Hey Jet, you started your acting career at a very young age, what inspired you to pursue acting?
As long as I can remember I loved getting on stage to sing or tell jokes. My parents owned a place in Nashville and we had live music and a dinner show. I loved how people would always smile and clap when I would get on stage. I guess it is true that it sort of gets in your blood. It was the best feeling in the world to me. We had a family friend that suggested my parents let me try acting. I got an agent and I booked my first audition I ever went on. It was so much fun to me.
You are known for your role on the popular FOX show “Last Man Standing”. Can you explain the process of how you got this role?
Well, when the show came back for Season 7 they were recasting for a couple of the roles. My agent sent the audition so I went in for the role. I probably had 2 callbacks, then it goes to the producers and you go in for them and then you go in for the FOX executives to make sure they like you. It all worked out and now I play Boyd Baxter. I can’t tell you how much I love being part of this show.
Can you explain the character you portray?
I play Boyd Baxter (Tim Allen’s Grandson) on the show. Boyd and his Grandpa are very close. Boyd is a lot like his Grandpa who always tries to let Boyd do adventurous things. His parents are a little more protective. It’s so funny to watch the banter back and forth between the parents and Grandpa.
What do you think makes this show standout from other FOX shows?
I think it is because it has relevant family topics. It shows that there are people with different likes, dislikes, and different political views, but in the end, they are a family and that is what matters. None of that other stuff is more important.
Since getting the role, you must get recognized in public a lot more. What was that change like for you?
I maybe get recognized every now and then, but it isn’t really a big deal. If someone does recognize me I just enjoy talking to them and finding out where they are from and what it is they like about the show. I always have loved getting to meet new people, so I guess this has opened that up a little more for me.
What’s your favorite part about being on “Last Man Standing”?
I get to go to work every day and laugh. I mean we all laugh all day. You have never been around a better group of people who have more fun and just are all so thankful to be on set doing what they love. It doesn’t matter who it is on set. We all just love being there and being together.
What’s your favorite part about being on set?
I like to head into set a little early from the school room while the other actors are still rehearsing another scene. I just sit there and watch them and try to take it all in. I learn so much from all of them. You can see little things that each actor does and what works and what doesn’t. No matter who it is, we all feel comfortable trying things to see if they will work or not. For me, that is such a good feeling. As the youngest actor on set, being treated with respect just like anyone else is important.
How do you and the other cast members get along? Do you guys have any rituals before filming?
Again, it is just amazing. We all get along really well. Tim is really busy on set because he has so much to do and in so many scenes, but still he is just like another kid with me. On filming day, before we do intros, we all meet back stage in part of what would be Mike’s home office. We all just talk and laugh. It’s exciting, but also has such a calm about it. I can hardly describe how comfortable it is. They all welcomed me right in there and that just means so much.
What’s an average week like on set?
We start our week on Weds. I get to school about 8:00-8:30. About 9:45 we all go to a big room for breakfast and a table read. It is so funny for all of us to read the 1st draft of the script out loud. Then we break and I go back to school. We start rehearsals and run through each scene a few times. They come and get me from school when it is time for my scene. Then I finish my school for the day. Thurs. and Fri. we start about 8:30. I go straight to school. They pull me from school when it is time for me to rehearse. We do a couple of run throughs those days for producers and Fox. Mon. I have the same routine and then we start to pre-shoot. We usually pre-shoot most of the show. Tues. we all seem to come in a little later. I go in and do school and then we have our live audience that evening at 6:00. It is the most organized show you have ever seen. We are usually done by 8:00-8:15 on the live tapings. Other actors can’t believe we can get it all shot and done that fast.
Are there any other acting projects in the works you can tell us about?
I just had a movie come out on INSP called “The Legend Of 5 Mile Cave.” I also have a new Disney Junior series called “T.O.T.S.” I voice Pip the Penguin. I’m also so excited because my first album is coming out. It is available on all streaming services or you can go to my web sitewww.jetjurgensmeyer.com to pick up a CD version of it. I’ve worked so hard to get this album finished up and can’t wait for people to check it out.
What are your friends and parents thoughts on your career in acting?
Really they are just all happy that I get to do what I love. My parents are both with me every day on set whenever I am working. They tell me as long as I love what I am doing and work hard at it, they will support me no matter what.
What goals have you set out for yourself in your career?
I really just always want to keep getting better and better. I want to keep learning from great actors like Tim Allen and Nancy Travis. I would also like to write more music, a screen play and maybe direct and produce someday.
Overall, how has this whole acting career experience been for you so far?
I can’t tell you how great it has been. I have been able to travel to so many cool places, have amazing adventures, and meet some of the best people in the world. I really have been so blessed with it all.
Do you have any advice for anyone trying to make it as an actor?
Make sure it is what you really want to do. If it is, then study. You can learn a lot online. Watch tons of movies and short films too. You can see what works and what maybe doesn’t work. I also say to read a lot. You can read something and then sit and see that in your head and try to figure out what you would do if you were acting it out. Also, don’t get discouraged. There are times it is tough and you won’t get the part you had your heart set on. Just try to pick yourself up and move on to the next role.
You’ve also branched out into singing as well 🙂 You released “This Is Your Moment” earlier this month and “Real World,” which was co-written by pop star Sabrina Carpenter. What was it like working on these two songs?
My producer, parents and I try to find songs that are appropriate for me at my age. When we found both of these songs, we just knew we would be cutting them. When we had just finished the vocals for “Real World” we went over to Sabrina’s house for dinner. We played it for her and she was as excited as I was. It means so much to have her being so supportive.
What’s your favorite song at the moment?
I really like “Cool” by The Jonas Brothers.
Do you have any other talents other than acting & singing?
I can juggle, does that count. LOL!
Do you have any last things you want to tell your fans?
I really do appreciate all of their support and hope they can check out my new album. I’d love to hear what they think.
Thanks for taking the time to do this interview!
Thanks so much!
