There’s always been speculation about which “type” of actors can be leads. The stigma was that you had to be tall, conventionally good-looking and, of course, be able to act.
Let’s step outside of that view for a moment. There are plenty of leads who do not quite fit into this box. Think Danny DeVito and Paul Giamatti. While they might not fit the Hollywood mold, they’ve both had highly successful careers.
The Journey of an Actor
Landing a co-star role and transitioning to a leading actor is not easy. There are many challenges to moving up the career ladder: skill development, networking, branding, strategic career moves and mindset shifts. It may seem overwhelming, but just like in any other business, if you want that leading role, you have to earn it.
Going from co-star to lead has many challenges. The strategies below will help you navigate the industry and build a sustainable career as a leading actor.
Insights: Tips for Climbing the Acting Career Ladder
- Continuously refine acting skills, ensure high-quality audition materials and tailor your personal brand to reflect lead-role potential.
- Select roles strategically for emotional depth and impact, network actively and seek guidance from industry professionals.
- Develop confidence, presence and public-speaking skills to embody the qualities of a leading actor.
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Mastering Your Craft
Acting requires constant refinement. Even the most accomplished actors continue to train throughout their lives. If you want to move from co-star to lead, you must deepen your craft.
- Take advanced acting classes, work with an acting coach and add these items to your list: dialects and physical movement (physical movement could mean stage combat and dance).
- Invest in quality self tape equipment. Lighting and audio equipment matter. When you’re watching a video on YouTube and the lighting and sound are not crisp, you stop watching. Your goal is to capture the Casting Director’s (CD) attention, not have them close out your audition tape.
- Study the performances of leading actors. Analyze their choices, pacing and screen presence.
- Work on cold reads. You may be at an audition and the CD will throw you a curve ball by giving you different sides to read. You need to be able to quickly embody a character.
The Hierarchy of Roles
Familiarize yourself with the breakdown of roles: co-star, guest star, recurring, supporting, and lead roles.
- Co-star: Typically 1–5 lines, a small but important role.
- Guest star: A significant role in an episode, often with an emotional arc.
- Recurring: Appears in multiple episodes but isn’t a series regular.
- Supporting role: A major role in a film or TV show that supports the lead.
- Lead: The main character who carries the story.
To move from co-star to lead, you often need to first land guest star and recurring roles before breaking into larger supporting and lead roles. Of course, there will always be those “flukes” where you skip right over some roles and go right into the lead (like winning the lottery). That said, these are not really flukes. Hard work is recognized.
What Casting Directors Look For
While Casting Directors look for people who can portray a believable character, they also consider experience and the ability to carry a scene. You need to:
- Prove you can handle bigger roles: Deliver strong, memorable performances, even in small parts.
- Break out of typecasting: If you’ve been stuck playing similar roles, take on indie projects or short films that showcase range.
Creating a Strong Personal Brand
The product is YOU. It includes the way you look, your personality and the roles you play best. You may want to play many different types of characters to build yourself out as a diversified actor OR you may want to stick to a specific niche. Either way, the brand you create is what’s going to help you get to a lead role.
- Update your headshots to reflect lead roles: Your photos should capture depth and presence, not just a neutral expression.
- Refine your demo reel: Showcase leading-man or leading-lady energy in your strongest clips.
- Develop a clear “actor identity”: What roles are you perfect for? Lean into that while remaining flexible. (Harder than it sounds, but you can do it!)
Showcasing Star Quality
- Lead actors command attention; they have a presence.
- Work on confidence, energy and the ability to hold the screen.
Leveraging Social Media & Online Presence
- Use Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to create content that highlights your acting skills.
- Engage with industry professionals online; networking doesn’t just happen in person.
- Maintain a professional website with an updated reel and resume.
Strategic Career Moves & Networking
While it may seem fun to take on every opportunity you’re given, this type of behavior may get you stuck in a rut. Choose roles that allow you to showcase depth and star potential. Let’s discuss.
- Look for roles with emotional arcs: Seek characters who have internal struggles, conflicts and personal growth. These roles give actors room to show range. An example would be instead of playing a “best friend” or “cop,” look for characters dealing with grief, ambition, betrayal or redemption.
- Prioritize screen time and meaningful scenes: A small but impactful role is better than a forgettable supporting part. Avoid projects where your character is just there to move the story along. Look for scenes that allow you to take charge and carry the emotional weight of a scene.
- Work with strong writers and directors: It may be difficult to turn your screenwriter friend down, but it serves you no purpose to act in a project that will not help you get to the next level (You’ve heard the term “spinning your wheels?” Exactly). Instead, seek out indie films, shorts, or stage productions by emerging filmmakers and playwrights who create complex characters.
- As far as directors go, research their previous work: If they have a powerful artistic vision and festival success, the project could gain industry recognition. Festivals such as Sundance, Tribeca, TIFF or SXSW can launch careers.
- Consult with your agent or manager: If you have representation, discuss your career trajectory. If you don’t have a rep, put together a list of goals and start making those calls (to everyone). Great representation can help guide you toward bigger opportunities.
- Choose passion over paycheck (at times). This is a tough one. Financial stability is important, of course, but the catch is to use lower-paying jobs as the stepping stone toward getting higher-paying jobs. If it seems like you’re not getting anywhere, you need to step up your game. Sleep is important, so find time elsewhere that doesn’t impact your rest.
The Mindset of a Lead Actor
- Confidence and presence: As discussed above, lead actors have a commanding presence and they are comfortable in the spotlight. It’s a big jump to go from co-star to lead, but no one has to know your fears. Just do your job.
- Work on body language, eye contact and projection: You may have heard the term “being in the moment.” Now’s your chance to shine, so show them the shine!
- Take classes in public speaking: While this may seem irrelevant, it’ll get you out of your shell and allow you to receive feedback on your presentation. Use this opportunity to better your presence.
Moving from co-star to lead isn’t just about getting more detailed parts. It’s about responsibility and your ability to take on such roles. The journey takes time, but with persistence, understanding and smart choices, you can advance your playing field from supporting player to leading star. Enjoy the ride!
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