Male characters are equally divided across racial lines: 71% of all male characters in the top 100 grossing domestic films were white, 15% were black, 6% Asian, 5% Latino and 3% identified as some other race or ethnicity. Actors portray characters in stories such as plays, musicals, films, television shows and radio shows. They engage with the audience and convince them through altered speech patterns, hand gestures and more that they truly are the character. When necessary, actors also change their appearance such as their hair color or body weight to physically portray and embody their character.
