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When it comes to building a career in entertainment, every detail counts. For celebrities and aspiring actors, this extends to their headshots. These photographs go beyond a simple portrait that captures a pretty face; consider it a critical tool that can make or break casting decisions. Not all headshots are created equal, however. In fact, there are several types of acting headshots: lifestyle, commercial, and theatrical

Lifestyle headshots tend to be more relaxed and capture a more authentic side of the actor, while commercial headshots are all about selling, and are usually bright and polished. Finally, theatrical headshots are more serious, and often evoke emotion.

Actor Chris Pratt emphasized the importance of headshots on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon back in 2014, saying, "I knew I wanted to be an actor. I had no idea what to do to become an actor... my friend said, 'What you need is something called a headshot, and that's a picture of your head.'" The Jurassic Park actor continued to tell a story about getting his headshots taken by a photographer in his apartment and finished up by noting, "That got me on the WB. That got me 'Everwood.'"

Here are some of our favorite actor headshots!

Cate Blanchett attends the premiere of "Disclaimer" during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival at Royal Alexandra Theatre on September 09, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario. This is an example of a commercial headshot. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images) Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
US actress Blake Lively looks on during the premiere of the movie "It ends with us" in Copenhagen on August 9, 2024. This is an example of a Lifestyle Headshot. Nils Meilvang/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)
Hugh Jackman attends the photocall for "Deadpool & Wolverine" at on July 12, 2024 in London, England. This is an example of a Commercial Headshot. Mike Marsland/Wire Image
Tilda Swinton of 'The Room Next Door' poses in the Getty Images Portrait Studio Presented by IMDb and IMDbPro during the Toronto International Film Festival at InterContinental Toronto Centre on September 07, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario. This is an example of a Theatrical Headshot. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for IMDb

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