Adam Raque is heading home for the holidays – straight from Hollywood.

COURTESY Louisville native Adam Raque moved to Hollywood at 17 to pursue his dream of becoming an actor.

“That’s such a blessing to be able to come home for Christmas,” the 20-year-old actor said. “At least it’s nice for right now to be able to do that.”

Truth is, the Louisville native wouldn’t mind a bit if (make that when) he’ll have to momentarily forgo plans to visit loved ones, or invite them to come to him, because he’s been booked big time. Since moving to Hollywood, he’s made appearances on TV and in commercials and had a starring role in the 2008 film “Bigfoot.”

Raque caught the acting bug early.

“I was in kindergarten, and it was the play ‘Peter Rabbit.’ I remember our teacher saved the lead role of Peter Rabbit until the very last,” he said. “My hand was the first one that went up in the air. That’s how she picked the part: the first person with their hand in the air.”

Then, when he was 8 and realized he loved acting more than athletics, even though he was adept at both, his mom, Linda Raque, enrolled him in a local theater workshop.

“I think that’s when I really knew this is what I loved,” Adam Raque said.

Forget the potential fame and fortune.

“It’s really just being able to enrich the lives of others,” he said. “It’s just being able to touch people through movies and music. That’s where my joy comes from.”

Raque’s parents have found happiness in their son’s joy too.

“Adam was always very athletic but then about around fifth or sixth grade his passion was to be on stage,” his father Gary Raque said.

“To be quite honest, this has been a dream of his ever since. He’s like a little Gregory Hines – a triple threat. He can act and dance and sing.”

The Raque family eventually moved from Louisville to Indiana so Adam could attend New Albany High School, which is nationally acclaimed for its performing arts program. After graduating a semester early, the aspiring thespian informed his parents he was ready to head to Los Angeles.

“It was devastating,” said his mother, Linda Raque. “He was not even 18 yet.”

Age was nothing but a number and with his family’s blessings, Adam Raque moved to the land of the glitterati in January of 2007.

“I really felt like I was just following my dream,” he said. “I just felt like what was waiting out here for me was the rest of my life.”

Raque’s mother stayed with him for two-and-a-half months.

“I couldn’t leave him out there,” she said. “That was his dream, so we had to make it happen.”

Despite the fact that Linda and Gary Raque eventually divorced, the two pooled their resources to support their son.

“We worked it out and did it,” Linda Raque said. “I had the flexibility of going out there and staying with him and (his) dad helped finance him.”

“Seeing that this is his dream, I figure I can’t squash it. So (we decided) let’s just see if we can make this happen,” Gary Raque said.

And they have.

Thus far, Adam Raque has starred in commercials for the Game Show Network, Kellogg’s and Western Dental, and appeared on “Hannah Montana.” His film “Bigfoot” was just released on DVD.

“I just thought he was in the movie,” Linda Raque said, “but he is the movie.”

Adam Raque starred alongside Angie Everhart and Richard Tyson (“Kindergarten Cop,” “There’s Something About Mary”).

“Oh my gosh!” Adam Raque said. “Angie’s great. I love Angie! She was so nice and so sweet. The same for Richard Tyson. They were both really, really great.”

Recently, Raque booked a co-star spot on the show ABC Family show “Greek.” He’ll shoot the scenes within the week. 

“Adam hasn’t gotten that major break yet, but he’s climbing,” Linda Raque said.

“Would I have been able to do what he’s doing?” asked his father. “He’s very mature for his age and seems to be driven. I’m so proud of him.”

Thanksgiving is long gone, but Adam Raque says he’s grateful each day for the sacrifices his family has made and the opportunity to go after his goal.

“For me, moving to Hollywood has been such a learning experience not only about the business, but about myself,” Raque said. “A lot of times, things don’t work out exactly the way you want them to. But at the end of the day, if it’s the love that keeps you there, wherever you are, that’s good.”