MY TWO WIVES ACTOR, ZACK SHARES HIS ACTING TRAIL

EDDY PETER, commonly known as Zack on screen, a full-time actor with two wives Dama and Toni, showcasing on KTN. He walked away with last year’s award of the Best lead actor in TV drama at the Kalasha awards.

Who exactly is Eddy peter?

Eddy is a very simple person. I am married, I have three children. I put God first in everything I do. I am passionate in all I do. I love spending time with my family and every free time I get, I spend with them. I most definitely do appreciate my friends.

When did your passion for acting start?

I started acting way back in kindergarten, I played the role of Joseph back then. I did a lot of acting in high school. I stopped for some time when I cleared school to focus on some other things. In 2010 embarked on professional acting. I have been in this industry since then.

When was your big breakthrough?

From the many small gigs that I did, people recognized my potential. The first time I appeared on a TV show was on changing times and that gave me mileage. The first film I did was called Shattered. In this movie, I was working with big names in the industry whom I still work with. Rita Dominic was one of them. I was playing the role of uncle to Rita Dominic.

What did winning the Kalasha as best lead actor mean for you?

Since 2010, I have been working hard trying to give my best in every project I lay my hands on. Winning the award was an assurance that my efforts were boring fruits. It was very meaningful to me.

What is the biggest hurdle that you have faced in your career?

The biggest hurdle is when I go for auditions and am told I am not a Kenyan. I am a Kenyan and being identified as an outsider is very annoying. In this industry, you have to identify with rejection. What you do with rejection, however, makes the difference. It might make you better or weigh you down completely.

What is your biggest plan this year?

My biggest plan was to do theatre play and be in a movie. I have done two theatre plays already. One of them is a musical called ‘Mrs. Lucy goes to Africa ‘and the other is ‘Poison Ivy ‘. The film is what I’m working on. The biggest plan that I am working on would be to get to learn more in the different areas of my ‘career’ more so in directing.

How did you land the role ‘Zack’?

I went for auditions in ‘Insignia’ offices I was picked. Later on, they said I might not fit the role. I had to audition again and finally, I got it. I am happy because that is the role that landed me the Kalasha.

What would be your take on the entertainment industry 5 years ago and right now?

Honestly, this industry is a little bit weird. I would say 5 years ago there was more work. The workload went down with the introduction of digital televisions.
Right now more people survive with the art entertainment industry in Kenya. It is still light years from other industries. There are a lot of things being improved. People are working on systems so that we can have a proper industry. I believe it’s going to be better than what we think or what we already know.

What advice would you give to the young people trying to make it into the industry?

When getting to an industry you do not know, you must have a learning spirit. Be humble, listen and be ready to learn. Talent alone will not take you anywhere. There is a lot you have to mix to be a celebrated actor. You need your talent, passion, skill, and working. You need all that to be better than yesterday. Ultimately, you must have resilience, never give up, do have a tough skin.

Do actors have a platform that protects them?

Actors do have a platform to protect them; Kenya Actors Guild. If you are an actor in Kenya, you need to be in the Kenya Actors Guild. This will enable us to be able to build numbers. Therefore, we will be able to speak as one. We will even be in a position to have certain bills passed and people will listen.

How are royalties distributed and collected in the industry?

We do have royalties from CMO’S such as PRISK. They collect royalties and share them according to the work you have done. Government bodies given the mandate to collect royalties for different people and distribute them.

What is your take on ‘Rafiki’ and what did it mean to be banned?

I will not comment on it as I was a member of Oscar’s selection committee in Kenya. It was selecting a film to be nominated at the Oscar’s. We must respect the law, there is no back door.

We do understand you are a family guy, do you ever have situations where people ask about Dama and Toni? How do you respond?

(He laughs) This is very true, sometime back I was on holiday with my wife, some people did approach me to ask about them. My response is that those are not my wives. There is a difference between Zack and Eddy. This is what I make clear. When my kids are watching, they do refer to the character as ‘Zack’. My youngest child sometimes back referred to the character as ‘daddy’ but now she does know that that is Zack. It happens that people do forget that whatever is on TV is acting and there is real life and the two are very different.

Have you ever tried out commercial modeling? What brand did you work for?

I have done auditions for different advertisements. It becomes very hard because I’m told I am not a Kenyan and the advert will not reach the Kenyan market. However, I have done advertisements such as one with the Standard Chartered. I have also done voice adverts. When I see that I stand a chance I do go for the auditions.

What do you want to tell your audience and the people reading this?

Put God first and never give up. Do not only work hard but also work smart. Your chance will come!