How do actors make money when they are not acting?

Prostitution Whores

OnlyFans?

I have quite a few actor friends and they invariably have some kind of side job that pays the bills. There are employment agencies that specialise in temp jobs for actors who might need very flexible working hours to get around time off for auditions etc. One friend does a lot of training work and when that's not enough, does a few shifts in a call centre. If he gets a decent acting gig at, say, a well known theatre, even a very supporting role will pay enough to keep him supported for six months or so.

Someone else I know had a non-speaking part in The Lion King in the West End and was on £3k a week (this was years ago) so if they're sensible with their money, they're not going to starve.

We are always acting, darling!

Cameo

Uber, Lyft, waitperson, etc.

Some teach acting classes on the side.

Conventions (although most of those are suspended due to covid). You'd be surprised how much some rake in doing those.

Escort work

Was this questia directed toward the enchanting, Miss Brendad Ickson?

Suck cock.

Dealing drugs and escorting. They may soul crushing but they are the most lucrative and have the most connections. Maybe waiting tables at a high end restaurant. Millienials and Gen Z tend to do Door Dash and Uber. Cut to: several months later making a Leaving LA video.

I know a few actors here in NYC. A few are (were) real estate agents. One in Maryland sells cars. One was a bartender. These are actors who do commercials, bit parts in films and TV. All of them have been on “Law & Order” at least once.

One older woman landed a national ad and the residuals kept her going for two years. She also has some sort of artist’s subsidized housing, not sure how it works.

One was on a syndicated sitcom for many years and married a wealthy, connected woman. He does do projects here and there, but mostly exists to keep his spoiled wife happy.

All actors are prostitutes. They are giving a piece of themselves, their heart and soul (if they’re good) for an amount of money. I’ve never respected actors, as they’re all whores. Julia Roberts may be paid $20 million, but she’s a whore. (I guess that fact is easier to live with when you’re making that kind of cash). That’s why most of them die sad, alone, or by addiction/suicide.

Live of their trust-fund.

What a lonely life it must be when you’re not in the spotlight.

Depends on their level of success OP

Actors just starting out often do Uber and waitering, maybe personal training

Actors with some credits but no hits may do thinks like sell real estate or build websites

Actors who have had some success have it hardest as they likely do not have enough to live on forever but aren't making enough from acting to continue leading a middle class life, especially if they are married and have kids. Some will find work as directors/producers, others will teach, others will start an entire new career, often some sort of sales (real estate, cars)

And actors who were in a hit show with a cult following can do conventions but that's often not going to be enough to live off of (e.g., maybe they'll make $50K over the course of a year)

I met a few actors doing teaching/teaching assistant jobs on the side.

DL fave Robbie Fairchild is running a florist shop out of his apt and is doing quite well.

R13 It’s not just actors; anyone who gets paid to do something that they wouldn’t otherwise do of their own volition is a whore. Capitalism makes whores of us all.