scene-stealer

[ seen-stee-ler ]

noun

1. a performer in a play, motion picture, etc., who by charm, talent, or artifice, draws most of the audience's attention, often away from the leading performers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of scene-stealer¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Olsen: You kind of had this niche of these really captivating, intriguing supporting roles and I’ve heard you say that you don’t like the phrase scene-stealer.

From Los Angeles Times

Braugher, who died on Monday at age 61, became a breakout scene-stealer in this series as Frank Pembleton, a Baltimore detective who acted as the squad’s frustrated moral center.

From New York Times

The scene-stealer wasn’t initially conceived as an adorably round, pantomime character.

From Los Angeles Times

It was not even who might wrest voter attention back from the canniest scene-stealer in American political life.

From New York Times

The scene-stealer, though, is Patrick McGoohan as an acerbic secret agent.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• actor
• performer
• star