Whatever happened to "actresses"?

One of the things that bugs me about the PC movement is how actresses are now referred to as "actors." I realize it's because they want to be thought of as equals with male actors, but what's wrong with a term that differentiates them from the guys???

It doesn't bother me if they use the term actors if they're referring to both men and women, but if it's just women, why can't they be...well, you know.

If actresses want to truly be "actors," then I propose doing away all of the actress categories for the Academy Awards show and lump the males and females into one "best actor" category. I'm sure that would go over real well with them, wouldn't it...??

 

"Actors"? (ahem) The proper term is "thespians".

Jim W

 

Rhymes with lesbians?

Actually, I've been asking for years why these pc types don't push for the abolition of the Oscar Best Actress category

 

If anything, they would rename the categories best male actor and best female actor.

Sean

 

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BUTTHEAD: Uh, these lespians aren't very good!

 

They should.

 

I read that some female actors dislike the word "actress" because it's associated with pornography performers. Apparently, in Hollywood, the word is used derisively.

Of course I think it's stupid, but whatever.

 

whatever the hell they'll think of to natter about next, I'm stickin' with mistress

 

Chris,

I look at it as simply tidying up the English language. Having gender-specific words does confuse things for some people and situations. This other way makes things simple. I don't really see it as being PC anymore, even though that is how a lot of these things got started. I'm perfectly happy with terms like "mail carrier" instead of "mail man" or even "mail person", and "waiter" instead of "waitress". I'm not so traditional-minded.

'Sides, I don't see why one should have to differentiate between a male or female thespian.

Having gender-specific words and terms is what keeps me from wanting to learn some other languages like Spanish.

 

If one had to differentiate, this sounds like a good plan.

 

Interesting. So, it seems that the term "actress" has really fallen out of respect. I'm guessing that this is because the porn...uh..."adult" industry calls these women actresses. Making the distinction in that industry is very important for obvious reasons!

So, if one doesn't want to be thought of as being in the porn...uh... "adult" film industry, you are called an "actor".

 

The word has always included men and women. I never did get the idea of refering to women actors as actresses. I don't call women doctors doctresses.

 

Good point. You also don't call female teachers "teacherettes".

 

Or female patrons of this Forum "Hoffmanettes".

Evan

 

Lets correct all the lyrics too, "Lay, female person lay, lay across my big brass bed", and abolish the songstress and the diva?

The Shirelles could be renamed the Churls, and the Waitresses, the Waiters?

Not for me, please.


PS to Mike B - The word "actor" has often been used derisively too

 

Yeah, like that show - Inside The Thespians' Studio.

 

I've always used Actor and Actress, just as I've always said Male and FemaleIf it works why change it? Cause they can

 

Or female raisins, Rasinettes (tm)

Sorry.

Sean

 

Gerry Mulligan was into this waay before anyone else. He named his combo the Tentette in like 1952.

Badabing!

 

The unisex word should be changed to 'acter.'

They should drop the best actress category if that's how they feel. Using two words, 'female acter' is more work than simply saying actress - with one word we know it is a female acter.

 

There is an actress named James King. If she were referred to as an "actor," I would assume she was a guy unless I'd seen her picture. You all bring up some interesting points of view on the subject of actors vs. actresses, but I'm sticking to my guns here. Guys are actors and "chicks" are actresses.

 

Every year, the Village Voice publishes a movie critics poll, similar to their "Pazz & Jop" music poll. To prove how progressive they are, they have just two acting categories, for "Best Lead Performance" and "Best Supporting Performance." Not broken down between male and female. I don't think that would fly at the Oscars.

 

Language evolves - times change -actresses are now actors. Just like being gay doesn't automatically mean you're happy (although Fred Astaire could never be sad when he was gay).

 

Why would it matter to differentiate? Are there expectations of one's talent involved? I don't see the need to use anything but "actor" unless there's a reason why the actor's sex or gender is important to the story. It's like saying "this black guy on the subway" if there's absolutely no relevance for someone needing to know the guy was black. How often do white people preface a story with "there was this white guy"? Sure, people might lean towards assuming what they grow up with, but I think they're just silly assumptions. Perhaps if people were taught to not care about certain information, then it would, in turn, become less relevant.

 

In other words, never assume anything about anyone?