actors - artists or businessmen?

[justinh]

On a recent thread about actors going down the tubes, everyone mentioned recent stinkers made by a good actor. And then it got around to earning the paycheck. My question here is: Do you fault an actor for picking up a check, as opposed to "remaining true to his art"?

Of course this applies to actresses also. I was just too lazy to include the "actor/actress" stuff in all of it. well now it would have been easier just to do that. doh!

[mack]

Originally posted by justinh
Do you fault an actor for picking up a check, as opposed to "remaining true to his art"?

Not at all. If you're not concerned with making a living you can do the experimental edgy stuff. Otherwise you have to occasionally dress up in a chicken suit like 1800flowers or take those less than classic parts and get some money rolling in. It's terribly competitive and if you're not willing to do the grunt work then your career ends right there.

[RealityChuck]

Any artist with an IQ above room temperature knows you need to eat. If an opportunity occurs, you take it and save the "art" for another time.

A good example is F. Murray Abraham, who was a fruit in Fruit of the Loom commercials before gaining success.