WHAT MAKES AN ACTOR FILM EDITION

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.

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 Anne Hathaway, 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 name is Cynthia Erivo, and I’m an actor.