Discover the creative hustles that keep actors financially afloat between roles.
Actors are notorious for being out of work for long periods of time. This can be especially difficult when you’re at the beginning of your career, with more time between jobs and lower pay from the jobs you do work.
Of course, actors still need to make a living – but how do we do it? There are numerous ways that actors generate income to pay their bills while still leaving time to go and do acting jobs and run off to auditions at short notice.
Here are ten of the most popular ways many actors get paid when not working. If you’re an actor wondering which might be the best day job for you, then keep in mind what skills you might have and the kind of work you enjoy doing. This will help you narrow down which job might be best for you.
Table of Contents
1. Medical Roleplay
Medical roleplay is a popular side job for actors, especially stage actors and improv artists as it still allows you to utilize your acting skills. This is where you will act as a patient for doctors and nurses to receive training or pass assessments in simulated situations. This job can be flexible, as you can work as and when, and there is often regular work in this field.
2. Supporting Artist
Becoming a supporting artist (also known as extras or background actors) makes for another great way for actors to earn money whilst staying connected to the industry itself. This is especially good if you live in a city where lots of television show filming occurs, as there will always be work for you to get involved with. Becoming a supporting artist allows you to be on set and observe other actors’ work while earning enough money to keep yourself afloat between acting jobs.
3. Waiter
This one is a classic for actors, with out-of-work actors almost synonymous with waiting tables. However, that’s because it makes good sense. It’s a job that actors tend to be good at due to being used to working with others. It can be relatively well-paid due to the opportunity to earn good tips.
There are also lots of perks that come with these kinds of jobs compared to 9-5s or office jobs. They can often be quite flexible, with the ability to swap shifts with others, meaning more opportunities to attend auditions at short notice. They also offer shift work, allowing you to work evenings and leave the days for your acting work.
4. Bartender
Bartending work can provide similar benefits to waiting jobs, including evening and nighttime work, flexibility, and the potential to earn tips. Bartending, however, is often more lucrative than waiting jobs, meaning you can earn more money.
However, bartending does require more skills than waiting tables, especially if you work somewhere that serves cocktails. Even pouring a beer can take a little while for a beginner to get the hang of! Once you’ve got the hang of it, it can be a creative, exciting, and enjoyable job for many.
5. Personal Assistant
If you’re an organized person who loves crossing off checklists, a personal assistant job could be a great one for you. This position involves working for a client and completing tasks such as answering emails and calls, scheduling appointments, and booking hotels and travel.
The best thing about becoming a personal assistant in the current day is the transition into many clients having virtual assistants (VA), meaning you can do all your work virtually and remotely. Create a profile on UpWork to start gaining freelance VA experience. This allows you the flexibility to work from wherever you want, alongside some flexibility with when you work too – perfect for actors needing to make time for their acting work.
6. Tutor
Another great option for making money as an out-of-work actor is tutoring. Tutors are always in demand and can often be quite lucrative depending on how in-demand your skills and knowledge are. The obvious option here is to tutor acting, meaning you can utilize your acting skills and knowledge to help others.
You can also think about other skills you may have, as you could also tutor students in a musical instrument or foreign language. Tutoring English as a foreign language is a popular choice and is always in high demand.
7. Social Media Assistant
A social media assistant will run social media accounts for brands and businesses. In this line of work, you may need to create various tasks, for example, designing posts, promoting products, replying to messages, and more.
This can be creative and fun work, especially if you work for a brand you really like and believe in. It’s perfect for actors, too, as it can be done completely remotely and often has a remote flexibility you can fit around your other daily work and responsibilities.
8. Freelance Writer
Many actors also get into freelance writing to earn money as it utilizes many of the same skills acting does, such as creativity, research, and communication skills.
If you’re lucky, you may write about acting for a publication, for example, like I do for Blooper! This can be an opportunity to share your knowledge of your passion for acting, theater, or film.
Otherwise, you could write about another topic you have insight into, such as travel, finance, or home-keeping. Many writers also go on to run their blogs and publications, meaning you can be entirely in charge of your work schedule. Learning how to write for SEO can increase your article’s success in search engines and multiply your traffic.
9. Audition Reader
Becoming a reader is not only an excellent way for out-of-work actors to earn money, but it can also help you connect with people in the industry. This is where you sit in on auditions and read in as the other character in the audition script.
If you live in a city where there are many casting and auditions, it could be a great idea to write to local casting offices in your area. Ask them if they need any readers, and tell them you’re available for work. This allows you to pick up work when needed and get to know casting directors who work in your area.
10. Web Developer
Becoming a web developer is another option that is a skill and career path in its own right. However, if you have the time and resources to gain some training in this skill, it can be an excellent option for actors to get into. Web developers work to create functioning websites for clients.
To do this, you will need to learn how to code; however, there are now many free or low-cost training opportunities to help you learn this skill. It is in high demand, well-paid, and project-based, often offering temporary, flexible, and remote positions.
The Final Takeaway to Make Ends Meet
Some of the most important things for an actor who wants to get paid when not working is to prioritize flexibility, personal skill set, income goals, and enjoyment.
As actors, it can be a great idea to have a day job to make an income that allows us to pursue our acting work too. However, doing something we are good at and that we enjoy, even for our side job, can really improve our quality of life.
After all, you never know when that next acting job is coming along, so it’s always better to make sure you’re prepared for when it does.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do actors do when out of work?
An out-of-work actor will practice their craft, attend classes, and keep in artistic shape to prepare for future acting gigs. Many out-of-work actors will also pick up a side job to pay the bills and engage in networking and audition to find their next acting job.
Do actors have passive income?
Screen actors earn residuals from work they have done in the past, such as reruns of a television show they have appeared in or DVD sales. This means they will receive income from these projects even when they are not working as screen actors.
Is being an actor easy money?
Considering the skill, training, networking, and time it takes most people to get their foot in the door when it comes to acting, I would say that, no, being an actor is not easy money. Acting jobs can pay well, but those usually only come with dedication and hard work.
Can you live off being an actor?
Some actors, such as Hollywood actors, make money only from acting. Surveys from the actors union, the Screen Actors Guild showed that 1-2% of working actors earn their entire living off acting. The Screen Actors Guild also showed that 90% of actors are unemployed at any one time. That’s why it’s a great idea for most actors to have another job to help you pay the bills in those quieter periods of your acting career.