Being an actor has never been easy. You must struggle and face rejection time and time again. But one of the things that keeps struggling actors moving forward is helpful advice from actors they admire and that have made it in the industry.
In this post, we’ve assembled the best acting career tips from the most successful entertainers in Hollywood. From Roberto De Niro to Tom Cruise, these actors share their advice.
Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro is a giant of the industry. You’ve seen him in successful movies like Taxi Driver, and the God Father. With over 114 films, De Niro knows his way around the industry. At a talk he gave at the Doha Film Institute he gave the following acting advice to aspiring actors:
“I always say – you’ve got to really love what you do. Don’t expect to be famous – do it because you really love doing it and have fun doing it. “
Kate Winslet
We all fell in love with Kate Winslet after her iconic role of Rose in the Titanic. Like many actors, Winslet has struggled to get roles, but she didn’t give up. She keept auditioning and has worked to improve her skills. Winslet recommends actors to build their confidence, to keep trying no matter what, and to prepare constantly.
“Acting and the privilege of being able to do it for a living is so important to me. I don’t turn up and just hope for the best. I really fret about it. I do my homework; I prepare myself for the experience of playing a particular character.”
Bradly Cooper
We’ve seen this 42-year-old actor in Roles like The Hangover and Silver Linings. He’s had 62 nominations and 28 wins.
One of the advice he shares with aspiring actors and which he learned from his acting coach Elizabeth Kemp is that the key to approaching a character is relaxation.
Emily Blunt
Emily Blunt from Sicario and The Girl on the Train thinks that as an actor you have to be tough to be able to handle all the rejections and keep moving on.
“You’ve got to get the thickest skin possible. Like a rhino hide. It’s a very personal job. Put a helmet on.”
George Clooney
Academy award winner advises how to face rejection and how confidence is one of the most important products that actors must try to sell.
“The product you’re selling is you. You’re gonna have to get a tough thick skin because you will get knocked down, and go – I still think I’m on the right track and I still think I’m going in the right way. You’ll succeed as long as you have confidence because confidence is one of the things you’re selling too”
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep is one of the greatest film actors. You’ve seen how she can inhabit the characters she plays. She’s won 3 Oscars, two Emmys, and eight Golden Globes – which makes her more than qualified to share some words of wisdom.
“Acting is not about being someone different. It’s finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there.”
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp, one of Hollywood’s biggest and highest paid actors, shares acting advice on how he wholeheartedly commits to a role even when he knows it will open him up to criticism.
“But these are the characters that I see; it’s how I see them. And if you feel it’s the right thing to do for the character and you stick to your guns, no matter what, at least you tried something. Even if it’s an absolute failure. So I feel really good about my characters in the sense that I at least tried something. If it works, great. If it doesn’t work, I tried.”
Lupita Nyong’o
Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o thinks that being scared of a role is not a good enough reason to stay away from it.
“Every single role brings with it an ignorance and insecurity, and so you have to approach it with the same curiosity and humility.”
Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Fallon is an American actor, comedian, and television host of the late-night show “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” He believes that one shall do what one loves to do no matter if others don’t agree with it.
“There is always going to be someone out there… who doesn’t believe in you or who thinks your head is too big or you’re not smart enough. But those are the people you need to ignore, and those are the times you need to just keep doing what you love doing.”
Natalie Portman
Oscar winner Natalie Portman shares a valuable tip on how to improve your acting.
“Ninety percent of how you learn is watching great people. When you are surrounded by good actors, it lifts your performance.”
Robbin Williams
Even though Robbin Williams is gone, his legacy and knowledge live on.
“Acknowledge your uniqueness. Be yourself – be fiercely you.”
Emilia Clarke
Emilia Clarke, better known for her role in Game of Thrones, advises actors studying theatre.
“You can’t come out of drama school and think, it’s all going to be amazing. You have to expect to work in a bar for at least five years and be a waitress for maybe two!”
Tom Cruise
From Top Gun to Mission Impossible and the Mummy, Tom Cruise is one of Hollywood’s favorite. At a speech at the Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown Studio in Santa Monica he talked about what actors should do once they’ve got a roll.
“When you do finally get the chance of being in a movie, don’t spend the time in the trailer. You need to experience everything in the movie, talk to everyone on the crew, the grips, everyone. Learn everything you can. You will never get that time back…”
Well there you have it, the top tips from some of the most successful actors in Hollywood. As you can see it’s not all glitz and glamour. You have to be prepared, face rejection and work hard.
