Bit part

Inacting,abit partis a role in which there is direct interaction with the principalactorsand no more than five lines ofdialogue,often referred to as a five-or-less orunder-fivein the United States, orunder sixesinBritishtelevision, or awalk-onpart with no dialogue.

A bit part is a credited higher billing than that of anextraand lower than that of asupporting actor.An actor who regularly performs in bit roles, either as ahobbyor to earn a living, is referred to as abit player,which is also a term to describe an aspiring actor who has not yet broken into supporting orleading roles.

Unlike extras, who do not typically interact with principals, actors in bit parts are sometimes listed in thecredits.An exception to this practice is thecameo appearance,wherein a well-known actor or othercelebrityappears in a bit part; it is common for such appearances to be uncredited.

InMGM's 1951 screen version of the musicalShow Boat,the role of the cook Queenie (Frances E. Williams) was reduced from a significantsupporting rolein thestage versionto a bit part in the film. Williams, whose appearance was not intended as acameo,was not listed at all in the credits. On the other hand,William Warfield,whose role as Joe, Queenie's husband, was also drastically shortened in the film from the stage original, did receive screen credit because he sang "Ol' Man River".

Bit parts are often significant in the story line and sometimes pivotal, as inJack Albertson's role as a postal worker in the 1947feature filmMiracle on 34th Street.Some characters with bit parts attract significant attention.Konstantin Stanislavskiremarked that "there are no small parts, only small actors".

Dabbs Greer,a bit actor, once said: "Everycharacter actor,in their own little sphere, is the lead ".

See also

• Extra (acting)
• Ready When You Are, Mr. McGill