I’m just going to come right out and say it: I think being a Christian actor is hard.
It’s not because I think Hollywood or the entertainment industry is some dark, scary place (although I sometimes feel like it!), but because, as an actor, you are constantly asked to portray people who do all sorts of things (some very, very bad things) and even to actually do them: swearing, having sex on camera, drinking alcohol/smoking cigarettes/doing drugs… All of these things go against my beliefs as a Christian. So how does a Christian actor deal with this?
I don’t have the answer. But that’s why we’re here! Let’s talk about it! Myself and lots of other actors who are Christians will offer our thoughts on managing your career as a Christian in the entertainment industry. We will share tips for breaking into the business, dealing with rejection, handling script content that you disagree with morally, maintaining your relationship with God while pursuing your dream of acting, and much more.
If you have any questions you would like answered by fellow believers in the industry or if you would like to contribute your own thoughts on a topic related to Christianity and acting, please feel
Greetings all!
I am here to share about my hopes and dreams for this blog, which are for you all to gain encouragement in your relationships with God and with each other.
I will be blogging about the challenges involved in being a Christian actor. By this, I mean an actor who is a Christian.
Actors are not necessarily easy people to get along with. And sometimes, a person may be an actor (doing their job), while not always being a “Christian” (being like Christ). I hope that this blog can supply you with help and encouragement as you grow closer to Christ through your work as an actor.
But what does that even mean? How can one effectively separate the two? Are they even supposed to be separated?
All of these questions and more will hopefully be answered as we progress through this blog (and by “we” I mean me answering them for you).
So hang on tight, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride!
Actors, and artists in general, are often seen as “starving artists”. That is to say, they are always struggling financially. But the greatest struggle an actor can face is that of his soul. What do I mean?
I am a Christian, and I love acting. But I was scared to pursue my dreams for a long time because I thought that the film and television industry was too dark, too sinful, and too immoral to be a part of.
I thought that if I wanted to be a “good Christian” then I couldn’t become an actor. It took me years to overcome this fear and to realize that God wanted me in this industry just as much as He wants me anywhere else.
As Christians we must not be afraid of the world (John 16:33). We are out there for the sake of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:18-23). We have been set free from sin (Romans 6:16-18). We have been sent out into the world (John 20:21). The problem is that many Christians don’t believe they can do anything in this industry without compromising their beliefs.
What is the difference between a Christian actor and a non-Christian actor? In my opinion, very little when it comes to our careers. Our faith may play into how we handle some issues in our business, but I think most things are the same. So why do I write this blog? Well, I do not have all the answers but somehow people think that I might so here goes…
I am often asked questions about what it’s like to be a Christian in Hollywood. One of those questions is about how I stay grounded. The answer to that question is easy for me. I am a Christian first and an actor second. That means that if something arises that makes me uncomfortable because of my faith, then I will not do it. For example, if a script calls for nudity or something else immoral, then I will not take the role. However… If a role calls for something that is merely “gritty” or morally gray, then I will take the role as long as it does not compromise my faith and the integrity God has called me to live by.
Another question is how do you get work as a Christian? Well, here’s the truth: you don’t. You just get work by being good
It’s no secret that the entertainment industry is a tough world. Getting your foot in the door is a daunting task and landing that coveted role can be even more difficult. If you are a Christian actor, then you have the added pressure of trying to balance your faith with a business that seems to have no moral boundaries.
The good news is many actors have achieved success in Hollywood without compromising their faith or selling their soul to the devil (figuratively speaking).
“The idea of maintaining one’s integrity as a Christian in an industry that seems at times to be hostile to our beliefs can seem daunting,” said actress Ashley Bratcher, star of the movie “90 Minutes in Heaven”. “It isn’t impossible. It just takes tenacity, perseverance and prayer.”
There is no such thing as a “Christian actor.” There are only actors. Actors are people who make their living by pretending to be someone else. Who sometimes pretend to be Christians.
Being a Christian means being joined to Christ, worshipping him, and giving your life to him. The Christian life is lived in community with other Christians, with the church as your family and home. Being an actor means moving from place to place, living alone, getting up at all hours of the day and night, performing for strangers.
The two vocations aren’t particularly compatible. Most actors, even those who have made a name for themselves, are not rich—in fact most are poor. They do not have time to get involved in church activities or even form close relationships with other believers. Most of their associates are not Christians; in fact many do not believe that God exists at all.
And while they may pretend to be good people on stage or on film, they will often tell you off the record that there is no such thing as good or evil: that all we have is what we want and what we don’t want; and our desires can change at any time depending on who’s paying us.
It’s hard enough to maintain any kind of relationship
I’ve been working in the entertainment industry for nearly twenty years and have recently transitioned from acting to writing. I’ve been asked many times by aspiring actors, friends and family, how they can make it as an actor or actress. The following is a list of resources I frequently refer them to.
Professional Resources
Here are some general resources I suggest people read before getting started:
SAG (Screen Actors Guild) – If you’re going to be a professional actor, you need to know about SAG. This is the union that represents film/tv actors who work on union productions. You can find information about joining the union on their website, rules for working on union vs. non-union productions and links to other useful sites.
CDI (Casting Directors Institute) – While this site isn’t for the aspiring actor, it’s great for those who want to know more about casting directors and the casting process. There are also links here to the CDG (Casting Directors Guild) and CSA (Casting Society of America), both of which have lists of members with contact information.
DOA (Dead or Alive?) – If you’re wondering if an agent is legitimate or not, check out this site first. It’s updated daily with
CuteAct is a contributor at CuteAct. We are committed to providing well-researched, accurate, and valuable content to our readers.
