Walter Alza

Character actor Walter Alza is best known for his tough-guy roles in films like "Get Rich or Die Tryin'." Born in Canada, Alza continues to split his time between Toronto and Los Angeles and has been taking character roles since 1992, when he appeared in the swashbuckling action film "The Swordsman." He subsequently made a number of appearances in television series like "RoboCop," "F/X: The Series" and the Canadian drama "Metropia." 2005 saw Alza appear alongside rapper and actor 50 Cent in his semi-autobiographical crime drama "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," directed by Jim Sheridan. In 2010, Alza moved into auteur mode with "Pay in Full," a crime film he wrote, directed, produced and starred in. Alza plays Sonny, the victim of an elaborate con scheme who decides to get revenge by working within the very system that destroyed him. Also released in 2010 was "Gangster Exchange," the story of a Yakuza gang member attempting to smuggle drugs into New York City or face the wraith of the rest of his organization, in which Alza starred as Sasha. After founding the Walter Alza Acting Studio, Alza has turned his attention to teaching. The acting school teaches classes ranging from beginning lessons to coaching for established actors.