Mike Dusi

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Mike Dusi
Dusi awards.jpg
Born (1981-03-11) March 11, 1981 (age 43)
Queens, New York
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Actor, producer

Mikel Dusi (born March 11, 1981) is an film producer, real estate investor, and entrepreneur of Albanian descent. [1] He is known for his work in independent film production and real estate investment firm West Coast Investments. [2]

Contents

Early life and education

Dusi was born in Manhattan, New York City, and raised in Ozone Park, Queens. [3] His father, Zef Dusi, was a restaurateur and real estate investor who emigrated from Kosovo, and his mother, Martha Pershpalaj, was from Mirditë, Albania. [4] He grew up with two brothers—Tom, the eldest, and Jack, the youngest—along with five cousins from his father's side. [5]

Dusi's early education took place in Catholic schools throughout Queens, New York City. He attended Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary School, where sister Margarita Torre, sister of former Yankees manager Joe Torre, served as principal. Then, he transferred to St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr School for grades 6-8.

From 1996 to 2000, Dusi attended Christ the King Regional High School, notable during that period for its basketball program. After high school, he completed an associate degree at Nassau Community College in Long Island before relocating to Los Angeles, California in 2003, where he briefly attended Santa Monica College. [2] [6]

Early community influences

During his youth, his family owned and operated Galleria Pizzeria at 101st Avenue and 95th Street in Ozone Park, Queens. [7] His early training included studying Shotokan karate under sensei Larrea, who emphasized discipline and focus in his teaching methodology. [8]

Career

Film Production

Dusi established himself in the film industry through various production roles. His work encompasses:

Dusi favors action and comedy films, where he makes use of his Shotokan skills. [3] Dusi's latest film is named Mikeyboy, which he produced. [9] It tells the semi-autobiographical story of an Albanian-American family who works in a pizzeria and share their modern Albanian traditions. [10] In 2011, he was associate producer on All's Faire in Love , a comedy about dueling renaissance fairs. He also began work on How Hard Can It Be, a mockumentary set in Ozone Park, Queens about a local pizzeria worker who decides to make films. [11]

Technology ventures

Dusi's involvement in technology began with his participation in Film Independent's inaugural Movie Hackathon in Los Angeles. [12] During this event, sponsored by Zefr (formerly Movieclips), his team developed a consumer interface product that achieved recognition at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) building presentation, placing in the top three.

Filmography

Personal life

Dusi is the father of two children, Cali and Axel. He has publicly acknowledged Dan Peña as a significant mentor in his professional development. [13]

References

  1. ↑ TEDx Talks (2015-09-01). Yesterday's Dreams are Today's Realities | Mike Dusi | TEDxPrizren . Retrieved 2025-02-19– via YouTube.
  2. 1 2 Gustafson, Anna (2011-10-27). "In Ozone Park pizza shop, a star is born". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
  3. 1 2 "Hollywood Buzz: Interview with Mike Dusi". NY Elite Magazine. 2013-11-13. Archived from the original on 2013-11-27. Retrieved 2013-12-14.
  4. ↑ "Hollywood Albanian: Proud of my country". Telegrafi. 2013-11-19. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
  5. ↑ Zylo, Keze Kozeta (2013-10-27). "Aktori Mike Dusi midis nxënësve të shkollës shqipe në Staten Island". Illyria (in Albanian). Retrieved 2013-12-14.
  6. ↑ "Mikel Dusi's Weird and Wonderful Big Fat Albanian Wedding. Not Exactly". HuffPost. 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
  7. ↑ Mateo, Lisa (2013-11-08). "Queens pizza guy turns hollywood star". PIX11. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
  8. ↑ "Mike Dusi - Entertainment. Feature Films, Movies & Film Producer Expert". Clarity. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
  9. ↑ RTV KLAN (2013-11-24). Zone e lire - Del filmi 'Mikey boy' me Mike Dusin! (22 nëntor 2013) . Retrieved 2025-02-19– via YouTube.
  10. ↑ Dejohn, Irving (2013-10-31). "Ozone Park pizza boy's Albanian pride set to hit big screen". New York Daily News . Retrieved 2013-12-14.
  11. ↑ Gustafson, Anna (2011-10-27). "In Ozone Park pizza shop, a star is born". Queens Chronicle . Retrieved 2013-12-14.
  12. ↑ Interloper Films (2013-03-27). Film Independent's Movie Hackathon Awards $2500 prize to the best film-related app . Retrieved 2025-02-19– via YouTube.
  13. ↑ Dan Pena (2011-09-06). Mike Dusi's QLA Testimonial . Retrieved 2025-02-19– via YouTube.
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