What are the qualities that make a good actor?

I have heard many interviews in which actors say that they are not self-conscious because they are not playing themselves on stage but someone else. If I don't like to swear or drink, for example, but my character does both, it is not inconsistent with my personal preferences because these are choices that the character (and the writer of the play) makes. But that takes a good imagination and a lot of careful observation of behaviors, to be able to re-create a person very different from one's own personality.

In that case, I'd better meet more good actors.


IMO, Realism, Believe-abiltity, and Professionalism.

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There are no set rules.

I understand best12bars opinion and he's right in a certain context, but not necessarily in every case. Versatility: some actors seem to be made for a specific role and none other. An isolated role can work, especially in in film. If it works, it works, no matter what the rest of his/her performances look like.

It's a cliche, but it's a cliche for a reason: to me, a good actor is someone who seems to be saying the words for the first time, as though they're just coming to them, as this post is (sortof) coming to me while I type. I get a fair bit of this from various 'Ugly Betty' actors, but John Simm is the absolute king of it as far as I'm concerned.

It's not just believability; I've seen pretty good actors who are turning in authentic performances. It's more an indefinable organic naturalness that goes above and beyond mere believability.

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Updated On: 6/13/08 at 05:15 PM

"It's not just believability.... It's more an indefinable organic naturalness that goes above and beyond mere believability."

Especially in film (the field in which I am working) a great performance can make you forget that you're looking at an actor performing a role. But to make that happen, everything else has to be right, the direction, lighting, setting, cinematography, sound, continuity, support actors... it's a relatively rare event.

Versitillity - be able to play a wide range of characters and emotions.

Truthfullness-not pretending to be sad, or pretending to be angry but actually feeling those things. Living truthfully under imaginary circumstances.

Also, the ability to really listen and respond to your scene partner and work off your instincts and not what is in your head is a huge part of good acting.

Hands.