a long time ago in a place called Rome way back in the AD\BC era actors were considered to be extremely low class.
They were just as likely as the Christians to play with large hungry felines for the entertainment of the masses.
In ancient Rome, actors, as a professional category, were classed as “infames”, which means that their civil liberties and privileges were officially limited. They were in the same category as prostitutes, gladiators, undertakers and executioners. Also those accused of bigamy, women accused of adultery, people convicted of various crimes (whence in the US come the civil provisions against felons), bankrupts, etc.
The actual provisions varied in time, but the base of it may be taken from the “Lex Julia” of 45BC. However it was taken from mych more ancient Roman customs.
They couldn’t testify in court and could be sentenced to corporal punishment, etc.
I believe up to the start of movies and Hollywood, actors were always considered low class. Unfortunately, those who went into the military were thought the same I think until WW II. Then they were looked upon better until the late 60’s. Then in the 80’s and 90’s it changed again that those in the military were looked upon favorably. Unless if you were like Lurch from Massaschusets.