My next interviewee is no stranger to the spotlight. An actor, a comedian, an MC and a dancer, he’s been very involved in South African television and many will also recognize him from his sold-out stand-up stints! Meet Ambrose Uren.
Ambrose and I caught up at Sotano in Seapoint, where we began our interview over a hearty lunch!
Tamika: Where are you from originally?
Ambrose: Cape Town.
Tamika: Where did you go to school?
Ambrose: I was at three high schools! Garlandale High School, Graham College and Muizenberg High.
Tamika: What did you do after school?
Ambrose: There was an option for me to study animation. But after much deliberating, I decided to study acting for film at City Varsity. It was two years and I got my first acting gig after my second year.
Tamika: What kind of training did you do for acting?
Ambrose: That was the only training I did.
Tamika: What would you say it is that you do primarily?
Ambrose: I’m an actor. I like acting for TV. I’ve done two series already; Shooting Stars which was a build up to the Soccer World Cup 2010. That was on Etv a few years back. After that, I got another job in a TV series called Montana. That was around 2009 and it aired on SABC1. It was so well received that we just shot the second season last year. On the show I’m a breakdancer called ‘Denver’ who is part of a breakdancing crew. It’s all about being a dancer and being taken seriously and earning money.
Tamika: Sounds awesome! Film wise, name some films you’ve done that were memorable for you. When were they, what what were they about and what was your role?
Ambrose: Well I just finished shooting a memorable on. It’s called House Party 5. It’s a Warner Brothers film. In it I play an American character; ‘DJ Hard Cap’. I’m a lead role. I had to do accent training which was fantastic. I really enjoyed it. It all worked out pretty well; we shot here in Cape Town at the Cape Town Studios. Then another film I did which stands out in particular is a German film called Diamond Diver. I play a deck boy who mines diamonds from the ocean. It’s a German feature film which shot in Cape Town a while ago.
Tamika: Have you done any commercials? Name some of the best ones! 
Ambrose: Yes I’ve done a lot. Highlights were Duracell, Coca-Cola, Panasonic and Samsung!
Tamika: Let’s talk about your comedy 🙂
Ambrose: Sure! My stand-up career hasn’t been that long. It started in April this year. I’ve been successful in that I’ve performed with some big names – Kurt Schoonraad and Nik Robinowitz being two of them! I also made the Top 4 of Goodhope FM’s Laughmaster Competition which was held at Jou Ma Se Comedy Club in May this year! That was great!
Tamika: What is the most recent job you’ve done.
Ambrose: House Party 5.
Tamika: What’s in the pipeline for you at the moment?
Ambrose: Next year I’m doing February 14th; a play at The Artscape here in Cape Town. I’ve also got a lot of stand-up planned in the months ahead. Other than that I’m casting for films and commercials! Oh yes, and breakdancing – my number one passion!
Tamika: Who is your agent?
Ambrose: APM.
Tamika: Do you also model.
Ambrose: No!
Tamika: What are your favourite South African films?
Ambrose: A Boy Called Twist and Tsotsi.
Tamika: Where do you party?
Ambrose: I don’t like big fancy venues. I like places like The Waiting Room in Longstreet.
Tamika: What’s in the boot of your car right now?
Ambrose: Argh! It’s like my cupboard at home! It’s completely packed and messy, I’m not even gonna lie!
Tamika: Haha! Do you have siblings?
Ambrose: Yes. Two younger sisters.
Tamika: What does your family do?
Ambrose: They are both priests.
Tamika: What is your health routine like?
Ambrose: My dancing is my training. Every day my crew trains in the Bonteheuwel Community Centre.
Tamika: Where do you see yourself in ten years from now?
Ambrose: I see myself as one of the most successful actors and comedians in South Africa.
Tamika: What’s one interesting thing about you that your followers don’t know?
Ambrose: I like driving around and just being alone. I can be driving to anywhere, I don’t mind. I just like the release.
Tamika: Name a place you love.
Ambrose: That would have to be Reunion Island! It’s gorgeous.
Tamika: Do you do any charity work?
Ambrose: Yes. This year I was part of a blanket giveaway for winter. I supported that. In the future I plan to get more involved in charity organizations.
Tamika: What do you tell yourself when you walk out of an audition?
Ambrose: “I’m hungry!” lol
If you want to follow him on Twitter, he goes by @AmbroseUren
You can also check him out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ambrose.uren?fref=ts
