Posted on 08/10/2025 12:59:45 PM PDT by DoodleBob
The entertainment industry has long been shaped by traditional gender roles, but in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in how language is used to describe those who perform in movies, television shows, theater, and other media. One significant change is the move toward calling female performers “actors” rather than the historically used term “actress.” This change reflects a broader cultural movement toward gender equality and challenges longstanding stereotypes. In this article, we will explore why females are now increasingly being called “actors” and how this shift reflects evolving attitudes about gender in society.
1. Historical Context of “Actor” and “Actress”
Historically, the term “actor” was used as a gender-neutral label for anyone involved in the art of performing. In fact, in many early forms of theater, the term “actor” referred to both male and female performers, since women were often prohibited from performing on stage in certain societies. It wasn’t until the 18th century, when women started appearing more regularly on stage, that the term “actress” was coined to specifically refer to female performers.
For a long time, “actress” was considered the appropriate title for a woman in the acting profession, just as “actor” was for a man. However, the use of “actress” began to come under scrutiny as society progressed and began to challenge traditional gender norms.
2. The Movement Toward Gender Equality
In the last few decades, there has been a significant cultural shift toward gender equality, and this change has influenced various industries, including entertainment. As part of this movement, many people began to question why a distinction needed to be made between male and female performers in the first place. After all, the act of performing—the craft of acting—remains the same, regardless of gender.
Feminists, activists, and some performers began to argue that the term “actress” perpetuated a gendered separation that was unnecessary in a society striving for equality. They pointed out that the profession of acting should be seen as a craft rather than something that is determined by one’s gender. This advocacy for gender-neutral language has led many to embrace the term “actor” as an all-encompassing word for both men and women.
3. Language Reflecting Evolving Attitudes
Language is a powerful tool in shaping perceptions, and as society has become more aware of gender biases, the language we use has evolved. The entertainment industry has played a part in this evolution, with many influential female performers choosing to identify as “actors” rather than “actresses.” The aim is to remove the unnecessary gendered distinction and highlight the idea that skill, talent, and creativity are what truly define an actor, not their gender.
This shift is part of a larger cultural push to remove gender labels from various professions and social roles. Just as we see women in leadership positions or in traditionally male-dominated fields like science and engineering, the entertainment world is increasingly reflecting the notion that gender should not determine an individual’s potential or title.
4. Influence of Leading Female Performers
Many notable female actors have played a key role in promoting the use of “actor” as a gender-neutral term. Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, and Emma Thompson, among others, have spoken out about the importance of treating men and women equally in the industry, both in terms of roles and recognition. By using the term “actor,” these performers emphasize that their craft is no different from their male counterparts and that gender should not define their professional identity.
Furthermore, the move toward using “actor” is often seen as an effort to challenge the objectification of women in Hollywood, where female performers have historically been viewed primarily for their looks rather than their skills. By adopting a more neutral, universal term, female actors help shift the focus away from their gender and toward their talent.
5. Impact on Awards and Industry Practices
The change in terminology has been reflected in the way the entertainment industry approaches awards and recognition. Some prestigious award shows, such as the Academy Awards, have taken steps toward using more inclusive language, with some opting for gender-neutral categories like “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role” instead of separating the categories by gender (e.g., “Best Actor” and “Best Actress”). Although gender-specific categories still exist in some instances, the trend toward gender-neutral recognition signals a desire for equality and respect for all performers.
Additionally, as the focus shifts toward using “actor” for both men and women, more attention is being given to the diversity of roles available to female performers, as well as their pay and recognition in the industry. The use of gender-neutral terms is part of a larger effort to level the playing field and make the industry more equitable for all.
The movement toward calling females “actors” instead of “actresses” is not just a linguistic shift but a reflection of broader cultural changes. It symbolizes a growing desire for gender equality in the entertainment industry and society at large. As more female performers and advocates embrace the use of “actor” as a universal term, the focus is shifting from gender to talent, creativity, and professionalism.
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Manhole is Maintenance Hole. (Please…don’t turn this into a Uranus-like discussion)
Firemen are Firefighters.
Police are Nazis (/sarc, but only a little bit)
Freshmen are First Years.
Amen is now Awoman.
Or this list from Berkeley…
“Bondsman” vs “Bonds-person”
“Brother” “Sibling”
“Chairman” “Chair,“ “chairperson”
“Craftsmen” “Craftspeople,” “artisans”
“Fireman,” “Firewoman,” “Firemen,”“Firewomen” become “Firefighter,” “firefighters”
“Fraternal” “Social”
“Heirs” “Beneficiaries”
“Journeyman” “Journey”
‘Maiden” “Family”
“Male” and “female” become “People of different genders”
“Manhole” “Maintenance hole”
“Manmade” becomes “Human-made” “Artificial” “manufactured”“machine made” “synthetic”
“Manpower” “Human effort”
“Manpower” “Workforce”
“Master” becomes “Captain,” “Skipper,” “Pilot,” “Safety Officer,”“Central”
“Men and women” “People”
“Men or women” “A single gender”
“Ombudsman” becomes “Ombuds, “Investigating Official”
“Patrolmen” “Patrol,” “Guards”“Policeman,” “Policewoman,”“Policemen,“ “Policewomen” become “Police Officer,” “Police Officers”
“Pregnant” (woman, women) “Pregnant employees”
“Repairman” becomes “Repairs,” “Repairer”
“Salesman” becomes “Salesperson,” “Salespeople”
“Sister” “Sibling”
“Sorority,” “Fraternity” become “Collegiate Greek system residence”
“Sportsman” “Hunters”
“The masculine pronoun includes thefeminine” = “Words referring to a specific gender may be extended to any other gender”
“Watchmen” “Guards”
I recommend that the Oscars have only a “best actor” award.
Yet we still have Whores and Gigolos. I guess the androgynous “sex worker” covers that.
well, I lot of actors are now actresses so it makes sense.
Stupid shit.
Correct response.
Actress, another word that we woke up one morning and while reading the paper or magazine thought it must be a misprint calling her an actor, but as the days and weeks went by we realized that again, someone, somewhere, an all controlling central authority that we still don’t what it is, had decided that our language had changed again.
With all of these instant and imposed changes from nowhere, I am no longer a gay person, and if I had a Mrs. she would probably agree about these mysterious but instantly firm and fixed word changes.
Why Are Females Now Called Actors?
—
because not all ‘female actors’ are actually female?
They always have been called actors in the business. Only outsiders called them actresses.
Some people think that many “female” actresses are trans, so it makes sense to call them actors if that’s true.
I don’t hold to this line of thinking, but it’s out there.
???
From Wikipedia:
"The Academy Award for Best Actress is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It has been awarded since the 1st Academy Awards to an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance in a leading role in a film released that year. The award is traditionally presented by the previous year's Best Actor winner. However, in recent years, it has shifted towards being presented by previous years' Best Actress winners instead. The Best Actress award has been presented 97 times, to 80 different actresses. The first winner was Janet Gaynor for her roles in 7th Heaven (1927), Street Angel (1928), and Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927), and the most recent winner is Mikey Madison for her role in Anora (2024)."
I don’t see how doing away with “actress” does anything to advance gender equality. These thespians (how about using that word instead of “actor” and “actress”?) portray males and females; that is, until recently with the introduction of the multitude of different “gender identities.” Under the traditional way of doing things, has any actress been turned down for a female role because she is female? Have female lead and supporting roles ever been second class citizens compared to male roles?
It all sounds like Orwell’s Newspeak to me. Total crap!
But, but........ What is a Woman?
In Shakespeare’s day all the performers were male, so when women first went on the stage in the late 17th century, they may sometimes have been called “actors,” but “actress” was the established and preferred term from the 18th century on.
Closer analogy would be poet and poetess.
When did actresses become actors?
I’m guessing it started with “Elliot Page.”
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More seriously perhaps, the “ess” ending came to be regarded as demeaning by feminists (as in poetess, for example) in the 1980s, and since the 1990s we’ve been hearing women call themselves “actors”
What are they going to do with midwife and wet nurse? And how about master and mistress?
How about not trying to change the language?
Money.
I went to my local small town post office the other day and the head of the post office, a female was at the counter I don’t recall the conversation right now but it led me referring to her as the postmistress. You should have heard her pseudo outrage. She insisted that I call her the postmaster. I left wondering what gender she was masquerading as.
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