Darsteller

Darsteller is a German noun meaning "actor" or "performer." It denotes a person who portrays a character during a performance in theater, film, television, or radio. The word derives from darstellen "to depict, portray, present," with the agentive suffix -steller. The feminine form is Darstellerin; for inclusive references, Darstellerinnen und Darsteller is used.

In practice, Darsteller is used for people who perform roles, while the term Schauspieler is more widely used as a general profession label. The two are overlapping but not identical; Darsteller emphasizes the act of portraying a role, whereas Schauspieler emphasizes the occupation. In credits and program notes, Darsteller or Darstellerinnen und Darsteller may appear as the cast listing; in English, "actor" or "cast member."

Usage varies by genre and region; in everyday German, Schauspieler is more common; Darsteller may appear in formal writing, biographies, or discussions of performance art.