Character actor facts for kids

A character actor is an actor who plays a special kind of role in a play, movie, or TV show. Unlike the main character, like the hero or heroine, a character actor plays a supporting part. Their role helps to make the story more interesting and supports the main characters.

Character roles are often unique and memorable. They might be the funny friend, the wise old person, or even the scary villain. These roles add depth and variety to a story.

For example, in the movie The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy is the main character. But the Scarecrow, the Lion, and the Tin Man are all great examples of character roles. They are important to the story but not the central hero.

What Makes a Character Role?

Character roles are usually not the main focus of the story. Instead, they often have specific traits or personalities that stand out. These roles can include:

• A loyal servant
• A helpful maid
• A tricky villain
• A strict mother-in-law
• A kind priest

These roles can be serious or funny. They help to show different parts of the world the story is set in.

Why Actors Choose Character Roles

Some actors really enjoy playing character roles. They might find these parts more interesting or challenging than main roles. Sometimes, a certain type of role fits an actor's personality or even their singing voice perfectly.

Understanding Typecasting

When an actor plays the same kind of character over and over, we say they are "typecast." For example, an actor might always play the bad guy or the funny sidekick.

• Some actors are happy to be typecast because they are good at those roles.
• Other actors might want to try different kinds of parts to show their range. They want to "broaden their repertoire," which means playing many different types of characters.

Images for kids

• 

  Actor Claude Rains (right) played many different roles. Sometimes he was a main actor, and other times he was a character actor. He often played smart men who were sometimes a bit mysterious.

• 

  Character actress Margaret Hamilton (left) played the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz. In real life, she was a very kind and gentle person, even teaching kindergarten before acting. This was very different from her famous witch character!

See also

In Spanish: Actor de carácter para niños