"First Billed Only"

Posted by Brian from Shawnee on June 14, 2006

In Reply to: "First Billed Only" posted by Smokey Stover on June 14, 2006

: : : What does "First Billed Only" mean when reading about who starred in a movie?

: : In show business, billing has to do with where and in what order names appear in the program, advertising, etc. The "first billed" would be the first ones mentioned, usually just those whose names appear at the beginning of a show, on the poster, etc. as opposed to the other actors who are only listed at the end - Tony's Mom, 3rd Man on the Right, Girl in Car, etc.

: Many stars make it an issue that their name shall appear above the title. SS

This is probably more popularly called "top billing". For instance Cary Grant got top billing in The Philadelphia Story even though James Stewart was also listed as a star. The term "first billed" sounds a little old-fashioned, or at least un-Hollywood.