Footy plays second fiddle to Oscars for actor

Joshua Diaz. Photo by Damjan Janevski.

Joshua Diaz is hanging up his footy boots this season to focus on life on the big screen.

The former Wyndham Vale footballer has recently been cast in Neighbours, and has also starred in a movie that is going global.

The feature film, Somewhere Over That Rainbow, tells the story of six teenagers searching for acceptance and freedom in their sexuality.

Diaz plays the boyfriend of a model who comes out as bisexual, and is confronted by hate. The film was selected to screen at the International Filmmaker Festival of World Cinema in Nice, and also at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Film Festival.

In Neighbours, Diaz plays Keith Schmidt, a mechanic who teams up with a “crazy cop” to get revenge on a character called Steph Scully.

As he clocks up film and television credits, Diaz looks forward to returning to America.

Having studied at the prestigious Stella Adler Academy of Acting – known for training stars including Mark Ruffalo and Henry Winkler – he is no stranger to the country.

“My ultimate goal is to win two Oscars.

“Acting is my life,” he said.

“I’m going to keep going … nothing can stop me.”