The 30-year-old is now before the cameras in Cedar Boys, which is due for release later this year.

Foster is also performing on the set of a PlayStation game, LA Noir, which involves a mix of traditional filming and computer simulation.

``It's a bit like a cross between LA Confidential and Chinatown,'' he said.

``I play a detective, Jack Kelso.''

In Cedar Boys he plays a Lebanese-Australian man serving time for armed robbery, but who is trying to stop his younger brother from making similar mistakes.

``It's a story that needs to be told,'' Foster said.

``In light of current stereotypes of Lebanese-Australians, it's a very timely film.

``It's similar to what Boyz n the Hood did in America, showing how African-Americans were nailed into their suburbs and how crime was an easy option.''

His character could be described as a nice guy gone wrong, but Foster has acted in nastier roles.

He played darker villains in Shadow of Sin and in a new television drama, The Strip.

Foster said he liked acting out evil roles.

``In fact, it's a joy,'' he said.

``We've all got our dark sides and in acting, you can live out your worst nightmares.''

Foster trained at New York's Barrow Group Theater Company and at the University of Western Sydney's Theatre Nepean.

He said making a living from acting was difficult, but his love of performance drove him on.

``Acting gives me a certain fulfilment such that it's become a part of my soul.

``It's not about earning millions it's about doing what I love.''