Dimiter Marinov's life has been marked by a rich tapestry of experiences, spanning across multiple continents and decades. At the tender age of five, he first set his sights on the classical violin, a passion that would remain with him throughout his life.
As a youth, Dimiter's talent and dedication earned him the distinction of becoming the first violinist in a prestigious youth symphony orchestra, taking him on a whirlwind tour of Europe, the United States, and Central America. In 1979, he had the rare honor of performing at the United Nations Circle Hall in New York, conducted by the illustrious maestro Leonard Bernstein.
However, Dimiter's life took a dramatic turn when, at the age of 18, he was drafted into the Bulgarian Army, a mandatory service during the Communist era. Assigned to an Artillery Intelligence Unit, he was detained by the People's Military Tribunal, accused of conspiring against the People's Republic and attempting to escape to the West. The verdict was three years of political imprisonment, a period that would test his resolve and character.
Following his release from prison, Dimiter continued to pursue his passion for the arts, graduating with a Master's Degree from the Bulgarian National Academy for Theatre and Film in Sofia. He then embarked on a journey as an actor-singer, traveling throughout Europe, Canada, and the United States as part of a Bulgarian folk-jazz stage anthology entitled "Mystery Voices".
In 1990, Dimiter defected as a political refugee in Knoxville, Tennessee, beginning a new chapter in his life. Struggling to adjust to his new surroundings, he took on various jobs, including dishwasher, air-brush artist, and handyman, while learning the language and trying to fit in.
In 1993, Dimiter made the bold decision to drive across country to San Diego, California, a move that would ultimately prove to be a turning point in his life. The diverse environment allowed him to find new opportunities and establish himself as a "new American". He continued to hone his craft, playing his violin and singing in numerous restaurants while working as a coffee barista.
In 1996, Dimiter's entrepreneurial spirit led him to become an owner of a coffee shop, a restaurant, and a catering business. He also began to explore his passion for education, creating, developing, and teaching numerous children's educational programs for the YMCA and the San Diego Zoo.
In 1999, Dimiter made his debut on the US stage at the San Diego Repertory Theatre, marking the beginning of his acting career. He continued to expand his horizons, venturing into commercials, television, and film.
Dimiter's big break came in 2012 with the Bandito Brothers production "Act of Valor", in which he made his big screen debut as the diabolical Kerimov: the Russian scientist and smuggler. However, it was his role in "Green Book" (2018),a Universal Pictures/DreamWorks/Participant production directed by Peter Farrelly, that truly cemented his status as a Hollywood actor. Ranked fifth in the principle cast, Dimiter co-starred alongside Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali, a performance that earned the film a "People's Choice Award" at TIFF 2018 in Canada, three "Golden Globe" awards, and three Academy Awards, including the coveted "Oscar" for Best Picture in 2019.
