An Interview with actor Cole Evan Weiss
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 Sandlot 2 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 Central Artists at 3310 Burbank Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505. Please include a SASE with your autograph request.
