SA actor clinches US work visa to realise his Hollywood dream

South African actor Sean Cameron Michael has starred in over 80 television series, but at the age of 45 he’s finally got his big break: a visa to work in the US.

Michael has already made a name for himself among US audiences on the series Black Sails, which is filmed in Cape Town and has been showing on American screens since last year. It will finally begin running on DSTV’s History channel in August.

During a recent four-month trip to Los Angeles Michael, who has starred in 24: Redemption and local soapie Egoli, was signed up by Hollywood manager Matthew Lesher of Insight Entertainment, which also represents Peter Dinklage from Game of Thrones.

“Getting into LA isn’t as easy as everyone thinks because you need to be referred by fellow actors, publicists, managers and agencies to get your foot in their circles,” said Michael.

First on his long list of must-haves was the EB1 Visa, which is issued only to “priority workers” as permanent residency in America – which he managed to get in January.

His work as a judge on International Emmy Awards had a hand in this, as did acting in international series and films including Clint Eastwood’s Invictus,  playing Ryan Reynolds’ landlord in Safe House and acting in Golden Globe nominated flick The Girl.

“With a visa like the 01 Visa – where you can only work on a particular production only – I wouldn’t have been able to audition for other shows.

“With the residency this means I can finally sign to an agency and get management and finally take the step to trying to further my career in Hollywood,” he said.

Now the actor, who’s also known in the local theatre scenes for his roles in The King & I, Mandela Trilogy and recently Vers & Kabaret, is ready to make the move to LA if and when he is needed there.

“Since being signed to Matthew Lesher, within 48 hours he had marked me for two auditions, one in a Tom Cruise film and another in a Matthew McConaughey movie.

“I didn’t get those roles but I am hopeful that with the help of the agency, the management and publicist I will finally be getting the reputable jobs.”