Cole Evan Weiss is in it for the fun. He has been since booking his first modeling assignment at the age of six, and -- now recently turned 15 - the young star of 20th Century Fox's upcoming The Sandlot 2 still finds everything just a whole lot of fun. His first acting assignment, ten years ago on the Nick Jr. show "Gullah Gullah Island," set a love for performing in the young Cole's mind, which he retains to this day. Inspired by his older brother Michael (now a voice actor himself), Cole fell into the profession easily, where his mature demeanor and good looks combined with some inherited talent to produce a new young star on the rise.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Cole recently on the phone, and was truly (and happily) surprised to hear how articulate and mature a man seems to rest behind that young "kid's" voice. Cole knows where he wants to go, and there is definite passion in his voice for his craft. He cites Jim Carrey and Elijah Wood as just two actors he's a fan of himself, and indeed I myself thought of him as a "new" Elijah Wood type when first hearing of him for Actors to Watch Out For. Recently Cole got to visit the set of Zathura, in which his good friend Josh Hutcherson co-stars with none other than Tim Robbins, and it is there where Cole met another of his favorites ... co-producer Peter Billingsley (Ralphie from A Christmas Story), who's now become another mentor for this talented young actor.
In the upcoming Sandlot 2 (opening 4/22/05), Cole stars as Saul, and for the first time "carries" his own film in the leading role. Not only that, but his entire audition was in American Sign Language, without a word spoken, as he was vying for the role of the younger brother of a teenaged boy who was deaf. When asked what doing the film was like, it becomes apparent right away that Cole is also a huge fan of the film's director, David M. Evans. "He made it easy," Cole says. "Originally it was supposed to be that the older brother was the one who was deaf, and his younger brother was kind of the 'tag-a-long,' who signed for him. But when I auditioned for the part, to get an older brother for me the actor they cast would had to have been 17 or 18, so they switched the parts; they switched the brothers' roles for me, and now my character had the younger brother who was deaf." Cole's "younger brother" in the film is played by Sean Berdy, a real hearing-impaired young actor, in his first film role. Cole has nothing but great things to say about both his co-star and the film shoot, but was sad to see it end: "It was all these kids, and we got to hang out for two months' straight; some were from Canada, one was from Tennessee. Then we had to go home. It was really sad." Much like a company of players in a theater production becomes like a family behind the scenes by the time the play's run ends, so it is with Cole ... he still becomes attached to his fellow actors and the crew, and for this reason says he really likes doing television -- the people stay together longer!
For his other recent project, the new Martin Lawrence film Rebound, I had to ask (being a HUGE Lawrence fan myself) what it was like working with the actor known for his outrageous personality. Cole brings it down to reality though, citing a VERY cool guy who was "Laid back ... he had his base camp set up with a basketball court ... and during long breaks in shooting he'd let the kids come and play with him." The young actor only has positive things to say about both the film's star and his experience on-set.
And just what does a home-schooled 15-year-old, who speaks likes he's twice his age, have to say to other young actors (or, more importantly, their parents!) about going into "the biz"? Cole's answer was no surprise: "It's a family commitment. Your family has to be behind you, because the entire family is affected." Whether by getting you to a booking or having to pack up to a location, he stresses the importance of your family being supportive ... much like his own mother has been, all his life. Though, thankfully, NOT as a stage mom. "My mom believes in me," says the future star, when asked. "She stood behind me, told me I could do it even when I wasn't getting bookings. She didn't push me; would have let me give it up at any time ... it was always my decision. But she was always there."
And it's paid off. I seriously can't remember the last time (if ever) I talked to a more mature, gracious 15-year-old -- one who admits that being asked for his autograph is "Really flattering ... nearly every event I've gone to, I've just signed for hours and hours, and for the last person I am just as flattered as I was by the first." Cole stresses that his agency goes through his mail, sorts it -- but then it does go on to him ... where he not only signs himself, but makes sure to personalize each autograph. Still, fame has NOT turned this good-looking young actor's head; Cole works hard at his favorite charities, and asks his fans to help support the Ronald McDonald House. He's also recently shot a video, for soldiers overseas, for America Supports -- a nationwide program launched by the Department of Defense, that recognizes citizens' support for military men and women -- an organization that also just asked him to be a spokesperson, along with Hilary Duff! Regarding other future plans, Cole is also up for a big new TV show ... but just can't reveal any details at this time (check his posting on Actors to Watch Out For for updates; as he gives them to me, will pass them to you!).
So this talented young man with "a good support system at home" is just having fun -- and plans to continue to do so. There will be no "breaks" in which he takes time off from the work he loves; he feels, personally, that this is one reason why so many young actors don't make the transition to adult parts -- because they get away from the business, and never seem to make it back in. But if it were all to fold tomorrow, this impressive young man has already mapped out college and life as a veterinarian.
Much as I like animals, God forbid. If talent and humility and a real sense of self can still take you anywhere in Hollywood, Cole Evan Weiss is gonna be around a hell of a long time -- deservedly so.
You can reach Cole c/o Buchwald Talent, 6500 Wilshire Blvd #2210, Los Angeles, CA 90048. Please include a SASE with your autograph request.
Billy Mayo has led one interesting life. Born in Washington, D.C. to parents who work for the U.S. government, from a young age Billy realized he wanted more out of life; a cold climate and “boring” government job weren’t for him. While on his way to a film set in L.A., Billy was gracious enough to allow me to conduct a short interview with him – that began with the question of how he got where he is now …
Knowing a 9-5 life wasn’t for him, a young Billy Mayo spent some time (as most teenagers do) trying to “find” himself. He’d acted in plays in the 2nd and 3rd grade, but never seriously considered such a career; in fact, his main concern was escaping the cold northeast for a better climate. Such a move came in the form of a football scholarship to Morris Brown College in Atlanta, where Billy majored in Mechanical Engineering, mainly for the money such a career promised. He earned his Bachelor’s, but his heart wasn’t in the work … and, always a sucker for a good sales pitch, it was in college that a recruiter from the United States Marine Corps approached Billy about joining the military. Billy served three and a half years with the Marines (achieving the rank of lieutenant) before taking a job in California – again, seeking out a warm climate.
California was a new world, and led to a romance with a woman who was heavily into fashion. Billy helped her with a fashion show, eventually hosting it, and became addicted to the spotlight and being in front of an audience. He pursued classes, auditioned for plays, and has been acting since 1994. When asked who he is a fan of, Billy’s answer comes without hesitation – the young Marlon Brando inspired him, from the beginning. Whenever winning a role, Billy would rent some Brando films and study the legendary actor, who was renowned for his method acting. Though a bit disappointed in his later work, Billy remains addicted to Brando-in-his-prime as a mentor today.
Also a writer, Billy is currently finishing up a play (which he hopes to produce), as well as two film scripts. Acting remains his first love for now, though he realizes “you’re at the whim of the business, as an actor, whether you work or not … so to tilt things in my favor I started to write.” He’s a big fan of caper films, citing two of his favorites – House of Cards and Glengarry Glen Ross – as examples of the kind of work he’d like to write; Billy does plan to pursue writing more as he gets older, as well.
Meanwhile, Billy’s resume of TV appearances alone reads like a who’s-who of the medium’s best. Just a few of his credits include “The Practice,” “ER,” “24,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Joan of Arcadia,” Everybody Loves Raymond,” and (most recently) Billy played a very bad guy on the hit ABC series “Lost”. Usually cast as a cop or other authority figure, when asked what kind of role he’d MOST like to play … again, Billy responds without skipping a beat: “I would love to play the anti-hero … like Al Pacino or Robert DeNiro. Scarface is one of my favorite movies, by the way. On TV, I like playing a cop.” He goes on to say that a show like “NYPD Blue” is what he’d most like to do on television, maybe playing a cop who uses his intelligence to solve crimes (a la Sherlock Holmes).
And regarding his experience with “Lost”? When he went to audition for the role of the evil “Kilo,” Billy was sure he didn’t have a chance; didn’t think he looked mean or tough enough compared to the other actors. But when his agent called back with a big “Aloha!” -- within 24 hours Billy found himself on a plane to Hawaii … and (once he got used to the humidity) the island was indeed a paradise, with everyone on the set very easy and pleasant to work with.
His advice to young actors? Study! Study, and build yourself a reputation as a professional in the business: show up on time, be a professional from beginning to end, and build a strong work ethic (and reputation). Maybe due to his military training, Billy puts a great emphasis on self-discipline, and stresses that an actor must spend a lot of solitary time studying and preparing his character/role: “It takes a lot of work on your own to make it. Talent takes you only so far.” Lastly, Billy also stresses that the actor must be ready to market himself – create a website, get the word out, let those in a position to cast you be able to see you. “Like any business, let people know you are IN business,” is one of his stronger pieces of advice.
He is always “tickled pink” when approached by a fan, and thought he’d never get to the day when he actually would get fan mail! Billy’s fans are # 1 with him, and to this day when he’s asked for an autograph, he still remembers a quote he’d once read while going through his father’s scrapbooks as a kid (his father was a semi-pro ballplayer, as well): “Makes me laugh that you want my autograph!” He’s still shy at requests, but values them; his fans are what make him "stay in the game".
Right now Billy is on the auditioning circuit, constantly being called in to read for film and television roles. But his other real love happens to be kids; when Billy has short stretches of time off, you can find him in a classroom, teaching algebra or science to middle-schoolers. Education is a big thing to this man of many talents, who hopes one day to use his influence in entertainment to raise funds for inner city schools, making sure kids have the kind of future that so many of us today take for granted.
And lastly, when asked about his plans “down the line,” Billy’s goals are simple: to pursue acting for maybe another five years or so ... then switch to a more permanent position behind the scenes, as both a director and producer of films. “You get a little more longevity behind the scenes,” he says.
But never fear, he also plans to put himself in cameo appearances within his own movies, a la Hitchcock. After all, though he's led a varied life of several careers ... the guy who fell in love with performing, by hosting a fashion show, will never completely go away.
You can reach Billy as his awesome website: www.billymayo.com. And my many thanks to this great guy for his time, talent, and generosity with this interview - the kick-off for Famous Fans!
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