Line #6 Main/ActingForTwo


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4	[[quoteright:350:[[Film/NuttyProfessorIITheKlumps https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_klumps.png]]]]
5	[[caption-width-right:350:Or Acting for Five, as the case may be.]]
6
7	->''"Creator/DavidWarner, you are under arrest by order of Creator/DavidWarner!"''
8	-->-- '''[[Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000 Crow T. Robot]]''', ''Film/QuestOfTheDeltaKnights''
9
10	The character you know and love walks off set on one side, and a couple of seconds later walks in on the other side, only he's wearing different clothes! And talking funny! And everyone's calling him Cousin Rick, not Fred!
11
12	For many a reason both solid and sordid, an actor might find themselves playing more than one role on the same show. It might be a twin brother (or cousin, aunt, etc. -- television has never been fussy on the details). A male character may be put in drag to play his own mother, who [[UncannyFamilyResemblance looks a lot like him]]. More than a few action shows have had a lookalike try to frame the main character. Whatever the reason, the actor is Acting for Two. Sometimes more, depending on the role.
13
14	It happens occasionally in other media as well, but when the same actor plays multiple characters on TV or in a film, it usually has a very specific purpose. In theatre, it's just as often an economic use of talent. Often certain role-pairings become traditional, so for example some film versions of ''Literature/PeterPan'' still cast the same actor for Hook and Mr Darling - even though they could afford two actors, and the stage tradition only arose because of their lack of scenes together. [[EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory Maybe because it seems symbolic of... something]].
15
16	This tradition goes way way back. Classical Greek drama was usually performed by two or three actors (wearing masks) plus chorus. As a result, you never see more than three principal characters at the same time, in very specific combinations: Hecuba talks to Cassandra and a Greek Herald, then Cassandra goes offstage (and changes masks) and comes back on as Andromache, then Andromache and the Herald go offstage and come back as Helen and Menelaus... To this day "doubling" of roles is common in theatre, especially in NoBudget productions.
17
18	See DoubleVision for a look at how they manage the trick of getting an actor on-screen more than once, when needed.
19
20	Understandably this happens a lot in animation, because one person playing two characters can get pretty difficult in live-action if you want both to be in the same scene at some point, whereas the only hurdle you have to overcome with animation is the two characters sounding too similar, unless their voice actor differentiates their voice enough. Not to be confused with TalkingToThemself, in which the actor plays different personalities of a single character in-story. For the ''other'' kind of "acting for two", see HideYourPregnancy. Contrast MakingUseOfTheTwin, where an actor happens to have a twin who's cast in order to avoid this trope.
21
22	This particular little ice cream cone comes in several flavors, depending on the purpose, and varying in utility by medium:
23
24	[[index]]
25	* AlternateSelf: When everybody has their counterpart, you can have twice as many characters per actor.
26	** MirrorUniverse: Evil AlternateSelf.
27	* AndYouWereThere: Like a MirrorUniverse, but with a fun-house mirror (think ''Film/TheWizardOfOz'').
28	* ButYouWereThereAndYouAndYou: A character tells a story, and the characters are depicted as people the storyteller knows.
29	* CastAsAMask: An inversion. Different actors play a character's different identities.
30	* {{Doppelganger}}: An in-story reason for them to be played by the same actor.
31	* DoppelgangerReplacementLoveInterest: Hooking up with someone identical to your lost love.
32	* DreamSequence: Not quite the same character, but pretty close.
33	* EvilDoppelganger: A clone or identical EvilCounterpart.
34	* GhostInTheMachine: When "the little guy in your head" looks just like you.
35	* GoodAngelBadAngel: When the angels on your shoulder look just like you.
36	* IdenticalGrandson: A character's descendants are played by the same actor.
37	* IdenticalStranger: A new character arrives who looks just like an existing character.
38	** CriminalDoppelganger: That new character also happens to be wanted by the police.
39	** PrinceAndPauper: IdenticalStranger + SwappedRoles + PrincessForADay + FishOutOfWater.
40	* InexplicablyIdenticalIndividuals: When multiple, nominally unrelated characters are all identical.
41	* LatexPerfection: Different character, same actor, because character has a perfect disguise.
42	* LostInCharacter: A character who is an actor gets so into character they basically become a new character.
43	* PlayingTheirOwnTwin: Characters who are [[AlwaysIdenticalTwins identical twins]] (or triplets, quadruplets, etc.). Why hire two actors when one can do the job?
44	** BackupTwin: Another variant where the twins are never on screen at the same time (as an excuse for a popular actor to come back.)
45	** EvilTwin: Particular case of this.
46	*** EvilBrunetteTwin
47	* {{Reincarnation}}: In the "looks just like the old me" variant.
48	* SignificantDoubleCasting: When having the same actor play multiple characters has a metatextual meaning significant to the story.
49	* SurgicalImpersonation: An actor plays two characters, one of whom changes his face surgically to resemble the other.
50	* TalkingToThemself: When two or more parts of a SplitPersonality engage in conversation.
51	* UncannyFamilyResemblance: Any family relation is played by the same actor.
52	* YouLookFamiliar: One actor plays two unrelated characters, within the same series, but (usually) different episodes.
53
54	[[/index]]
55	!!Examples:
56	For works that have their own pages:
57	[[index]]
58	* ''ActingForTwo/TheAmazingWorldOfGumball''
59	* ''ActingForTwo/{{Amphibia}}''
60	* ''ActingForTwo/{{Danganronpa}}''
61	* ''ActingForTwo/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba''
62	* ''ActingForTwo/DragonBall''
63	* ''ActingForTwo/HonooNoAlpenRose''
64	* ''ActingForTwo/HelloSandybell''
65	* ''ActingForTwo/TheKingOfFighters''
66	* ''ActingForTwo/{{Lady}}''
67	* ''ActingForTwo/MyHeroAcademia''
68	* ''ActingForTwo/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic''
69	* ''ActingForTwo/VoltesV''
70	[[/index]]
71
72	[[foldercontrol]]
73
74	[[folder:Anime]]
75	* ''Anime/FutariWaPrettyCureSplashStar'':
76	** Creator/YurikoFuchizaki plays Michiru and Moop.
77	** Creator/AkemiOkamura plays Kaoru and Foop.
78	* ''Anime/YoKaiWatch'': In the French dub, Creator/FannyBloc voices Jibanyan, Komasan, Komajiro, and Kyubi.
79	[[/folder]]
80
81	[[folder:Film - Animation]]
82	* ''Franchise/{{Barbie}}'':
83	** ''WesternAnimation/BarbieAsThePrincessAndThePauper'': Creator/KellySheridan voices both Anneliese and Erika, although they had different singing voices. This also applies to the German dub (Creator/IlonaBrokowski) and the Spanish dub (Creator/MelanieHenriquez).
84	** ''WesternAnimation/BarbieFairytopia'': In the German dub, Creator/RainerFritzsche voices Ruby and Larkspur.
85	** ''WesternAnimation/BarbieInTheTwelveDancingPrincesses'':
86	*** Creator/AshleighBall voices twins Hadley and Isla.
87	*** In the Spanish dub, Creator/MelanieHenriquez voices Genevieve, Hadley, and Isla.
88	** ''WesternAnimation/BarbieAsTheIslandPrincess'': In the German dub, Creator/RubinaKuraoka voices Princess Luciana and Tallulah.
89	* In ''[[Literature/RainbowMagic Return to Rainspell Island]]'', Creator/TeresaGallagher voices Fern, Queen Titania, and Rachel's mum.
90	[[/folder]]
91
92	[[folder:Film - Live-Action]]
93	* ''Film/TheFunTheLuckAndTheTycoon'': Creator/ChowYunFat plays both Lam Bo-Sang and Stinky.
94	* ''Film/OmShantiOm'': Creator/DeepikaPadukone plays Shantipriya and Sandy.
95	* The page image is from ''Film/NuttyProfessorIITheKlumps''. In ''Film/TheNuttyProfessor1996'', the film's SignatureScene isn't related to its sci-fi plot, but when Sherman has dinner with his family and the entire family except his young nephew is played by Creator/EddieMurphy [[LargeHam hamming it up]] as different characters. The sequel gives the family a larger role in the story.
96	[[/folder]]
97
98	[[folder:Literature]]
99	* ''Literature/TheGoldenHamsterSaga'': ''Freddy's Final Quest'' has an in-universe example. The characters go to see a stage production of ''Freddy in Peril'', with the same two actors playing both Enrico and Caruso and Fleischkopf and Brewster.
100	[[/folder]]
101
102	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
103	* ''Series/TheToyCastle'': Creator/RickJones, in addition to narrating, voices all of the characters.
104	[[/folder]]
105
106	[[folder:Puppet Shows]]
107	* ''Series/BearInTheBigBlueHouse'':
108	** Peter Linz played Tutter, Pip, and Luna (puppetry only).
109	** Tyler Bunch played Treelo and Pop.
110	* ''Series/FraggleRock'':
111	** Dave Goelz played Boober and Uncle Travelling Matt.
112	** Richard Hunt plays Junior Gorg and Mudwell the Mudbunny.
113	* Franchise/TheMuppets:
114	** Creator/JimHenson played Kermit the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, Dr. Teeth, Waldorf, and the Swedish Chef (head and voice).
115	** Creator/FrankOz played Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Animal, and the Swedish Chef (hands).
116	** Dave Goelz plays Gonzo, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, and Zoot.
117	** Jerry Nelson played Floyd Pepper, Robin the Frog, and most of the chicken characters, mainly Camilla.
118	** Richard Hunt played Scooter, Janice, Statler, and Beaker.
119	** Steve Whitmire played Kermit the Frog, Beaker, Rizzo, and Lips.
120	** Bill Barretta plays Rowlf the Dog, Pepe the King Prawn, Dr. Teeth, and the Swedish Chef (head and voice).
121	** Eric Jacobson plays Fozzie, Miss Piggy, and Animal.
122	** Peter Linz plays Statler, Lips, and Robin the Frog.
123	** David Rudman plays Scooter and Janice.
124	** Matt Vogel plays Kermit the Frog and Floyd Pepper.
125	* ''Series/SesameStreet''
126	** Jim Henson played Kermit the Frog and Ernie.
127	** Frank Oz played Bert, Cookie Monster, and Grover.
128	[[/folder]]
129
130	[[folder:Theatre]]
131	* ''Theatre/CrossRoad'': Costa the violin teacher in act 1 and Hector Berlioz in act 2 are played by the same actor (Kenji Sakamoto in the 2024 production). Costa is Niccolo Paganini's music teacher in his youth, who celebrates his talent at first, then denounces him for having acquired musical skill from a DealWithTheDevil. Berlioz is [[Music/HectorBerlioz another great composer]] of the era, who has fallen on hard times. At first, Paganini rejects him, but eventually he helps him. Costa is a minor figure, but in act 1, he has power over Paganini; Berlioz, on the other hand, is important, but this time, Paganini is the one with power over him.
132	* ''WesternAnimation/FiremanSam On Stage'': Andy Medhurst acts as both Elvis and Tom, while Adele Scott plays both Penny and Dilys.
133	* In ''Theatre/AGentlemansGuideToLoveAndMurder'', all eight of the D'Ysquith heirs [[spoiler:plus Chauncey D'Ysquith]], both male and female, are portrayed by a single actor; in the original cast, Jefferson Mays earned a Tony nomination for the feat.
134	[[/folder]]
135
136	[[folder:Western Animation]]
137	* ''WesternAnimation/TheBackyardigans'': In the UK dub, Creator/MariaDarling voices both Tyrone and Tasha.
138	* ''WesternAnimation/BubbleGuppies'': In the Spanish dub, Creator/MiriamAguilar voices Goby and Deema.
139	* ''WesternAnimation/EsmeAndRoy'': Creator/LillyBartlam voices Franny and Lottie.
140	* ''WesternAnimation/FifiAndTheFlowertots'': Creator/MariaDarling voices both Violet and Pip.
141	* ''WesternAnimation/FiremanSam'':
142	** In Series 1-4, all the characters were voiced by one actor, John Alderton.
143	** In Series 5, John Sparkes voices all the adult male characters (and Dilys Price), Creator/JoannaRuiz voices Sarah, James, and Bella, and Sarah Hadland voices Penny, Mandy, and Helen.
144	** In the CGI seasons, Steven Kynman plays Sam, Elvis, Norman, and Charlie, David Carling voices Station Officer Steele, Tom, and Mike, and Tegwen Tucker plays Penny and Bronwyn.
145	** Following some recasts in the CGI seasons in 2021, Siu-see Hung plays Mrs. Chen and Lily, and Ayesha Antoine plays Mandy and Helen.
146	** In the US dub, Andrew Hodwitz plays Sam and Elvis, while Lily Cassano plays Sarah, Mandy, and Lily.
147	* ''WesternAnimation/KidVsKat'': In the Spanish dub, Creator/MelanieHenriquez voices Fiona and Phoebe.
148	* ''WesternAnimation/MissSpidersSunnyPatchFriends'': In the UK dub, Creator/MariaDarling voices both the titular Miss Spider and her adopted son, Dragon.
149	* ''WesternAnimation/TheMrMenShow''
150	** Both versions: Joey D'Auria voices Mr. Scatterbrain and Mr. Rude.
151	** UK version:
152	*** Simon Greenall voices Mr. Happy (Season 1), Mr. Strong, Mr. Quiet, Mr. Bump, Mr. Grumpy, and Mr. Bounce.
153	*** Rob Rackstraw voices Mr. Tickle, Mr. Messy, Mr. Fussy, Mr. Noisy, and Mr. Happy (Season 2).
154	*** Jo Wyatt voices Miss Sunshine and Miss Naughty (Season 1).
155	*** Creator/TeresaGallagher voices Miss Chatterbox and Miss Whoops.
156	** US version:
157	*** Godfrey voices Mr. Stubborn and Mr. Tall.
158	*** Cheryl Chase voices Miss Whoops and Miss Curious.
159	*** Danny Katiana voices Mr. Nosey and Mr. Nervous.
160	* ''WesternAnimation/PAWPatrol'': Creator/RonPardo acts for three as Cap'n Turbot, Mayor Humdinger, and Farmer Al.
161	* ''WesternAnimation/PostmanPat'':
162	** In Series 1, all the characters were voiced by one actor, Ken Barrie.
163	** In Series 2, Ken Barrie voices all the adult male characters (and Granny Dryden), while Carole Boyd plays all the female characters and young boy characters.
164	** In Series 3-5, Ken Barrie voices Pat, Alf, and Ted, Carole Boyd voices Sara, Mrs Goggins, and Sarah[[note]]not a typo; as in Sara Clifton and Sarah Gilbertson[[/note]], Janet James plays Julian, Lucy, and Lauren, and Kulvinder Ghir plays Ajay, Bill, and Tom.
165	* ''WesternAnimation/RoaryTheRacingCar'': Creator/MariaDarling voices Roary and Cici.
166	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Rubbadubbers}}'': Creator/MariaDarling acts for three as Sploshy, Amelia, and Winona.
167	* ''WesternAnimation/SofiaTheFirst'': In the Dutch dub, Creator/VajenVanDenBosch voices Lucinda and provides Amber's NonSingingVoice.
168	* ''WesternAnimation/WonderPets'': In the Spanish dub, all three Wonder Pets are voiced by Creator/MiriamAguilar.
169	[[/folder]]

Context Main / ActingForTwo