ham actor

Thân thiện

A ham actor dramatically clutches his chest and falls to the stage.

Definition

Noun: An unskilled actor who performs with exaggerated or overly theatrical gestures and emotions; an actor who overacts.

Usage

The term "ham actor" is used to describe a performer, typically in theater or film, whose acting is considered poor due to excessive and unnatural expression. It carries a critical or humorous tone.

Examples

• The community theater production was fun, but the lead was such a ham actor that it became a comedy.
• He's a bit of a ham actor, always shouting his lines and making grand gestures even in quiet scenes.
• The director grew frustrated with the ham actor who refused to tone down his performance.

Advanced Usage

• "To ham it up": This related verb phrase means to act in an exaggerated, theatrical, or clownish manner, often deliberately for comic effect.
  • The cast decided to ham it up for the final performance, much to the audience's delight.

Variants and Related Words

• Ham (noun/informal): A shortening of "ham actor," used to describe someone who overacts or enjoys performing in a showy way.
  • He's such a ham whenever a camera is pointed at him.
• Hammy (adjective): Describing a style of acting that is exaggerated and theatrical.
  • His hammy performance was more suited to a silent film.

Synonyms

• Overactor
• Scene-chewer (informal)
• Thespian (used ironically)

Related Idioms

• "Chew the scenery": To act with excessive force or emotion; to overact dramatically. This idiom is very close in meaning to being a ham actor.
  • The villain spent the whole play chewing the scenery.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an unskilled actor who overacts

Từ đồng nghĩa

• ham