When Kevin Kago moved from Kenya to the United States, he had set aside his joy in acting for a career in neuroscience.

Though culture shock posed a significant challenge to his grades, Kago was committed to pursuing neuroscience when he tried out for a play in Seattle and was reunited with his passion for acting.

After losing approximately $3,000 in fake online agency scams and six auditions with Seattle Talent, Kago finally found an agency to represent him.

“At first I thought I wasn’t going to make it,” said the Thomas Jefferson High School alumnus.

Kago spent two years waiting for an acting job before realizing the agent or agency negotiates the deals, but it was up to him to find the opportunities.

Kago submitted his resume and a photo in hopes of an audition as an extra in the upcoming movie “Seal Team 666” starring DeWayne Johnson. He received a call, did the audition and was offered one of the lead roles.

The exposure through the upcoming supernatural film, based on the book by Weston Ochase, has led to other opportunities, including a role in the upcoming “Pacific Rim 2” film, Kago said.

For Kago, however, success isn’t about the money he makes, the recognition he gets or the famous friends he makes.

It is about inspiring the next generation of kids to follow their dreams and take the opportunities they find today, he said.

“[People] sit and wait for the opportunity to knock on their door,” Kago said.

But for every person waiting, there is someone else out hunting for opportunity.

When he isn’t filming, Kago visits schools in Federal Way and throughout the state to tell kids that their future doesn’t start in four years when they graduate high school or eight years when they graduate college — their future starts now, he said. He encourages students to push even harder to overcome negativity.

“You look up, get up and never give up,” Kago said, quoting the motto he lives by.

When Kago visits schools to offer encouraging talks, it usually turns into an autograph session. But being looked up to motivates Kago to work harder to be a role model and to be in a position to help others.

“Life is about sharing and caring about each other,” he said.

Kago spoke to students in Decatur High School’s AVID program on Monday, and his encouragement resonated with the students, said Ron Podmore, an AVID teacher at Decatur. The students responded well and enjoyed discussing success with Kago.

Kago graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in June, and plans to begin a cinematography program at the San Francisco Academy of Arts.

His long-term goals include starting a production company to help students get interested in careers in the arts, he said.

The company will dabble in music production, radio shows and film editing and directing.

Next year, Kago plans to produce a movie titled “Heroes,” using local Federal Way talents. The goal is to use the film as a springboard for local actors who may not be able to afford a talent agency.

The film will show in select theaters before being available through Netflix.

“I’m just getting started, I’m young,” said the 20-year-old. “We’re going to change the world.”