What Makes an Actor: Film Edition
These veteran performers are among the more than 100 actors who have introduced the SAG Awards. Giving a quick, to-camera anecdote about their early career, they traditionally close their quips with the signature line: “I am an actor.”
I performed my first scene ever when I was 12 years old in the seventh grade at Birmingham High School. I was very shy and I had no idea what I was doing, so I just flung myself off the cliff and felt like I was falling. I’ve been falling ever since.
I’m Sally Field, and I’m an actor.
For work, I get to play. I get to travel the world and meet interesting people, and I get to see the world through my characters’ eyes.
I am Melissa Leo, and I am an actor.
When I was 11 years old, my teachers told me I wasn’t mature enough and that I would never be successful as an actor. But here I am at the SAG Awards!
My name is Evan Rachel Wood, and I’m still an actor.
I had my first foray in the local Nativity play. I was the coveted shepherd. Everyone lauded my performance. I was hooked. I was 5 years old.
My first memory of wanting to be an actor came when I saw my mother play the title role in “Evita.” I watched her die onstage—and come back to life in time for the applause. I thought, Hi-diddle-dee-dee!
My name is Cynthia Erivo, and I’m an actor.
My name is Anne Hathaway, and I’m an actor.
LEO: DFREE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; WOOD: FEATUREFLASH PHOTO AGENCY/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; ERIVO: OVIDIU HRUBARU/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; HATHAWAY: KATHY HUTCHINS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; FIELD: DFREE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
BACKSTAGE 12.06.21
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backstage.com
