An actor can wear the strangest things whether it be a loincloth or a tight leotard or nothing at all and not be questioned. They aren't judged for their roles (partly because they are being paid) or what they wore in a movie. 

A cosplayer is essentially the same. They dress as an existing and usually well-known character, human or monster. They may get paid if they go to a kid's birthday party or something of the sort. 

Then there's the furry. They doodle an animal character they made up and maybe dress like a character no one's ever heard of because it's original. 

In my mind, the only thing that separates the 3 genres is that 2 may be paid for the things they wear and 1 is not. The views on these 3 vary, actors being life-action fantasy characters, cosplayers being cartoon's in real life, and furries just being their own little thing.