<p>mtpaper: you’re right! there are no surveys or stats that separate the kid working at Marie Calendars restaurant on Wilshire who hasn’t gone on an audition or taken an acting class in 2 years but has his equity card and reports that he’s not working as an actor, and the real-pro who goes out everyday to pursue his craft.</p>
<p>the truth is the entertainment world is littered with people playing at it who grossly inflate these stats that it’s hard to find work as an actor. </p>
<p>a successful actor will rarely make as much money as a successful attorney, but so what. same can be said about the teaching profession.</p>
<p>pacheight–one difference is, most of us can’t tell if an attorney is skilled or mediocre. And what do you call a doctor who graduated last in his class? “Doctor.”</p>
<p>But most people CAN tell if someone can’t act, dance, or sing that well. They may be very hardworking, and managed to get a MT degree from somewhere (not the top schools, but somewhere), but you wouldn’t pay money to see them. </p>
<p>So if they don’t have other skills, it’s going to be difficult to find work.</p>
<p>“pacheight–one difference is, most of us can’t tell if an attorney is skilled or mediocre. And what do you call a doctor who graduated last in his class? “Doctor.””</p>
<p>Also, most people don’t care what their doctor or attorney looks like or how old they are, but age and looks are very important for acting careers. One can be a fabulous singer/dancer/actress, but if one is 300 pounds, fat, female, 60 and black, there aren’t those many roles for you.</p>