Extra (actor)
In
drama, an
extra is a
performer in a
film,
television show, or stage production who has no role or purpose other than to appear in the background (for example, in an audience or busy street scene). Extras often require little to no
acting experience, are hired
en masse with little formality, and usually paid at low rates.
War films and
epic films often employ extras in large numbers: some
movies have featured hundreds or even thousands of paid extras.
On a movie set, film extras are technically referred to as "Background Action." In a stage production, extras are commonly referred to as "supernumeraries." In television they are sometimes known as "supporting artistes" or "S.A.s".
Some actors who became celebrities began their careers as extras in other productions. For example:
* Before becoming household names,
Ben Affleck and
Matt Damon served as extras during the
Fenway Park scenes in
Field of Dreams.
*
Noël Coward appeared as an extra in the film
Hearts of the World.
*
Fred Zinnemann was an extra in
All Quiet on the Western Front before he became a film director.
*
David Niven appeared as a Central Casting extra in many Hollywood films before going on to become a leading man.
*
Terry-Thomas was an extra in many British films before becoming a star.
*
Michael Caine and
Oliver Reed both acted as extras in British films of the late 1950s.
*
Dave Clark was an extra in the Judy Garland film
I Could Go On Singing.
*
Patti Boyd appeared as an extra in The Beatles' film
A Hard Day's Night.
*
Phil Collins was an extra in
A Hard Day's Night.
*
David Bowie was an extra in
The Virgin Soldiers.
*
Bob Hoskins was an extra in the Frankie Howerd film
Up the Front.
*
Julian Sands appeared as an extra in an episode of the British TV series
Minder.
*
Adrian Lester was an extra in the British soap-opera
Crossroads.
*
Clive Bull was an extra in the British police TV series
The Bill.
*
Graham Cole was an extra in
Doctor Who. He was also an extra in
The Bill before he created the role of PC Tony Stamp in the series.
*
Alex Walkinshaw who plays 'Smithy' in
The Bill spent a year as an extra in
Grange Hill.
*
Martha Ross, mother of television presenter Jonathan, has been an extra in the British soap-opera
EastEnders, as a market stallholder, since its inception.
*
Kara Tointon was once an extra in
EastEnders before later creating the character of Dawn Swann in the soap.
* Cuban dictator
Fidel Castro was an extra in the 1946 movie
Holiday in Mexico before becoming Cuba's leader.
* Novelist-philosopher
Ayn Rand was an extra in
King of Kings before becoming a renowned writer.
When a celebrity (be it an actor or not) performs a brief appearance on a production, it is usually considered a
cameo appearance. For instance,
Alfred Hitchcock's appearances on his own movies are cameo appearances.
The silent film
The Extra Girl (
1923) portrays a small-town girl who comes to
Hollywood and becomes an extra in her attempt to achieve stardom.
The television sitcom
Extras follows the exploits of two professional extras, Andy and Maggie. They spend most of their time on set looking for a speaking role and a boyfriend, respectively.
