Actors' size, weight, etc.

#1

Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/1/05 at 10:32pm

I know that being an actor one must work on appearance (staying in shape, etc.) as well as talent. In the past I feel like actors "had" to be thin, if not skinny. But it seems now, actors on stage (and on tv actually) are more "normal" or average size. I mean, still in shape but not too skinny. I have noticed this in several shows...wicked, hairspray, spamalot, ave q., etc.
I feel that this is a great, healthy, trend that gives a more realistic view of body types and goals for aspiring actors to look to.

#2

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/1/05 at 10:49pm

I have been seeing this trend too. Which is a great thing. I mean the majority of actors that are in shows are on the thinner side, but there is more of a variation of sizes in shows these days. I am noticing shows who have a cast that range in appearance. Tall, short, skinny, fat, different ethinicities. This is a great thing, because theatre should represent the world as a whole. And not every girl is 5'7" and 120lbs or every guy 5'10" and 140lbs. Yay for chubby people like me....

#3

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/1/05 at 11:04pm

and ME!!!

**as she finishes her reese's peanut butter cup** haha....


There were a couple girls in Wicked (tour) that were awesome (ensemble) and they were healthy! I was like....yay for not being 80 pounds!

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and all that I could do because of you was talk of love...

#4

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/1/05 at 11:07pm

Yeah, the girls I saw were in Wicked as well. I've seen others, Hairspray, Bare, etc. That is why it is great that people like Marissa Winokur and Sara Ramirez have won Tony's. These are nice healthy girls with curves!!

#5

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/1/05 at 11:34pm

I've actually noticed how a lot more leads are less CONVENTIONALLY attractive than chorus kids - not less attractive, but just attractive in very cool way. And I specificially agree about Sara Ramirez - she's stunningly voluptuous in a very healthy way. So pretty!!

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#6

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 12:18am

How funny. I just noticed this and mentioned it to my husband after we saw Wicked in LA. I think it's awesome that Theatre is straying from the Hollywood trend of starving waifs.

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Be the change you want in the world....

#7

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 1:40am

I love this. Especially the trend of short actresses. I am short and I love the fact that there are so many leading ladies that are under 5'4. It gives me a great sense of hope. I also love the normal sized women. No Calista FlockHearts!

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"You gotta be original, because if you're like someone else, what do they need you for?" -Bernadette Peters SUPPORT ALL SHOOK UP!!!

Updated On: 8/2/05 at 01:40 AM

#8

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 1:44am

This is one of the reasons why I live for theatre. I've always been one of the shortest kids in my grade, and I just love seeing amazing girls like Kristin Cheno up there singing their hearts out, being amazing and successful and the same height as me! As was previously said "it gives me great hope". Yay for different sizes and shapes!

#9

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 1:51am

Broadway seems to be breeding pygmies, which is disconcerting for me, since I am an aspiring actor who is 6'6.

#10

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 1:59am

please don't call short people pygmies. I have reservations about my height, and that hurts my feelings. Sorry but, personally it hurts.

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"You gotta be original, because if you're like someone else, what do they need you for?" -Bernadette Peters SUPPORT ALL SHOOK UP!!!

Updated On: 8/2/05 at 01:59 AM

#11

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 2:01am

sorry I'll make a retraction. I took the silly joke a little to seriously.

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"You gotta be original, because if you're like someone else, what do they need you for?" -Bernadette Peters SUPPORT ALL SHOOK UP!!!

#12

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 2:07am

Dont worry, for every time someone's called you a pygmie, someone's called me a giant/tree/etc.

#13

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 2:28am

I can't believe people actually make fun of people by calling them "pygmies" -pretty weird if you ask me!

one of my best friends is very sensitive about his height; if someone mentions how tall he is he gets VERY upset.

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Updated On: 8/2/05 at 02:28 AM

#14

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 2:33am

YEah i'm really happy. me being a...heavier person, makes me feel that I somehow have a chance!

#15

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 10:35am

Short people rule!

#16

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 1:20pm

Yea I'm a short guy and hope I can get some type of lead... I think being a short guy is worse than short girl though, since 5'5" is like average girl size so yea, it sucks. Being 6'2" and taller is a bad as well... it sucks not being the average size oh well, according to this post, there is hope for me... who knows.

And hey, I could always wear some crazy shoes that give me like 4 inches than I'd be like 5'9" while everyone sle was still a bit taller, lol... sucks bein short.

#17

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 1:29pm

Power to shortness!!! It really is great that we are beginning to see more shapes n' sizes on Broadway these days. I'm sure it gives hope to many!! Including me

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~*~Fairytales do come true~*~ Keala Settle: Aloha, Sistah! It's all good...<3<3<3

#18

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 1:34pm

It is my understanding that the stage has always been kinder to more "normal"-looking actors. I remember reading a quote from Elaine Stritch about how she loved theater because unlike film, it allowed her to "kiss the guy in the end." And that's ELAINE STRITCH we're talking about

#19

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 2:13pm

i wanna be a broadway actor, but do they hire real tall actors? im supposed to be about 6'4, or 6'6, so im afraid i wouldnt get hired in fear i would fall on everyone during dance numbers, and stuff!

#20

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 2:16pm

Maybe you'll be the next Tommy Tune or *insert famous tall dancing woman here*.

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Eeeeeeyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaannnnnddddd aaaaaaaiiiiiiiiyyyyyyaaaaaammmmmmmm teeeeeeeelllllliiiiiinnngg yyyyooooooouuuuuuuwwwaaaahh...

#21

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 2:54pm

I'm 15, 5'7"ish and too tall to play any character under 20 yet too young looking to play any character over 20 in my community theatre since all the men leads are about 5'4" *sigh*

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#22

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 3:08pm

i have to disagree -- at least where women are concerned. actresses are smaller than ever. look at tv-- even on shows where the leading man is overweight-- king of queens, world according to jim, etc the wife is some tiny, hot babe.

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Mind is Mantra.

#23

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 4:28pm

Yes on TV, but no as much on Broadway. That's what attracts me to it so much! It's about talent more than anything.

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"You know, a little orphan girl once told me that the sun would come out tomorrow. Her adopted father was a powerful billionaire, so I supressed the urge to laugh in her face. But now, by gum, I think she might have been on to something!" --Reefer Madness

#24

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 4:36pm

what actresses are larger on broadway-- and sara--although she is stacked is not BIG -- where the role does not make specific reference to their being fat? (tracy turnblad, etc) (i would also not count grandma roles) just curious.

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Mind is Mantra.

#25

re: Actors' size, weight, etc.

Posted: 8/2/05 at 4:42pm

I have always been heavy and have played roles where I was the " older" woman type. I doubt that I will ever play Peter in Peter Pan. But the roles I have had are Vera Charles in Mame, Aunt Eller in Oklahoma, Yente in Fiddler On The Roof. In fact, when I was a kindergarten I played an old women who churned butter in a boot! I guess I have always played larger older women. The igenue role is not for me.

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