There's not much else that can really be said, but i just wanted to add something a bit different to the conversation. Whilst I 100% agree with what everyone is saying (and Im right at the beginning of my career so I know Im in 4 a long haul!) I also wanted to say that I think actors place a huge pressure on themselves and fellow actors not to "fail" or "give up". Someone who decides not to continue pursuing their acting career..whose been living on a pitance, struggling like the best of us, feeling disillusioned and, quite frankly, is just bloody tired..is often described as "not wanting it enough" and the like, which I personally feel is a judgement call no one can make except the individual. The thing that drives all of us to embark upon an acting career-when we know we will spend much of it doing anything but with not very much (financially) to show for it-is a desire, above all else. The desire to act. To many a seemingly crazy notion which is, I feel, an admirable decision. To just give it a try and commit yourself to a potential lifetime of uncertainty. Now dont get me wrong, I wouldnt have it any other way as most of us wouldnt..i love what we do, given the chance to do it. However, i cant help feeling that there is a slight tendency amongst professionals to look down (possibly too strong a word, but it's all i can come up with) on those who have given it their all and their desire has either started to fade or been clouded by the sometimes rubbishy existence we have to lead. I do not see this as someone not being a "real" actor, not truly loving their art or not wanting it enough and therefore being less of an actor at heart..blah blah,u know what I mean. Im sorry but I just find that darn right arrogant to see others this way and hail urself as King Martyr of Actors. i have an enormous amount of respect for those in the profession who have dedicated so many years of their life to acting (like many who have posted in response to this) and only hope that my endurance and desire keeps burning as long as theirs, as I really can never see myself doing anything else. But I also have a lot of respect for people (and what a hard decision) who say "U know what, I gave it my best but I just cant do it anymore"..We are people who are doing a job at the end of the day, yes it is a job in the arts which requires talent, dedication and passion but we are all human, not some sort of supernatural being called to grace the boards and serve the higher good that is "Theatre". I sound cynical and detrimental and i dont mean too (sorry, sat at a desk temping so im feeling bored and resentful!!) but there are other things that comprise us as human beings and i dont think that acknowledging them or deciding that, for a time, they must come first is failing or not wanting to act enough. That, i guess, is the beauty of our profession..you can do it til the day u die and could, therefore, in theory come back to it at any time. Everyone feels down and tired at times, but let's not condemn those who choose another path..they may very well want to continue but, for one reason or the next, simply can't.
