Please introduce yourself. What do you do? Why? What do you want people to know about you?
Introducing Michael “JOVO” Jovanovski. An LA based actor, producer. After a storied successful career as a production designer and set decorator Michael knew there must be more. Bam! Covid. It was time to reassess. Hello Hollywood. A perfect time to reinvent oneself and pursue an unfulfilled childhood dream. Being in LA for just 2.5 years, Michael has kept busy.
Firstly booking a national Apple iPhone 12 spot which aired during the World Series (2 years ago) and has over 16+ Million views. Playing Tommy DeSimone in the new upcoming History Channel show History’s Greatest Heists. He starred in the multi-award winning short film SCATTERBRAIN (scatterbrainfilm.com) where he plays a bare-knuckle boxer living with his life choices and finding solace in the strangest of places.
This month, Michael appears as a grave digger in an upcoming HULUWEEN ad, and will star in two more short films this year.
What qualities make you different and unique from everyone else in the industry?
Being a seasoned, edgy Macedonian man, Michael has the subtle looks of a leading man, the charm of Brad Pitt and the raw talent of a character actor. His characters embody the perfect anti-hero, the charming villain, and a charismatically dysfunctional man. Having worked nearly three decades behind the camera, Michael knows what it takes to be successful and how much dedication, perseverance and discipline it takes to be great. Not one for taking the easy road, he is 100% committed to this path and has no plan b.
Describe THAT moment when you realized you’re doing what you were born to do.
Actually, I was nervous, anxious and low-key terrified when he started. I was not very good, self conscious and struggled greatly. My wife encouraged me and saw something in me. After moving here during the pandemic, I immediately got to work. You see, I am not a spring chicken and have been around the block already so my sense of urgency is high. Some how I quickly got two agents and began auditioning/self-submitting. It was very challenging — did I mention I was not very good?
I was in classes at the Acting Center and that helped a lot. It allowed me to put up work, and show it on social media without judgement. Ping. The light bulb went on. I fell in love with the classes and felt invigorated when I took them. I started creating content for my Instagram, @JOVO and became more comfortable in front of the camera. After about a year, and several hundred self tapes/auditions, I booked an Apple Commercial. That was it. A sign from the universe. Hell, can you get much bigger than an Apple ad? The first day on camera I was anxious from anticipation and excited, but I just knew I could do it. Once the camera rolled I was on! I got this! That was it! I have arrived. No turning back now.
Booking Brando for Scatterbrain through Instagram, I knew I needed to nail it. My first big starring role and for an important story (to the director) Brandon Watts (@mister.watts). I trained hard for this role, boxing, working out for two hours a day, did tons of research on CTE and Parkinson’s, and thoroughly enjoyed all of it. My body just knew this was for me. When I arrived on set and the camera turned on I was Brando. Several awards later, I am reaffirmed of my choice to be an actor.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve had to go through and how did you grow through it?
There were so many challenges: moving during a Pandemic to a new country, giving up a lucrative career, and saying goodbye to my family, friends and home of almost 30 years.
Who are the TOP 3 people you’d want to meet that could elevate your career or business? Why these specific individuals?
Well not just meet, but ideally work for. Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Guy Ritchie. I am a huge fan of all of their work. Great storytellers and directors.
Keep up with Michael Jovanovski through his socials below:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/jovo/