast Member