What does Play Younger mean?
Play Younger refers to the casting practice where an actor portrays a character who is younger than their actual age. This is common in both film and TV, particularly when casting adult actors to play teenage roles. Playing younger is often done to avoid the legal limitations placed on child actors, such as restricted working hours, while still ensuring that the character appears age-appropriate on screen. Many actors are cast in roles that are a decade or more younger than their actual age, thanks to makeup, styling, and their youthful appearance.
Example:A 25-year-old actor is cast to play a 17-year-old high school student in a TV drama, demonstrating the ability to “play younger” than their actual age.
Example: A production casts a 30-year-old actress to portray a college freshman, relying on makeup and wardrobe to help her play younger on screen.
Did You Know?
Many famous actors, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Emma Stone, have played younger roles throughout their careers, often by a decade or more!
