How to Write an Actor Resume in 2025 [w/ Examples and Tips]

Your actor resume is one of the critical tools in landing a dream role in the competitive entertainment industry. While you might nail the audition, if your resume doesn't make it past the casting director's initial scan, you'll never get the chance to showcase your talent.

Unlike traditional resumes that showcase career progression, an actor’s resume is a marketing snapshot. This document tells casting professionals exactly who you are as a performer and why you're right for their project.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to write an actor resume, as well as provide you with some tips and examples to inspire your own writing. Let’s begin!

What Makes an Actor Resume Different?

Actor resumes break pretty much every rule you learned resume writing. This resume doesn’t demonstrate career growth or leadership skills. Instead, it proves you can embody characters, take direction, and bring something special to a production.

The resume format for actors is standardized across the industry—one page, printed on 8x10 paper, and stapled to the back of your headshot in all four corners. This pairing is so fundamental that casting directors rarely separate the two. Your professional headshot shows them what you look like; your resume tells them what you can do.

In the next decade, 6,300 openings for actors are projected each year, and every actor needs a resume, regardless of experience level. The content changes as your career progresses, but the document itself remains essential.

Professional Actor Resume Example

Here’s a professional actor resume you can use for your own inspiration.

How to Write an Actor Resume: 5+ Essential Components Explained

Writing a good actor resume implies knowing the industry standard. Every actor's resume contains specific sections that casting directors expect to find in a predictable order. This standardization isn't about stifling creativity—it's about making their jobs easier when they're reviewing hundreds of submissions for a single role.

Let’s see which essential sections your actor resume must have and how to write them.

#1. Contact Information

Your contact section, i.e., resume header, needs to be crystal clear and immediately accessible. Make sure to include:

• Full name (stage name if you use one)
• Phone number
• Professional email address (firstname.lastname@email.com)
• City and state (not your full street address)
• Website or online portfolio link if you have one

If you have representation—an agent or manager—list their contact information along with yours. This tells casting directors you're a serious professional with industry connections. For union actors, your union status typically goes here, right below or beside your name.

Here’s a good example of a resume header on an actor resume:

#2. Physical Characteristics

This is where actor resumes get weird for anyone coming from traditional employment backgrounds. In this section, you list your physical stats—height, weight, eye color, hair color, and vocal range, typically formatted as a simple list or table.

Casting is visual, and directors need actors who physically fit their vision for characters. If the script calls for a tall, imposing figure, they're not going to waste time auditioning someone who's 5'2". This isn't discrimination—it's practical production planning.

Be accurate with these measurements. You might be tempted to add an inch to your height or subtract a few pounds, but you'll be standing right in front of casting directors at auditions.

Let’s see how you can list physical characteristics properly on your actor resume:

#3. Acting Experience

This is the work experience section reimagined for performers. When writing this section, there are several rules to keep in mind:

• Format it in three columns. This can be Production/Project Title | Role | Theater/Production Company/Director. List everything in reverse chronological order, with your most recent work first.
• Divide your experience by category. It can be Film, Television, Theater, Commercials, Voice-Over, Web Series—whatever applies to your career. Within each category, follow the three-column format consistently.
• Include legitimate credits. Professional productions, student films (especially from recognized film schools), regional theater, showcase productions, and work with established production companies all belong here. If you're just starting out with minimal credits, you can list acting class scene work or staged readings—just be honest about what they are.

Here’s a good example of how to include it on your resume:

#4. Training & Education

In entertainment, who you've studied with often matters more than where you went to school. Make sure to list your acting training in reverse chronological order, emphasizing recognized programs, respected instructors, and specialized workshops.

Here’s what to include:

• Conservatory programs
• University theater degrees
• Acting studios
• Notable workshops
• Masterclasses with industry professionals
• Ongoing training with specific teachers

Format it with the program or class name, instructor (if they're well-known), institution, and year.

#5. Special Skills

Special skills are abilities beyond basic acting that make you more versatile and castable. This section can be your secret weapon—the thing that gets you called in when you weren't the casting director's first choice for the role.

Organize the skills by category:

• Language skills, including dialects/accents
• Musical skills (instruments, vocal range)
• Dance styles (specify your level), sports, combat (stage combat training, specific weapons)
• Licenses (driver's, motorcycle, CDL)
• Unique abilities (juggling, puppetry, circus skills, magic, sign language)

The important thing is to be honest about your skill levels. If you claim fluency in French and the director starts speaking French in the audition, you need to be able to respond.

Here’s how you can do it on your resume:

#6. Union Affiliations

Your union status matters in professional casting. The major entertainment unions—SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) for film and television, Actors' Equity Association (AEA) for theater, and ACTRA for Canadian actors—set standards for working conditions and pay.

List your union status clearly:

• Union (full member with paid dues)
• Union Eligible (you've met requirements but haven't joined)
• Non-Union (no union affiliation)
• SAG-AFTRA Must Join (you've worked under a Taft-Hartley waiver)

If you're a union actor, you've earned it—put it prominently on your resume (e.g. resume header). If you're working toward union membership, "union eligible" shows you're making professional progress.

How to Write an Actor Resume Without Experience

When writing a resume with no experience, you should focus on what you have rather than what you lack.

When you’re just starting out, training is the foundation of your acting resume. List every class, workshop, conservatory program, or summer intensive you’ve completed, and include the names of your instructors—especially if they have strong industry credentials. Student productions and showcases are valuable, too, as long as you present them accurately without exaggeration.

Experience can also come from less formal but legitimate sources. Include community theater roles, student films, and independent projects to demonstrate your commitment to building real-world experience. Even scene work from acting classes can help fill experience gaps and show that you’re actively honing your craft.

Lastly, highlight your special skills—they can set you apart when your credits are limited. Language fluency, athletic or musical talents, or unique abilities like juggling or stage combat can all catch a casting director’s eye. The key is to present yourself honestly and show that you’re serious about training, developing your skills, and seizing every opportunity to grow.

How Should You Format Your Actor Resume?

Presentation is as important as the content. If your resume is cluttered, difficult to read, or formatted unconventionally, it's going to be rejected regardless of your impressive credentials.

Here are four things to keep in mind when formatting your actor resume:

5 Common Actor Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced actors make resume mistakes that weaken their submissions. Avoid these four common pitfalls to keep your actor resume professional and effective.

Create Your Actor Resume With ResumeBuilder.so

Building an actor resume from scratch can feel overwhelming, and that's where ResumeBuilder.so comes in—we've done the hard work for you.

Our AI-powered builder guides your content creation if you’re not sure, for instance, how to describe your role in a student film. Also, our industry-specific templates follow the exact format casting directors expect: proper section order, appropriate spacing, the right visual hierarchy, and a clean design that puts your credentials front and center.

Furthermore, ResumeBuilder.so’s templates and examples are optimized for applicant tracking systems (ATS), while export options work for both print and digital submission. Download your resume sized perfectly for 8x10 printing to staple to your headshot, or save it as a PDF for email submissions.

Final Thoughts

Your actor resume is more than just a document—it's your first audition. Before any casting director sees you perform, they'll scan your resume and decide whether you're worth their time. A well-crafted actor resume demonstrates professionalism, showcases your unique talents, and positions you as the solution to their casting needs. It follows industry standards while highlighting what makes you distinctly castable.

Keep your resume updated, tailored to each opportunity, and brutally honest about your abilities. The right resume won't guarantee you book every role, but the wrong resume will definitely keep you from getting through the door.

Actor Resume FAQ

#1. How long should an actor resume be?

An actor resume should always be one page, printed on 8x10 paper to match your headshot dimensions. This is a strict industry standard that allows casting directors to quickly review your credentials without being overwhelmed by excessive information.

#2. Should I include my age on my actor resume?

No, never include your age or date of birth on your actor resume. This information can lead to age discrimination. Your headshot and physical characteristics section (which includes your playing age range, if needed) provide enough information for casting decisions without listing a specific number that might eliminate you from consideration.

#3. Do I need different resumes for film and theater auditions?

Yes, it's beneficial to tailor your resume for different types of auditions. For theater auditions, emphasize stage productions and theatrical training. For film/TV auditions, highlight screen work and on-camera classes. Customize your special skills to what's most relevant for each opportunity. This strategic reorganization shows casting directors why you're right for their specific project.

#4. What's the difference between an actor resume and a regular resume?

Actor resumes focus on performance experience, training, physical characteristics, and special skills rather than traditional work history. They follow a specific industry format, are limited to one page, and are stapled to headshots. Unlike traditional resumes, they include physical stats and special abilities relevant to casting.

#5. Should I include my high school or college if I didn't study acting?

Only include educational institutions if they're relevant to your acting career. If you have a theater degree or took significant drama courses, include them. Otherwise, focus your education section on acting-specific training, workshops, and classes with notable instructors, which carry more weight with casting directors.

#6. How do I list acting training from online classes?

List online training honestly. Include the instructor's name, institution, and class focus. However, prioritize in-person training with respected teachers and institutions, as these typically carry more weight with casting directors.

#7. Should I staple my resume to my headshot?

Yes, for in-person auditions and submissions, staple your 8x10 resume to the back of your 8x10 headshot in all four corners. This keeps them together and presents a professional package. For digital submissions, send separate high-quality PDF files or combine them based on the submission guidelines.

#8. How often should I update my actor resume?

Update your actor resume after every new project, training program, or significant skill acquisition. Before each audition, review and customize your resume to highlight the most relevant experience for that specific role. Keeping it current ensures you never miss an opportunity.