What is a Guest Star Role? 

By Webmaster

  • What is a Guest Star Role? 

    Diving into television roles and the purposes they serve… 

    (By Tonya Tannenbaum)

    (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels)

    A guest star is a character on a television show who is not part of the main cast. The guest star, nonetheless, plays a very significant role in the show, often appearing in multiple scenes and has a character arc.

  • The character arc is one of the biggest differences between a guest star and a co-star. For co-star roles, the character does not go through a transformation of any significance. Their role is to serve the scene and the main cast.

    Guest stars, by contrast, have an arc to their characters. Their character may begin the episode with a set of views or feelings that evolve during the course of the episode.


    What is a Co-Star Role?


    A simple way to think about guest stars is to think of them as characters who temporarily disrupt the normal lives of the main characters.

    The ex-boyfriend who comes to pay the main character an unexpected visit, the suspected serial killer whom detectives interrogate, and the weird new coworker whom the main character hopes to avoid, can all be good examples of guest star roles.

  • A few famous examples of guest-star roles would include:

    (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels)

    *Idris Elba’s character Charles Miner, in The Office, who ultimately drives the main character, Michael Scott, to quit his job.

    *Brad Garrett’s character Tony Abado, the mechanic who stole Jerry’s car on Seinfeld.

    *Reese Witherspoon’s character Jill Greene, the younger sister of Rachel, who causes tension when she, among other things, begins dating Ross on Friends.

    *Bradley Cooper’s role of Jason Whitaker, the lawyer suspected of rape in Law and Order: SVU.

    *Alanis Morissette’s character, Dawn, who kisses Carrie in a game of spin-the-bottle; a game she believes she’s too old to play, on Sex and the City.

  • A few notes on guest star roles… 

    *Unlike co-stars, guest stars often appear alongside the main characters in the opening credits.

    *Unlike co-stars, guest stars usually have lots of dialogue and a character name that is known to the audience.


  • You Might Also Like:
    What is a Commercial Conflict?


     

    Recommended Posts

  • Ad

  • What are “Sides” in Acting?

    What are “Sides” in Acting? A definitive guide to audition sides (By Tonya Tannenbaum) Audition sides are portions of a script that are selected by casting directors or producers for actors to perform…

    What is an Understudy?

    What is an Understudy? The unsung heroes of the theater world (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) An understudy is essentially a backup performer who is ready to step into a specific…

    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…

  • Ad

  • 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…

    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…

  • Ad

  • 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…

    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…

  • Ad

  • 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…

    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…

  • Ad

  • 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,…

    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…

  • Ad