How is important is an actors' schooling to their success in their chosen path?

Question

I mean things such as: the prestigousness of the school, is schooling really needed, do only the ones who go to great schools find success?? Anything else you can think of. Thanks.

Answer 1

I believe that acting is a gift.  Either you have the gift or you don't, and if you don't then no amount of "schooling" is going to gain you more than very modest success at your craft.

If you do have the talent, then I believe that proper training is like polishing the silver.  The more you polish, the more it shines.  

I am sure there are fine actors who didn't put much emphasis on schooling.  But I also imagine that they are in the minority.  Almost all actors today at least have acting coaches who help them when they get big parts in movies or plays.

The great American composer Irving Berlin, I'm told, couldn't even read music.  But he was certainly the exception rather than the rule.  

Polish your talent.