Bit part - Wikipedia Bit part A bit part is a role in which there is direct interaction with the principal actors and no more than five lines of dialogue, often referred to as a five - or-less or under - five in the United States, or under sixes in British television. A bit part is higher than that of an extra and lower than that of a supporting actor. An actor who regularly performs in bit roles, either as a hobby or to earn a living, is referred to as a bit player, a term also used to describe an aspiring actor who has not yet broken into supporting or leading roles. Unlike extras, who do not typically interact with principals, actors in bit parts are sometimes listed in the credits. An exception to this practice is the cameo appearance, wherein a well - known actor or other celebrity appears in a bit part ; it is common for such appearances to be uncredited. In MGM 's 1951 screen version of the musical Show Boat, the role of the cook Queenie ( Frances E. Williams ) was reduced from a significant supporting role in the stage version to a bit part in the film. Williams, whose appearance was not intended as a cameo, 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 in Jack Albertson 's role as a postal worker in the 1947 feature film Miracle on 34th Street. Some characters with bit parts attract significant attention. Constantin Stanislavski remarked that `` there are no small parts, only small actors. '' Dabbs Greer, a bit actor, once said, `` Every character actor, in their own little sphere, is the lead. '' References Jump up ^ Hooton, Christopher ( 26 August 2016 ). `` The actors consistently choosing the best movies ''. The Independent. London. Retrieved 18 October 2016. Jump up ^ Nelson, Valerie J. ( 1 May 2007 ). `` Dabbs Greer, 90 ; busy character actor played everyman - type roles ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 October 2016. Film crew ( filmmaking ) Above the line Actor Bit actor Cameo actor Character actor Leading actor Movie star Superstar Supporting actor Film director Screenwriter Film producer Executive producer Line producer Below the line Pre-production Unit production manager Production coordinator Production accountant Assistant director Script supervisor Script coordinator Casting director Production assistant Location manager Location scout Storyboard Storyboard artist Production design Production designer Art director Costume designer Greensman Hairdresser Make - up artist Set decorator Set dresser Property master / mistress ( `` props '' ) Weapons master Visual arts Matte painter Illustrator Scenic design Photography Cinematographer / Director of photography Camera operator Focus puller Clapper loader Steadicam Digital imaging technician Second unit Gaffer Best boy ( electrical ) Lighting technician Key grip Best boy ( grip ) Grip Dolly grip Sound Director of audiography Production sound mixer Boom operator Utility sound technician Dialogue editor Re-recording mixer Foley artist Composer Music supervisor Music editor Orchestrator Special effects Special effects supervisor Visual effects supervisor Animation Animator Visual effects Modeling Rigging Layout artist Talent Acting coach Body double Dialect coach Ensemble cast Movement director Choreographer Extra Talent agent Actor ( voice ) Cast member Stand - in Acting instructor Stage combat Stunt double Stunt performer Under - five Post-production Film editor Sound editor Colorist Animator Technical director Visual effects VFX creative director Visual effects editor Compositor Computer - generated imagery Rendering Other Unit still photographer This article related to film or motion picture terminology is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bit_part&oldid=856873770 '' Categories : Acting Film terminology stubs Talk About Wikipedia Bahasa Indonesia עברית Polski Edit links This page was last edited on 28 August 2018, at 02 : 37 ( UTC ). About Wikipedia

Question: who said there are no small roles only small actors
Answer: Constantin Stanislavski