Meet Brits in LA Member Mark Smith. Known as Rhino in the UK since winning the Junior British Championships in Bodybuilding in 1989. Born and raised in Acton, Mark moved here with his wife Simone and son Brodie in 2008 to pursue acting.
What made you choose LA?
I chose LA as I wanted a fresh new start and originally came here for a film I was attached that didn’t end up going ahead.
What do you miss most from home?
My friends and family. Plus the banter with all my pals, a good curry and Jamaican food and a good roast dinner…
What was my impression of LA and has it changed since, if so why?
My first impression of LA, was WOW the roads are freeways are big and the weather is great. My impression hasn’t changed, still big to me, the beaches, the weather.
What is the biggest difference between here and home?
The biggest difference from home, where you walk to the tube and jump onto the train to get into town in 20 minutes, is the driving. I feel a lot peeps here are preoccupied on their phones or day dreaming, hence so many car accidents.
Do you have a hidden gem you can recommend to us?
My hidden gem in LA is the screening room and ambience in Soho House, and Aurora Foot and Body massage. Plus the UCLA running track and In and Out Burger.
What I would recommend to others before moving here?
Get your working papers in good order first. 01 visa, green card etc, even come for a week or two first. If you are an actor do Industry Hollywood to see if it’s for you before making the big move and then if you decide to, save some money to bring here and work here, so earn money whilst pursuing your dream and stay focused on the reason you came here.
Where can we find out more about you?
You can find out more about me and what I am up to at IMDB as well as Twitter and Instagram. Also Facebook, all are under Mark Rhino Smith. I appear in Zootopia as Officer McHorn, in April Criminal will be in theaters. I am currently working on Criminal Minds, and I just finished working with Dr Dre. I also just got back from Bulgaria filming Security with Sir Ben Kingsley and Antonio Banderas.
Last year’s projects included Creed and The Last Ship, before that I have worked on Argo, Batman Begins, EastEnders and RobinHood and of course TV’s Gladiators as Rhino to name a few.
