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.

अभिनेत्री वह महिला कलाकार है जो एक चलचित्र या नाटक में किसी चरित्र का अभिनय करती है। पुरुष कलाकार के लिए अभिनेता शब्द का प्रयोग किया जाता।