Actor's CV: Examples & How to Write an Acting CV [25+ Tips]

An actor’s CV will have your headshot on one side, and on the other, your physical attributes, all your acting credits, formal education, training, as well as special skills, which could range from dance all the way to freestyle rapping.

Just like any actor, the CV also has its best angles. There is an industry standard way to approach it, and not doing will significantly hinder your chances. In this article, you will see a bulletproof acting CV template that will increase your chances of getting an audition.

Check this guide to get a dedicated acting CV template you can use as a model, step-by-step instructions on how to write an acting CV that grabs attention, and actor CV examples to help you write your acting CV easier.

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Looking for a different CV example? See: 

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Couldn't find your job? See a full list of our CV examples.

Acting CV Template

That’s the highlight reel. Let’s get your own acting CV in order. Action! 

1. Start off your acting CV with your details

When writing a CV, start with a factual headers that contains your contact details, followed by a summary of your physical attributes. At the very least, your age (or age range you are cast for), height, eye and hair colours. A small headshot usually appears next to the stats.

You will probably be emailing your CV, and will attach some pictures with it, so just make sure the photo matches the composition of the CV and doesn’t steal space you need for important information. 

This summary could also include details about your voice, accents, singing, etc. You could also list these in a separate ‘Skills’ section, which we will opt for in our acting CV example.

If you have four verifiable professional acting credits, you are eligible to register for membership with The Actor’s Guild, which is the leading organisation offering professional development in the UK.

Acting CV template header

A strong CV summary will convince the recruiter you’re the perfect candidate. Save time and choose a ready-made personal statement written by career experts and adjust it to your needs in the LiveCareer CV builder.

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2. List acting credits in your actor's CV

Unlike other CVs, the actor’s CV usually does not contain a personal statement. If you are very new to the industry and possibly writing your first CV, your acting training should come next. If you have some acting credits, you should prioritise them.

List your credits under separate headings for film, TV (you could combine those two if your credits are scarce), theatre, commercials, voice work, etc. You can also include separate headings for game work or other media. 

Make sure to prioritise the type of work that you are applying to, starting with voice work if you’re applying for voice work, etc. A general rule for listing credits is:

Production Title (Year), Role (Role type optional), Production Company/Theatre, Director

Looking to branch out into new media? Video games are rapidly merging with the acting world in the light of new technologies.

Acting CV example—work experience section 

3. Show off your skills in the best light to power up your acting CV

Next, you should list all your relevant skills. List the range of accents and voices you can perform in, indicating which is your native. You can list your singing and dancing ranges and styles, and any other miscellaneous skills, from Improv to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. 

Once again, you should tailor the list for the type of work you’re applying to. Your ukulele grade may not be relevant when applying for a TV advert you’re going to be dancing in. Devote more space to the relevant stuff. Space is also a limitation—you shouldn’t exceed one page. 

Actor CV template—skills section

4. Provide your educational background on your acting CV

One day, your list of credits will be so long that you will reduce the mention of your education to the name of your acting school in the header. If you are not there yet, it can pay off to show that you are active in developing yourself and your skill set.

For a student CV, it is important to list your acting degrees if you have any, but avoid listing academic qualifications unless they are relevant. It can also be beneficial to show you are doing extra work by listing any coaches you have worked with or workshops you have completed.

Acting CV template—education 

What do you need to know before you send your acting CV? 

Here's a bunch of tips before you craft your CV and send it out to your potential employers:

• Unless your social media is devoted to your acting work, it may not be a good idea to list it.
• Your CV should not exceed one page in length, and the font size shouldn’t make people squint.
• Make sure the formatting is uniform and credits are easily readable. If you use bold for production titles, do it for all of them.
• Use clear headings for each section and white space between them.
• Apply an elegant, legible CV font like Didot or Noto in a size 10-12. Use even 1-inch margins on all sides to frame your CV, increasing to 1.5 if your credits are scarce or you are going for a more minimalist look.
• Choose the best CV template that suits your preferences. Browse these free CV templates to discover your fit. For acting jobs, we recommend using modern CV templates.
• Only include the most relevant or impressive credits. Don’t be afraid to name drop. Not everything needs to be listed, select your most recent, relevant, and best work, and same for your skills.

In most cases, you will not be writing a cover letter for acting jobs. You can, however, write a short summary in the body of the email if you’re applying online. In a few sentences, sum up what makes you perfect for the role (think of it as an acting personal statement). Don’t come off as desperate by talking about how much you want it.

“Nowadays, cover letters are less critical than a well-crafted CV with pertinent information. In highly competitive roles, where hundreds of applications are received, recruiters often don't have the time to review both the CV and a lengthy cover letter. It's more effective to write a brief, personalized cover letter tailored to the company and job offer. A concise, targeted approach is far more impactful than a generic, three-page cover letter”.

Keep your photo up to date, and make sure you send a tailored acting CV to every job to maximise your chances. Save the different variations in different files (for example CV_voiceacting, CV_advert) to save time later.

Lastly, save your actor CV in a PDF file to protect the formatting. It will make it uniform on all devices. Save the file with your first and last name, underscore, date, underscore, acting CV. If you’re sending a printed CV, invest in some good quality, light coloured paper.

You don’t have to be a CV writing expert. In the LiveCareer CV builder you’ll find ready-made content for every industry and position, which you can then add with a single click.

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Do you have more questions on how to write an actor's CV? Have you got any backstage tips for us? Did you find our acting CV template useful? Drop a comment in the section below.

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Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.