The Dumb Actress Archetype
I have this distinct memory of sitting in AP Chem class in high school with one of my dearest friends at the time and telling her about my plans to head to New York for college and become a professional actress, which had been my lifelong dream.
She turned to me, in all seriousness, and said something to the effect of, “Kate, you are a really smart person, and I just think it’s a shame that you’re going to waste your intelligence on an acting career, of all things.”
I was crushed to hear someone I cared about belittle my chosen profession that way, and I’m pretty sure I snuck off to the bathroom to cry, because that’s just how you roll in high school.
These days, I understand that people outside of our industry have this misguided idea that actors and actresses are idiots. There’s also this notion that intelligent, ambitious young people are somehow “wasting their lives” if they choose to pursue an acting career, when they could be achieving “so much more” at medical school or in a law practice.
It doesn’t bother me the way it used to when I hear these misconceptions, probably 1. because I’m an adult and I think we just naturally gain confidence in ourselves as we age, and 2. because I can’t help but do anything except laugh at how incredibly off-base people are if they think that.
In the nearly three years that I’ve been working in this industry, I’ve probably crossed paths with hundreds of showbiz professionals. I can confidently say that successful actors and actresses are some of the most intelligent, hard-working, savvy, kind-hearted, thoughtful, and ambitious people I’ve ever met. To underestimate them is to do them and yourself a great disservice.
This business is hard. There is a staggering amount of competition. Every day requires new audition or rehearsal material, presented at a new address, to new people you’ve never met. And you just don’t survive and become successful if you’re an idiot. Or you’d better at least have a Mommy-Manager who knows what’s going on 😉
So do I consider my intelligence “wasted” on this crazy career of mine? Of course not. I love what I do, and I shudder to think how much harder this job would be if I was a few dancers short of a chorus line.
What do you think — have you encountered this stereotype among your family and friends? Do you think it’s fair?
The Green Room 
Well said, Redheaded Actress.
This stereotype lives on despite the frequent proof of intelligence presented by actors outside of the acting industry. Keep on proving them wrong!
Well played. Along the same lines, I believe this stereotype corrupts young people into thinking that an education is “unnecessary” in this industry, which strengthens the stereotype. When, those hopefuls who move to NYC after college spend 4 hard years anyway learning the business, if they make it that far without giving up. Good for you, not only for being an intelligent young actress who moved to NYC, but for being smart enough to know you needed an education to do so.
Mis-typed: “When those hopefulls who move to NYC after HIGH SCHOOL spend 4 hard years…”
Hah – a few dancers short of a chorus line. That’s cute!
I never pursued my acting career past college because honestly? I’m just not that good! I love it, and it really does make my heart sing. But I can do it on the weekends in a community theatre and get the same feeling. I can’t imagine that people think actors are idiots – maybe it comes from soap operas or ditzy characters that hit a little too close to home for some? I’m just glad that there are amazing artists like you all, because it’s a joy to watch when I come visit Broadway. 🙂
The smarter you are, the more you’re needed in the industry, in fact. It’s not an easy thing to imagine yourself into the life of a character, and then be able to go back to ones self at the end of the day.