The Best Acting Coaches in Los Angeles
(Updated July 25, 2023)
We asked actors to list the most influential acting coaches in Los Angeles. There were a lot of responses, but it came down to these 4 coaches.
The criteria for the best acting coach in Los Angeles was based on their reputation, personal experiences, what other people in the industry said about them, and the transformational techniques and methods they taught. Extra points were given to coaches who also taught them how to succeed in this industry.
In no particular order, here are the best acting coaches in Hollywood:
The Top Acting Coaches in Los Angeles
Bernard Hiller
Bernard studied with Stella Adler and Eric Morris. He teaches in 26 countries and is known for training the entire actor, from overcoming their blocks to creating a business plan for their success. He also helps stars and actors become the artist they must be to keep succeeding. Truly transformational. www.bernardhiller.com “The Revolutionary Guide For Acting” is his latest book if you want to get a taste for his style. He offers classes, masterclasses, and private coaching. “Stop Acting – Start Living” is available on audio version only.
Larry Moss
Larry studied his craft under Stella Adler and Sanford Meisner. He is highly regarded as one of the best at helping stars get nominations and win awards. He is also a Director of one-man shows. He specializes in training his actors with classical plays. The love for the author and theatre is evident by the work he does. Larry is doing Masterclasses and Private Coaching. www.larrymoss.org His book is “The Intent to Live” will give you more of an idea about his methods.
Ivana Chubbuck
Ivana has been teaching for the past 30 years at her school. She works with stars and her book “Power of the Actor” is distributed everywhere. She specializes in having the actor use their emotional experiences in their work. She also teaches internationally. www.ivanachubbuck.com She teaches classes, masterclasses, and offers private coaching.
Howard Fine
Howard’s book “Fine on Acting: A Vision of the Craft” shares his unique insights and methods he uses with his students. A protégé of the respected acting legend Uta Hagen. He also has an acting studio in Australia. Howard works with stars and helps them develop their craft. www.howardfine.com He offers classes, masterclasses, and private coaching.
We recommend that you investigate each of these teachers and find the acting coach that’s right for you and your budget! Of course, there are other teachers and coaches in LA, so please familiarize yourself with them.
If you are concerned about budget, we put together a guide just for that: How much do acting classes cost.
Different coaches are right for you at different times of your career.
Acting Coach vs Acting Class
A good private acting coach can be invaluable in helping you to develop your talent, find the right roles for you and improve your auditioning skills. However, an acting class can also be a great way to learn more about the craft of acting, meet other actors, and get started in your career.
Ultimately it comes down to what you’re looking for in an education. If you want one-on-one attention from a coach who can help you to develop your talent, then a coaching relationship may be the better option for you. If you’re interested in learning more about the theory and practice of acting, or if you want to meet other actors and get started in your career, then an acting class is probably the better choice.
One other thing to consider is that there are different types of acting coaches, classes, and acting schools. One coach may focus on voice acting, another on film and dramatic art, another on acting technique or audition technique. If you are a working actor, you may need to find an acting lesson that is happening on the weekends. The main point is there are a lot of different paths to success and ultimately, on your journey to improving your acting skill, you will usually need a variety of educational experiences. The best acting class, a great acting lesson, a phenomenal acting teacher will all be needed at one point or another.
Acting Coach FAQs
Who is Leonardo DiCaprio’s acting coach?
If you guessed Larry Moss, you would be correct! Larry has worked with Leonardo DiCaprio in the past.
What does an acting coach do?
An acting coach helps an actor to develop the emotional truth of the character they are playing and to create a character that is believable.
An acting coach will help an actor to find the motivation for their character, and to explore the inner life of their character in order to bring out their emotions on stage or on screen. They will also help an actor to develop their physicality and to create a unique accent or dialect for their character.
A really good acting coach will also dive into the ins and outs of the industry. How to audition and network, where to find work, connections to a casting director, and the mindset needed to pursue a career in acting.
Do famous actors still use acting coaches?
Yes, many famous actors continue to use acting coaches throughout their careers. Acting is a craft that requires constant refinement and honing, regardless of one’s level of fame or experience. An acting coach can offer a fresh perspective, help actors prepare for specific roles, and aid in breaking down scripts, among other tasks. In some cases, coaches are even present on film sets to provide guidance during shooting.
Can a Hollywood acting coach help me with audition preparation?
Absolutely! A Hollywood acting coach can play a vital role in audition preparation. They can help with script analysis, character development, and the portrayal of emotions, as well as provide feedback on your performance. An acting coach can also assist with techniques to overcome stage fright and offer strategies to make a strong impression in the audition room.
What qualifications do top Hollywood acting coaches typically have?
Hollywood acting coaches usually have extensive experience in the acting industry themselves. Many are trained actors who have studied at reputable acting schools or universities, often with degrees in Theatre, Drama, or Film. They may have experience in stage, film, or television acting. Additionally, they usually have a deep understanding of different acting techniques, such as Stanislavski, Meisner, or Method Acting. Some coaches may also have additional certifications from acting or coaching programs, although practical experience and reputation are often considered more important in the industry.
Finding an in
If you are wanting to grow your and become a , we would highly encourage you to explore or an . Not only will you learn valuable , but if you want to take your seriously, you need to begin to network and build connections (ideally in or a major city). If you are in or the area, there are many great coaches. If you are unsure about where to head next, give us a call. We would be happy to hear about what you are looking to do and if we are not the right fit for you, we can help to point you in the right direction.
3 Common FAQs About Being a Professional Actor
The truth about being in the acting industry
In spite of how amazing the daydream can be, reality can easily kick in when you chase your dream of being an acting professional—only then will you realize that it’s not always about being in premieres and being in the moment. From the moment you decide that acting is your lifelong vocation to the day you receive the paycheck from your first act, it should come as no surprise that you’re in for a challenge when pursuing an acting career.
At one point, life may be great because you landed a few milestone gigs for various roles. The workload, on the other hand, may suddenly dwindle, and then you find yourself scrambling to pay rent. The reality of chasing your dreams as an acting professional is that you will be brought to the point of breaking, of giving up and throwing in the towel multiple times along your journey.
If what we just said is enough to make you reconsider your choice, then it’s safe to say this career isn’t for you. If it hasn’t discouraged you, then you’re in luck, because we have a quick guide to help you survive one of the toughest industries in the world.
Answering three frequently asked questions
With this guide, we’ll be answering three of the more common questions that aspiring actors have on their minds. Let’s go over each question in further detail:
“What are my chances of succeeding and finding a steady job?”
Realistically speaking, the odds of succeeding in the longstanding acting industry are slim because 92 percent of acting professionals will experience a work drought sooner or later. This piece of data essentially says that only eight percent of the acting population receives a consistent influx of acting jobs (and paychecks).
Our next two questions tackle topics around how to get into this top eight percent.
“Do I need to go to drama school to succeed as an acting professional?”
Truth be told, drama school can definitely help with refining your acting skills, but it doesn’t act as a guarantee of finding a successful career. Know that succeeding in the acting industry all boils down to the display of skill that you bring to every opportunity that comes your way.
“Will having an agent help with succeeding?”
Agents are commonly known as every aspiring performer’s greatest tool in finding success because they play a key role in generating opportunities for their talents to refine their skills and increase their work. It is worth noting, however, that the quality of your agent will have a significant impact on your career. Before settling on an agent, it is essential to ensure that they are able to help you instead of just waiting to make money from the potential commission that comes from each job you land. A reliable agent will not only do their best to book you for proper roles and push you to attend every audition, but they’ll also use every opportunity they come across to help you grow as a professional.
The acting industry may be tough, but knowing the answers to the right questions (and knowing the right questions to be asking!) will help you make the best decisions for your acting career.
If you are looking to become a professional actor, visit the best online acting classes in Los Angeles, California today to see how we can help.
As a budding actor, you know the importance of taking the right steps to move your career towards success. One of the major steps may involve moving to Los Angeles. After all, where better to take a shot at making it big in the industry?
The City of Angels is the budding actor’s land of dreams for all the right reasons. For one, many of the stars that you see in your favorite movies got their start in the city, crediting it for giving them the career break that they needed to be where they are now. It is also worth noting that LA is a hotspot for thriving actors to make connections with various creatives in the industry, making it much easier to land jobs as well. One of the most amazing parts of Los Angeles for budding actors is the abundance of acting classes offered by industry experts.
From former actors with decades of industry experience to certified acting coaches, LA’s acting classes are headed by industry stalwarts that can help you refine your acting chops. The challenge, however, is that there are so many classes to choose from.
Acting classes in LA are abundant to the point that you can have a different class every day for the rest of your life and still have a few thousand options left to try (That may be a slight exaggeration, but you get the point). However, choosing a high-quality acting class in Los Angeles is easier than you’d think, assuming it meets the following criteria.
These are three factors you should be looking for when searching for the right acting class:
1 – Updated facilities
One important attribute to consider when choosing the best acting class in LA is the facilities that it provides. Proper facilities make it much easier to sharpen your skills as you will be put in favorable learning conditions. As opposed to dealing with outdated facilities that limit your ability and learning, an acting class with updated facilities prepares you for the modern acting industry’s greater demands. Look for an acting class that puts your skills to the test while providing invaluable lessons along the way.
2 – Accessibility
Given the sheer number of acting class options that are available in Los Angeles, it’s important to choose something accessible. After all, what’s a significant investment worth if you can’t go as often as you’d like? If you’re working a day job while trying to support your passion, it’s best to pick an acting class that offers sessions in the evenings or on days off to ensure that you aren’t falling behind in the class!
3 – Industry prestige
We don’t mean to be snobs, but one of the greatest characteristics that you can use to spot a quality acting class is industry prestige. Actors, in particular, are a picky bunch, which means that an acting class with a good professional reputation has attained its status for the sole reason of providing a quality experience.
A guaranteed way to find an acting class with a good reputation is to ask for recommendations from people that you know, whether it is online or in person. Testimonials provide more genuine insights as to how the class could possibly meet your interests, saving you valuable time, money, and effort in the process.
Choosing the right online acting class to suit your needs as a budding actor is one way to forge your path to finding success in the ever-expansive and challenging acting industry.
If you’re looking for acting classes that are worth every penny, get in touch with Bernard Hiller to schedule your first session!
After spending the last two or so years in acting school, your period of learning is finally coming to an end. Every acting class that you’ve taken has allowed you to develop your skills, make a ton of friends and connections, and you are now ready for graduation, which is right around the corner—then what?
Well, obviously, it is to go on and succeed as an actor in the opportunity-abundant entertainment industry.
As ideal as it is to jump right into your first set of roles after acting school, however, most fresh grads find it difficult to deal with the challenges of the real world. Fortunately, knowing how to find your way as an acting professional after spending a few years in acting school and eventually establishing a fulfilling career can be done if you take the right steps.
3 Tips for Building Your Career After Acting School
With a wide variety of skills, training, and determination right under your belt, you can take the acting world by storm. In this article, you will find a few simple yet timeless and effective tips for finding your footing in the acting industry:
1 – Get your headshots, demo reel, and chops ready
Once you’ve gotten your diploma, the next step that you’ll have to take is to go to as many auditions that are suited for your skills and preferred genre as often as possible. However, you can’t do this without a set of headshots, a demo reel, and a set of chops to perform right on the spot. Generally speaking, headshots, demo reels, and chops are similar to the requirements that businesspeople need to land their dream job or win a client over:
- A headshot is your calling card that a casting director will use to call you for a certain role and any other roles you’d be perfect in
- Demo reels are case studies that show how skilled and capable you are as a professional
- Acting chops are a mix of your sales spiel and ability to perform on the spot that you can use to demonstrate your competency for a specific role
2 – Always come with a positive attitude, and leave on a positive note
Given how tough the acting industry can truly be, it is vital to have a certain level of resilience, optimism, and positivity that will get you through every rejection, criticism, and struggle you encounter on your path towards becoming a successful performer. Both rejection and criticism are inevitable parts of anyone’s experience as an actor, and the best way you can overcome each challenge is to approach them with the right attitude!
3 – Research as often as you can
Many of the valuable lessons that you’ll learn as an acting professional are found far beyond the classroom doors, and these lessons will play a large role in establishing your career and reputation. The best way to pick up valuable insights and lessons for your acting technique, morale, and demeanor can be best done by continually doing research, such as:
- Watching plays that well-known and tenured acting professionals star in
- Attending additional acting classes (such as Bernard Hiller’s world-renowned short-term classes)
- Finding a mentor who can guide you every step of the way
- Listening to podcasts that feature industry stalwarts and relevant topics
Once you’ve finally wrapped up your time in acting school, jumping into the real world and establishing a fulfilling career can be quite difficult, but having the right tips in mind can carry you a long way.
If you are looking to become a professional actor, visit the best acting classes in Los Angeles, California today to see how we can help.
THE RIGHT ACTING TEACHER AND CLASS, DETERMINES YOUR CAREER!
Having butterflies when going to your first acting school is normal. It feels a lot like going to your first day of preschool or high school, where uncertainty awaits, and you can’t help but hope for the very best.
Picking out an acting class can be is a nerve-wracking experience that all actors face on their journey of becoming the ultimate professional. Of course, nobody ever wants to settle for a sub-par acting class as they seek to deepen and train their skills, to be able to jump-start or advance their careers to a higher level. But the real problem is, you don’t really know what kind of class you are looking for. What would be the best class for me right now?
The Importance Of Choosing The Right Acting Class
Choosing an acting class is the most important step because the better the teacher the better your acting will be. But if find someone who will also be your mentor, that is a career-changing moment. Look for an acting coach and a mentor to teach you how to succeed in this business. Successful actors always talk about how their coach helped them succeed. Otherwise, you have a lot of talent and nowhere to show it.
How Can You Make An Acting Class Truly Work For You?
If you’ve already found a fantastic acting class that is cultivating and pushing you to discover more of your talent, then congratulations! However, even at this point, the struggle never stops. Acting classes, unbeknownst to most professionals, are a two-way street. You must work only for someone who also connects with you. Someone you trust and believe in. Training is good, but only if you are wide open to receive the information.
There are many wonderful teachers out there, but I feel that there are only 10 great acting teachers that can take you beyond your wildest artistic dreams. Your job is to find one of those teachers.
Are You Ready To Become The Actor Of The Future?
Being able to make the most out of your acting class means that you are dedicated, motivated and open-minded to learn the art of acting for what it must be, for you to be the actor of the future. Acting is constantly changing, but most schools and teachers never change their methods. Then you will become the actor of the past.
How To Prepare Yourself For Your First Acting Class
Once you have found the right acting class for you, then you need to make sure you come well prepared. Read everything you can about your teacher. Watch all the videos you can see, so you get a feeling and understanding where he or she is coming from. It is this combination that will cultivate you into being a well-rounded and highly skilled professional that will succeed in this industry. Before you head over to your first acting class, here are a few tips to come as prepared as possible during each session:
1. Come in Positive.
One of the most significant barriers preventing actors from making the most out of their first acting class is themselves—specifically how they can consistently dwell on the worst possible outcomes or are in their negative minds. Having a few self-doubts and apprehensions towards walking into your first session is understandable, but overthinking will make you fail.
It is essential to understand that an acting class is a stepping stone that helps refine and evolve your craft. It allows you to cultivate valuable skills while finding a higher level of self-confidence. Acting classes must never be a platform for people to laugh at you. Most actors credit their acting class and their teacher for providing them the support and guidance they needed to commit themselves to the process entirely.
2. Be open to trying new things
Further enhancing your skills as an actor entails being open to new experiences and opportunities to learn. Acting classes are full of them.
At one point during your sessions, you might find yourself a tad bit more nervous than you’d expect yourself to be because you’ll be required to do something unfamiliar, but that’s just part of the process. As scary as going into your first acting class may be, it’s best to come with an open mind and a willingness to try new things. Expect that you will have to get out of your comfort zone as part of the learning process.
3. If you can have a private session with your teacher beforehand
Being able to meet and work with your teacher or mentor is a great way to ease the first-day jitters.
The best time to set up a meeting would be before your start date, as it will give you enough time to familiarize yourself with who you’ll be working with. Additionally, meeting your acting class teacher can also help them understand your needs and capabilities much better. That allows the teacher to plan accordingly.
Best Investment EVER!
Going to an acting class for the first time is, undeniably, a thrilling experience for anyone that wishes to pursue their passion for the performing arts or become the best version of themselves. But the greatest investment you can ever make is to invest in YOURSELF. Keep training (with the right teachers) and you will reach your goal.
If you’re looking for the Premier online acting class in Los Angeles and Masterclasses held around the world, that cultivates your skills beyond your own expectations and teaches you how to succeed. Then this is the class for you.
We look forward to meeting and working with you!
What is an Acting Coach?
An acting coach is someone who teaches and inspires a promising actor or actress with acting tips and offers guidance and support throughout the audition process, casting, and beyond. Using their seasoned skills and expertise, the coach will help build an actor’s or actress’s confidence and lead them to the path of success. Though they can take on different roles, their main goal is to inspire and impart their knowledge to the aspiring actors and actresses.
Finding the right coach can be tricky, and some chose teachers for the wrong reasons. When the actor or actress finds a coach they can connect with, craft training is not all they get. The acting coach will become a mentor and one of their biggest fans.