When I saw this book I was like, why not give a try. 6 hours not bad I love the story that was read by the author. It was heartwarming and loved. Love every about this person. And x-files is a great show. And I got to say I wasn't bord listening to this audiobook today!

On Acting...and Life is a fascinating look at the world of acting from the perspective of someone who has a long history in the theatre, film, and television. Part memoir and part acting manual, it guides the reader through Davis' life, gives cogent examples of what to do (or not to do) as a working actor, and provides guidance on techniques to improve your acting skills. If I had one critique it would be that sometimes the book references events that are explained in Davis' first book, so you get the feeling that the context would be useful, but even that is a small thing. In all I enjoyed the book and I plan to use Davis' suggestions to improve my own approach to acting!

As a big fan of the x-files I was delighted to see On acting and life on the audiobooks and even more delighted that it was narrated by William.b.davis himself.

Sadly it was not to be, I got about 3 hours into the audiobook before I turned it over. It didn't not interest me at all, even when I skipped to the section on the x-files. I found it all rather boring.

Although I did half expect him to start talking about how he killed JFK and that the moon landings were all faked.

I enjoyed this so much, I'm an actor and a huge X-Files fan so this couldn't be more in my note but I think most actors, directors, or theatre creators would be able to appreciate the humour and heart this book has to offer. Practical, humorous and kind--it's a joy to read and, especially, a joy to listen to because it is read by the author, William B Davis , who has a speaking voice that is very easy to listen to. I'm so glad to have gotten this ARC!

A well-rounded and well-narrated treatise on acting, its philosophical aspects, practices, and one actor’s experience with the craft.
Through anecdotes and tips (both personal and acquired over an extensive career) Mr Davis takes the reader on a journey allowing them a glimpse behind the mask.
Though not an actor myself, I still found this book interesting for the simple fact that I can better appreciate cinema, TV, and theater actors by learning a little bit about the effort that goes into breathing life into the characters written in the script.

I'm a little biased here - scrolling through Netgalley looking for my next audio book and stumbled on this one. Saw the author's name and realized his nephew is married to a friend of mine and decided to give it a listen. The author says right off that he modeled this book after Stephen King's memoir (which I've read) and it has a similar structure. I feel the same way about both books: the memoir portion is great, but the advice sections? Not so much. I understand his advice works for HIM, but like writing, everyone has an opinion. I hope those serious about acting will find the second half as compelling as the first part.

I've always felt William B. Davis has been an overlooked actor, especially after becoming a fan of him in The X-Files. In On Acting...and Life, Davis narrates his upbringing and how he got into acting. Fans of Davis' work and audiobooks will appreciate the terrific, calm narration that Davis provides. Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.
On Acting...and Life is broken up into two parts. The first part is the memoir version of the book, in which Davis reminisces of his early acting years and mentions some places that aren't even searchable via Wikipedia. But there is a good amount of advice for actors in this first part as well. The second part is more detailed on the acting advice and is helpful for those looking to enter the world of theater, film, or television.
Davis is a fantastic narrator and a terrific writer. There are several references to his previous book, Where There's Smoke, and that should pique other people's interests in reading what else Davis has written.
Recommended for those who are X-Files fans, fans of memoirs, fans of acting books, and fans of great storytelling.

This is the perfect book for those in the acting profession or those who are X-Files fans. William B. Davis shares stories of his acting career dating back to when he was a child just starting out & also shares tips for those acting today. I definitely recommend the audiobook which is read by the author himself.

Review of “On Acting…and life” written and narrated by William B. Davis.

Disclaimer: Please note that I received an ARC Audio version of this book from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Let me start out with I loved the X-Files so much, and was already a big fan of William B. Davis, so if you’re also a fan like me you’ll absolutely love William B. Davis’s “On Acting...and life.” It’s not just another boring acting advice book; it’s a fascinating mix of helpful tips and captivating stories from a seasoned actor’s life. Also, if you listen to the audio version, the author himself narrates, and I would highly recommend listening to the book.

But what really makes this book stand out is Davis’s down-to-earth wisdom, earned over decades in the industry. He dives into the nitty-gritty of acting philosophy, offering practical insights that any actor, newbie or pro, can appreciate. Plus, his push for updating actor training methods gives a fresh spin to the age-old craft.

And let’s not forget about Davis’s own journey from child actor to mentor and teacher. It’s inspiring to see how he’s evolved over the years and how he’s now passing on his wisdom to the next generation. So, whether you’re dreaming of making it big in Hollywood or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, “On Acting...and life” is a must-read that’ll leave you both entertained and enlightened.

William B. Davis has a nice voice to listen to and I'm glad he read his own book. As a fan of The X-files, I was looking forward to hearing more behind-the-scenes stories. As a student of theatre and film, it was fun to listen to as a how-to guide and for the stories. I always like to hear how people approach acting and directing for theatre and the screen differently, and how it's changed over the years. The first half of the book is a telling of how William B. Davis got into acting, and his life throughout the years as an actor and director. The second half is a guide on what to do and what not to do in acting. I found all of it to be interesting and easy to listen to.

This is a pretty short book, part memoir, part acting class. I love his voice, and I'm so glad the actor narrated his own book.
The world of acting has changed a lot since Davis was a new actor. There are so many schools that teach drama now, and Davis learned a lot by taking whatever theater opportunities he could find.
As an X Files fan, it was particularly interesting to me to hear how he started on the show without knowing anything about his character, and how he and the two leads were the only actors to be in the first and last episodes.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this audiobook

An interesting story about a life that will keep audiences intrigued and entertained throughout the tale. The narrator had a nice tone, and added a sense of intimacy to the book. I enjoyed it and was wanting to learn more.