scene-stealer

American  

[seen-stee-ler] / ˈsinˌsti lər /

noun

1. a performer in a play, motion picture, etc., who by charm, talent, or artifice, draws most of the audience's attention, often away from the leading performers.

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Etymology

Origin of scene-stealer

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, in the battle of the ‘Succession’ stars, I give Kieran Culkin the slight edge over ‘The Apprentice’ scene stealer Jeremy Strong.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2024

In the opening episode of Season 2 of And Just Like That …, there’s a scene stealer, and it’s not a dress or a celebrity: It’s a purse stool.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 6, 2023

One scene stealer was an unruly pony named Sandy who stomped its hoof and shook its head aggressively during the larger-than-life Triumphal Scene, eliciting nervous laughter from the audience.

From New York Times • Dec. 14, 2022

Finney, a scene stealer featured in Netflix's teen dramedy "Heartstopper," isn't the first transgender actor to appear on "Doctor Who."

From Salon • May 22, 2022

If there’s a scene stealer in “Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story,” it might be Christian Slater’s voice coming out of another man’s mouth.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2020

Related Words

• actor
• performer
• star