Are actors smart?

[Cloud]

I don't mean bad judgment type things--we ALL know about that.

But it's something I've wondered about.

Kyra Sedwick was on At the Actors' Studio, and she said that her character Brenda was smarter than she was. She said she didn't believe that actors had to be smart to play someone smart. "I know some actors who aren't so smart who look really smart on screen."

I know actors have to have facility with language, and I always assumed that since so much intelligence comes through the eyes, that actors had to be pretty smart to pull off a smart character.

[Drax]

Depends. Are we talkin' smart, or just knowledgeable?

[Cloud]

well, I guess smart, because knowledge can be portrayed through props, scripts, practice, etc.

[Flint]

I think I could see "dumb" ...

[Cloud]

In an actor's eyes, you mean? I would have thought it's easier to play dumber than you are; harder to play smarter than you are.

[lizzymahoney]

I used to think that I could always tell smart people by their eyes, with the exclusion of blind people and people who are very ill or very tired. I still believe that the eyes are my first indicator and something that I perceive without thinking about it. It's just not as absolute as I once thought and that is principally because of actors.

I loved the West Wing and loved Jed Bartlett as President. I've liked Martin Sheen since I was a kid, but the man is dumber than toast. Not a good interview subject on talk shows. Another one that people think is smart because of the role is the girl from Alias. I'd compare her thinking more to navel lint. Also from seeing her on talk shows. I no longer remember the sort of things either of them said, but I realized I would never invite them to one of my salons! Take that!

So now I think that some people can fake being smart with acceptable or perhaps good acting. Others, as with David Hasselhoff, are unbelievable when they try to act smart.

I don't want to know if Tony Shalhoub is smart or stupid. Although his eyes make me think he's a very good actor...

Originally Posted by Cloud

In an actor's eyes, you mean? I would have thought it's easier to play dumber than you are; harder to play smarter than you are.

It is FAR harder to play less intelligent than you are. I cannot stress how much more difficult it is.

Actors are more so than any other profession than I have been in except, perhaps, teaching... varied. This is true of basic wisdom, intelligence, how articulate they are, how well read they are, how well they comprehend what they read, how well educated they are, etc.
A lot of actors are total idiots, many are some of the most amazing minds I have encountered, and you would really be surprised whom each are.

[freshnesschronic]

Tangent :Is Keanu Reeves really as dumb as his vocal box perceives him?

Woaaaa...yeahhhh.

[Undertoad]

James Woods is said to have a genius IQ. Of course that could just be publicist gossip, but I think it comes across in interviews.

[lumberjim]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

James Woods is said to have a genius IQ. Of course that could just be publicist gossip, but I think it comes across in interviews.

not to mention a legendary cock. i'm no homoist, i just hear howard interviewing him...and it was the topic.

After the eventual passing of comedian Milton Berle -- long rumored to have the largest penis in Hollywood -- several celebrities are said to be lobbying for the much-heralded title of "Entertainment's Biggest Member," including actor James Woods, comic Bob Newhart and singer Wayne Newton. Berle died at the age of 93, but his age never appeared to be a factor in the long-running rumors that he possessed the largest penis in the entertainment industry. Now that he has passed away, many celebs are positioning themselves to overtake Berle's title.
"I have great respect for Mr. Berle, but now that he is no longer living, I am not ashamed to tell the world that I have an enormous tallywacker," said Woods, best known for his role in "Against All Odds." "I think it's important for the world to know that I am gifted and proud of it."
Newhart begs to differ with Woods' assessment of himself. "I have lived in Milton Berle's shadow for far too long," he said. "You ask any woman -- including my wife and Susanne Plushette -- and they will tell you that I am hung like a horse. I might look unassuming on the surface, but my 10-inch piece of meat takes a backseat to nobody, especially James Woods."
Newton, meanwhile, said he is prepared to put his package head-to-head with anybody. "Milton stayed at the top because he had both length and girth," the famous Las Vegas performer said. "That's what I bring to the table as well. Most guys here in Sin City are just banging showgirls, but I feel like my Johnson is too good for them. I am very selective with whom I share The Big Harley."
So who gets to decide? That distinct honor goes to a small non-profit group in Beverly Hills called Personalities Receiving Infinite Cock Kudos (PRICK). "Anybody wanting to lay claim to this prestigious title must come to our office in person and have themselves measured by our staff," said Dick Judge, president of PRICK. "To be honest, we've never had to do this before, because nobody came close to beating Mr. Berle. If you'll pardon the pun, we are excited over the prospect of having a new pole bearer.

[Cloud]

well, I guess the rumors are true, then.

. . . men do think with their dicks.

is there an inverse proportion intelligence thing going on here?

bigger dicks=bigger brains, BUT

bigger boobs=fewer brains?

IQ means nothing, I've been to Mensa meetings (quit after a few... they are SAD) with morons and met people with almost no education that were amazingly wise.

[wolf]

This should have been a poll.

I'm going to go with a resounding "no."

Yes, there are a few notable exceptions, but for the most part, "no."

There are very few actors who do well in it that are stupid.
To do well in it you have to have a lot of internal experience that is readily accessible.
That kind of self-awareness and stupidity don't work together very well.

[Aliantha]

OK, I'm here to argue the case that smart women do come with big boobs!