Many popular actors have high salaries and can save up money from their jobs.
If you have a recurring speaking role on a successful TV show you are likely to earn around $15,000 per episode or more.
For an average 21 episode season, the salary equates to around $300,000, or $200,000 to take home.
This means that you can put away a decent chunk of money into savings. If you have this buffer zone of financial security, you can comfortably survive in between acting jobs, for up to years at a time.
Even in lower-paying roles, actors with regular work are likely earning enough to live off. If they live a modest lifestyle, there is enough money to put away in case of emergencies. Other very successful actors branch out into other industries. Popular choices include the restaurant, fashion, and homewares industries. Some actors go into producing and directing which gives them another string in their bow. Professional actors will also likely be earning a residual income from past movie appearances. This is financial compensation paid to the cast, directors, and crew of movies by trade unions, such as SAG-AFTRA, the Writer’s Guild of America, and the Director’s Guild of America. This is in the case of reruns, syndication, DVD releases, and online streaming releases.For actors on lesser incomes, a side hustle (or survival job) is likely to be how they make ends meet in day-to-day life. There are a wealth of ways to earn money such as the stereotypical waitress or barista job, or nightclub bartender.
Delivery drivers and temp work are also good side hustle options. Freelance writing, reading, photography, social media management, and video editing are great incomes for actors. All of these jobs offer flexible schedules meaning that it is easy to switch your working hours to allow you to attend auditions. In the modern world, many aspiring actors are gaining notoriety on social media platforms such as Instagram and Tik Tok. These apps will pay popular users according to their follower count, post interaction, and reach. Off the back of this success, many users acquire brand deals which earn them another avenue of passive income.Some people even go down the avenue of Only Fans, Twitch, Patreon, or other online streaming platforms. These platforms allow people to pay independent subscription fees for exclusive content. Other good jobs for actors include a personal or virtual assistant, a brand ambassador, or working for a catering company. Nannying, dog walking, and personal training are good options if you enjoy being active and busy.
If you are highly qualified, being a substitute teacher or private tutor is a great side income. This could be in academic subjects, music, dance, or acting depending on where your skills lie.
What benefits do actors get?
In order to collect benefits as an actor, you will need to join a union. There are many different unions, each specific to an acting area.
For TV and film actors a popular union choice is SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). For theater actors, a good choice is AEA (Actors’ Equity Association).This entitles you to health insurance, labor protection, job resources, crisis support, pension and retirement plans, and minimum rates. These are just some of the benefits that you can get as a union member.
Others include overtime payments, accommodation, and more contract negotiation power. They will also enable you to get sick pay, holiday days, and more security if you feel as though you are being unfairly treated by your employer. Being a member of SAG-AFTRA is also beneficial as their projects commonly pay much higher wages than non-union ones. Another added bonus is being given a specific audition time rather than just having to join a queue.
Yes, most actors are eligible to collect unemployment benefits. If you have enough points to meet the minimum requirements, you can get the maximum unemployment for up to 26 weeks. You will need to check with your state’s department of labor to see if you are eligible. During the Covid-19 pandemic, almost all performances have been canceled. The Actor’s Equity union has urged actors across the country to file for unemployment to ensure some semblance of financial stability.
The laws on unemployment differ between states and so the benefits that you are eligible for will vary according to where you live. There have been many issues with actors and unemployment during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly in California. Their unemployment system counts residual income from work completed in the past against their current benefits plan. This means that some actors are losing their benefits.
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FAQs
Some actors find other acting work, like voiceover, commercial, etc., and/or have side jobs, run their own businesses, etc.
How do actors make money when they're not acting? ›
How else can an actor make money? Actors can be paid for more than just film, television, and theater. You can make money doing commercials, doing corporate and educational videos, appearing in music videos, and doing voiceover work. All of those jobs, if you are a union actor, have a minimum base pay.
Can an actor work without an agent? ›
There are many listed auditions for theatrical productions, student films, larger films, etc. An actor need not have representation in order to submit himself. Similarly, the Actors Access website is another valuable tool: Actors can read breakdowns and submit themselves.
What do actors do when they aren't acting? ›
It's essential you remember to do things that will help better yourself as an actor but also release stress. Pick up fitness activities that you enjoy; swimming, dance, yoga – all great healthy hobbies that will not only tone your physique but can also beat 'The Gym' haters out there.
How to be an actor with no agent? ›
You can advocate for yourself and be your own agent by submitting for roles on casting networks or attending open casting calls. You may also take on side careers that allow you to demonstrate your acting abilities to audiences, including casting directors.
Who is the no. 1 richest actor in the world? ›
List of Top 10 Richest Actors in the World:-
| S. No. | Name | Net Worth (in U.S. Dollar) |
|---|
| 1 | Brock Pierce | $ 2 Billion |
| 2 | Tyler Perry | $1 Billion |
| 3 | Jerry Seinfeld | $950 Million |
| 4 | Dwayne Johnson | $800 Million |
6 more rowsApr 23, 2024
Actors start out at a day rate, and if they are needed for longer, the payment scheme is bumped up to a weekly rate, and then to a run-of-the-picture rate.
Do beginner actors need agents? ›
First things first, yes, you can pursue a career as an actor without having an agent. There are no rules stating you must have an agent to secure roles. Having said that, the speed at which your career progresses can be largely influenced by whether or not you have one.
Do actors pay their agents? ›
How much does a talent agent cost for an actor? Although other factors influence the actual cut agents take, agents usually receive around 10% of an actor's earnings for roles they secured—that's why the term “10 percenter” has been floating around Hollywood for decades.
Is it worth getting an acting agent? ›
Your acting agent is the person who acts as your personal representative to the industry at large, whether it's Hollywood or Broadway or anything in between. If that sounds like a big deal, that's because it is! Getting a good agent can be the difference between moderate success and true celebrity.
Job and Salary Overview for Actors
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median hourly wage for actors as of May 2021 was $31.31 (www.bls.gov). Wages ranged from $11.16 or less for the bottom 10% of workers to $61.98 or more for the top 10% of workers.
What do actors struggle with the most? ›
A big problem that many aspiring actors have is that they don't possess an instrument that is pliable and vulnerable enough to access the full gamut of human emotion. Also, most actors misunderstand emotion in acting, often falsely believing that quantity is more important than quality.
What are signs of bad acting? ›
If an actor can't make the audience believe that they are truly inhabiting their character, it can ruin the entire production. Miscasting, poor accents, and unrealistic dialogue delivery interrupt the willing suspension of disbelief necessary for a positive performance.
What actor does not have an agent? ›
Today, some of the biggest stars don't have agents. Kevin Costner and Sharon Stone use their lawyers to close deals. Winona Ryder, though now represented by ICM, recently went for two years without an agent, letting her personal manager handle her career. Leonardo DiCaprio is represented solely by his manager.
Why is it so hard to get an acting agent? ›
It can take years to get signed by a top-tier agent (even if you have a strong resume and lots of experience). It's most difficult to get an agent when you're between the age of 22 and 30 because so many actors are around that age.
Can you get casted with no acting experience? ›
The most direct path to starting an acting career with no prior experience is to submit yourself to auditions, though you may have difficulty landing your first role without some preparation. While acting experience isn't crucial to starting an acting career, there are some steps you can take to smooth the process.
How do actors survive when not working? ›
There's no one-size-fits-all side gig for actors; the best survival job for you depends on your skillset, your city, and your schedule. But the most common survival jobs for actors include food service, childcare, and gig economy jobs.
Do actors get paid if their scene is cut? ›
Actors are some of the most well-compensated members of society, or at least those who make it to Hollywood are. And all actors who work on Screen Actors Guild movies (which is pretty much everyone in Hollywood) get paid, whether they appear in the finished product or not.
Do actors get paid every time an episode airs? ›
Breaking Down the Numbers Revealed During the WGA, SAG Strikes. Many working actors earn residual paychecks anytime that a TV show they appeared on air in reruns. Such sums even help stars such as Mandy Moore and Glen Powell pay their living expenses between jobs.
How much do background actors get paid? ›
How Much Do Background Actors Get Paid? Most background actors earn between $100 and $200 per day. SAG-AFTRA specifies that background actors get paid $178/day. A typical yearly background acting salary is around $58,588 for full-time work.
