An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a production. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is ὑποκριτής (hupokritḗs), literally "one who answers". The actor's interpretation of a role—the art of acting—pertains to the role played, whether based on a real person or fictional character. This can also be considered an "actor's role", which was called this due to scrolls being used in the theaters. Interpretation occurs even when the actor is "playing themselves", as in some forms of experimental performance art.

अभिनयं करोति इति अभिनेता । पात्रधारी इत्यपि नामान्तरम् । नाटकेषु, चलच्चित्रेषु सामान्यतः ये अभिनयं कुर्वन्ति ते अभिनेतारः इति अभिधीयन्ते । भारते अमिताभ बच्चन इत्याख्यः कश्चन अभिनेता प्रसिद्धः वर्तते।