Interview with Matthew Jaeger

I know I've mentioned this before for previous interviews, but surprise emails can be very productive! -- Like Matthew's. He'd seen my website and we chatted back and forth several times via email. And well, since he's a redhead AND an actor, I of course added him to my redhead "Famous Actors" pages -- and then immediately thought "Interview!" -- and fortunately he agreed!

In way of introduction, this talented redhead actor was raised in Wisconsin, with his 2 brothers. He attended Marquette University in Wisconsin, initially starting out with a double major (Broadcasting, and Theatre Arts) but soon decided to focus on the Theatre Arts program and minor in Dance. After graduating, he moved to Southern California to concentrate on his acting career.

Matthew has appeared in a variety of roles for film (i.e., The Elevator, Dorian, Room Service, H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds), TV productions (A&E Biography), Theater (Children of a Lesser God, Hamlet, Macbeth, and others), and ground-breaking Internet/Web projects (HBO Imagine "The Art Heist", etc.) in addition to doing voice-overs. You can find out more on his website including other interviews he's done, videos, photos, and more. He continues to train and improve his skills for upcoming roles.

Never having personally been involved in the acting profession myself, other than as an observer, I'd really looked forward to doing this interview. I realize I'm fairly conservative in my beliefs, perhaps differing from others, but I enjoy finding out about people. I wanted to find out more about Matthew and his journey as an actor. Plus, the whole world of acting and/or Hollywood/L.A. scene probably seems pretty foreign to most of us (okay, well it does to me!)

So thanks to Matthew for taking time from his schedule to let me "pick his brain" so to speak. After all, he's my 1st 'actor' interview (redhead at that) and hope to be the first of many !! --

Grab your coffee mug or your favorite beverage and let's find out more....

1) Hi Matthew. I really do appreciate you taking a few moments to answer my questions and let us take a peek into your life. Please briefly tell us about your parents and family. Are they still in Wisconsin?

My family has spread all over the Western Hemisphere. My parents are now divorced and, while my Dad still lives in Wisconsin in the house I grew up in, my Mom has moved to Kingman, AZ. My middle brother lives outside of Orlando, FL, and my youngest has moved to the island of Curacao. Luckily, I still get to see everyone several times a year.

2) Was your red hair a surprise for your parents when you were born? Are there any other redheads in your family?

My red hair was definitely no surprise to my parents - my Dad and I have almost exactly the same coloring - red hair and blue eyes. Growing up my Dad always taught me to be proud of it, saying that our coloring was the rarest genetic combination on earth short of albinism. He's hoping I'll find a nice red-headed girl and have plenty of red-headed children to pass the genes on.

3) You were raised in Wisconsin, graduated from Marquette University there, and now live in the Southern California area. Was there a bit of culture shock or difficulty going from Midwest America and then into the L.A. and So. California culture/scene?

There was a period of adjustment, no doubt. In L.A. there is always something to do, somewhere to go. My hometown is only just now approaching 7000 people; and, although Milwaukee was a good place to ease me into city life, no city in the world is like Los Angeles. It took me a year or so to be able to adjust to the lifestyle and be able to shut out the hustle and bustle when necessary.

I've since discovered rock climbing, camping, and hiking, all of which are surprisingly close to Hollywood and which help me stay sane. Though, there are still times when I actually have to schedule downtime for myself.

4) I understand you tried acting at age 14 when a friend in Wisconsin convinced you to audition -- and you found you actually enjoyed it -- and here you are in California! What is it about acting that appeals to you?

Movies for me have always been a place where I not only escape, but am often challenged to look at things in new ways. I think that's the purpose of art - to entertain and enlighten. As an actor, I get to be the medium it happens through. Also, I love to learn new things. In the last year alone I've become almost fluent in sign language and learned to ride a horse! And I got paid to do it! What other job is like that?

5) Yes, I see you do love learning because some of the special skills you've picked up including 'stage combat' and 'firearms'? Obviously these come in handy for various acting roles -- SO, exactly where and how did you learn these?

I've been fascinated with the martial arts for as long as I can remember. I recently found some mortifyingly funny home videos of me showing off my "ninja fighting" when I was only 4 years old. After years of begging, my parents put me in a karate class, where I studied for 6 years. My instructor had done stunt work and started playing with that in class around the time I was discovering acting. It combined my favorite two things, and whenever stunt work was on the schedule, I never missed class.

When I moved to L.A., I realized that although I had shot rifles in a hunter's safety course, I had never shot handguns. Then I started watching how often actors have to use handguns and how annoying it is when an actor isn't comfortable doing it. So I found a local firearms class and signed up. I still go shooting sometimes to keep in practice, but I am by no means an expert.

6) You also became fluent in ASL (American Sign Language) for your challenging theater role 'Children of a Lesser God' which was the 30th anniversary stage revival held at the Deaf West Theatre in California -- quite an accomplishment for you!
I know you had intensive tutoring by a deaf teacher. What surprised you most about this whole learning process and immersing yourself in deaf culture? Do you have deaf friends as well?

(Matthew with co-star Shoshanna Stern)

I still have quite a few deaf friends, whom I make a consistent effort to hang out with. The thing about learning a new language is that you start to make friends who speak that language; and, if you don't keep in practice and lose what you've learned, you've also lost those friends because you can no longer communicate. My ASL Master from the play, DJ Kurs (a wonderful producer and writer in his own right) and I still hang out - I've even introduced him to rock climbing, though our schedules make outings few and far between.

What most surprised me about Deaf Culture is that it is such a unique culture. Because ASL is truly a different language from English (most people assume each word in English has a sign but otherwise they are the same language - not true), it lends itself to a very different kind of communication. We speak linearly, starting in one place and moving to another. ASL is a visual language, so you build ideas and pictures the way an artist composes a picture. It takes a while to get used to. Also, the speed of reading. To this day I can't comprehend a finger-spelled word at even a quarter of the speed that my deaf friends can.

7) Your are in the Dodge "Freedom" TV ad (summer 2010), playing a British general on horseback. Your Facebook shows photos from the shooting location that looks beautiful but cold! Can you share where it was shot? And what was it like shooting on location?

(Click here to see the "Dogdge Freedom" ad on YouTube)

I can't tell you the exact location mainly because I don't know - I followed directions that I have long since recycled. It was about two hours north from Los Angeles along the I-5, then you turn off somewhere and head in some direction for a period of time. That's the best I can give you.

But it was cold! We shot at the end of April and still had snow the second day - it even delayed shooting because the Interstate was shut down. Luckily I was able to warm up in my trailer - the background actors were freezing their rear ends off all day.

When I was on the horse though, my hands would go almost immediately numb, then I had to ride around, controlling the reins with no feeling in my hands! Luckily the horse was very well behaved and the trainers very helpful. I would have been in serious trouble otherwise.

8) Do you feel being a natural redhead, working in the entertainment industry, helps or hinders? Do you battle any of the typical "redhead stereotypes"?

The biggest challenge for me is that normally I would be a leading actor. I have strong features and a deeper voice, which lends in that direction. But my red hair, pale skin, and freckles mean I will never be a straight leading man. But I'm not a straight character actor either. I fall somewhere in the middle. Sometimes it's a real pain, because people don't know how to cast you. On the other hand, it means I get all the really fun, interesting roles.

9) Did you get teased as a kid or even now as an adult, including getting labeled with nicknames? Any advice for kids out there dealing with this?

Yup. Carrot-top, Flamer, and a few others that cannot be repeated here. Most of the advice I always got was cliched, "Don't let it bug you," "Let it go," etc. Truly, that is the best way, but it's so easy to say and so hard to do.

So instead I would say this: If it bugs you, that's okay. Use it. Find what you love, what you're good at - believe me, there is something, probably many things. Do it, work at it, be great at it. In the process, you'll also find what makes you unique and cool, as opposed to trying to live up to someone else's definition. The best revenge on bullies is success.

10) For your 1st acting job in L.A. (A&E biography) , you portrayed Dwight D. Eisenhower. Did you get chosen because of any resemblance to him as a young man? I didn't know he was a redhead, as photos show him balding or grayish. What do you know?

Actually, when I got on set the director showed me a lot of pictures he had of a young Dwight Eisenhower. He was a ginger, no doubt, and the resemblance was kind of scary.

[Note from Deb: You can see a colorized photo of Eisenhower in his West Point graduation uniform at GettyImages.com]

11) From what you've learned up to this point, what 2 tips can you give for budding actors/actresses out there who are just starting out?

1. When you walk into an audition, don't try to find out what they want, show them what you have chosen for the character - they have a problem, they need someone to fill this role. You are here to solve it.

2. Get some hobbies, have a life outside acting - a well-rounded actor is a better artist than one who has no life apart from acting. Have as many experiences as you can.

12) You've done a variety of acting roles so far -- would you consider doing any singing or dancing in future acting roles?

I do sing, though I am not a "singer." And I minored in dance at Marquette. In fact, I was invited to audition for the dance company, Pilobolus, but had to leave during the second or third round of auditions. They asked me to come out a few months later for another set of auditions and I invited a friend of mine along, a very talented actor and dancer named Andy. He booked the job and dances with them today. I followed my dream out to Hollywood.
So yes, I would love the opportunity to sing and dance in a project. The last time I sang was for a film I did a couple years back called 'Just Say Love' [Deb's note-Viewer's discretion]

13) This last question actually has nothing to do with redheads in general, but I have to ask this -- I heard your Dad works at Harley-Davidson in Wisconsin as an engineer, so you apparently grew up with motorcycles.
Okay, as former Harley owners ourselves, 'I gots to know'? -- What's your favorite Harley model? And do you ride now?

My dream bike is the Street Glide with the Screaming Eagle Package. Yeah. For a couple years I rode around on a Kawasaki Vulcan 750. I'm not in a place to be buying a Harley, but I just can't get away from that V-Twin Engine. My next bike, however, will be a Harley. Also - My Dad actually works at the Engineering Center behind the factory on Capitol Drive in Wisconsin (the one you tour).

DEB here again... Okay, I think it's about time that the movie industry have some lead redhead males, don't you? After all, they have redhead female actresses, so why not?! I find it fascinating to read what Matthew had to say about moving to California, the acting industry, his training and goals, and advice for my readers. I hope what he had to say will inspire some of you to pursue your passion, especially in the entertainment industry.

Thanks again to Matthew for taking time to give us a peak into the life of an actor! I wish him the best of success...!!

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