Do actors have a side job?

Finding steady work in the entertainment industry is a challenge, so many actors turn to side hustles to make ends meet. Whether it's teaching classes, renting out space, or driving for a rideshare company, there are plenty of opportunities for actors to generate extra income.

Can you do acting as a side job?

Freelance work allows space for acting part-time. You can set your own hours and the jobs are usually short-term projects. With the rise of apps focusing on gig work, the variety of those projects is growing as well, from writing services to dog walking and web development.

Do actors have a second job?

Work assignments are usually short, ranging from 1 day to a few months, and actors often hold another job in order to make a living. They are frequently under the stress of having to find their next job. Some actors in touring companies may be employed for several years.

Can you be an actor with another job?

Yes. Do we recommend it? Not, really. A better idea would be to take a part-time job that allows you a little more freedom to attend auditions and take time off if you land an acting gig.

What do actors do in between jobs?

There's no one-size-fits-all side gig for actors; the best survival job for you depends on your skillset, your city, and your schedule. But the most common survival jobs for actors include food service, childcare, and gig economy jobs.

5 Best Jobs & Side Hustles For Actors While Building An Acting Career

Is acting a stable career?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3.2% employment growth for actors between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 2,500 jobs should open up. Actors perform in the theater, work in films or star in television productions.

Do actors have steady income?

How much do actors make a year? $68,989/year. According to ZipRecruiter, in 2023, the average actor salary is $68,939, with a range from $11,500 to $319,500. Unless they're employed regularly on a television show, actors tend to work on a project-by-project basis, which means they may not work at all for some years.

Is being an actor a fun job?

If you're a self-starter and you enjoy something very challenging (that can also be very rewarding), acting is a great career! Most actors truly love what they do – they act for the enjoyment and art. If you're simply getting into acting because you want to become famous, chances are you'll be disappointed.

Is acting a hard job to get in?

Acting is one of the most sought-after careers in the world, which means it takes a great deal of talent, hard work and luck to be successful in this career path. If you're wondering how to become an actor, it's important to know that most successful actors begin their careers with training and study.

Should actors do extra work?

Extra work might prepare you for life on a set, but it won't otherwise get you a leg up because, almost by definition, it's going to be distracting if you're showing off your acting chops. No, but working as a “background artist” can be a valuable classroom for on-set etiquette among tons of other learning experiences.

What percent of actors make it?

Simply put, there are 50 times as many people that want to be actors than there are good jobs for actors, so only 2% can get good jobs. What do film actors do between roles? Do actors know, while acting in a movie, if the movie is gonna go flop or a hit? What percentage of professional actors are unemployed?

Can you have a full time job and be an actor?

To answer the question, yes you can have a full-time job and pursue an acting career. It's going to depend on each individual's personal circumstances as to whether they are better off going for full-time or casual employment or working for yourself.

What do actors do while not working?

Some may write, paint, direct, or pursue other artistic endeavors. Actors frequently attend industry events, film festivals, and awards shows. These events provide opportunities to showcase their work, network, and stay informed about industry trends. Many actors use their platform for advocacy and philanthropy.

What jobs do most actors do?

Some work as acting teachers - like Jeff Goldblum did before he got famous; like my acting teacher does when she's not on set working as an actress. The majority though are working as waiters; waitresses; Uber and Lyft drivers; pizza delivery drivers; software engineers etc.

What can I do instead of acting?

Can actors be self employed?

Almost all actors are self-employed in the eyes of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), at least as far as their acting work is concerned. If you work as a sole proprietor, or if you establish an LLC, S corp, or C corp to manage your financial affairs, you're self-employed.

Is 30 too late to start acting?

It is never too late to become an actor. I've taught actors who start at sixteen years-old as well as sixty who went on to have flourishing careers in commercial, theater, television, and film. There is no age limit or threshold to becoming an actor.

Is acting a low paying job?

As of Feb 20, 2024, the average monthly pay for an Actor in the United States is $4,741 a month. While ZipRecruiter is seeing monthly salaries as high as $11,625 and as low as $1,292, the majority of Actor salaries currently range between $2,500 (25th percentile) to $3,833 (75th percentile) across the United States.

Is acting harder than it looks?

So yes, great acting does take training. It does require skill. You cannot just wake up one day and be a great actor. It takes time to train your eye and brain to look for action in lines, to figure out where and when to make bold choices and when to keep them subtle.

What are the disadvantages of acting?

Is actors life stressful?

For most actors, the greatest stress is the uncertainty of employment and income. You may have one or two years cranking out one movie and/or television show, and then very little for months or even years afterword. A few more stresses in the acting life: Acting involves a lot of traveling.

How stressful is acting?

The acting profession is highly competitive and there is no proper job security as the actors struggle to find consistent work which can lead to financial instability and poor mental health as they fall into depression and sometimes harm themselves while thinking of their unclear future.

How do actors survive financially?

Despite the sparkle that is synonymous with Tinseltown, most of the actors working in America's dream factory do not earn enough to live. Instead, they take on side gigs, known bleakly as survival jobs, to fund their Hollywood hopes.

Can an actor be a billionaire?

There are eight Hollywood celebrities on Forbes' World's Billionaires List. These actors have accumulated vast wealth through their acting careers and other ventures. Each billionaire actor has a unique path to success. They have diversified their portfolios and become entrepreneurs in their own right.

How do actors make money when they aren't acting?

Residuals are financial compensation paid out to actors whenever TV shows or movies they've appeared in are replayed.