actor-manager

American  

[ak-ter-man-uh-jer] / ˈæk tərˈmæn ə dʒər /

noun

1. a leading actor who produces and usually stars in their own productions.

   Sir Henry Irving was one of the first actor-managers.

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Etymology

Origin of actor-manager

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

The just-concluded “Renaissance” portion of ASC’s year-round operation seems to be in the spirit of Shakespeare himself and the bygone era of the actor-manager.

From Washington Post • Apr. 25, 2019

It was actor-manager George Stephen Sutherland who started the campaign to address this issue and it gathered strong local support.

From BBC • Oct. 7, 2017

Langella strides about the stage like a 19th century actor-manager, posing and positioning himself in Doug Hughes’ production as though the only relationship that mattered was the one between a star and his adoring fans.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2016

With his new troupe, Mr. Branagh has placed himself within the sterling British tradition of the actor-manager, and has invited comparisons with Laurence Olivier, whom he played in the film “My Week With Marilyn.”

From New York Times • Oct. 20, 2015

It was impossible to think of any infirmity severe enough to thwart an actor-manager.

From Poor Relations by MacKenzie, Compton