Has "actor" become a gender-neutral term?

[NightTrain]

I ask this because lately I've been hearing both men and women referred to as "actors," rather than as actors and actresses. I've no problem with the change, if indeed there is one, but I'm wondering when how long it has been that way?

[terrya]

1. Well, there's James Lipton's "Inside the Actors Studio"

I think it's been gender neutral for awhile.

[Dookus]

2. Yes

I noticed it becoming fairly common a few years ago.

It makes sense - there's really no reason to make a gender distinction for most cases. Just like we got rid of "aviatrix" and never had "doctoress".

[FlashHarry]

3. Aviatrix, anyone?

:)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. Yes

check out the SAG site. Even the SAG award is called The Actor, and if you saw the awards, you noticed that the word "actor" was used.

[Guy Fawkes]

5. At the playhouse...

We still use "actor" and "actress," but elsewhere, it's become a gender neutral term...

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

6. I work for a professional women's theater company

and I call everyone an "actor."

[Dookus]

7. but it raises the question...

Will the Oscars one day award "Best Performance by an Actor in a Female Role"?