Nicolas Cage Doesn't Like Being Called An Actor, And Here's Why

Nicolas Cage discusses why he does not consider himself an actor. Cage's impressive career spanned thirty years with parts in classic movies, making him one of the most renowned actors of his time. Which include Adaptation, National Treasure, Face/Off, and Leaving Las Vegas, which earned him an Oscar award.
Cage, known for his unorthodox character, has earned recognition for his intense technique acting. Cage has been known to immerse himself in situations to relate to his onscreen roles, such as consuming a steak-only diet for weeks, extracting teeth without anesthetic, and sniffing saccharin to adopt the mindset of a heroin addict. The eccentric way in which the Con Air singer perfects his trade has also permeated his private life. Cage recently provided a riveting portrayal in the thriller film Pig, which has been praised as one of the actor's greatest performances of his profession. Now, Cage explains why he doesn't consider himself an actor.
Cage discusses why he doesn't like the term "actor" when referring to himself on Variety's Award Circuit Podcast. Cage explains that he regards himself as a thespian and believes that the term "actor" implies someone who is considered an actor is a "great liar." Cage's complete statement on why he doesn't consider himself an actor can be seen below:
For me it always implies, ‘Oh, he’s a great actor, therefore he’s a great liar,’ So with the risk of sounding like a pretentious asshole, I like the word ‘thespian’ because thespian means you’re going into your heart, or you’re going into your imagination, or your memories or your dreams, and you’re bringing something back to communicate with the audience.
Regarding his efforts over the years, Cage says he likes to adopt a naturalist method and confesses to experimenting with operatic style appearances in Prisoners of Ghostland and Vampire's Kiss. Cage, who is set to play Dracula in Universal's Renfield, shows no signs of slowing down. With his next meta-drama movie, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, starring Cage as himself, the actor will soon reveal a new spectrum of artistic freedom. Cage, considered a classic in the business, has undoubtedly done a streak of failed films, but he claimed that he has no intentions to retire and may have a great career ahead of him.
Cage's career has had its ups and downs, but there is no questioning that he is always seeking his next chance to shine. Without a doubt, Cage continues to astound his fans and seems to have plenty of real-life experiences to weave into his roles. Cage may choose to be referred to as a thespian rather than an actor, but he is a well-known performer in the Entertainment business. For the time being, Nicolas Cage remains to enchant his viewers with his unconventional career decisions.