Jet Jurgensmeyer's Supersonic Takeoff (Exclusive Interview) - StayFamous.Net

“Jet Jurgensmeyer’s Supersonic Takeoff”
Exclusive Interview by Michael Aaron Gallagher of StayFamous.Net

Right out of the gate, actor Jet Jurgensmeyer‘s acting career has taken off. As more than 6 million viewers in the U.S. tune in each week to the hit FOX comedy Last Man Standing, in which he plays Boyde Baxter, Jet was already a young star on the rise. With prior television experience that included playing Jack’s grandson Skip on Will & Grace, to appearances on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Grey’s Anatomy, and the Disney Channel’s Austin & Ally, he was well-prepared to take on his new role working with Tim Allen in one of the top comedy shows on television.

A few weeks before his 14th birthday (on November 27), I had the chance to ask Jet about his character on Last Man Standing, his new music and his recent charity work with The Ryan Seacrest Foundation.

Michael Aaron Gallagher: “So you’re originally from Nashville. How did you end up going from there to landing your first big role in LA?”

Jet Jurgensmeyer: “My agent in Nashville set me up with a meeting with a manager who then set me up with an agent out here. I am still working with all of them to this day.”

Michael Aaron Gallagher: “Have you had any formal acting training or lessons or have you learned how to act pretty much on your own?”

Jet Jurgensmeyer: “I have not had any formal training on acting. My parents work with me a lot. We are always going over my scenes and studying what I will be doing. We do a lot of research on characters and try to learn as much as we can before I go into a role.”

Michael Aaron Gallagher: “Do you get nervous at all when you have to prepare for an audition or is it easy for you to memorize lines?”

Jet Jurgensmeyer: “Some auditions there are a bunch of people, but a lot of times it’s the same 10-15 kids like me up for the same role. I don’t really get nervous before an audition. If I am really excited about the part and really want it bad, I might get a little nervous, but my parents have always taught me to use that nervous energy to my benefit. I have never really had a hard time remembering my lines. I think maybe because I started at it so young that it has just always been normal for me to memorize lines.”

In a rare move, after six successful seasons on ABC, Last Man Standing was cancelled and then picked up for a seventh season by the FOX Broadcasting Company. Following some minor changes to the show, Jet Jurgensmeyer was added to the cast, starring as the grandson of Tim Allen‘s character. The series is produced by 20th Century Fox Television.

Michael Aaron Gallagher: “Did you film your scenes for Last Man Standing at 20th Century Fox Studios?”

Jet Jurgensmeyer: “We don’t actually film at Fox, we film on the CBS lot. It’s kinda weird, but different networks film on each others lots. I guess wherever the space/studio is available. We walk around and see where they are filming some of the other shows. It is a lot of fun and interesting but we don’t usually run into the other actors. We’re more likely to see them driving in or out of the studio lot.”

Michael Aaron Gallagher: “Can you tell me a little bit about your role on Last Man Standing. Who do you play and what’s your character like?

Jet Jurgensmeyer: “I play Boyd who is Tim Allen and Nancy Travis’ grandson. Boyd is a normal kid just like me. He likes the outdoors and to work on things like his Grandpa. Boyd is like most teens and isn’t too big a fan of school. He has all the problems that come with growing up and dealing with parents and family.”

Michael Aaron Gallagher: “Have you learned anything about comedy from any of your fellow cast members? Do they give you any advice on how to do a scene?”

Jet Jurgensmeyer: “Oh my gosh, I have learned so much from this cast. They are all so funny. I watch them and learn a lot about their timing on jokes. They do give me advice, but the really cool thing is they treat me like an actor and are so respectful. Sometimes being the kid on a show you get treated like a kid who doesn’t get a lot of respect. Every single person on this set treats me like they do any of the other actors. They ask what I think about a scene or my lines. They really want to know what I think and that means so much to me. It makes me want to work even harder to do a great job.”

Michael Aaron Gallagher: “What is your favorite thing about working on the show?”

Jet Jurgensmeyer: “I would have to say just laughing so much and being around such great people. We laugh all day. Every single person who is on set is happy to be there and loves their job. We all have a blast!”

In addition to his live-action roles on television, Jet has also worked as a voice actor for the Nickelodeon shows Bubble Guppies and Shimmer and Shine, as well as the Disney animated feature film Ferdinand.

Michael Aaron Gallagher: “You’ve been in some animated projects, which I think is so cool. Were you able to see what your characters looked like before you recorded your lines?”

Jet Jurgensmeyer: “Sometimes you do get to see the character or at least a drawing of the character before you go in to record, but a lot of times you don’t. You may just get a breakdown that describes the character and you have to envision the character yourself.”

Michael Aaron Gallagher: “Since you’ve spent so much time in Hollywood working on projects, have you been able to become friends with any other actors your age or are most of your friends back home?”

Jet Jurgensmeyer: “I’ve made some great friends out here in LA. Some of them I have worked with and some who aren’t even in the business. I just spent the weekend hanging out with some of my friends here.”

Jet Jurgensmeyer

He may be down to earth when he’s spending time with friends and family back in his hometown, playing sports, riding horses and enjoying the great outdoors, but Jet is quickly becoming a popular movie star in Hollywood as well. His film credits include playing Spanky in The Little Rascals Save the Day, as well as Adventures in Babysitting (starring Sabrina Carpenter), Devil’s Knot (starring Colin Firth), Legends of the Hidden Temple (starring Isabela Moner), and playing Colton’s friend in the Oscar winning film by Director Clint Eastwood, American Sniper.

Michael Aaron Gallagher: “There are so many different types of TV and movie roles out there – drama, comedy, action, horror, historical, sci-fi, sports, animation, etc. Is there a type of role that you really get excited about or something you haven’t been able to try yet but you think might be fun to play on screen?”

Jet Jurgensmeyer: “I would really love to do a musical. My music and my acting are so important to me I think it would be great to be able to combine them both.”

Michael Aaron Gallagher: “I saw you have songs on your website. Would you like to record a full album someday and tour?”

Jet Jurgensmeyer: “Music is very important to me. It’s really how I got started in the entertainment business. I am going back in the studio in a few weeks and will actually finish out my album. I am so excited about that. Touring would be great sometime. Hopefully, that will work into my schedule down the road.”

Michael Aaron Gallagher: “I read that Sabrina Carpenter co-wrote the song ‘Just Another Moment Away.’ When you record a song like that is there a rough track of someone else singing the lyrics that you go off before you go in the studio?”

Jet Jurgensmeyer: “Yes, I had a version that Sabrina recorded and that is how I learned the song. Of course I did my own version of the song to personalize it. I always like to see what Sabrina thinks and get her feedback to any of my music.”

Michael Aaron Gallagher: “Coming from Nashville, and having parents who owned a live music restaurant, I’m sure you’ve seen a lot of great musical acts perform. Have you had a chance to work with anyone in country music or is there anyone you would like to collaborate with on a song someday?”

Jet Jurgensmeyer: “Most all of the country entertainers are really nice and approachable. I really like that. I have been fortunate because of my family to get to spend time with a lot of successful people in country music. Some of them are like aunts and uncles to me. When I was like 6 or 7, I sang on stage with George Jones. That is one of the coolest things I have ever done. George passed away a few years ago, so that memory with him is really special to me. I’ve had the opportunity to be around so many in the business, the Mandrells (Barbara, Louise, Irlene), Daryle Singletary, Ty Herndon, Neal McCoy, Chris Young and many more.”

Jet’s debut single “Everything will be alright,” along with the song “Just Another Moment Away” and his latest song “A Lot More Love,” are currently available for download on his official website www.jetjurgensmeyer.com and iTunes. He also posts covers of songs on his YouTube channel.

Michael Aaron Gallagher: “One of the causes that is important to you is The Ryan Seacrest Foundation. Can you tell me a little but about how you got involved with it and why you wanted to help them?”

Jet Jurgensmeyer: “My publicist set up my first meeting with the Seacrest Foundation and I just fell in love with it and everyone there. It’s like when those kids, parents and care givers walk through the door into the studio, all of the sickness and problems go away. You see everyone smiling and having fun and for a little while they don’t worry about their problems. I love being able to be part of that and bring a little something positive to them.”

Michael Aaron Gallagher: “A lot of young people volunteer for charity, but you’ve really gone above and beyond by helping them raise a lot of money. What were they able to put the money towards? And where can people go to find out more about how they can help?”

Jet Jurgensmeyer: “I was really fortunate to be able to raise a large amount for The Seacrest Foundation. They use the money to build more studios in other children’s hospitals around the country. If anyone would like to learn more about them, please go to RyanSeacrestFoundation.org.”

Michael Aaron Gallagher: “From your music to your charity work and social media presence, you have such a positive message. If you could have an influence on other young people or kids who may look up to you, what would you want to say to them?”

Jet Jurgensmeyer: “I would tell them to just be themselves and be nice to each other. I don’t care who you are, every now and then we all have bad days and just seeing a smile or hearing something nice from someone can totally turn your day around.”

Michael Aaron Gallagher: “And last, but not least, are you working on any projects at the moment or do you have a new project coming up that you can talk about?”

Jet Jurgensmeyer: “Well, as I mentioned earlier, I have new music coming out. I am really excited about that and to finish up my album. We have more Last Man Standing coming out the rest of the year. I have a movie coming out early in 2019 for the INSP Network called The Legend Of 5 Mile Cave. I also have a new animated series for Disney coming out in 2019 that I am looking forward to.”

With his winning smile and boy-next-door charm, there’s no doubt Jet Jurgensmeyer will continue to win over audiences everywhere, as he follows his dreams of being a successful entertainer both on screen and on the stage. Last Man Standing airs Fridays at 8/7c on FOX.

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Jet Jurgensmeyer’s Supersonic Takeoff (Exclusive Interview)