Yes, William Shakespeare was an actor. He is believed to have begun his acting career in the late 1580s, and he continued to act until he retired from the stage in 1613. Shakespeare was a member of the Lord Chamberlain's Men, one of the most popular acting companies of the Elizabethan era. He played a variety of roles, including leading roles in his own plays.
What was the term used to refer actors?
The term used to refer to actors in Shakespeare's time was "player". This term was used to describe both male and female actors. The term "actor" was not used until the 17th century.