In movie opening credits, why do some actors' name have "and" or "with" before their names?

Question

Like when they show the names of the actors of say Movie A. MOVIE A, starring Actor A..... Actor B..... and Actor C.... with Actor D. While some movie credits just lists the actors' names and that's it. Is there a difference? Ive seen a lot of movies that do this and Ive always wondered why.

Answer 1

It is all a matter of billing. With or and is used at the end of the featured players and earmarks a special billing, but not quite a star billing.
In West Wing, Martin Sheen was going to get a small but special role, so it had and Martin Sheen as President Bartlet.
Later he became THE star, but kept his special billing.

Answer 2

I don't think there is any one answer that would apply to every movie. You figure that most movies don't have more than 2-3 big actors and they are usually listed first and their order is often who is the biggest star. However, they often list all actors who have any significant screen time (meaning more than just background characters). Sometimes the list is done alphabetically for the entire cast - although this is more common with large ensemble casts of known actors. Sometimes several actors are listed "above the title" (or before the name of the movie) and the rest are listed in alphabetic order.

Usually when an actor is listed as "with...", it's usually a known actor with a smallish role - and often an older actor. By listing them later like this, it actually gives their name more significance than just being among the other actors. This may actually be a way of giving them prominent billing without having them listed as one of the main stars.

I'm pretty sure that with most movies, billing is something determined by contracts. I know there are some rules or guidelines established by the various guilds (SAG, DGA, etc), but I don't know how strong those are.

You also run into similar issues with producers and so forth.

Answer 3

I would guess that these actors all wanted to seem as equals during the opening credits. Adding "with" or "and" makes them seen equal while just listing names makes the first name stand out more than others.

Answer 4

Because it shows them to be well known, even if they only have a bit part or a cameo... It's a clause in their contract....That way they still get top billing, they get the publicity, and the movie gets to advertise a big name actor... Show Biz!!!!!

Answer 5

To me, those people are the ones who don't have a big part in the movie or show. It seems like the "and" or "with" is saying that they aren't as important or that they are playing a bit part. I might be wrong, but that's what I've gotten from that.