Actors Who Struggle with Shyness

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise struggled with shyness and dyslexia as a child. His family had to move a lot, so he was continually uprooted from schools which limited his ability to form lasting friendships. Cruise recalled, “Because I grew up in so many different places, I was used to rumors [about me]. You know, I didn’t have the right shoes, I didn’t have the right clothes. I even had the wrong accent.” He credits his mother with helping him learn to survive and overcome, insisting, “People can create their own lives.”

Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball’s teachers at the Anderson dramatic school probably thought they were doing her a favor when they advised her that she was “too shy” and would never make it in show business. Fortunately, Ball did not take these words to heart; not only did she “make it,” but she went on to be regarded as the Queen of Comedy and distinguished herself as the first female head of a major Hollywood studio.

Ball once said, “One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore faith in yourself.”

Painful Shyness

Countless other actors who appear to be nothing less than strikingly bold, talented, and confident have dealt with years of being timid. Sigourney Weaver, Winona Ryder, Jim Carrey, Danny Aiello, Melissa Rauch, Jim Parsons, Chris Pine, Tom Hanks, and Al Pacino are all known to have endured painful shyness during their childhoods. In fact, Pacino insists, “My first language was shy. It’s only by having been thrust into the limelight that I have learned to cope with my shyness.” And through his years of experience on stage and screen, he gained an insight into his fellow thespians: “I’ve often said there’s two kinds of actors. There’s a more gregarious type and the shy type.”

Bashfulness

Maze Runner’s Dylan O’Brien would be an example of the bashful type. O’Brien described himself as “super shy” in high school which made it hard to make friends. “In regard to performing,” he reflects, “it couldn’t be funnier that I ended up being an actor, because I’m really shy—unless I’m really comfortable with a person.” Johnny Depp also would fit into that category. The Alice in Wonderland actor once shared, “At my core, I’m pretty shy. I just happen to have a weird job.” He finds he’s more comfortable essentially hiding behind a character and costume—as would Broadway’s Carousel actress Lindsay Mendez who revealed of herself, “I have a big persona onstage sometimes, but offstage, I’m super shy. Like, I don’t want to perform for people. I’d rather die than sing in a room for someone.”

Overcoming Shyness

As you can see, shyness need not impact a performer’s potential. While it can (if not resisted) stop actors from pursuing their acting aspirations, it most certainly does not have to interfere with their goals. Indeed, it’s clear that many bashful individuals go on to be the most celebrated actors on earth. Other shy actors include Glenn Close, Ruth Negga, Keanu Reeves, Dove Cameron, Liv Tyler, Milo Ventimiglia, Alexis Bledel, Rooney Mara—and the list goes on.

So if nerves start to take hold before an audition, remember you’re not alone. Those feelings don’t define you; they’re simply a bump in the road. Keep your posture upright, breathe, emphasize the positive, and give yourself credit for your bravery. As Lucille Ball maintained, “I’m not funny. What I am is brave.”

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