HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Bow Wow is hoping to get “jiggy” with it.
The 21-year-old star is turning his focus to acting, with the hopes of following in the footsteps of another musician-turned-actor.
“After 16 years in the music industry and six successful albums, I’ve decided to shift my energy to something else I’m passionate about, acting,” Bow Wow tells The Hollywood Reporter. “I’m going to try to be the next Will Smith.”
The up-and-coming star is off to a good start, securing a recurring role as a stand-up comic on the upcoming fifth season of “Entourage.” Bow Wow’s character on the hit HBO series will be a new client of E, played by Kevin Connolly.
In addition, the Ohio native will appear alongside Forest Whitaker and Isaiah Washington in the feature film “Patriots,” which revolves around a Louisiana high school basketball team after the Katrina disaster.
Bow Wow, whose real name is Shad Moss, also recently completed shooting the indie film “Driving Lessons.”
His previous film credits include “Roll Bounce,” “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift,” “Johnson Family Vacation” and “All About the Benjamins.”
He has also appeared on the small screen, making appearances on such shows as “Moesha” and “Smallville.”
Bow Wow, who first gained fame as Lil’ Bow Wow when he released his debut album, “Beware of Dog,” at the age of 13, still plans to work in music. He’ll return to the studio later this year to work on his seventh album — “H.I.M. (History in Making).”
