DarkMode/LightMode
Light Mode

Famous Actors Who Have Come Out of The Actor’s Studio

10 Famous Actors Who Trained At The Actor’s Studio

The Actors Studio has been operating in New York City since 1947, where hundreds of aspiring artists studied and eventually made their way as actors in Hollywood, Broadway, and beyond. Founded by Elia Kazan, Cheryl Crawford and Robert Lewis, the organization focuses on training actors, directors, and playwrights. Here are 10 famous actors who have trained at the prestigious Actors Studio.

Al Pacino

Al Pacino at the premiere of ‘Any Given Sunday’

The Godfather star attended The Actors Studio in 1966 where he studied under Lee Strasberg. After his time at The Actor’s Studio, Al Pacino went to star in films like The Godfather trilogy, Scarface, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, and The Irishman.

Back in 2016, he was the guest star for the Inside the Actors Studio, a filmed seminar turned show for the Actors Studio Drama School hosted by James Lipton where famous actors, directors, and writers share their experience with their craft. He returned to the series for another interview in 2019. Currently, he shares Co-Presidency of The Actor’s Studio with actress Ellen Burstyn.

- Advertisement -

Jane Fonda

famous actors- jane fonds
Jane Fonda at the 2000s Oscars

In 1958, Jane Fonda studied at The Actors Studio where she also learned from acting coach and actor Lee Strasberg. She went on to star in iconic films like 9 to 5KluteComing Home, and the Netflix series Grace and Frankie. In 2005, she appeared on Inside The Actor’s Studio where she talked about her career.

Robert De Niro

famous actors- robert de niro
Robert De Niro at ‘Analyze This’ premiere

Another Godfather star Robert De Niro made his way through The Actors Studio. The Academy Award winner appeared in films like Taxi Driver, The Deer HunterCasinoHeatSilver Linings Playbook, and The Irishman with Al Pacino. He guest starred on Inside the Actor’s Studio in 1998.

Marilyn Monroe

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Marilyn Monroe (@marilynmonroe)

The beloved star attended Lee Strasberg’s Actors Studio in 1955. While originally working as a model, Marilyn Monroe had dreams of becoming an actor. She had roles in films previous to her studies, but wanted to become more of a dramatic actor. She went on to star in Some Like It HotGentlemen Prefer BlondesHow to Marry a Millionaire, and much more.

Sidney Poitier

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sidney Poitier (@notsidneypoitier)

The trailblazing actor, who was the first Black actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, attended training at The Actors Studio. Eventually, Sidney Poitier appeared in films like The Defiant OnesPorgy and BessA Raisin in the Sun, and Lilies of the FieldTo Sir with Love, and Who’s Coming to Dinner.

Sissy Spacek

Scream queen Sissy Spacek trained at the prestigious Actors Studio in the early ’70s. She starred in films ranging from BadlandsCarrie, to the Loretta Lynn biopic Coal Miner’s Daughter.

“The irony is that I only studied there several months.  I never got into scene class,” Sissy Spacek shares about her time at The Actors Studio with The Wall Street Journal. “But it impacted me deeply, so that when I did begin to work, putting my own life experiences into my work became the basis of everything I did.” She appeared on Inside The Actors Studio in 2002.

- Advertisement -

Bradley Cooper

famous actors- bradley cooper
Bradley Cooper at the Cinematheque Awards

In 1999, Bradley Cooper attended The Actors Studio. He then appeared in films like The HangoverSilver Lining’s PlaybookNightmare Alley, and A Star Is BornBradley Cooper made his debut as an interviewee in 2011 for Inside the Actor’s Studio. During the interview, he got a bit emotional, as more than 10 years prior, he was in the audience of this show, asking Sean Penn a question. What a full circle moment!

Sally Field

famous actors- sally field
Sally Field

From 1973-1975, Sally Field studied at The Actors Studio. She would go on to star in Places in the HeartSteel Magnolia’sForrest Gump, and more. She was interviewed on Inside the Actor’s Studio in 1994.

James Dean

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by James Dean (@jamesdean)

Cultural icon James Dean attended The Actors Studio in the early ’50s. In 1955, he would appear in Rebel Without a CauseEast of Eden, and Giant in 1956. While the actor died in a car crash in 1955, he posthumously earned an Academy Award nomination for his role in East of Eden.

Miriam Colon

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Cinema Tropical (@cinematropical)

In 1953, Miriam Colon became the first Puerto Rican actress to be accepted in The Actors Studio. She starred in films like Scarface and various TV shows like Sanford and Sun and Gunsmoke. She also founded the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, the first bilingual New York City theatre.

Along with these 10, there are even more famous actors who studies at The Actors Studio and made it big. And there are more to come.

More Like This:

Al Pacino turned down Apocalypse Now because he didn’t want to film outside America

- Advertisement -