Shakespeare is known primarily as a playwright and poet, but he was also an actor during his lifetime. While the exact number of plays in which he performed is not definitively documented, it is believed that Shakespeare acted in around 35 of his own plays, mainly those written during the earlier years of his career.
Shakespeare was a key member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a prominent acting company in London. He often took on several roles in the plays they produced, including some of the leading characters. However, as time went on and he became more established as a playwright, he gradually stepped back from acting to focus more on writing and producing.
In conclusion, while we can’t pinpoint an exact number, it is widely accepted that Shakespeare acted in a significant portion of his works, contributing to the development of the characters and the overall theatrical experience of his plays.