Enuka Okuma Speaks
Canadian beauty Enuka Okuma stars as rookie police officer Traci Nash in ABC’s hit drama Rookie Blue, but movie fans may recognize her for her work on the big screen in such hit films as Double Jeopardy, Reindeer Games, Stolen, and this summer’s sleeper hit, Larry Crowne, with Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks. Also this summer Ms. Okuma embarked on what she calls ‘the role of a lifetime.’
Mike Parker – Fans may know you as the feisty cop, Traci Nash, on the ABC series Rookie Blue, but I understand you have recently taken on a new role – as a wife.
Enuka Okuma – That is right! It is the role of a life time.
Parker – Acting is a tough career on anyone, but it can be especially trying for a young married couple who needs to spend time together. Any thoughts on juggling home life with your professional career?
Enuka – I married a musician, so we already knew the challenges associated with our careers. I don’t know how much advice I can give. We’ve been together for around six years, so we know each other’s struggles. I feel very lucky to have found someone who knows exactly what I am going through.
Parker – You’ve got a hefty number of film and television credits on your resume for one so young. How did you break into the industry, and what do you do to keep your self in the minds of casting directors?
Enuka – I started as a kid. I was in theatre in school, and a woman who owned the Vancouver Youth Theatre saw me in a play and asked me to join her theatre company and her agency. If she hadn’t taken me under her wing I don’t think I would be doing this today.
You have to be tenacious. Acting is a craft and I don’t recommend anyone get into this career if you just want to be a star. You have to want to be an actor. Keeping myself in the mind of casting directors means continuing to audition, constantly.
Parker – You had the opportunity to share the screen with superstars Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts in this summer’s sleeper hit, Larry Crowne. How was that experience?
Enuka – It was wonderful! It was inspiring. Tom Hanks wrote, directed and produced the film. I was getting ready to direct my own short film, so I watched how he worked. I took in as much as I could.
Parker – Outside of your career and your family, what are you passionate about?
Enuka – I’m pretty passionate about my career and my family; family first of course. I’m still crafting myself as a director and writer and producer. I am passionate about going to the movies. I still like to watch movies. It is a huge interest of mine.
Parker – Tell me about the short film you directed and produced.
Enuka – It is called Cookie. It’s about a married couple going through some transitions. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had on set. I learned so much. I learned what I didn’t know and I learned what I did know.
The Seven Questions
1. What’s your favorite sound?
Enuka – My cat purring.
2. What makes you happy?
Enuka – Babies! Babies make me happy.
3. What makes you angry?
Enuka – Bad drivers.
4. What is the secret of success?
Enuka – You have to have your own barometer for that. Success is a personal thing and you have to find it for yourself.
5. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, living or dead, who would it be?
Enuka – My grandmother. My mum’s mother.
6. What is the epitaph that is written on your tombstone?
Enuka – “She was here. She might still be here.” I believe we are all still here in some way.
7. When you get to heaven, what is the first thing you want to hear God say to you?
Enuka – “What took you so long?”
