Earlier in the month, I was able to speak with Austrian Actor, Thomas Mikusz right after Bruno released in theaters. I wanted to know what someone from Austria thought about the film and also what it is like being an Austrian Actor in Hollywood. It was such a fun interview and I hope you enjoy reading the interview as much as I enjoyed talking to Thomas.

How do you feel about the portrayal of Austrians in he movie, Bruno?
Everyone knows that with Sacha Baron Cohen, everything is over the top. I don’t feel upset or anything about it. It’s funny. The thing about it is that he portrays an Austrian but at the end of the day it could be anybody he could play.

What is it like being an Austrian actor in Hollywood as opposed to overseas?
It is interesting…sometimes challenging. Basically, I have to sell myself with a German accent since a lot of people don’t know what to do with an Austrian actor.

Do you find that it is easier to work overseas as opposed to in Hollywood?
I have worked a lot in theatre which is easier overseas. It is funded by the government and it is easier to make a living there. Here it is quite impossible to make a living unless you are on Broadway, and that’s even a maybe. Also there is a bigger side of production here in the United States.

You live in LA but how often do you go back home to Austria?
I go back once a year, sometimes twice a year. My entire family is over there and actually some of them will be coming here for about 2 weeks so that will be exciting.

What do you find in LA that is not in Austria and vice versa?
Number one on my list would be the sunshine. I am so close to Malibu, hiking in the desert, and driving up the coast. It is spectacular. The lifestyle over here is more easy going and positive as far as going for what you want. In Austria, a lot of my friends learn a profession young, like at 13 years and they stick with it. Basically you learn something and you do that for your entire life, there is no change. It is not that people don’t want to change, it is just more difficult. Here in America, a lot of people change careers here and it works. It is much easier to do that here. What’s missing here in America is the security – health insurance.

Did you always know that you wanted to move to America?
No, t kind of happened. I took dance class around 17/18 yeas old and a lot of people in class would go to NY. At the time it was so foreign to me, I thought, “Oh my God NY!, that sounds cool. I should try it out.” So after I finished school, I became a flight attendant and traveled the world without having to pay for it. When I went to LA, I really liked it. I moved to Miami and NY first and then moved to LA. I did a lot of theatre work and modeling in Miami and NY.

What was it like being followed by a television crew for three weeks this Spring the popular European network, for RTL?
I had a really good time. The team that was with me was super nice. You build friendships with them so that was nice. We went to Malibu and I showed them my favorite spots and it was fun. It was good though because it helped me stay focused since I had people following me around and asking me questions.

Did you see Spring Awakening on Broadway before you were in the LA production?
No, I have never seen it on Broadway. I played one of the young children about 20 years ago in a theatre production. Then I recently did the play here in LA but that’s it.