Do casting directors and producers of films sometimes choose an actor only because he looks the part?

Question

are people sometimes chosen because they look the part and not necessarily because of their talent? Does this happen often in the Los Angles market and film industry?

Answer 1

Yes, absolutely. It happens far, FAR too often. I think it happens more frequently with less experienced directors, who are inclined to think that the "look" is more important than the actor's ability to make a character believable.

Answer 2

It is sad but true. It happens a lot everywhere, not just in Los Angeles or the film industry, but everywhere. In fact, in bigger budgeted projects, directors may be less influenced by look, since they may have the budget for make-up and costumes to overcome an particular actor's look. For example, Nicole Kidman in "The Hours" spent plenty of time in make-up for them to change her very striking, beautiful features into the much more muted, plainer features of Virginia Woolf.

I agree with the above person that this often seems to be a rookie mistake, particularly because first-time and/or young directors get stuck on the image they had of the character when they first imagined the script come to life and have a hard time letting that go when faced with a decision between someone who looks exactly like they imagined the part looking and someone who isn't quite physically ideal but read the hell out if the role.

Answer 3

A sad, but true fact of the actor's life. Sometimes directors already have an idea of the "look" they want for a particular role. If you don't have the "look" they want, you may not even get a chance to read for it. At 6'6", I often get overlooked (or possibly underlooked?? lol) for parts because directors don't know what to do with my height.

Answer 4

Definatly! Talents good, make sure you have that, but if there is a part you really want, make yourself look like that. Also, when casting for family's you must look somewhat like the other people playing the roles. One more point- at auditions, try to look nice. No, you don't have to get all fancy, but don't wear jeans and a t-shirt...

Answer 5

Happens more often than it should, but thats the life of showbiz. Thats why it's such a crap shoot. I can't complain though, i've actually gotten a part because of a look and not how I read for the part....because I never even read for the part.

Answer 6

Of course they do. If not the Rock and Ven Diesal would never have any work!!