Actor or Actress?

Question

Do you prefer the term "actor" or the term "actress" - for a female person who acts?

Answer 1

I have always preferred "Actor."

I'm not sure why, but there just seems to be a connotation that "actor" just sounds more serious.

There are only a few careers it seems that have different titles for males and females. There aren't doctors and doctresses. You don't earn your mistress degree in college.

I don't mind "actress," though - particularly in distinguishing a female performer as opposed to a male (such as for awards.) And even being called an actress can have a subtle regal and dramatic flair that "actor" just doesn't have.

But in general, I prefer the term "actor" - which makes me think of someone who is trained, working, honing their skills, and is taking their craft seriously.

Answer 2

Actress seems still to be in use in Hollywood (possibly because of the Academy Awards), but for stage acting, the word actor seems to be used for both now.

Answer 3

Actor for both men and women. An actress suggests a bimbo waitress who takes acting lessons,

Answer 4

I generally say actor for both. I don't like femanizing in general but that's just me. An actor is an actor.

Marianne

Answer 5

Actor

I once broached to me female acting friends that the Oscars should be best actor, non-gender and they opposed that concept.

Answer 6

I prefer 'actor'.

Answer 7

I prefer actress.

Answer 8

It has to be Actor now as LAMDA passed this "law" as such. This is so we can no longer discriminate women.