Don Cheadle: “Do you want to be an actor or do you want to be a star or a celebrity?”

By Webmaster

  • Don Cheadle:
    “Do you want to be an actor or do you want to be a star or a celebrity?”

    (Arranged by Carmichael Phillips)


    Do you want to be an actor or do you want to be a star or a celebrity?


    You probably know Don Cheadle from his starring role as Marty Kaan in the Showtime Comedy series, House of Lies, which ran from 2012-2016; a role that earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy (2013).

  • Or, perhaps you know him from his Academy Award nominated performance in Hotel Rwanda (2004), where he portrayed a hotel manager in Rwanda who worked to save more than one thousand lives during the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

    The highly-accomplished actor sat down for an interview with the Off-Camera Show, where he shared his advice to aspiring actors getting started in the business.

    “I think a lot of times people think that you have to have a job to work on acting. Which you don’t. You can work on plays. You can work on monologues. You can always work on script analysis. That’s all a part of the work.”

    “So, yes, in application, it takes a partner to be able to do the thing that you’re doing. But I know…people come up to me and say, ‘Hey, man, I want to be an actor. How can I be an actor?’”

  • “And I go, ‘Do you want to be an actor or do you want to be a star or a celebrity? Are you acting right now? Are you in anything? Are you in plays? Are you auditioning for plays? Do you read plays? Are you reading scripts?’”


    I think a lot of times people think that you have to have a job to work on acting. Which you don’t.


    “That’s all working. That’s all doing acting work. Now, yes, maybe you’re not on a TV show or someone hasn’t put you in a film. But, if you think that’s the only way acting happens, it’s probably going to be…one of two things are going to happen:

    (1) You’re never going to get that shot or, (2) You’re going to get that shot and then, very quickly, they’re going to see that you’re (not very deep) and that you have nothing to bring to the game.”

    Other noteworthy roles by Cheadle include performances in films like Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Crash (2005), Iron Man 2 (2010), Iron Man 3 (2013), Captain America: Civil War (2016) and Avengers: Endgame (2019).


  • You Might Also Like:

    “You can’t rely on anyone to hand you anything in this business” (Joe Manganiello)


     

    Recommended Posts

  • Ad

  • What Defines an A-List Actor?

    What Defines an A-List Actor? Decoding A-List Status (By Tonya Tannenbaum) The term “A-List actor” is frequently used to denote the crème de la crème of the entertainment industry. But what exactly places…

    What is Scale?

    Understanding the Scale Decoding Acting Salaries in the Entertainment Industry (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Karolina Grabowski | Pexels) In the intricate world of acting, compensation is often discussed in terms of “scale.” This…

    What is a Meal Penalty?

    What is a Meal Penalty? The specifics of meal penalties can vary, but here are some common elements (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Lukas | Pexels) A meal penalty in acting refers to a…

    What is the Entertainment Community Fund?

    What is the Entertainment Community Fund? The Entertainment Community Fund provides help in various forms (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Monstera Production | Pexels) The Entertainment Community Fund, for the Actors Fund, is a…

    What is Method Acting?

    What is Method Acting? Exploring the World of Method Acting: Techniques and Principles (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Genarlo Servin/Pexels) Method acting is a renowned and influential approach to acting that has produced some…

  • Ad

  • What is Craft Service?

    What is Craft Service? Exploring the Role of Craft Services in the Entertainment Industry (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Craig Adderley | Pexels) In the fast-paced world of filmmaking and entertainment production, ensuring that…

    What is a Stand-In?

    What is a Stand-In? The Role of a Stand-In in Filmmaking (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Ron Lach | Pexels) A stand-in is a person hired on a film or television production to substitute…

    What is a Booking?

    What is a Booking? Understanding Booking in Acting: What It Means and Why It Matters (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Cottonbro Studio | Pexels) In the world of acting, the term “booking” holds significant…

  • Ad

  • What is a Dress Rehearsal?

    What is a Dress Rehearsal? The Importance and Purpose of Dress Rehearsals in the Performing Arts (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) In the world of theater, dance, and other performing arts,…

    What is a Casting Notice?

    What is a Casting Notice? Casting notices are the initial bridge between casting directors and actors (By Carmichael Phillips) (By AbsolutVision on Unsplash) A casting notice, also known as a casting call or…

    What is a Table Read?

    What is a Table Read? A “table read” is a crucial step in the pre-production process (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Alex Green | Pexels) A table read, also known as a script reading…

    What is the Stanislavski System?

    What is the Stanislavski System? A Deep Dive into Acting’s Most Influential Technique (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Konstantin Stanislavski) The Stanislavski System, also known as Stanislavski’s Method or Stanislavski’s System, is a groundbreaking and…

    What is a Short Film?

    What is a Short Film? Short films are a dynamic component of the filmmaking landscape (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Ron Lach | Pexels) A short film is a brief cinematic work that tells…

  • Ad

  • What is a Call Time?

    What is a Call Time? Understanding Call Time in the Entertainment Industry (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Icons8 Team/Unsplash) In the world of entertainment, whether it’s a film set, a theater production, or a…

    What is a Monologue?

    What is a Monologue? What are some types of monologues? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Genarlo Servin/Pexels) A monologue is a dramatic or literary form of expression in which a character delivers a speech,…

    What is Actors’ Equity Association?

    What is Actors’ Equity Association? Demystifying the guardian of theater professionals (By Jim Webb) In the world of live theater, actors, stage managers, and performers rely on an organization that champions their rights,…

  • Ad

  • The Basics of the Alexander Technique

    The Basics of the Alexander Technique How the Alexander Technique Can Empower Actors (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Karolina Grabowska | Pexels) Acting is a demanding craft that requires not only exceptional talent but…

    What is a Director of Photography?

    What is a Director of Photography? Demystifying the Role of the D.P. (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Vanilla Bear Films | Unsplash) In the world of filmmaking, a symphony of creative minds comes together…

    15 Types of Voiceover Acting Work

    15 Types of Voiceover Acting Work Your Guide to a Diverse Industry (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Gianandrea Villa/Unsplash) The world of voiceover acting is a dynamic and diverse field that offers a wide…

    Important Theatre Definitions Every Actor Should Know

    Important Theatre Definitions Every Actor Should Know Familiarize yourself with these key theatre terms (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) As an aspiring actor, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with key theatre…

    What is a Commercial Headshot?

    What is a Commercial Headshot? The importance of a commercial headshot (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Marcelo Chagas | Pexels) A commercial headshot is an 8×10 photo that is designed to help an actor…

  • Ad