Do you think great actors can be made (like through training) or do you think the majority of it is instinct?

Question

Obviously an actor can improve greatly through training, but do you think that you could take a bad actor and turn him into a great one... or do you think it is mostly instinct.

I think its instinct, but i'd like to hear your opinions
thanks

Answer 1

While training can make a competent actor by honing movement, voice, and reading skills, it will not make a great actor.

You either have the ability to act or you don't.

A truely great actor is born not made.

Answer 2

There are many things that we can change about ourselves. People learn how to overcome bad habits and build new skills all the time. Most bad actors never really have a chance to do the work necessary to really overcome what has made them "bad actors" but it does not mean that it is impossible. I was a "bad actor" when I started and developed into a decent actor over time.

Answer 3

i think there's no harm in being taught understanding the theory to acting and as with any skill the more practice you get the better you'll be.
however, not everyone can be an actor - you're born with such gifts and instincts just like not everyone can be a painter or a sculptor.

Answer 4

the truly great actors have natural talent. But if you took a mediocre actor and gave him/her lessons, im sure they would improve at the least. But to be like, really amazing it takes training and natural talent.

Answer 5

Actors are born, not made. I agree with Kevin Kline who said that acting cannot be taught by teachers, acting is self-taught.

By definition a bad actor cannot become a great one.