If you’ve passed your teen years, sometimes it may seem like you may be “too old” to start acting – even if you’re relatively young! Whether you’ve always loved acting and never pursued it or are looking to start up a second career, you may be wondering if it’s a good idea or even possible at all to become an actor at your age.
The short answer? It’s never too late to pursue your dreams! The entertainment industry is always looking for actors to fill roles, from babies to seniors and every age in between. Although it may be more difficult to break into the industry as an older actor, it’s not impossible – as long as you have the drive to succeed.
Actors Who Started Later in Life
Kathryn Joosten: Kathryn Joosten is best known for playing President Bartlet’s secretary Delores Landingham on the beloved political drama The West Wing. You may also recognize her as cranky neighbor Karen McCluskey on Desperate Housewives. Although she’s also had major guest appearances on many other TV shows, she didn’t start acting until age 42, after a career as a psychiatric nurse.
Harrison Ford: Although Harrison Ford landed his first uncredited speaking role at age 24, it was his side career as a carpenter that actually broke him into the industry. After building cabinets for director George Lucas, he was cast as a supporting actor in American Graffiti at the age of 31 – much later than the starting age of most actors.
John Mahoney: John Mahoney is most recognized for portraying Frasier Crane’s father Martin in the long-running series Frasier. He started taking acting classes and joined a theatre company at the age of 37, after tiring of his previous career. More recently, you may have caught him portraying a love interest for Betty White on the TV Land sitcom Hot in Cleveland.
So I’m not too old – but where do I start?
The best thing you can do is get some formal training. KD Conservatory acting classes are geared to specific interests, so you can focus on television commercials, film acting, or musical theatre. Not only will you learn or improve upon your acting techniques, but you’ll also make connections with classmates and our experienced faculty that could prove valuable as you move forward in pursuing your dreams!
Do you want to be an actor?
KD Conservatory has acting, musical theatre, and motion picture production programs to help prepare students for careers in the entertainment industry. Contact us with any of your questions, or check us out on Facebook for ongoing updates and information!
