Am I too old to start taking acting classes?

Question

Hi my name is Richard and I've always wanted to start acting. I'm 30 years old right now and am about to turn 31 next week. I've heard it's never too late to start a new proffesion but I really need a truthfull answer. Am I too old to start taking acting classes and making a career out of it? Is there any exampe of someone starting to act at my age?
Thanks soo much to all

Answer 1

If you're good, it's never too late. Take the classes and see how it goes. If you don't have the innate talent or are too intimidated then just hang out in community theatre and keep your day job.

btw, I believe Morgan Freeman started late: http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_story/872:1112/1/Morgan_Freeman.htm

good luck,
Marianne

Answer 2

Emerald gave you a truthful answer. I spent years in New York, and one of the best actors we ever worked with started when she was 72. She was in a good dozen+ of our productions, got commercials. But the Western world - most of the world, anymore- is youth youth youth oriented. Obssessed. That being said, YOU NEVER KNOW. I will say that the one thing I learned is that you have to WANT 'it' (making it) more than anything for that to happen. HOWEVER, that is not the be all and end all of studying and working in theatre. Acting is about human behavior - truthfulness - etc etc - and we are endlessly fascinating creatures. You never know where the path will take you. Discover more about yourself as a person. Get rid of the word 'never'. Explore. Have Fun. There is more to the craft, and it is a noble one, than Fame. You might find out that you're a gifted teacher for example. OR YOU JUST MIGHT BECOME THE MOST FAMOUS PERSON ON THE PLANET. There are many examples of people who started when they were older you are, and came from some pretty hard and difficult lives. Listen to what everyone told you. Ask yourself what you want out of it. Be honest. The age old question that every actor asks about the character he/she is portraying still applies: what do you want and what are you willing to do to get it. Remember what Tinkerbell says: BELIEVE.

Answer 3

Take it from a longtime professional theatre artist, it is never too late to start studying.

The only "limitation" will be that you obviously could not realistically audition for juvenile roles. Hardly a big deal since most plays deal with adults.

Believe it or not, the thing you'll want to work on the most is your body and the way you move, so take a movement class. You are likely not experienced with carrying yourself gracefully or with controlled motions, and they're quite important. Hell, I've been acting professionally for over 25 years, and to this day I do about twenty minutes of hand/arm work daily because they're my weak point -- and when I do a role, I basically have to "choreograph" all my hand/arm movements and detail them so that they look "natural" in performance. Kind of a pain, but there you are.

Best of luck to you. If this is truly your passion, then feed it -- I doubt you'll regret it. :-)

Answer 4

I would say that it's not too late if you are passionate about it. I know some people will give you an absolute, "It's never too late" answer. The truth is, you have advantages and disadvantages. You have some maturity and experience outside of show business. The disadvantage is that others your age have already been working and have credits.

I went to acting school in NY at age 32, so you should take it as far as your heart tells you- if it's worth the sacrifices. Good luck.

Answer 5

30 is nothing. Your still young. Relatively speaking, sure most people start younger. But lets say you start getting real gigs in 5 years. You'll only be 35. If your healthy and fit there's always a 5 year variance plus and minus in the parts you can play because in reality--once again if your fit--you should look anywhere between 3 to 5 years plus and minus your age anyway. So don't think your too old. We live longer these days. 30 isn't what it used to be.

Answer 6

Silly man! Of course you are NOT too old! You're never too old to start classes. My aunt is 39 and she did a bartending class and got her license. I go to college and see so many age varieties starting out all types of courses....if its your passion - go for it. Work with what you love to do.

Answer 7

Of course you can start taking classes and all that, but I have to be honest, that to make a career out of it (and actually support yourself) your chances are slim to none at all. Even much younger people find in difficult to make a living from acting. Very few people EVER make a career out of it, at least to the point where they can support themselves.

Answer 8

Am 100 Yrs old And I Feel Young

Answer 9

no you are not too late.
when you think it's late, that's when you need to start it.
I do not know anybody who started acting career in your age.
Just make sure you don't put everything in your life in that one goal, prepare another option in case you fail

Answer 10

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