leading actor; star performer
Specifically refers to the top-billed actor in a theatrical or performance context.
He is the leading actor of this theater company.
leading figure; leader; central person
Extended from the theatrical sense to refer to a prominent person in any group or field.
She played an active role as the leading figure of the project.
中心人物 is a common, neutral term for 'central figure', whereas 立て物 carries a nuance of being the standout or star.
leading figure; prominent person; bigwig · star actor; leading performer
Standard kanji spelling for the meaning 'leading figure/actor'.
Alternate kanji spelling; less common than 立て物.
Compound of 立て (tate, 'standing' or 'prominent') and 物 (mono, 'person' or 'thing'), literally 'the one who stands out'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it likely originated in traditional theater.