Andrea Scarduzio Makes a Big Impact in “The Equalizer 3”

August 29, 2023

Edited By Erin Tatum

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Andrea Scarduzio’s active imagination guided him towards acting. It provided him an avenue to become larger than life. “When I was very little, maybe 5 or 6 years old, I watched Conan the Barbarian with my mum,” he says. “I remember being so impressed by the film and Arnold that when mum explained he was an actor playing that part, I immediately knew… I wanted to be like him. I wanted to be big. I wanted to be a warrior. Then, a couple of years later, I became obsessed with Al Pacino. I was watching a lot of films and seeing him and other now-legendary actors playing different characters and becoming different people. I thought this was really cool. I guess it resonated with me somehow.”

The Italian-born performer is eager to take another chance on American success. Returning stateside represents an affectionate homecoming of sorts. “It feels great, it really does. I love the US; I lived here for many years in my twenties. I had great times and really tough times, but I feel America has taught me a lot. It trained me, tested me, chewed me up and spit me out, like a parent giving tough love. Eventually, it started giving me great opportunities. I’m very thankful, especially for the tough times. No country is perfect, but the American dream is very much alive. If you’re willing to work hard, pay your dues, and better yourself, you can do anything in America and become anything. That alone makes the US pretty great.”

He recently popped up in Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One. “It was a small role but still cool to be mistaken for Ethan Hunt. The sequence is a nice, funny moment in the film. It even had some good laughs at the premiere.” Andrea was just happy to be there! “It was absolutely dreamy. Tom and the franchise are so legendary and iconic that being part of it, and experiencing it from the inside was incredible.” He harkens back to a sweet moment of optimistic foreshadowing. “I remember seeing Tom in LA back in 2007. At the time, I was mostly waiting tables and bartending, but I remember saying to myself, ‘One day I’m going to be on set with him.’ I told him that and he loved it. It was such a great experience. I’m very grateful for it. Meeting and working with Tom and Christopher McQuarrie was truly a gift.”

Appearing as Vincent Quaranta in his latest film meant yet another brush with Hollywood royalty for Andrea. He still can’t believe how smoothly everything has unfolded. “The Equalizer 3 has been a hell of a ride! Denzel is a monument; I adored the actor and the man for a long time before I got to meet him. He’s been one of my inspirations for years. Antoine Fuqua…I have no words to describe the admiration, respect, gratitude and love I have for this man. For me to be a part of this film, in such a role, has been a dream, a masterclass and a challenge. I will be forever thankful to all the people involved.” You can follow the river of life with profound gratitude. Andrea hopes to cross paths with other budding artists along the way. “I don’t know where or what it will lead to. I’m going to let the universe decide that. I just want to work on great projects with great people and keep growing both as a person and an actor. I want to continue learning and keep challenging myself and hopefully, if I’m really lucky, get to inspire some kid from some countryside around the world like me that anything is possible and to dream big.” Passion is the key component of a well-savored existence.