Today, we have the pleasure of chatting with Karo Kozak, an actress who has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry. Born in Poland and raised in Denmark, Karo’s unique upbringing shaped her passion for acting. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where she honed her skills and learned the work ethic required to thrive in Hollywood. Karo has worked on many productions, including the science fiction comedy “My Robot Brother,” where she played the role of Kamilla, the most lifelike robot ever created. She has just finished shooting an anthology series, and we are thrilled to learn more about this project and her career as an actress.
HI, WELCOME TO ABOUT INSIDER! THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CHAT WITH US! CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, WHO IS KARO KOZAK IN YOUR OWN WORDS?
Hi! My name is Karo Kozak and I’m an actress. I was born in Poland and raised in Denmark, which gave me a really unique upbringing filled with different cultures. I started my journey in the entertainment industry when I was just 3 years old, when my mom put me in dance classes and as I got older I switched over to acting. I have been very fortunate to have gotten to work with lots of very talented directors and producers from disguisable production companies. I have starred in award winning productions such as the science fiction comedy “My Robot Brother ”, that could be seen in movie theaters all over Denmark.
HOW DID YOUR BACKGROUND GROWING UP IN POLAND AND DENMARK INFLUENCE YOUR INTEREST IN PURSUING A CAREER IN ACTING?
I think growing up the thought of becoming an actress in Hollywood always seemed so unattainable, especially because of the distance. It was only something that happened in movies. I didn’t really know any actors back home and it wasn’t something anyone I had ever met actually pursued. Something 8 year old me did know for sure though, was that I wanted to be like the kids I watched on Disney Channel. When I came to the US for the first time at 16 years old and was finally exposed to people pursuing acting, I immediately knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE STUDYING AT THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS, AND HOW DID IT PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER IN HOLLYWOOD?
Studying at the Academy gave me so much knowledge, and it really helped me understand that actors need to have an insane amount of work ethic to last in this industry. I had lots of different kinds of classes such as sitcom, audition techniques, the business of acting and vocal production. They truly covered all aspects of what it means to be an actor in this day and age. I mean at the end of the day you are being trained by the same people that trained Anne Hathaway, Danny DeVito, Jessica Chastain and Grace Kelly so it doesn’t get any better than that.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WORKING ON THE SCIENCE FICTION COMEDY “MY ROBOT BROTHER” WITH ACCLAIMED DANISH ACTORS. HOW DID IT FEEL TO BE PART OF SUCH A TALENTED CAST?
It was truly an amazing experience getting to work with so many talented people and I felt extremely honored to be part of such a talented cast: Getting to play Kamilla was so much fun especially because she is the newest and most advanced robot ever made. She is a G20, which not only is the most lifelike robot ever created but she can easily be mistaken for actually being human. Kamilla is a big rule follower and loves going by the book. Her job is to always make sure Alberte is doing the right thing and staying out of trouble. Kamilla had to be so lifelike, while also still being a robot, I had to do a lot of physical preparation and understanding how to get the perfect mix. I got to work on the physical aspects of playing a robot, with one of the biggest and most talented choreographers in Denmark, Toniah Pedersen, who has worked with artists like Mary J Blige, Biggie, D’Angelo, Sugababes and Backstreet Boys. That in itself was a big honor. Additionally, working with Danish director, Frederik Meldal Nørgaard, was an amazing experience and I learned a ton from him!Especially since he also has an acting background, that made it possible for him to approach his actors from not only a directors perspective but from an actor’s perspective. It’s always beautiful to work with someone that understands your craft. It’s simply like speaking the same language.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST SURPRISE WORKING AS AN ACTRESS IN HOLLYWOOD SO FAR?
I would say how long everything takes and how many people are involved in productions, especially the big ones. Sometimes shooting just one scene might take multiple days. As an actress you have to be patient and ready to go at all times.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE ANTHOLOGY SERIES YOU JUST FINISHED SHOOTING, AND WHAT DREW YOU TO THE PROJECT?
I absolutely adored working on this series. It had an amazing cast, hardworking crew and awesome storyline. The writer of this is a genius in my opinion! There is not much I can give away just yet but it’s a mystery/thriller series about a malevolent mystery in a small town. A string of strange happenings, unexplained phone calls, suspicious light bulbs, otherworldly radio stations, and mysterious visitors. The series follows 4 characters as they are toyed with by sinister forces, each trying to put together the pieces of a larger puzzle. I play Andrea who is a kindhearted soul that saved her husband, Silas, from his traumatic spiral from a troubled childhood. We recently got married and moved back to Silas’s hometown and simultaneously discovered we cannot have a child, so that was very hard for me. I am the one that encouraged Silas to plan a dinner with his parents, not wanting to see him troubled by his upbringing any longer. I would say Andrea is tender but decisive with tact and empathy. She’s the decision-maker of the couple but doesn’t like stepping on Silas’s toes unless it’s absolutely necessary.
YOU’VE ACHIEVED A LOT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR. WHAT ARE SOME GOALS YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE, BOTH PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY?
Something I would love to get to work on professionally is a sitcom. I have worked on lots of dramatic projects but I would love to explore some more comedy! Sitcoms like Modern Family or Schitt’s Creek really speak to me and getting to play characters like Hailey and Alexis would be some much fun!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PURSUING A CAREER IN THE PERFORMING ARTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO COME FROM MULTICULTURAL BACKGROUNDS LIKE YOURS?
I would tell anyone that is wanting to pursue a career in acting, to just get out there. First try it by taking acting classes before making up your mind of wanting to pursue it professionally. Be absolutely sure that this is what you want to do with your life because being an actor is not easy! It takes a tremendous amount of patience, sacrifices, dedication and passion. Also, always be proud of where you came from! There is only one of you and if you come from a multicultural background, it is even more likely there is no one with that exact mix of culture, which just makes you more unique! You should always consider that your superpower and not get in your head about not being like everyone else, because I have been there and trust me, it’s so not worth it!
WHERE CAN OUR READERS FIND YOU ONLINE?
My most updated is definitely going to be my instagram @karokozak but they should follow me on ImDB www.imdb.com/name/nm8177787/
