Most actors never retire from what they do. Acting is not just a job. Acting is also a way to keep your mind sharp, your creative juices flowing and provides opportunities to do meaningful work long after most careers have come to an end.
How does acting keep you young?
Be sure to join the conversation in today’s VOX Daily!
An Actor’s Life For Me
Will you be voice acting for the rest of your life?
If you’re a working actor or voice actor, you probably don’t see yourself stopping any time soon let alone hanging up your mic because you’re at an age when most other professionals retire.
There are many celebrity actors working well into their eighties, including Angela Lansbury (87), James Earl Jones (82) and Ed Asner (83) to name just a few. Lansbury and Jones recently co-starred in a stage production of Driving Miss Daisy.
In an interview via the Associated Press, James Earl Jones shared that he is still enthusiastic about what he does (acting) and loves the process of creating characters.
Angela Lansbury said that she gets a rush in theatre unlike any other she has experienced in her acting career. Perhaps the same can be said for voice actors who prefer the sanctuary of the booth to the lens of the camera. The booth is more freeing, you could say.
How Does Acting Keep You Young?
Minnesota-based actor Paul Cram relates, “Acting is like drinking from a fount of youth. Firstly, I think this because most people that remain in the acting business over the long haul, genuinely love it. When we do what we love, it doesn’t matter your age. In addition to that, I think that so much of the day to day work involved in acting contributes to an anti-aging process. I’ve noticed actors and performers seem to be very in tune with their bodies, in a way that I don’t see in other people. Part of this is a necessity- taking on the physicality of a character requires one to be hyper aware of how their body is feeling/doing certain things, and to alter them if a character wouldn’t or would do certain things. Like walking with a limp, etc. It requires a tremendous amount of will power, and self awareness to do physical body work as a performer.”
Talent manager and industry expert on showbiz kids and pop culture, Susie Mains, shares, “Kid actors and Adult actors have the same things in common. They have to become a new character- sometimes as often as a couple of times a day (for auditions) and they have to memorize, memorize, memorize. It is a known fact that it keeps you young to build neuron connections which happens when you learn and do new things. Also there is the sense of expectation and hope- ‘Will I get the job? Will I win an award? Will I be good? Will I be good enough? This ongoing energy and excitement is very life affirming and unique to acting. This is a profession that needs all ages and types from babies up to seniors- there is no mandatory retirement from showbiz.”
Do Agree That Acting Keeps Actors Young?
Does acting keep you young? How so?
Looking forward to your reply!
Best wishes,
Stephanie
©iStockphoto.com/Alina Solovyova-Vincent