Central Casting is an American casting company that specializes in the casting of extras, body doubles, and stand-ins. It was founded in Los Angeles in 1925, with additional offices opening in New York City, New Orleans, and Atlanta in the 21st century.

A background actor or extra is a performer in a film, television show, stage, musical, opera, or ballet production who appears in a nonspeaking or nonsinging (silent) capacity, usually in the background. War films and epic films often employ background actors in large numbers: some films have featured hundreds or even thousands of paid background actors as cast members. Likewise, grand opera can involve many background actors appearing in spectacular productions.