NATCHEZ — God, a humble spirit and support from Natchez were essential tools that pushed Natchez native Sam Malone III to success in the film industry.

Growing up in Natchez, Malone did not show any interest in acting whatsoever. But after losing a passion for a career in computer science, Malone decided to pursue a career in front of the bright lights in New Orleans.

“Natchez just gave me a different outlook on life,” Malone said. “It’s a great town with so much love and support. With that, I feel like by the time I left Natchez I had all the tools I needed to take on the world.”

Malone is currently a graduate student completing his last semester at the University of New Orleans, where he teaches theater and is studying to get a master’s in fine arts with a concentration in performance.

However, Malone also has a successful acting career outside of UNO, where he has worked with acclaimed directors and actors such as Lee Daniels, Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Lange and Octavia Spenser.

Among some of his roles, Malone has portrayed a detective in American Horror Story, a guard in Breakout Kings and young Abraham in Lee Daniels’ The Butler.

Malone said while acting, he simply attacks the scene and breaks down his character.

“My job is to try as hard as possible to understand my character,” he said. “After I do my homework and come to the set, I might only have to make minor adjustments.”

But everything wasn’t easy for Malone.

“It was rough sometimes,” he said. “I want people to know that achieving goals won’t be easy. But you can make it.”

Malone attended Natchez High School until the 10th grade before moving to Columbus, where he graduated from the Mississippi School of Math and Science in 2002.

He then attended Louisiana State University in 2002. But because of a lack of funds, Malone had to take time off from school.

“I had to sit for a bit to work and make money,” he said. “But with the grace of God and support from family and friends, I got through school.”

After changing his major from computer science, Malone completed his time at LSU in 2010. He then moved to New Orleans and started performing at a community theater.

“I did a few shows and it increased my thirst for knowledge about theater,” Malone said. “So I had a new drive for education and decided to go to grad school.”

Malone later married his girlfriend, Natasha, and began attending UNO in the fall of 2012.

“I wanted to be somewhere with students who see themselves in me,” he said. “I started off doing substitute teaching, but now I have a theater class and I’m in my second semester teaching.”

Malone encourages those who study under him to not give up.

“Some roles I get and some I don’t,” he said. “But it’s OK. I just enjoy sharing the work and whether or not I get the role, I got the victory.”

Sam Malone Sr., Malone’s father, said he is extremely proud of his son.

“The main reason I’m proud of him is because he stayed humble,” Malone Sr. said. “He puts God first and he rolls with the punches. I tell him always to reach for the stars but to remain grounded.”

Malone said he is looking forward to the future as an actor, husband and soon to be father of a baby boy.

“I’m thankful to God and the people he sent my way,” Malone said. “Although everything hasn’t been easy, I’m still making it. It’s not about me, it’s about everybody else who invested their time in me.”