Known for his television roles on shows like A&E’s Breakout Kings, TNT’s Southland and NBC’s latest hit Deception, and his characters in films such as Jumping the Broom (2011), Just Right (2010) and Avatar (2009), Laz Alonso has made quite the name for himself in Hollywood throughout the years. And now, with primetime TV shows under his belt—not including his appearances on shows such as Entourage and CSI: Miami— and award-winning movies to his name, fans can only wonder what Alonso has planned next.
As the Cuban-American actor is “a huge fan of Mark Wahlberg,” and commends him on his extreme business savvy, Laz is ready to produce award-winning entertainment like that of his colleagues.
“Ideally, I want to create shows, I want to create films and write films and star in them,” says the Howard University Business School graduate. “I directed my first short [film] last year. It was a three-minute short … it was my first directorial debut, my first stab at directing, and I loved it. I love being behind the camera. That’s something that I want to really push in 2013.”
So as the Washington D.C.-born actor looks to take over Tinseltown before the year is up, the 39-year-old businessman discussed his love for acting, the importance of business and education in an ever-changing industry, and his sexy co-star, Meagan Good. This man may have graduated from Howard and pursued Hollywood, but don’t fall for the deception because he’s just right!
Q: Deception just finished its first season. What was it like for you to act in such an intense role?
A: Well, one thing I don’t like to do is play the same role twice. I try my best to constantly change it up and either by virtue of the script and the story, play something different, or take it upon myself to play something different. I loved everything about Will Moreno’s character when I read the script. He’s very much not your typical FBI agent.
Read more: Black Enterprise