What percentage of actors make it in hollywood: 59 Photos
FAQs
Extended periods of unemployment between jobs is also common. In fact, the Guardian reports that only 2 percent of actors make a living from their acting gigs. Even when you score a job, you're not likely to get rich unless you are one of a tiny minority of actresses.
In reality, the failure rate for actors is high. According to the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), approximately 90% of actors are unemployed at any given time. Additionally, only 2% of actors make enough money to support themselves solely through acting.
On the other hand, applying the general statistic on fame, 0.04 percent, to the overall acting population overlooks the fact that for persons working in most professions, the percentage of persons who become famous is close to zero.
Is it hard to become an actor? It's important that you're prepared for the reality of this business: as an actor, there's no guarantee of success in the traditional sense. Sure, making it big is about talent—but it's also about having good luck and the right connections.
Unfortunately, becoming an actor in Hollywood is a long journey that requires patience, hard work, and sacrifice. Some actors never make it out of commercials and small parts, but they continue because they love their work. Your big break can come at any time, but only if you're working hard enough to make it possible.