Am I too old to be an actor?

The truth is that it would have been better if you’d started at age 5. I’ve worked with some marvellous 5 years olds, most of them didn’t end up as actors, so maybe you didn’t need to start at age 5.

The truth is that you should have gone to drama school in your early 20s, except of course, plenty of actors don’t go, it’s a harder journey for sure, but plenty of actors made it that way, so – maybe you don’t need to go to drama school in your early 20s.

The truth is that actors that have been working for 30 years are tough competition for people starting in their 40, 50s or 60s. Except of course, doing something for 30 years doesn’t make you necessarily good at it. I’ve ben brushing my teeth for 37 years and I’m pretty sure I haven’t improved much in the past 25 years.

You’re never too old to become an actor. You’re never too old to follow your passion.

Every week I get emails from people that went the sensible route when they were young but now they are a little older and wiser, they want to follow their hearts.

But can you? It might be hard to get into a traditional drama school and they have very limited views on what Life Long Learning is. BUT, there are plenty of alternatives. At my studio, Acting Coach Scotland, we have students as young as 16 and as old as their 70s.

It’s not about where you are now, it’s about where you can be.

And it’s never too late. Here’s just a couple of examples.

Harrison Ford (Stars Wars) was a 33 year old carpenter when he started.

Kathryn Joosten (Desperate Housewives/West Wing) was 53 before she started her career in acting.

British American Actor John Mahoney (Frasier/Steppenwolf Theatre company) was 37 before he took acting classes and went to his first production.

It’s not about where you are now, it’s about where you can be.