I Want to Be a Comedy Actor Where Do I Start?

2. Identify your comedy character Is your sense of humor dry and sarcastic? Silly and lighthearted? Shameless and quirky? Knowing your comedic qualities will help you identify your comedy character. I’ve discovered eight specific comedic character archetypes that have been used since the advent of television. In my book “The Eight Characters of Comedy,” I break down each one and its unique personality traits. Are you patient and brutally honest like the Logical Smart One? Are you the desperate but hopeful Lovable Loser? Are you one of those unpredictable, unflappable eccentrics living In Their Own Universe? Each character has its own comedic attributes, and inevitably you’ll find one with which you’ll experience a natural, organic merge. Focusing on your comedy character will help you find your all-important comedic niche.

Disclaimer: When performing comedy, you have to enjoy what you’re doing. You need to do your homework, find your character, perfect your technique, commit to the text, then go into class, an audition, or a job and have fun. Take some risks. Be confident and bring on the funny! If you’re having fun, you’ll feel a surge of energy inside you that will bring out your best, most positive, most energized performance. It will get you to the “louder, faster, funnier” that defines comedy. And if you’re having fun, the casting director, the writer, the producer, and ultimately the audience will have fun with you, and that will help you become a successful comedy actor.

April 6, 2025 | 5:29 am