straight actor—an actor performing in theatrical productions of the ordinary type (as opposed to a “character actor” performing in comedies, etc.):
- The character-actors have no doubt an easier task than the “straight” actors.
straight man—
1. an actor who makes remarks or creates situations for the main performer to make jokes about:
- In vaudeville and burlesque a straight man works as a “feeder” with the comedians.
2. (sl.) a heterosexual man:
- John Ritter was a straight man who played at being gay. His life story did make the mind boggle.