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Saturday, February 15, 2025

The 411 - "It's in the stars..."

also starring

411The distinctions between "Starring," "Guest Starring," and "Special Guest Starring" in television and movie credits come down to billing hierarchy, contract negotiations, and the actor’s role in the story. Here’s how they differ:

1. Starring

  • Who Gets It? The main cast members of the show.
  • Where in the Credits? Typically appears in the opening credits.
  • Meaning: These actors appear regularly in most (if not all) episodes. They have ongoing storylines and are central to the show.
  • Example: In Friends, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and the other main six cast members were credited as "Starring".

2. Guest Starring

  • Who Gets It? Actors appearing in one or a few episodes but not part of the main cast.
  • Where in the Credits? Usually appears at the beginning of an episode or in the main end credits.
  • Meaning: This is given to significant characters who appear temporarily in a show.
  • Example: If a character’s parent or a one-time villain appears in an episode, they might be credited as "Guest Starring".

3. Special Guest Starring

  • Who Gets It? High-profile actors, former series regulars returning, or actors with a significant legacy.
  • Where in the Credits? Usually appears at the beginning of an episode but often with special emphasis.
  • Meaning: This credit is used to highlight a particularly important guest appearance, often by a well-known actor.
  • Example: When Leonard Nimoy guest-starred on The Big Bang Theory, he was credited as "Special Guest Star" due to his status in pop culture.

Additional Notes:

  • The "Special Guest Starring" credit is often a negotiated honour for actors who might otherwise just get "Guest Starring" but are considered prestigious or significant to the episode.
  • Some long-running shows use "With" and "And" credits (e.g., "With Gillian Anderson" or "And Mariska Hargitay") to indicate important but not lead cast members.
Source: Some or all of the content was generated using an AI language model

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