A dielectric elastomer actuator (1) comprising: a plurality of polymer layer (2);a plurality of stretchable electrode layers (3), each polymer layer (2) being sandwiched between two electrode layers (3) so as to control the electric field within the polymer layer;; at least one stretchable charge distribution layer (4), each charge distribution layer being adjacent to one stretchable electrode layer (3) and/or to one polymer layer (2).