How old is too old to begin acting?

#1

How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 11:40am

Between the ages of 14 and 24, I studied acting and did community theater. I did very well as a big fish in a small pond, and enjoyed it immensely; however, life became all-too-practical, and for financial reasons, I gave it up and went into a rewarding career in Finance (twitch).

It's been, shall we say, a number of years...how old is too old to get into acting again? What's your opinion? (And no, that is NOT me in the avatar!)

*bracing myself for the "when-you-have-to-take-a-DialaRide-to-the-audition" comments*

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Neither a borrower nor a lender be...unless that's mine in the first place.

Updated On: 7/15/05 at 11:40 AM

#2

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 11:42am

If you're still young enough to have regrets, you're NOT too old!

#3

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 11:43am

Well, there are roles available for a vast variety of ages. I say if you want to get back in the game, just get on top of things: get your headshots done, put together a resume, such. Maybe attend a few classes to catch up? Then go out there and just audition your heart out.

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#4

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 11:46am

I'm over 40, decided to try acting professionally in March, was hired for an industrial film in May, worked on a feature film a couple of weeks ago, and on Monday am shooting a principal role in a (non-union) commercial.

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#5

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 11:47am

You are never too old to get into acting. I actually believe it is more beneficial to get into acting as an adult than as a child. I have seen WAY too many child actors dissapear off the radar after about 5 to 10 years, and never hear from them again.

As much as I'd love to get into acting now, I'd rather wait till I'm a bit older. The last thing I want is to become the stereotypical young actor.

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"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde

#6

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 11:54am

Nobody is ever too old for acting! The only thing that matters is how dedicted to acting you are.

#7

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 12:11pm

John Mahoney didn't start acting until his late 30's.

#8

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 12:16pm

Sidney Greenstreet first role was in the Maltese Falcon, and he was 60 I guess that time.

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Norbert Leo Butz quotes about John Lithgow: "He's really clumsy. One of the joys in life is to watch a great big huge man totally wipe out backstage. It takes John about three minutes to hit the floor. It's like watching a Great Sequoia falling gracelessly."

#9

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 12:20pm

Everyone over 14 should stop acting.

#10

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 1:16pm

Kim Crosby's father (Don Crosby) retired from his dentistry practice and started acting professionally at 67...

#11

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 1:18pm

When you're dead.

#12

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 1:30pm

Estelle Getty was born as Estelle Scher on 25 July 1923, to Polish immigrants in the lower East side of New York, Getty's acting career began in her youth on the 'borscht belt' circuit and Yiddish stage. Despite early success, she gave it all up after marrying Arthur Gettleman in 1946, in order to raise her children Carl and Barry. During this period she worked as a secretary for a lawyer and at a paper company, although she continued to nurture her acting career in numerous theatrical performances in New York City. It wasn't until 1978 that she returned to acting.

#13

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 1:35pm

I didn't start acting till I was 11, and look at me now! 5 years later! 8 lines in our school's musical!

Maybe someday you all can be like me...but probably not.

There's no age limit, if you have a love for it, pursue your dreams.

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"If it walks like a Parks, if it wobbles like a Parks, then it's definitely fat and nobody loves it." --MA

#14

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 1:38pm

Angela Lansbury is 79 and she's still as amazing as she was when she starred in Sweeny.

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#15

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 1:39pm

She's 79?! I thought she was MUCH younger!

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#16

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 2:10pm

I auditioned (and got) my first role last August, at the ripe old age of 41. I'm now in my third play and I really love it!! It's all community theater, but I have such a good time!

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#17

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 2:14pm

i'd totally go back into the business, some people have had 20-30 year hiatus' of stage performances or any performances at all. It doesnt matter what age you are just go for it!

#18

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 11:15pm

It's never too late.

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"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird

#19

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/17/05 at 1:55am

I will be 50 next week and started back into acting about 4 years ago, this Sunday night, July 17th, I will be making my NYC Cabaret debut at 9pm at "Don't Tell Mama" (343 W 46th St between 8/9 Aves).
Come see for yourselves!!!
-elli-
My Web Site

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-elli- Visit me @ http://www.thekingofbroadway.com "They say that life is 'Tit for Tat' and thats the way I live, so I deserve a lot of 'TAT' for what I've got to give!!!"

#20

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/17/05 at 12:29pm

age is just a number but, having the heart is all you need.

#21

re: How old is too old to begin acting?

Posted: 7/18/05 at 6:11pm

Thanks, everyone, for all the encouragement! :)

I'm gonna give it a shot!

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Neither a borrower nor a lender be...unless that's mine in the first place.