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Don't know if they are any more intelligent than just taking a random floor of the Goldman Sachs building in NYC and looking at the people there.
However, I do notice that the number of left-handed actors seems to be higher than the representation in the population. About 12% of the US population is left-handed.
Don't know if they are any more intelligent than just taking a random floor of the Goldman Sachs building in NYC and looking at the people there.
However, I do notice that the number of left-handed actors seems to be higher than the representation in the population. About 12% of the US population is left-handed.
Watch TV and see how many actors are left-handed.
This is a very interesting fact. As I get older I get more convinced that simple brain function/chemistry/development determines much of our behavior, values, aptitude. L/R handed seems like one potential sign of different neural pathways being developed, the simplistic trope of calling some people left-brained or right-brained because of their aptitude & behavior seems another.
Don't think I haven't. Why would you think I haven't?
A great many actors learn skills related to a movie. I have a friend who has a Master's Degree in Theatre Arts. She has quite a number of physical skills that help on her resume, things like archery, and other more obscure skills and sports.
I don't think many people realize that actors have to study culture, language, a skill, a sport, etc. in order to take on a role. They immerse themselves in the environment, for example, interviewing prison inmates, or interviewing employees at NASA, or become proficient in a sport with the help of an athlete.
That is what I meant by high intelligence. A willingness to study and learn with the goal taking on a role. If you think all acting roles go to vapid pretty boys and girls, you would be wrong.
I've worked with actors--theatre and film--musicians, comedians, all on a regional level. Not on a Tom Hanks/Hollywood level so I have no idea what they're like. Hanks comes off as very intelligent imo.
It's been my experience that most professional performers are different from "regular" people. Performance ability comes from the person's intrinsic make up. Sure people can learn to play the piano, and play well, that doesn't make them a performer or musician. Can learn to recite lines for a community theatre production. Doesn't mean they are actors.
People who have pursued a professional career in acting are those whose talent and drive come from within. They're very self-focused, they have to be to succeed. They are often superficially charming, engaging and charismatic in public. Behind the curtain they are often insecure, resentful, competitive and have a sense of entitlement and self-importance they've often had since childhood.
They're nothing like their roles except in rare cases. They engage in magical thinking and fantasy, it's part of being creative, of having the ability to create something out of nothing. Some have rather neutral personalities, awaiting the next person they're going to become.
As others have said they have high emotional intelligence but not usually for other people, but for the characters they create. Successful actors have a strong work ethic, learn their lines and any other requirements of the role, are willing to work hard and give directors what they want for the project.
All that takes intelligence, probably most successful people in any line of work have above average intelligence and I'd think most successful professional actors do too.
And very interesting post, thanks. I think a lot of these people are also so busy that they have to hire people to handle literally everything for them so they can do their job, whatever it is: learning a new skills, learning lines, making promotional appearances, etc. The pressue is immense.
The people I knew when I lived in Los Angeles as an adult were people I met through work at a law firm. Two of them have been very successful in the industry - as a talent agent and as a screenwriter. Another person I met back in the 70's is a very successful casting director. They are all very driven people. Out of the three, I would say that one of them has a more compassionate nature, but all are extremely intelligent.
I think a lot of people underrate actors in terms of their overall intelligence. Not everyone can learn to act, as you said. Some people may really want it but they don't have the knack. It take an innate gift, like you said, but also a fair degree of intelligence.
And yes, a lot of them can be really unpleasant people. They either start out that way or become that way after dealing with the industry. I grew up in an L.A. suburb during the era of convertible Cadillacs, palm trees, The Brown Derby, Chasen's, hardly any freeways, low population compared to now. Back then I'm sure the industry was ugly but to me, currently it is downright evil. I could never live in Hollywood now, but I wouldn't have minded it back in the 50's or 60's. Was a truly beautiful, more genteel place then.
I don't find them exceptionally intelligent, but then again, it is not like I really know them. I do think to get to that level of success they must have a particulary thick skin and be fairly assertive. Hollywood is a lion's den. It is no place for the meek.
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