Life & Work with la georgea of Los Angeles, CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to la georgea.

Hi la georgea, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am well-known to European television audiences for starring as the popular character ‘Hugo Haas’ in “Verliebt in Berlin” (That’s Life). The long-running series (645 episodes) garnered several awards including the Deutscher Fernsehpreis (German TV Award) and The Golden Rose of Montreux. The American version of the series was the award-winning “Ugly Betty.” Additional German television appearances include “Verbotene Liebe” (Forbidden Love) as the recurring character of ‘Eduard von Tepp’ (165 episodes).

During my career, the hardest thing as an actor was not <i>playing</i> all these amazing roles, it was pretending to be a cis man, known under the name of Hubertus Regout. After moving from Berlin to Los Angeles, I came out in the fall of 2022. As euphoric I was finally living my full truth in my real gender, the deep hurt and frustration grew because of lack of representation; there still are hardly any roles for trans people in general, and specifically, for older ones. This is why my beloved friend, the multiple award-winning director Kelley Kali (AMPAS Gold Women’s Directing Fellow, SXSW Special Jury Award winner, Student Academy Awards winner, DGA Directing Award winner) came up with the idea to create this impactful short film, “elle/elle.” She wanted me to be seen, she wanted to reintroduce myself as an actress to the world, and she wanted to prove how critical inclusive gender diversity is. She presented me with THE most important gift of my career.

The result, “elle/elle,” became far more than just a short film, a 19-minute narrative written by Shonnie Jackson which centers on the intricacies of hosting a disastrous dinner party where a long term couple fights for their marriage and identities triggered by Elle’s recent coming out as a trans woman to her gay husband, Fritz. The beautiful Short which has garnered wide industry love in the last couple of months brings to life my powerful and nuanced story rooted in truth, offering an uncompromising portrayal of self-discovery, resilience, and the complexities of love. As of today, “elle/elle” is now both a 2026 Oscar contender as well as an Image Awards contender (Kelley Kali was nominated last year)!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Revisiting such an intimate chapter of my life feel while acting it out on screen was somewhat terrifying, to be honest. Yes, I wanted to tell my story in an intimate way that hadn’t been done before, and I absolutely loved Kelley’s idea, but I was also completely petrified. However, I like to commit to a story fully—I honor authenticity, go all in, and, if it’s not scary, is it even worth it? A project needs to feel like a seemingly insurmountable challenge to be truly interesting and, ultimately, move the audience.

It ultimately confirmed my deep commitment to finally living my full and honest truth. Oh, and it restored my trust in my acting abilities, which I wasn’t sure would transition with me! The wonderful L’lerrét Jazelle (my transgender co-star best known from “The Chi”) helped me with that. In a way, I feel like I’m a more honest actor than I’ve ever been before. I no longer have to pretend to be a man.

The authenticity truly came because I was 100 percent intimately involved from day one. It was meant to be my true story, so I was all in—no holds barred. Additionally, I was so grateful that the formidable Dan Bucatinsky (“Hacks”) who plays my onscreen husband, brought so much truth and authenticity to my husband’s character with his brilliant acting and creative input.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a lifelong actor fluent in five languages (yes. in real life and on screen) it is the act of collaboration that truly creates the most compelling art. Working with director Kelley Kali and writer Shonnie Jackson to bring my story to life — along with their cinematic vision and my vast on-set experience — aligned in the best possible way.

It was wonderful. The interview sessions with Shonnie to get to the heart of the film’s message were a marvel of pure self-discovery. Shonnie HEARD me as much as Kelley SAW me. To be so lovingly and caringly supported by these magnificent artists, to be respected in this way as a woman by other women, and to be seen and heard with such deep consideration meant everything to me at that early stage of my transition journey. These two resplendent Black women are most certainly my staunchest allies. Since, I have added to this core team and it’s become just about a movement of the film’s underlying message about unconditional love.

How do you think about happiness?
First of all, as in my case, it is never too late! Never too late to come out, to finally live in your full and honest truth. Was it absolutely gut-wrenching and frightening to come out to my husband of so many years? Indeed, it was—but it was also absolutely necessary and ultimately unavoidable. Walk your path, find your truth, and live it in whatever way fits your own personal life. These things — along with daily Pilates (!) and a really great group of friends, new & old– truly make me happy.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @elleellefilm
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knchatman
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80MgGu6KxiY&t=3s
• Other: http://integrated-pr.com/

Image Credits
Color photos courtesy: Integrated PR Black & whites: Kaliwood Prods.