At what age is it too late to start a career in acting?

Question

i've always wanted to have a career in acting ever since i was little, but because of one thing or another i've never been able to go for it. I'm now 26 and worry that if i take a 3 year acting course, by the time i've finished i'll be nearing 30 and that it will be too late.

Answer 1

It's never too late to embark on a career in Acting. Many well known actors have started late in life (much much later than you will be) and had fulfilling careers. I am 38 and have just started at Drama school. I will be 40 when I leave. The industry needs actors of all ages. Sometimes starting when you are older can be a bonus. You have a stronger sense of who you are, often with greater commitment to the learning of your craft. Being in a slightly different age bracket you are also less likely to be competing with the wave of newly graduated actors in their early 20's who generally graduate from Drama school. Some of whom will have dropped out of the industry by the time they are your age when you graduate. Drama schools often like to have more mature students on their courses as it often beneficial to group dynamics and in house casting to have a breadth of ages.If it's your dream then grasp it with both hands and try and make it happen. I have never felt happier.

David xx

Answer 2

Ok - here's the thing.
No of course it's never too late to do anything.
Yes it is all about who you know, etc etc and you needn't be bitter or resentful about that. If I was a producer who grew up in LA I'd be giving my mates parts instead of bothering to find someone I don't know. If I am putting on a play here in London, guess what, I think about people I know first. That's just human nature. However this does NOT mean you should only do "community theatre." I suspect the person who wrote that may have actually seen LA nepotism first hand, which I imagine would put anybody off shooting for the stars.

The truth is there are3 types people who call themselves actors, all constituting of thousands of hungry people. The first lot will never graft and probably never get anywhere. The second lot have grafted in the past, have a (probably average) agent and are waiting for that "big break." The third and most desirable type is that of the actor who has had very credible work which has led to a good agent, which has led to a lovely career auditioning often and working lots. This final group CAN reach the great stuff in LA?London/wherever. Your job as an actor is to get in that grouping somehow.

It's ultra competitive and thankless at times, but at 30 you certainly won't find it's "too late." The only problem I foresee is that you may be less willing to do small scale tours or fringe jobs as you may have a family or actual life to maintain. Most actors straight out of drama school are just willing to do anything at whatever cost for pursuit of "the dream." This is good for your CV and may get agents out to see you, but does take a real physical, mental and financial commitment. Get yourself to drama school if you can - you don't have to do a 3 year course, 1 will be enough - and get out, get some work in fringe or TIE (theatre in education) or short low budget films, and who knows, maybe you'll pick up a great agent along the way. If not, at least you've given it your best.

Good luck. :-)

Answer 3

Uh, when you're dead it's too late. Seriously! Take a look at some of the female actors in the Hollywood acting pool that are over 40 and still looking fabulous, like Demi Moore and Sandra Bullock. If you're looking to break in at age 30 that's a good time to do so. And remember that Hollywood always has a need for actors and actresses of all ages, so you'll never really "miss your shot" because you're too old. Heck, if you were going to be 50 by the time you were done there's a chance you could end up being the next Katherine Hepburn. So don't worry about your age. Instead, concentrate on becoming the best actress you can be and go from there. Good luck!

Answer 4

Let's put it this way. Your chances of a successful acting career at ANY age are VERY SLIM. If you can act, I suggest you begin in community theater where you will learn a lot, take acting workshops, and more community theater. You must realize that making it big in Hollywood or NYC is almost nil. That business is all about knowing the right people, connecitons, getting a good agent (and believe me, that is VERY difficult to do), and a host of other things. Most actress and actor wannabes are waiting tables and doing it forever. At 26, I wouldn't waste too much time going after something like this that will probably never happen. Get into community theater. Oh yes, and poster Adrian Wakapaletta (or whatever she calls herself these days) thinks that everytime someone does not stroke the egos of others, they suck. She wants to be told she will be a famous writer and when she asks for advice and is given solid advice (but doesn't agree with it or feel the poster has praised her to the heights, telling her what she wants to hear, they suck.). If that is what YOU are looking for, then I am sure you will not care for MY respsonse, but since I do have relatives in the business, I know how it goes, believe me.

Answer 5

Cynic has summed it up well above. It is never too late to enter a career in acting. What will differ at the most is the type of character you bag to perform. And what character you are assigned to perform will always depend on the vital statistics that you possess. The foremost in that being an esthetic smile. You may first consider getting the smile designing done. The suggestion may be taken as an investment in the right direction. Well, it may cost a lot here. But many have already traveled abroad to countries like India where costs are low and quality at par. Once you achieve that besides your inherent acting talents, you will be noticed immediately and find many Talent Agents chasing to put you on their 'roster'. Make an internet search for Affordable smile designing in India. Good luck.

Answer 6

It's NEVER to late to start an acting career. I have an actor friend that starting acting in her 70s and she gets a lot of acting jobs.

Call the Community Theatre or Professonal Theater in the city where you live and ask them to recommend an acting school for you.

You don't have to take a 3 year acting course. Depending on where you live, you should be able to find acting courses for one year. A year's course will help you determine if you like acting and if it's for you.

Answer 7

Well, it's too late to be a child star and it would be pushing it to be the sweet young thing, but other roles are wide open. The best roles are usually offered to older actors.

No, it's not too late and whether or not you take that acting course, you will still be approaching 30 in three years. Go for it.

Answer 8

are you trying to become a star or an actor? There's surely a big difference. If you want to act for the love of the craft, then it's never too late to follow that dream, whether in theatre groups or whatever. The star thing might be a bit trickier--but 29 isn't ancient, and if you're good, you might get lucky and find some work--good luck!

Answer 9

Your question suggests that all actors are under the age of 30 which is totally and utterly incorrect. Open your eyes to the acting world - there are actors out there of all ages. Acting is not about age but of talent.

Audition for an acting course and see where it takes you.

Answer 10

My father knew a man who retired from the railroad at 65 and went to Hollywood to become an actor. The man worked regularly on television until his death at, I think, 91 years of age.

So, 30 is not too late!

Follow your bliss, as Joseph Campbell wrote.