Today we’d like to introduce you to Javier Vazquez, Jr.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up in the projects the arts were never truly on my radar, but my mom had a flare for the dramatic and she loved dancing and listening to all genres of music. For me, my acting journey kind of started in high school. One day I was chilling with some friends at school when I began to (as a joke) reenact a scene from the movie “Of Mice and Men.” We had read the book in class then watched the movie so it was all fresh. I put two chairs side by side and played both Lennie and George. My friends were laughing out loud but from the hallway, a teacher was watching. He asked to speak to me after class and told me that he was a theatre actor and that he was very impressed with my performance. He said I had a natural gift for acting. That conversation caught me off guard and planted a seed in me. When college came around, I found myself looking at the list of classes and Intro to Theatre with Gerry Trentham caught my eye. It was a huge class but I managed to stand out and got plenty of laughs. After that semester, I was hooked and made theatre my minor. I participated in a few stage productions in Buffalo, New York where I was raised and when I moved to Atlanta in 2008, I found a booming Film industry. I booked my FIRST audition for a faith-based film titled “Stand Your Ground.” After that, I signed with an agent, took some classes and started to build up my resume. Most notably working with Bradley Cooper, Michael Pena and Loren Dean in an amazing scene for Clint Eastwood’s “The Mule.” I am currently booked in two television shows that production has been halted due to the Coronavirus outbreak and the future is looking up.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Growing up was tough. I had a lot of creativity but zero outlets for it. I think the obstacles I’ve faced are similar to many others. Climbing out of poverty and the welfare system. Escaping a life of violence and drugs. Divorced parents. Abusive stepfather. Being the first person on both sides of my extended family to graduate from college with a Bachelor’s Degree. Lack of resources. Having to be creative, ambitious, and enlarging my territory by leaving some situations in the past and associating myself with like-minded individuals that can help me achieve my goals. I am a newcomer to the game. Like most creatives, I have tons of ideas but until I can execute a plan they will never take me anywhere. Les Brown said something once that truly resonated. “The graveyard is the richest place on earth because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled…” This hit me like a ton of bricks. Since then, I’ve taken Tyler Perry’s advice and focus on one project at a time, taking measurable steps to make my dreams goals and my goals a reality.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m known as an actor but soon people will know me as a writer and producer. Currently, I’m working on a short film that takes a comedic look at the life of Hispanic actors and some of the struggles we face in the industry. I can take on dramatic and comedic roles and have strong improvisational skills, comedic timing, and can play a number of different ethnicities and backgrounds. What most sets me apart is the support I have from my wife and children, all of whom are actors. We are an acting family and have had the opportunity to work together on a number of projects. #proudpapa
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I wouldn’t change a single thing! Mainly because I’d be worried about disrupting the time/space continuum, but if I could give advice to someone, it would be to start now! Go for it! There is a saying in Spanish, “De los cobardes no se ha escrito nada.” “They haven’t written anything about cowards.” When I was younger, I allowed the fear of rejection to keep me from pursuing my passions. I allowed the opinions of people who did not have what I wanted to dissuade me. Today, I celebrate adversity, relish the battle, and enjoy the process. Every role I see on TV that I didn’t book reminds me that I’m in the game! All I have to do is step it up, do the work, then I too can have some great moments either in front of or behind the camera.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 404-261-9627
- Email: contact@amtagency.com
- Instagram: @JavierVazquezJr
- Other: https://www.imdb.me/JavierVazquezJr
Image Credit:
Warner Bros, Kyle Scott, Canyon View Media, Jeneen Hammond
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