Branko Tomovic

Born in Germany to Serbian parents, London-based actor Branko Tomovic has worked steadily since graduating from the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. His credits include THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM and the upcoming TV movie Whitechapel.

What training have you received?

I studied acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in NYC. Most of the teachers were still taught personally by Lee Strasberg and they were sitting in the same class as Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. Some of them were frustrated that they never made it big as an actor and took it out on us poor students and others saw their fulfilment in passing on “the Method” to the next generation. I like this approach very much because it brings out the truth in your performance.

What kind of roles attract you?

I’m usually drawn to darker, grittier material. I’m attracted by broken people, tormented characters and lost souls. I usually find myself playing the “guys with sad eyes”. Instead of going to a shrink you can let that all out in front of the camera and still hide behind the name of your character. A dream for me would be portraying Nikola Tesla, the Serbian inventor.

What’s the best advice that you’ve been given as an actor?

My favourite acting teacher Pennie duPont told me to always make strong choices. You have to trust your instincts so you can integrate your unique personality into your work. People will see that you are truthful and for yourself it can feel like flying.

Most significant moment in your career so far?

Finding the right agent. I’ve been with my agent Eamonn Bedford ever since I moved to London three years ago and I’ve been very fortunate not only to have found someone who looks after me well and introduces me to the right people, but also who completely understands my artistic goals and guides me in the right direction. You constantly work on different projects and meet so many new people that an agent is probably the only constant in an actor’s life. It’s rare to find someone that you can trust completely, and I think I found someone who will still be there for me in 20 years time.

You’ll die happy when…

I’ve achieved immortality through a film. As a filmmaker and actor you want to have that one film that you’ll be remembered for, something that stands out and matters to people, something that stays long after you are gone. ■