The gender-neutral word for "actress" is actor, which is now commonly used for performers of any gender, though some may prefer performer, thespian, or simply describing their role (e.g., "lead in the play"). "Actor" has historically been used as a general term, with "actress" becoming a specific feminine form that is increasingly falling out of use in favor of the inclusive "actor".
— actor In general, use this term for any gender. Use actress for a woman only in stories about the Oscars, Emmys or Tonys, all of which use the word actress in their awards. — alumnus, alumni, alumna, alumnae, alum The terms alumnus (s.)
People who identify as non-binary might view themselves as both, neither, or fluctuate between the male and female genders. They may also adopt alternative terms, such as genderqueer, genderfluid, agender, bigender, etc.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences still uses the word “actress,” while SAG has adopted the more forward-looking, if clunky, “female actor.” Beyond the statuary and nomenclature, though, there's still an element of separate-but-equal.
An actor (masculine/gender-neutral), or actress (feminine), is a person who portrays a character in a production. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television.
Traditionally, the noun actor referred to a male performer, while actress was used to describe a female. These days, it's become more common to use actor for players of any gender.
The dictionary defines an actor as “a PERSON whose profession is acting on the stage, in movies, or on television.” Personally, I use actor/actress interchangeably when describing myself.
Do actors rehearse kissing scenes? Actors may be asked to practice kissing scenes during rehearsal to resolve any issues, or they may be asked to hold off so the kiss feels organic.
Hero is still sometimes used to refer specifically to a man: British heroes and heroines. But hero is now considered to be a gender-neutral word, and is also increasingly used to refer to a woman: a list of American heroes; Joan of Arc, a French hero.
I personally identify as a nonbinary woman because, to me, this identity acknowledges both that I don't have an innate identification with any gender and that I've been socialized as a woman. Having more than one gender identity means different things to others, though.
Many nonbinary people use “they” while others use “he” or “she,” and still others use other pronouns. Asking whether someone should be referred to as “he,” “she,” “they,” or another pronoun may feel awkward at first, but is one of the simplest and most important ways to show respect for someone's identity.
Then, if we jump forward to the 1970s and 1980s, women began to choose the term 'actor' instead of 'actress' as a direct result of the women's movement and an awareness of gender bias in language. Women began to take back the term 'actor', and it's often used today.
Transmasculine (sometimes clipped to transmasc) is a broader term for all trans individuals with predominantly masculine identities or gender expression, and includes trans men as well as non-binary people who were assigned female at birth and may have an identity that is partially masculine but not entirely male.
Jack of All Trades (Master of None), has the obvious hom of all trades as a gender-neutral option. Master in this case is gender neutral. There are several near-synonyms, such as polymath, but none convey the specific mix of broad but shallow skills.
The most prominent actor known for refusing on-screen kisses is Neal McDonough, who has a strict personal and contractual rule against kissing any woman other than his wife, Ruvé, leading him to be temporarily shut out by Hollywood for several years despite his devout Catholic faith and commitment to his family. Other actors like Kevin Hart and Bollywood stars have also had no-kiss policies for various personal or comfort reasons, but McDonough's case is well-documented for its impact on his career.
There are four key types of actors, which are defined as: •Chameleon Actors, who can play a wide variety of unrelated roles; •Creative Actors or actors who go against their own personality •Personality Actors, who use their own personality to bring life to a character; •Nonprofessional Actors who add realism to stories ...
She says repetition and context are key to memorization, which explains why the actors WCCO spoke with all said it's easy to remember lines when they are blocking scenes. Yuan says science confirms rehearsal is where the magic happens.
How much does an Actress make? As of Jan 6, 2026, the average annual pay for an Actress in the United States is $69,409 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $33.37 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,334/week or $5,784/month.
Unique Non-Binary Baby Names
By the end of the 1970s, the term stewardess had generally been replaced by the gender-neutral alternative flight attendant. Also, during the 1980s and 1990s, more men were allowed to apply as flight attendants, helping to create more usage of this term.
noun. a person who administers the property, house, finances, etc, of another. a person who manages the eating arrangements, staff, or service at a club, hotel, etc. a person who attends to passengers on an aircraft, ship or train. a mess attendant in a naval mess afloat or ashore.