Actual & actually

Actual means 'real'; actually means 'really' or 'in fact'. They can be used to correct mistakes or misunderstandings:

The book says she died aged 47, but her actual age was 43.
'Hello, John. Nice to see you.' 'Actually, my name's Andy.'

They are also used to make things clearer or more precise, or to introduce unexpected information:

I've got a new job. Actually, they've made me sales manager.
She was so angry that she actually tore up the letter. British people often use actually to break bad news gently.
'How did you get on with my car?' 'Well, actually, I'm terribly sorry, I'm afraid I had a crash.'

Actually can suggest either that the hearer's expectations were wrong (see above examples), or that they were correct (especially in British English). 'Did you enjoy your holiday?' 'Very much, actually.'
'false friends'
Actual and actually are 'false friends' for people who speak some languages of European origin. We express these ideas with present, current, up to date; at this moment, now, at present:

What's our current financial position?
(*not ... our actual financial position?) In 1900 the population of London was higher than it is now. (*not ... than it actually is.)