Did you know there’s actually a mathematical equation that determines how beautiful you are? It’s called the Golden Ratio. The closer your facial features match this ratio, the more beautiful you appear to others.
True, most of the actors in Hollywood are gorgeous. And true, it likely helped them to book an extra job or two.
But do you absolutely have to be a knockout if you want to be successful as an actor?
The answer is no, and I’ll prove it.
What Casting Directors Look For
These days, there are two words that appear on almost every breakdown I lay eyes on…
“Real person.”
What do those words mean? Isn’t every actor a real person? Aren’t characters supposed to be real people?
Casting directors are looking for actors who have an authentic look. They don’t want an actor who just stepped off the set of a soap opera, all quaffed up and glamorous. They want imperfections and flaws.
Did you hear what I just said? Your physical flaws make you more marketable as an actor — not less.
Still don’t believe me…?
Five Actors Who Break the Mold
1. Steve Buschemi:
A highly prolific film actor from Brooklyn, but not the most attractive man in the world. Slender frame, raspy voice, pale skin. Nevertheless, he’s been a fixture for over 20 years, and has numerous awards to show for it. He’s currently leading the cast of Boardwalk Empire on HBO. (And in 2000, he even modeled for H&M!)
2. Joe Pesci:
At 5’4″, Pesci is a short man with a big voice and a thick Jersey accent. But he didn’t let his small stature get in the way when he co-starred with Robert DeNiro in Raging Bull, or when he won an Oscar for his legendary turn in Goodfellas.
3. Melissa McCarthy:
She’s been working steadily in television for 10 years now, and recently garnered a lot of attention for her role in last year’s Bridesmaids. And just this morning, she was nominated for an Oscar! She’s an inspiration to plus-sized actresses everywhere.
4. Chris Cooper:
Cooper is one of those fortunate actors whose face is instantly recognizable, but his name is not. Even so, he’s been churning out groundbreaking film performances for over 20 years. His deep, gravelly voice and mean-looking mug have won him numerous SAG awards and nominations, and an Oscar for his role in Adaptation.
5. Tilda Swinton:
This visually striking Scottish lass admits that she often gets mistaken for a man by airport security. But when she isn’t traveling, she’s using her ethereal visage to captivate audiences around the globe. She won an Oscar for her role in one of my favorite films, Michael Clayton. (She has also been declared one of the world’s best dressed women by Vanity Fair.)
These five people are not what you might call conventionally attractive. But they’re successful actors not only in spite of their imperfections, but because of them.
Love the Skin You’re In
Confidence is attractive. Even more attractive than any mathematical ratio or passing Hollywood trend. When you’re comfortable and confident in your own skin, casting directors will sit up and take notice. And that will lead to success as an actor. I guarantee it.
I leave you with a quote from another one of this morning’s Oscar nominees…
“The most liberating thing I did early on was to free myself from any concern with my looks as they pertained to my work.” -Meryl Streep
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