No matter if you’re a fan of historical drama or romantic comedies, you’ll eventually find yourself wondering about the careers of your favorite actors. You may have heard of some of them and know that they’ve had some famous roles. But what exactly do their roles tell you about their careers? How did they start and how did they evolve? Who were their biggest fans and supporters? All of these questions are important as you decide which actors you want to model your own career after. It may not be easy, but with some research and practice, you’ll be able to find your answers.
Start by Defining What You Want
One of the first things you should do before delving into the research is to figure out exactly what you’re looking for. It’s easy to get distracted by all the names and details of this or that role, and forget about what you really want. So take some time before you begin your search to clearly define your goals for this research project. For example, do you just want to know about the roles or do you also want to know about the actor’s overall career? Is it enough to know that the actor was in a certain number of films or do you also want to know about what critics thought of those films? These questions will determine the scope of your research and inform your search strategy. Once you have your goals in mind, it will be much easier to choose the right sources and find the information you need.
Which Actors Should You Research?
There are many considerations to make when choosing which actors to research. For starters, you want to make sure that the actor is still alive and has at least a few more years to go before they die. It’s also important that their work is still being produced and that there are still fans who want to see their movies. With that in mind, here are some suggestions for famous actors whose careers you might want to research.
Meryl Streep
One of the most famous and revered actresses of our time, Meryl Streep has been acting since she was 17 years old. She went on to star in a number of critically acclaimed films, including The Deer Hunter, Kramer vs. Kramer, and A Place in the Sun. Though she started out somewhat shy, she eventually went on to earn a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most prominent actresses. Today, at the age of 85, she continues to act in a variety of high-profile films. It’s unlikely that we’ll see the last of Meryl Streep anytime soon.
Tom Hanks
Like Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks has been acting for most of his life. However, unlike Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks has mostly starred in comedy films. His famous roles include the hilarious Fred Rogers in Mr. Holland’s Opus and the eternally supportive husband in the Toy Story franchise. Since the beginning, it’s been clear that Tom Hanks is a gifted actor who is comfortable in a number of roles. He has gone on to win an Academy Award, five Grammys, and three Golden Globes. He has been married to his wife, Julie, for more than 50 years and they continue to act in films and on TV. If you want to find out more about the actor’s career, start with his biography at imdb.com.
Robert Redford
Named after the founder of The Sundance Film Festival, Robert Redford is one of Hollywood’s most esteemed and successful directors. He started out in theater, and went on to direct dozens of films, many of which were nominated for Academy Awards. His credits include 1975’s The Great Gatsby and its sequel, 2009’s The Great Gatsby. In addition to his film work, he is a co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival and is currently one of the festival’s most active executives. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Robert Redford is one of the most influential Hollywood figures of our time. Even the most successful actors and directors couldn’t escape his reach. If you’ve never heard of Robert Redford, you should probably get on that right away.
Harry Potter Movies
Yes, the Harry Potter series is one of the most successful movies franchises of all time. But who are the people responsible for making all of those wonderful films? Besides J.K. Rowling, the creator of the Harry Potter series, the entire film franchise is definitely worth exploring. It all started with Richard Harrisons’ 1960 film, but the series didn’t take off until it was adapted for the small screen. Since then, it’s become one of the most recognizable movie franchises of all time. While the first five movies were directed by Harrisons and then David Yates, the last two were directed by Michael Radcliffe. The series continues to this day with both Harrisons and Radcliffe still directing occasional films. Even if you’re not familiar with the franchise, you should still be aware of its remarkable history. And if you are a fan of the series, it’s definitely worth taking a gander at the impressive resumes of Harrisons and Radcliffe.
Harry Truman
This one may surprise you. When you think of American presidents, odds are you don’t think about actors. However, Harry Truman was definitely an exception. One of the most important presidents in American history, Harry Truman was also one of the most successful and influential actors of the time. He was born in 1884 and had originally planned on becoming a lawyer. But when World War I broke out, he enlisted in the military and rose through the ranks to become a colonel. While leading his troops in France, he was recognized for his leadership and received a Distinguished Service Cross. After the war, Truman returned to civilian life and became active in politics. One of his earliest political roles was as the vice-presidential candidate on the ticket with Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1944 election. In 1948, he ran for president on the ticket with Roosevelt’s son, Elliott, but lost the election to Communist leader, Joseph Stalin. Truman remained in office until 1951 and was then reelected for a second term. In 1964, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, which he eventually passed away from in 1990. Though his acting career was relatively short-lived, Harry Truman left a lasting impression on the entertainment industry.
Douglas Adams
Douglas Adams was the author of the iconic Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series of books. But did you know that he was also an accomplished actor? Best known for his performances in BBC radio dramas, Adams also had a fairly lengthy film career. He appeared in a number of well-regarded films, including The Saint, Agatha, and The Return of the Saint. Adams died in 2001 at the age of 88. Though his screen roles were relatively small, he was a frequent contributor to radio dramas, making his work difficult to forget. His most famous book, the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was turned into a highly successful film franchise.
Walt Disney
The man who created the world we know today was also one of its finest actors. Indeed, it’s difficult to think of someone who was more involved with the entertainment industry than Walt Disney. He was one of the most influential people in Hollywood, creating multiple industries and playing a crucial role in the animation industry. It all began in 1923, when he founded the Disney Studio in conjunction with brother, Roy. The studio went on to create a variety of iconic films, including Lady and the Tramp, Pete’s Dragon, and The Little Mermaid. In addition to founding the Disney Studio, Disney was also one of the most well-known directors of all time. In his later years, he concentrated on producing television shows and was the president of Disneyland until his death in 1966. Since then, the Walt Disney Family Museum in Los Angeles has held annual film festivals in his honor.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Though he was one of the greatest composers to ever live, Ludwig van Beethoven would probably be best remembered as an actor. He had a relatively brief career, appearing in six German language films between 1820 and 1840. In addition to his acting roles, Beethoven composed multiple symphonies, cantatas, and other pieces of music. His most famous work, the 9th Symphony, is considered by many to be his magnum opus. Ludwig van Beethoven passed away in 1827 at the age of 70. He was the father of nine children, all of whom either became musicians or artists themselves.