Being an actor takes guts and talent, along with hard work. And there’s no one else that can prove the dedication that you need to go through in order to become a success than the actors themselves. If you want to understand how hard it is to get into show biz, then check out these movies about being an actor.
Not only does it show the successful acting careers that many possess, but the underlying truth of acting, from the sacrifices to the difficult roles you have to go through to make it to the top.
6. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Hulu (2019)
A more recent addition to the best movies about being an actor is the 2019 comedy-drama by Quentin Tarantino, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie, along with an ensemble cast.
The movie is set in 1969 Los Angeles following a fading actor and his stunt double as they navigate the rapidly changing film industry, with the threat of the Tate murders looming. The film is a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood’s golden age during the summer of 1969.
5. Tootsie, Prime Video (1982)
One of the best movies about being an actor is 1982 Tootsie, a satirical romantic comedy starring Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, Teri Garr, Dabney Coleman, and Charles Durning.
The film follows Michael Dorsey, a talented actor with a reputation for being professionally difficult, who runs into romantic trouble after adopting a female persona to land a job in a trashy hospital soap. It’s a quirky and unusual take on acting and is a hilarious watch if you’re in need of some laughs.
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4. Sunset Boulevard, Paramount Pictures (1950)
One of the best movies about being an actor is Sunset Boulevard, the 1950 black comedy film noir that stars William Holden, Gloria Swanson, and Erich von Stroheim. The movie is named after the major street that runs through Hollywood and focuses on the story of Joe Gillis, a struggling screenwriter.
When he meets a sad, demented recluse, Norma Desmon, who has shut herself in her crumbling mansion, Gillis is drug into her fantasy world. The silent-film star believes that the world is just waiting for her to make a triumphant return to the screen, and has Gillis’ help to make it a reality.
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3. La La Land, Netflix (2016)
The two-hour-long film still receives high praise from film buffs, and rightly so, as both Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone did an amazing job in their roles. La La Land is a 2016 musical romantic comedy-drama that dives into the world of acting.
Gosling plays the role of a struggling jazz pianist while Stone plays an aspiring actress who meet each other and falls in love while pursuing their dreams in Los Angeles.
But as success mounts, they face the decision of their love and future, or their dreams that they’ve worked so hard to obtain and become a reality. Not only does it portray the difficulties of following passions, but the reality of making sacrifices in order to chase those passions.
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2. Singing in the Rain, Max (1952)
A classic movie, Singing in the Rain, is another great option if you want the best movies about being an actor. The 1952 musical romantic comedy stars Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell, Rita Moreno, and Cyd Charisse.
The film offers a lighthearted depiction of Hollywood in the late 1920s, with the three main stars (Kelly, O’Connor, and Reynolds) portraying performers caught up in the transition from silent films to “talkies”.
The movie follows a silent film star who falls for a chorus girl just as he and his delustionally jealous screen partner are trying to make the difficult transition. It’s a hilarious and romantic film that shows another side of acting and how it can be hard to adapt to the ever changing demand of acting.
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1. All About Eve, Prime Video (1950)
One of the all time best movies about being an actor goes to All About Eve, the 1950 drama film based on the 1946 short story by mary Orr. Starring Bette Davis, the movie follows Margo Channing, a highly regarded but aging Broadway star, as well as Anne Baxter as Eve Harrington, who is an ambitious young fan who maneuvers herself into Channing’s life.
The young star ends up threatening Channing’s career and her personal relationships, creating a high-tension drama that is considered to be one of the best films of all time. The film is so beloved that it’s the only film in Oscar history to receive four female acting nominations, and went on to win six awards, including Best Picture as well as Best Director.