William Shakespeare (among others) said "There are no small parts*--". William Shatner may have said it too, but the longhair with the tights was first, or so the reports go. In this feature we will explore what it really means to be an actor working in Motion Pictures and Television.

Broad public acknowledgment may have eluded some who find their way to these pages, or perhaps they may have brushed against what is referred to as stardom by virtue of one or more remarkable performances. However for many, the rewards of plying their craft in a field which has allowed them to earn a living may exceed the burdens of public acclaim. Given the chance, some in this clan might prefer the longevity offered by anonymity over the potential for short lived fame.

These individuals, either by design or fate, have managed to sustain a career by crafting performances which rendered them a good casting choice. They are usually thought of as a face you recognize, but you just can't get the name past the tip of your tongue.

Most of these folks have spent countless hours on stage in theaters ranging from 20 seats to 2000, building characters from the works of Ibsen, to Eliot, to Williams, to yes even Shakespeare, and so many of the modern Playwrights. They have rounded their skills doing drama, comedy, & musicals. Their work is a serious venture.

These people have given us screen performances which quite often were the catalyst that brought an Oscar or Emmy to another and yet they continue to work as "Characters" or "Co-Stars" without the trophies and plaques adorning their mantle.
* Technically, it was Konstantin Stanislavski who coined the phrase "There are no small parts, only small actors", but we like the "William" references just for fun! 

Where applicable, each article offers a link to Shop Amazon where you may obtain additional materials on the subject.

Quill
Attn Actors, Agents, Managers, Publicists: We are now seeking recommendations for new Working Actor Profiles to extend this series.
If you have a recommendation of an actor (who meets the above criteria with the appropriate credit history) we welcome your request. Please get in touch via our contact page
Barry Jenner | "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" (1993)

Barry Jenner (1941 - 2016)

Barry Jenner was born January 14, 1941 and raised in North Philadelphia near Connie Mack Stadium. His father was a factory worker and his mother was a part time waitress and homemaker. An only child, Barry graduated from Lincoln High School in Philadelphia and West Chester State College in Pennsylvania. His major was Political Science with a minor in American History.

Profiles of the Working Actor
0 comments
Denis Arndt | Working Actor

Denis Arndt - Serving the text!

Denis Arndt, was born in Ohio near the shores of Lake Erie, He was moved West with the rest of the country after WWII, and went to High School in Spokane, Washington. It was there, at John R. Rogers High School, that Denis found a teacher -- or a teacher found a pupil -- one Dale F. Brannon who was head of the Drama and Speech Department, a decorated Infantry Veteran wounded at Anzio, with a communicable passion, a passion for Literature and it's voice and action onstage.

Profiles of the Working Actor
0 comments
Alice Hirson | "Full House" (1987)

Alice Hirson - Keeps nurturing her gifts!

Alice Hirson was born on March 10, 1929 in New York City as Alice C. Thorsell. She is an actress, known for "The Glass House", "Being There" and "Revenge of the Nerds". She is the widow of actor Stephen Elliott see August 2001 whom she met while both were appearing on Broadway in "Traveller Without Luggage" in 1964. She has two sons from her first marriage to writer Roger O. Hirson; David Hirson a playwrite, and Christopher Hirson.

Profiles of the Working Actor
0 comments
Warren Stevens | "Star Trek: By Any Other Name" (1968)

Warren Stevens (1919–2012)

Warren Stevens was born, November 2, 1919 in Clark's Summit, Pennsylvania, and died on March 27, 2012 (age 92) in Sherman Oaks, California. He became an actor by way of Annapolis. Stevens, followed the family's wishes and joined the Navy when he turned seventeen. During four years as an enlisted man he studied for an appointment to Annapolis and was accepted.

Profiles of the Working Actor
0 comments
Stephen Elliott | "Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

Stephen Elliott (1918–2005)

Stephen Elliott was born on November 27, 1918 in New York City. He died on May 21, 2005 (age 86) in Woodland Hills, California. He performed literally thousands of roles on stage and screen for well over half a century. His characters have shared the big and small screen with some of the most famous and decorated actors of all time.

Profiles of the Working Actor
0 comments
Eugene Roche | Working Actor

Eugene Roche (1928–2004)

Eugene Roche was born in Boston on September 22, 1928 and passed away from a heart attack in Encino, CA on July 28th 2004. His ability to take a role and breathe believability and truth into it that has sustained his dramatic and comedic career of more that four decades on stage, in films and television. He emerged as one of the entertainment industry's most sought after and recognizable character actors of his time. Eugene was born at the height of the depression into a family of four brothers and a sister.

Profiles of the Working Actor
0 comments
Peter Riegert | "The Good Wife" (2012) [a]

Peter Riegert - Slipping into every role!

Peter Riegert's unfailing ability to slip effortlessly into almost any role, be it dramatic, comedic, or musical, has enabled him to work continuously in films, television and on stage for over four decades.

Riegert marked time in a series of jobs from teaching eighth grade to waiting tables before he decided he wanted to pursue a career as an actor. Soon after settling on show business, the Bronx native joined the improvisational comedy troupe, War Babies.

Profiles of the Working Actor
0 comments
Bonnie Bartlett, Bob Odenkirk | "Better Call Saul" (2015) *

Bonnie Bartlett - Keeps the channel open

Bonny Bartlett, grew up in Illinois. Her interest in theatre came from her father, an actor turned businessman, who loved to quote Shakespeare. A straight-A student, Bonnie attended Northwestern University to study acting. There she met her future husband, Bill Daniels, also an actor (our March 2001 Profile).

Profiles of the Working Actor
0 comments
Subscribe to Profiles of the Working Actor