After 1660, when women first appeared on stage, actor and actress were initially used interchangeably for female performers, but later, influenced by the French actrice, actress became the usual term. The etymology is a simple derivation from actor with ess added. The word actor refers to a person who acts regardless of gender, and "is increasingly preferred", while actress refers specifically to a female person who acts. Actress "remains in general use", although in a survey of a "wide cross-section of current British English", compiled in 2010, actor was almost twice as commonly found as actress. Within the profession, however, the re-adoption of the neutral term dates to the 1950s–60s, the post-war period when women's contribution to cultural life in general was being re-evaluated. Actress remains the common term used in major acting awards given to female recipients.

The gender-neutral term "player" was common in film in the early days of the Motion Picture Production Code with regards to the cinema of the United States, but is now generally deemed archaic. However, it remains in use in the theatre, often incorporated into the name of a theatre group or company (such as the East West Players).

Noun

actress (plural actresses)

1. (now rare) A female doer or "actor" (in a general sense). [from 16th c.]
   • 1796, Matthew Lewis, The Monk, Folio Society 1985, p. 290:

     My mental anguish, and the dreadful scenes in which I had been an actress, advanced the period of my labour.

2. A female actor on the stage or in films. [from 17th c.]
   • 2011, "Not going quietly", The Economist, 27 Jan 2011:

     Court documents appear to show that Ian Edmondson, a senior News of the World journalist, had authorised Mr Mulcaire to hack phones belonging to Sienna Miller, an actress.

Usage notes

• Actor may also be used to refer to a female player.

Quotes on Acting.

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