Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 11/10/2008

Question
Hi Taylor, I am an aspiring actor and have recently cut my long hair to a chin length bob. I feel I might have made a mistake because long hair seems to be more sought after. Does hair length matter in the acting industry?

Answer
Hi Casey,

A question with lots of answers!

It depends on things. Like if you are a star or a local hire day-player
or a supporting actor or what. It also depends on what they are casting for.
Starting out, you would be best to find the "look" that best fits your face. A lot of actors grow their hair so it can be cut, then note on resume "Hair can be cut as needed" or "Beard"...whatever. However, I know a guy that does ok, but he likes to wear his hair really long and puts it back in a ponytail for some auditions. (Fabio long). I would have to say that even noting that, some casting people would hesitate to cast someone who took a long time to grow it like that.

I don't know that he gets a lot of parts because of that. Then again, (SORRY CASTING DIRECTORS) I have heard a casting director say they don't need or want to see extra photos attached to the headshot because "They can picture the actor in their mind with different looks.." Yeah, that same casting person didn't recognize me when I grew my hair and facial hair! Sometimes they can't.

If you know that it's an important role and you know FOR A FACT that the part requires shorter hair, than you can always cut it to try hard, BUT again, I once darkened my blond hair, put in brown contacts and went for a part of a half-Mexican/half white guy in a Taylor Hackford film, only to find out later that they cast a very blond, very BLUE EYED guy. (Damn! I had blue contacts too!)

Sometimes they will surprise you and cast against type or the description in the script. A friend of mine was brought in for just that reason by a casting person for a Christopher Guest film "Waiting for Guffman" Jerry is a mild, calm demeanored man, they had someone else in mind, but seeing him use curse words from a scene in "Raging Bull" as an audition piece for the play-within-the-movie was hysterical.

If you are important enough in a show, the hair people can add hair to yours if long enough, or cover bald spots, or even glue on a mustache if you shaved it and they call you back for re-shoots after you've already shaved it off. Many stars like Kevin Costner or Michael Keaton or Chevy Chase have hair added when they do a shoot.

I'd say, go with the best look for your "type". It's important to know what that is. If you are frumpy and odd looking, don't go for svelte, leading actress roles, if you can, diet and exercise and get that little bump fixed IF YOU WANT TO. Many actors have made it with less than normal looks (Owen Wilson's Nose? Barbara Streisand?) just be aware that it takes talent and that "star quality" to offset that.

Some casting people HATE "perfect" teeth. They want the natural look.
Sometimes a small flaw makes the face readily recognizable. Kirk Douglas's chin? Julia Roberts big front teeth?

Best to you!

Taylor