AS loyal viewers tuned into the premiere of the 19th season of the popular drama Law & Order, they surely may not have known that they were watching one of Bermuda's own.

Twenty-six-year-old actor Graham Outerbridge appeared as Todd Hauser, the victim in the episode working alongside veteran Law & Order actors Anthony Anderson and Jeremy Sisto. The series, the longest running primetime drama currently on American television, is a hot bed of cameos by famous actors and a stomping ground for up-and-coming professionals.

Following in the footsteps of many actors before him, Mr. Outerbridge is paying his dues in New York City, building a resume and working towards his goal of having a lifelong career in acting.

"I'm living in New York City right now, but a move to LA wouldn't be out of the question, it's just a matter of having as much on my resume as possible," Mr. Outerbridge explained.

"New York is a great place for a young actor to get going. There is such a big community of artists, and just so much opportunity."

Growing up in Bermuda, where he attended Saltus Grammar School, Mr. Outerbridge then entered Tufts University, located outside of Boston, to study drama with a minor in political science. It is there that he caught the acting bug.

"I think I first realised that I wanted to be a serious actor when I was in college doing a production of Dr. Faustus," said Mr. Outerbridge, whose parents still live in Pembroke.

"It was a really difficult role, and I couldn't wait to do it every night. It was really the energy I could feel from the audience and the other people on stage with me that made me want to really make acting my career."

Following his passion, the budding actor went to San Francisco's American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) to obtain his Master's of Fine Arts. The rigorous three-year programme comingles students with professional actors in ACT productions and boasts an impressive list of alumni, including Danny Glover, Annette Bening, Denzel Washington and Benjamin Bratt.

During his training at ACT, Mr. Outerbridge had the opportunity to talk shop with several well-known actors, including Joseph Fiennes and Mark Ruffalo, most famous for his roles in the movies Zodiac and Rumour Has It opposite Jennifer Anniston.

The career advice he received from Mr. Ruffalo has stuck with him, helping him through the beginning phase of a young professional's career when the term "struggling actor" is exactly what it sounds like.

"When we met him (Mark) at ACT, he said that the way that he got past the tough times as an actor was by always focusing on the work. On getting better," he explained. "Mark said to 'play the yes game', as in be open to everything. That's one thing I'm trying to do in my life as an actor."

And, that is just what Mr. Outerbridge is doing today. Since his graduation from the Fine Arts programme in 2007, Mr. Outerbridge has been game for anything, auditioning for television, film, theatre and commercial roles.

His first acting job out of school was a reoccurring character (Assistant District Attorney Stuart Small) on Guiding Light, a popular daytime soap opera on CBS.

While Mr. Outerbridge wasn't able to get back to Bermuda for the holidays due to his "day" job as a concierge, he would like some day to be a part of the thriving arts scene here on the island.

"I would love to do something in the Bermuda Festival, I think it's so great that Bermuda seems to be doing more and more to support the arts," he said.

Meanwhile, Bermudians should keep their eyes peeled for sightings of Mr. Outerbridge on TV and in films. If his determination and commitment are any indication of his future success, Bermuda may have another mega-star on its hands.