why is the term "actress" now unpopular

[javero]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 4:22pm

I still struggle with applying the word actor a female player. Call me a neanderthal.

I wonder if the spouse (or female campanion) of the first elected female POTUS will go by the moniker first gentleman, first spouse or first civil partner.

Updated On: 8/13/08 at 04:22 PM

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 4:27pm

Wow.

That's all I can say, javero.

[tazber]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 4:30pm

I didn't realize it was unpopular.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 4:30pm

she'll still go by cindy.

read the whole effin' post, papa, the whole effin' post.

Updated On: 8/13/08 at 04:30 PM

[Pippin]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 4:32pm

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 4:40pm

i liked her better as dorothy lemay.

[Biff AKA Levi]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 4:44pm

I don't use the term "actress". Why can't a person who act be an actor?

[KrissySim]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 4:44pm

A doctor is a doctor, male or female, there's no "doctress". But frankly I use both actor and actress for a female depending on what sounds best in the context.

If a female Presidentress of the United States had a female "first companion", that would be breaking a lot of new ground. New words would have to be invented for that one... but then, "First Lady" would still apply. Now if a male President had a male first companion, what would you call him? First Man?
Updated On: 8/13/08 at 04:44 PM

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 4:47pm

If we all start saying "actor" for an actress would this lead to unisex Oscars?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 4:48pm

Watch out, any mention of Orfeh will get this thread deleted.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 4:48pm

Interesting query justme......

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 4:49pm

a doctor of course being one who docts.

[Pippin]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 4:52pm

"What do you do?"

"I Buttle, sir".

[KrissySim]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 5:05pm

Docere , Mambo

[StageManager2]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 5:22pm

mejust, the SAG Awards already use such terms as Best Performance by a Male/Female Actor in a Leading/Supporting Role, so maybe the Oscars can take a cue from them.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 6:29pm

And whatever you do, don't say "Deer Orfeh" because you'll be banned. For good.

[DBillyP]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 8:21pm

Good one, Pippin!

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 8:48pm

It's not unpopular with me. If you're a woman, then you're an actress. No debate.

[heathurrr]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 9:05pm

Actor is a more appropriate, gender neutral term.
It puts male and female performers on the same ground.
Like 'firefighter' instead of 'fireman'.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 9:44pm

Nobody seems to want to use the term "blacktress" anymore.

Why?!?!

[blueroses]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 11:17pm

I don't know why the word actress went out of favor either, javero, and disagree that "gender neutral" is better or more appropriate. I don't think "actress" has a negative connotation, or that it is any less than "actor."

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 11:25pm

You don't hear negress or murderess anymore, either. At least some of us remember when the world was more genteel.
Updated On: 8/14/08 at 11:25 PM

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 2:04am

"It's not unpopular with me. If you're a woman, then you're an actress. No debate."

Oh I am so shocked that that's your opinion, JohnBoy. Shocked!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 3:09am

It's been unpopular for a while. The women I work with prefer to be referred to as actors. It's still used at the Oscars to differentiate between male and female, but I wouldn't be surprised if they changed it eventually to something like best performance by a leading female actor or something like that...

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 7:29am

If they're all just "actors", then why differentiate at all? Just have best performance by an actor in a leading role and give one award. They give out too many awards, anyway.