Acting Resume Template

An acting resume (sometimes called an actor CV) is a one-page document that accompanies your headshot. It lists your professional credits, training, physical details, and special skills in a standardised format that casting directors and agents can scan in seconds.

Unlike a traditional employment CV, an acting resume does not list every job you have ever had. It focuses entirely on acting work, training, and the physical attributes a casting director needs to know (height, hair colour, playing age, accents).

The standard format is the same whether you are in the UK, US, or elsewhere. At the top, list your name, contact details, and union status. Below that, include a physical details block, then your credits divided by category (Film, Television, Theatre, Commercials), then Training, and finally Special Skills.

Always list credits in reverse chronological order (most recent first). If a credit is from a well-known production, put it at the top regardless of date. Keep the layout clean with consistent spacing — a messy resume suggests a messy actor.

Download these Word-compatible templates and replace the bracketed text with your own details. Choose the beginner template if you are just starting out, or the professional template if you have paid credits to list.

Header

Your name (bold, centred), phone number, email, city/country, and union status (e.g. Non-Union, Equity, SAG-AFTRA). If you have an agent, add their name and number.

Physical Details

Playing age (the age range you can believably play, e.g. 25-32), height, hair colour and length, eye colour, build, and accent. These help a casting director match you to a role at a glance.

Credits

Divide into categories: Film, Television, Theatre, and Commercials. Each entry should show the year, production title, your role, and the director or production company. Use a table format for easy scanning.

Training

List acting courses, workshops, and coaching. Include the year, course name, and institution or tutor. This is especially important for beginners — it shows you are committed to developing your craft.

Special Skills

Accents, languages, dance styles, stage combat, instruments, sports, driving licence, DBS check, first aid — anything that could be relevant on set. Be honest: if you list horse riding, you may be asked to ride on camera.

• Your home address. Your city and country are enough. Full addresses are a privacy risk and unnecessary at this stage.
• Your exact age. Use "playing age" ranges instead. Casting directors cast by look, not birth date.
• Non-acting work experience. Your bar job, office role, or retail position is not relevant unless the character works in that field.
• A photo on the resume. Your headshot should be attached separately (stapled back-to-back for in-person auditions). Do not embed a photo in the resume document itself.
• Personal details. Marital status, nationality, religion, and health details are not needed and should not appear on a professional acting resume.

If you have zero credits, do not panic. Every working actor started with a blank resume. Here is how to fill it:

• List any training — evening classes, weekend workshops, online courses, or school productions.
• Volunteer for student films and short films. These count as legitimate credits and are the easiest way to build your first entries.
• Join a local amateur dramatics group or community theatre. Stage experience is valid and shows commitment.
• Fill the Special Skills section generously — languages, accents, sports, dance, instruments, driving licence, DBS. These can get you booked for background work.
• Register on CastingCrowd for free and apply for background acting roles. Each booking becomes a credit on your resume.