UL Lafayette graduate student Cris Matochi has taken his acting career up a notch.
Matochi, who earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting, and a minor in theater, has landed a speaking role, as a police sergeant, in an upcoming episode of the CBS TV show “Zoo.”
The prime time drama series revolves around a zoologist’s quest to unravel the mystery behind widespread animal attacks, according to CBS.com. It is based on a bestselling novel by author James Patterson.
The first episode will debut on Tuesday, June 30.
The series is being filmed in New Orleans, but the plot unfolds in “settings” in different parts of the world, Matochi said.
Scenes featuring Matochi were shot this week. He expects the episode to air sometime mid-season.
“We finished shooting my part last night,” Matochi said on Thursday. The actor is on standby in case any of the scenes need to be reshot, or tweaked. “It’s really exciting, because this could lead to bigger and bigger roles.”
Matochi’s career took off after he appeared in a national TV commercial filmed by the University’s Office of Communications and Marketing.
The 30-second promotional spot was titled “Our Ragin’ Cajun Spirit Goes Beyond Athletics.” It aired on ESPN during the 2013 football season.
Matochi, 28, who is from Brazil, has landed roles in more than a dozen TV commercials, including for Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance and Buick automobiles.
He also snagged a bit part on the small screen, as a teacher, in the ABC Family channel TV series “Ravenswood.”
The acting bug bit Matochi while he was an undergraduate, when he landed major parts in several University productions.
His latest role will enable him to earn a Screen Actors Guild card, a coveted milestone for up-and-coming actors, since it is often a requirement for snagging roles in big productions.