Name: Eddie Zamora
Department: Theatre
When did you start getting to theatre? Why?
I got into theatre in High School. At home, I was always an extrovert but when it came to meeting new people I was extremely shy. Theatre gave me an opportunity to build my confidence and explore a side of my creativity completely new to me. From 4th-8th grade, I went to South Miami Magnet Performing Arts School to study music. Studying the piano was my first love before the theatre. My father is a Jazz and Latin drummer who graduated from FIU with a degree in music in his 40’s. Music was a huge part of my upbringing.
Did you always want to pursue theatre/performance as a career?
Marine Biology was what I wanted to pursue as a kid. Theatre became my passion while in college. Exploring the different characters gave me so much joy! As far as I’m concerned, nothing is more exciting than performing on stage with your castmates.
What path did you take to attain your current career?
My first gig was as a TV host and I saved as much money as I possibly could have in order to afford to move to Los Angeles. In order to have bigger opportunities, I knew that I had to leave Miami for Hollywood. Miami will always have my heart, but at the time I couldn’t spread my wings there. While living in Los Angeles, I became obsessed with the food and wine world. Through a series of crazy events worthy of a “TED Talk”, I became your go-to person on social media to find out where to eat, drink, and travel.
How was it been preparing to participate in “Dinner Takes All”?
“Dinner Takes All” has been my greatest work experience. As a TV food judge, I’m putting to use all of my years of traveling around the world and eating some of the most amazing foods that can touch our palate. Little did I know, that all of my food travels were preparing me for this job.
Do you enjoy judging/hosting on the show?
I love being a judge on the show. Seeing these families work so hard to present their best Sunday meal has been a humbling experi
ence. It has been inspiring to see their dedication in every episode.
What can we expect from you in the future? Do you have any specific plans?
I’m currently in season 2 of “Dinner Takes All” and you can expect me to be a force in my field for years to come. The sudden passing of Anthony Bourdain left an impact on me and I’m inspired to take on the challenge of helping fill the void he left behind.
What advice do you have for those pursuing a career in Theatre and Performance?
My advice is to incorporate “Kaizen” into your work ethic. Kaizen in Japanese means “continuous improvement.” There is no best only better. There is always room to get better at your craft. Another thing to remember is you never know who is watching. Always be at your best.
How has FIU Helped you get to where you are today in your career?
My time at FIU Theatre gave me clarity and focus on what I wanted to be. The discipline that I attained while there is something that has stayed with me to this day.
Were there any classes or professors that influenced where you are today?
Professor Phillip Church was the first person besides my family to support me and tell me I was good and could do this for a living. His acting class was my favorite class of all time.
