‘Empire’ actor Morocco Omari in Kenya for film workshop
American actor, producer, screen writer and director, Morocco Omari, who played as Tariq Cousins, a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent, on the popular American TV drama ‘Empire’ is in Kenya.
Mr Omari is in the country to conduct a free actor Director Training for budding young actors and film directors. He hopes to share his knowledge on how to make a career in the industry.
The American actor, who joined the hit TV show as a series regular on the show’s third season, has also starred in countless films and TV shows.
The actor has been featured in shows like such as Homeland, Chicago Fire and NCIS but ranks his role in Empire as one of the most challenging he has played because he had a story line.
EMPIRE ROLE
“All the other shows I’ve done prior to Empire, theatre included, prepared me for my current job. I didn’t have a story line on the other shows. I came in did my job and that was it. Empire requires me to do the homework. I have to be part paleontologist, psychiatrist, and private investigator. I have to break down the script and be specific with the character building. I also have a more collaborative union with the cast and crew,” Omari told Daily Monitor in a recent interview.
“The other shows, although I’m thankful for the opportunity, I couldn’t really stretch the artistic muscle,” he added.
Omari, who has visited several African countries in the past, says that he is drawn by the African stories to being a part of the film and acting communities in Africa, which are mostly just starting to grow. He says the African communities are so rich and there are so many stories that need to be told.
“In America, we kind of live in a bubble, so many hospital shows, police shows and we got bored. When I come to Africa and I hear all these stories and I’m like ‘that should be a movie, or that should be a show’. I’m inspired, as an artiste because I am learning something new,” he said.
TOUGH CHILDHOOD
The 43-year-old’s childhood was characterized by drugs, gangs and violence and was drastically changed after he joined the Marines, a career he chose to help him learn discipline and to join the film industry.
After serving as a Marine, he got a few deals as a model, casting for commercials. During that stint, he got a chance to interact with artistes on set and was shocked to learn that they earned thrice his earnings at the time. He promptly asked his agent to search for opportunities for him in the film industry.
He would land his first acting role in a theatre production in 1995. 22 years later, he has evolved into a producer, writer, actor and film director whose fame is boosted by films like Hope, Kubuku Rides (This Is It) and Half Past Dead 2.