How do they determine which actor's character name will go into the beginning credits?

Question

I noticed on just about every sitcom, comedy, or drama on tv... they will flash the actor/actress names during the opening title. However, they select one of the actors to have their "character alias" after their name. And it's usually one of the more unknown or less popular characters.

e.g: *actor's name* *actor's name*... and then,
"and Wendy Raquel Robinson as "Regina Grier" or something like that

Answer 1

Naturally, the first actor/actress is considered the star, and the show is contractually obligated to list their name first. The following names are also negotiated as to where they appear.

But kudos to you for noticing what most Non-Biz people don't! Aside from the star, there are 2 highly coveted and well-negotiated slots at the end of the opening credits. They are "with" and "and", in that order, and indicate clout, and more money. (an "And" is always better than a "With", but a "With" is still pretty great.)
;-)

Answer 2

It's in the contract. Credits are all negotiated. The big stars can claim first billing and so it goes on down the pecking order. Or, it could be they think you as a viewer are too stupid to know who is who. Or it could be as you say, a lesser known person whose face is an unknown, but is up and coming and they want to speed up the process and call attention to, in order to build popularity. Back in the 40's, in movies, they used a separate credit screen with "And Introducing" with new actors showing their face and their name for ones they wanted to get known by the public.

Answer 3

There's no status quo..no set way of the credits. That could depend on the star's contract, the producers, the sponsors (if they're big enough and influential enough)..it could be a dictate from the network, too. Lots of variables.

Sometimes, names will be placed in alphabetical order...sometimes it depends on star power.....for example, "Will and Grace", you'll have Eric McCormack and Debra Messing first....then comes the rest.

Lesser known actors will sometimes get his or her name and the character he or she plays, but again, it all depends.
ANd if that ever happens, it's always at the beginning...rarely at during the closing credits.

Answer 4

character importance to the movie, but also it's in some actors' contracts how their names are listed.