Body image issues can be particularly acute for people in entertainment, which also provides most of the icons and role models of appearance.
Toni Collette says, “I don’t understand why you have to look like a model to be a successful actor, what a character looks like is an extension of what they feel,” she says. [...]

According to a recent LA Times article there is “an explosion” of one-man and one-woman shows around town: 25 solo shows in 2003; last year, at least 54.
“We like to hear personal intimate insights that we can connect to,” says Jean-Louis Rodrigue, who teaches theater at UCLA…
Sandra Tsing Loh [photo] developed her solo show “Mother [...]

M. Night Shyamalan cast and directed Bryce Dallas Howard [photo] in a key role in the 2004 film “The Village” and recently commented : ”There’s a purity to her that comes through in her acting. When an emotion comes through, it’s unadulterated. The gunk from fame and money — all those things that would gunk [...]

Maria Bello found her role in “A History of Violence” was “really sort of the supportive husband. She’s the man. She’s the A personality: aggressive, masculine - even the way she dresses. And I really felt she was in control and driving this family, and he was more gentle and feminine. I love to play [...]

Terrence Howard – Hustle & Flow
Rachel Weisz – The Constant Gardener
Russell Crowe – Cinderella Man
Matt Dillon - Crash
Johnny Depp – Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
Hugh Laurie – House
Kiefer Sutherland – 24
> more acting videos / dvd

Mainstream film/tv studios are considered a “boys’ club” with good reason: they usually make story and casting decisions based on adolescent male values [eg fast action, violence, t&a] - not exactly high spiritual or creative ideals. Casting often excludes and limits actors with talent.
Indira Varma [“Bride & Prejudice” etc] notes in the book On Acting [...]