Albanian Actors in Hollywood
List of the best performers Albanian Actors on Hollywood...
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European-born actress/writer Masiela Lusha portrayed "Carmen Lopez" for five seasons as George Lopez's rebellious and passionate daughter on the syndicated ABC series, George Lopez (2002). She was born on October 23, 1985 to parents Max and Daniela. Raised in Tirana, Albania; Budapest, Hungary; and Vienna, Austria, Masiela settled in Michigan at the age of seven; English is her fourth language. Her acting talents span well into films, voice-overs, print work with Ben Affleck and, of course, television. Among other roles, Masiela portrayed the voice of "Nina", the lovable and energetic best friend on the popular animated PBS series, Clifford's Puppy Days (2003). Film work include "My Father's Eulogy", a biographical drama in which she portrayed "Lisa", the reflective lead who reminisces on her experiences with her father; Sony Picture's Blood: The Last Vampire (2009), where she portrayed a demon vampire, Pathe's Time of the Comet (2008), in which she starred as "Saint Agnes", and Muertas (2007), in which she plays the determined and sensitive lead, "Aracelli". Masiela has been named "The Youngest Author in the World" to publish a book in two languages. She designed the cover herself at the age of twelve, and was also named as one of "The Best Top Ten Talented Poets for North America", for her first book "Inner Thoughts." She views writing as an expression of herself where she can "reach into humanity", and her second book of poetry "Drinking the Moon" was recently released in print this summer by Dorrance Publishing. Masiela's writing also includes screenplays, short stories, and her first completed novel, The Besa. Masiela founded Illuminary Pictures at the age of 23, and has since wrapped two films under the company name. Illuminary Pictures has a full slate of diverse film and television projects in various stages of production. Three important aspects of Masiela's life are 1736 Family Crisis Center based in Los Angeles, UNICEF, and her own 501(c)3 Children of the World Foundation. For Children of the World, she is starting close to home in southern California where she donated ten acres of land for the cause. Other chapters will develop across the United States and eventually expand in other parts of the world. Masiela graduated from high school at 15, and was accepted as a junior to UCLA at the age of eighteen, majoring in English. Before becoming an actor, she was named by Teen Magazine as one of five to "Most Likely to Succeed". After arriving in Michigan, Masiela first gained attention by modeling. She was discovered among 600 aspiring actors by a Los Angeles based talent agent, and shortly there after was one of three invited to Hollywood at the age of thirteen. She loves honing her craft in front of the camera and exploring different characters, and continues to pave her path to success as an actress and author.- Actress
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Eliza Dushku was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Judith (Rasmussen), a political science professor, and Philip R. Dushku, a teacher and administrator. Her father is Albanian and her mother is American (of Danish, Irish, English, and German descent). She was discovered at the end of a five-month search throughout the United States for the perfect girl to play the lead role of Alice opposite Juliette Lewis in the film That Night (1992). Since then, she has been in several films and has worked with actors such as Robert De Niro, Ellen Barkin, Leonardo DiCaprio, Paul Reiser, and Jim Belushi. Born in Boston on December 30, 1980, she has studied the piano, drums, and several types of dance (jazz, tap, and ballet). Her previous acting experience includes numerous amateur presentations at the Watertown Children's Theater where she was part of the company since she was in the first grade. In addition to acting, she is sometimes seen on stage at the Children's Theater signing for the deaf.- Actor
- Producer
Victor Gojcaj was discovered when film director Tony Scott was scouting the streets of New York for real life criminals past and present to coach actors in the movie The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, with the help of former head D.E.A agent Don Ferrarone. After extensive research through mug shots and both current and former cases, Ferrarone brought Victor to the attention of Scott. Scott was amazed that at such a young age (24), Victor had quickly risen through the ranks of the underworld to captain his own crew.He liked Victor so much; he offered him the role of Bashkin (a.k.a. "Mr. Grey"): the most aggressive of the hijackers on the condition he completely drops all aspects of his criminal life. It was "an offer he couldn't refuse". The producers however scoffed at the idea of hiring a former criminal in such a big budget movie and told Scott to "look for real actors". After months of persistence Scott finally convinced the producers that Victor was his man.Victor completed the filming of the movie successfully and was a real presence next to John Travolta.- Actor
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James is an American Albanian Actor/Director/Producer, born in Kosovo. His family arrived in the United States when he was two years old and he was raised in New York City. James started his career studying at the Stella Adler Conservatory under the tutelage of Elaine Stritch. He resides in New York City with his wife and two daughters.- Actor
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Erand Hoxha was born on December 05, 1987 in Albania.Erand discovered his passion for acting at an early age. Full of ambition, he has been pursuing his goal, dedicating his time and energy to the topics of film and acting.
Erand studied school for law and after graduating worked as a lawyer for over 3 years in the office of his father but his dreams of acting never died. In 2013 was given the opportunity to play the first film and since that day did not stop to express his passion in acting.
However, Erand is not just an actor - ha takes a broad interest in all aspects of filmmaking and has already gained some experience in the fields of directing and producing. He was the associate producer of the internationally successful Albanian cinema production
Erand is currently continuing his professional training Artistic Association "Ferdinand Deda" to be an actor by taking elocution lessons in order to further upgrade his abilities and prepare for new international film projects in future.- Actor
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Enver Leif Gjokaj is an American film and television actor. He is known for his roles as Victor in Joss Whedon's science fiction television series Dollhouse and as Agent Daniel Sousa on Agent Carter (2015). Gjokaj was born in Orange County, California. His father is Albanian, and his mother is American. Gjokaj has an older brother named Bekim and an identical twin brother named Demir. Both Gjokaj and his brother attended Amador High School, in Sutter Creek, California, where Gjokaj participated in multiple plays and variety shows. Gjokaj graduated with a Master of Fine Arts from New York University's Graduate Acting Program at the Tisch School of the Arts. While at NYU, he was a semi-finalist for Tisch's Vilar Global Fellows Program, a Rhodes Scholar-style program in the Arts. In 2002, he received a Bachelor of Arts in English from UC Berkeley.- Actor
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Blerim Destani was born on April 12, 1981 in Stolberg near Aachen (Germany). He spent his childhood in Tetovo, a town in Macedonia at the foot of the Sharr mountains. His entire family is of Albanian origin. Blerim has been living and working in Germany and Macedonia for the past ten years. Blerim discovered his passion for acting at an early age. Full of ambition, he has been pursuing his goal, dedicating his time and energy to the topics of film and acting. At 14 years of age, he made his acting debut in the Albanian TV film "Atje ku nuk lind dielli" (Sun doesn't rise there). While producing short documentaries, he began taking acting classes in England.
In 2004, Blerim was offered his first major role in a film. He attracted significant public attention in Southeast Europe by playing the part of the main character "Beni" in the Kosovar TV production "Metropolet" (director: Sunaj Raca). The action-packed coming-of-age drama "Metropolet" deals with the fate of the young Albanian boy Beni, who is hoping to attain financial wealth in Germany within a short time. In order to achieve this target, he abandons his family and friends and hooks up with the gangster Musa. However, the plan does not work out and Beni ends up in prison. Reformed by several years' imprisonment, Beni realises that it is not that easy to leave the past behind ...
The successful cooperation with the well-known director Sunaj Raca was continued in 2005 in the motion picture Etjet e Kosovës (2006). The film recounts the repercussions and effects of the Kosovar war on the Albanian population. Ethnic cleansings and other atrocities mentally and physically destroyed the people. The entwined destinies of individual persons and families from various geographic regions and social classes are the basis of a closely interconnected storyline. Families are not only looking for their missing children, but also for new hope and perspectives. In this film, Blerim very impressively impersonates the complex character of a man who needs to prove his qualities as a soldier, a husband and a father.
However, Blerim is not just an actor - ha takes a broad interest in all aspects of filmmaking and has already gained some experience in the fields of directing and producing. He was the associate producer of the internationally successful Macedonian cinema production The Great Water (2004) (directed by Ivo Trajkov) shot in 2004. In 2005, "The Great Water" was shown at many renowned festivals and received a number of awards.
Blerim is currently continuing his professional training to be an actor by taking elocution lessons in order to further upgrade his abilities and prepare for new international film projects in 2006.- Actor
- Director
Albanian Actor , Raised and Trained in the UK. His career started at a very young age at school in the south east of England In Kent . His interests are acting , always found directing a very natural progression, believing it makes him understand acting better. Dritan trained as an actor in the UK both at university and Private schools for acting , often taken classes still.- Nik Xhelilaj was born on 5 March 1983 in Tirana, Albania. He is an actor, known for Der Albaner (2010), Seven Lucky Gods (2014) and 3 Yol (2013).
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Peter Malota was born in 1965. He is an actor, known for Universal Soldier (1992), Trust (2010) and Nowhere to Run (1993).- Actor
- Producer
Arben Bajraktaraj was born on 29 January 1973 in Isniq, Yugoslavia [now Kosovo]. He is an actor and producer, known for Taken (2008), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007).- Actor
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Klement Tinaj is an actor, martial artist, and director best known for his martial arts action films. Tinaj was born in 1990, and spent his youth eternally on the move, and by the time he was 15, had attended 5 different schools in the US and Europe. He finally settled in 2005 in Yonkers, New York. While in high school, he developed an interest in acting and abandoned his plans of becoming a farmer, and at age sixteen he played the role Mr. Kirby in the show "You Can't Take It With You". After this show Tinaj was cast in three more shows "Lysistrada 2008", "Room Service" and "Julius Caesar" at Lincoln High School in Yonkers New York. Tinaj attended Five Towns College in 2009 and in his freshman year acted in three shows; "Macbeth", "The Full Mounty" and "Golden Parachutes".
Through out his time in Five Towns College he starred in many shows such as "Aladdin", "Dora", "Twelve Angry Men", and "Ragtime".
Aside from the schools production, Tinaj starred in the play "Stolen", "Extra Special","American Dating Catastrophes Vol. 11" "The Table" and "X's & O's".
While pursuing his acting career Tinaj continued training in Tae Kwon Do as well as teach students ranging from all levels of the sport. The skills he acquires from training and his love for the martial arts led him to create the film "The Attacker" and "Last Chance". Tinaj wrote, produced and starred in the two films.
Tinaj wrote, directed and produced the play "Twenty Days". The show opened in Secret Rose Theatre in North Hollywood, CA on May 24th 2015, and then traveled to Mccadden Theatre in Hollywood, CA on June 7th 2015.
Tinaj also directed, produced, and fight choreographed the play "Some Kind of Love Story" written by Arthur Miller. The show opened in Dix Hills Performing Arts Center and then traveled to New York City off-Broadway at Producers Club Theaters.
He taught Art of Combat for New York Educational Theatre Festival in 2012 hosted by The American Academy of Dramatic Arts sponsored by The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and Tinaj still teaches Art of Combat in Los Angeles.
Tinaj received his B.F.A in Theatre Arts in December of 2012 and his MFA in Acting for Film in January of 2015.
Tinaj has gone from relatively humble beginnings, as a supporting cast to a major movies such as Fast & Furious 7, The Second Coming of Christ, and The Good, the Bad, and the Dead.- Actor
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Robert Belushi was born in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Robert is an actor and producer, known for Chicago P.D. (2014), How I Met Your Mother (2005) and Get A Clue (2020). Robert has been married to Chelsea Wernsman since 29 June 2014.- Actor
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James Adam Belushi was born June 15, 1954, in Chicago, to Agnes Demetri (Samaras) and Adam Anastos Belushi, a restaurant owner. His father was an Albanian immigrant, from Qytezë, and his mother was also of Albanian descent. The third of four children - his brother was comedian John Belushi - he grew up in Wheaton, Illinois. A high school teacher, impressed by his improvisational skills while giving speeches, convinced him to be in a school play. After that, he joined the school's drama club. Today, if asked why he got involved in acting, he will jokingly say, "Because of girls. In the drama club, there were about 20 girls and six guys. And the same thing with choir - more girls!". He attended the College of DuPage and Southern Illinois University, where he graduated with a degree in Speech and Theater Arts.
In 1977, he joined Chicago's Second City improv troupe and remained for three years. In 1979, Garry Marshall saw Jim performing for Second City and arranged for him to come to Hollywood and co-star in the TV pilot Who's Watching the Kids (1978) for Paramount and, then, for a role in the series Working Stiffs (1979) (co-starring Michael Keaton). Later, in 1983, he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live (1975) for two years. Jim came to national attention in About Last Night (1986), playing the role he originated in the Chicago Apollo Theatre's production of David Mamet's Obie-award winning play "Sexual Perversity in Chicago". He resides in Los Angeles with his wife Jennifer Sloan, their daughter Jamison and a son, Robert Belushi, from his first marriage.- Actor
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Paul William Walker IV was born in Glendale, California. He grew up together with his brothers, Caleb and Cody, and sisters, Ashlie and Amie. Their parents, Paul William Walker III, a sewer contractor, and Cheryl (Crabtree) Walker, a model, separated around September 2004. His grandfather, William Walker, was a Pearl Harbor survivor and a Navy middleweight boxing champion, while his maternal grandfather commanded a tank battalion in Italy under General Patton during World War II. Paul grew up active in sports like soccer and surfing. He had English and German ancestry.
Paul was cast for the first season of the family sitcom, Throb (1986) and began modeling until he received a script for the 1994 movie, Tammy and the T-Rex (1994). He attended high school at Village Christian High School in Sun Valley, California, graduating in 1991. With encouragement from friends and an old casting agent who remembered him as a child, he decided to try his luck again with acting shortly after returning from College.
He starred in Meet the Deedles (1998), a campy, silly but surprisingly fun film which failed to garner much attention. However, lack of attention would not be a problem for Paul Walker for long. With Pleasantville (1998), he appeared in his first hit. As the town stud (a la 1950s) who more than meets his match in modern day Reese Witherspoon, he was one of the most memorable characters of the film. That same year, Paul and his then-girlfriend Rebecca had a baby girl named Meadow Walker (Meadow Rain Walker). Even though Paul publicly admitted that Meadow was not planned, he said that she is his number one priority. Paul and Rebecca separated and Meadow lives with her mother in Hawaii. She often visited with Paul as his homes in Santa Barbara and Huntington Beach, California.
Roles in the teen hits Varsity Blues (1999), She's All That (1999) and The Skulls (2000) cemented Walker's continued rise to celebrity. He was chosen to be one of the young stars featured on the cover of Vanity Fair's annual Hollywood issue in April 2000. While the other stars on the cover, brooded and tried their best to look sexy and serious, Paul smiled brightly and showed why he is not part of the norm. This is one young actor who certainly stood apart from the rest of the crowd, not only with his talent but with his attitude. The Dallas Morning News commented in March of 2000 that, "Paul is one of the rarest birds in Hollywood- a pretension free movie star." The latest blockbuster hit, The Fast and the Furious (2001), had raised his stardom to an even higher level.
His fighting scenes in movies lead to a passion for martial arts. He has studied various forms of Jujitsu, Taekwondo, Jeet Kune Do and Eskrima. Paul mentioned in a magazine interview that he had hoped enroll in the Keysi Fighting Method when it comes to the United States. Other than practicing martial arts, Paul enjoyed relaxing at home with his daughter, Meadow Rain, surfing near his Huntington Beach abode, walking his dogs and just driving.
When Paul seriously did get a break from the entertainment business, he said he loved traveling. Paul had traveled to India, Fiji, Costa Rica, Sarawak, Brunei, Borneo and other parts of the Asian continent. Tragically, Paul Walker died in a car crash on Saturday November 30, 2013, after attending a charity event for "Reach Out Worldwide".
Several of Paul's films were released after his death, include Hours (2013), Brick Mansions (2014), and his final starring role in The Fast and the Furious series, Furious 7 (2015), part of which was completed after his death. The film's closing scenes paid tribute to Walker, whose character met with a happy ending, and rode off into the sunset. He appeared archival footage in Fast X (2023).