At the age of 15, Comedian Jamie Kennedy was told his dreams of becoming an actor were far fetched. He did what any rebellious teenager would do. He enlisted in acting classes and is now laughing all the way to the bank.
The Pennsylvania-born talent has spent the past two decades taking Hollywood by storm, from his breakthrough roles in Romeo & Juliet and Scream in the late ’90s to his self-produced show The Jamie Kennedy Experiment in 2002. He went on to make appearances on television shows such as Criminal Minds and was the voice of Roberta Tubbs’ boyfriend on the animated series, Cleveland Show.
With the recent cancellation of the CBS’s Ghost Whisperer, in which he played the character Eli James, Kennedy has returned to the stage to bring big laughs to a live audience. His next stop is to the Eastside where he will be performing at the Laughs Comedy Spot in Kirkland on June 4-5.
The Reporter recently chatted with Kennedy to learn how he first broke into the business and where he plans to go from here.
Reporter: Where did you get your humor?
Kennedy: My mom is a very observant lady and very sarcastic while my dad is someone you laugh at because he is funny, but doesn’t realize he is. They were a great combo.
Reporter: How did you break into the business?
Kennedy: I was 15 and I met with a guidance counselor at school and he basically told me I didn’t have very many options for my future. He said I could be an accountant. I wasn’t even good at numbers. He basically gave me the glummest future. I said, I think I’m going to be a comedian. He told me there was no money in it. I didn’t listen.
Reporter: What was your first gig?
Kennedy: I landed a commercial for Vans Sneakers in ’94 and then got all over MTV. When I landed the role on Romeo & Juliet and then Scream, it kind of set me up.
Reporter: What’s your favorite – movies, televsion or stand-up comedy?
Kennedy: I love doing movies, but TV has been very good to me and has a quick turnaround. Of course standup is basically instant feedback. I like the liveliness. You get a feel right away for what works.
Reporter: Best movie experience?
Kennedy: As far as shooting the movie I would say Boiler Room. All the guys were hanging out and we felt like kings of New York. (Other actors in Broiler Room included Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Ben Affleck, Nicky Katt and Scott Caan). Also, Malibu’s Most Wanted because it was my baby and I loved it. Filming Scream was cool, but I was scared out of my mind.
Reporter: Any actors you would kill to work with?
Kennedy: I would love to work with Robert Downing Jr. I think he’s amazing. I haven’t seen Iron Man 2 yet, but I guess I’ve got to get on that.
Reporter: Have you ever performed in the Seattle/Eastside area:
Kennedy: I don’t think I’ve ever performed out there. This will be my first time so Seattle better come out because it’s going to be fun like Kurt Cobain all over again only without the heroin.
Lindsay Larin can be reached at 425-453-4602.
Laughs Comedy Spot celebrates its Third Anniversary of Laughter with Comedian Jamie Kennedy Fri. & Sat. 8:00PM & 10:00PM Tickets: $25.00 Call: 425-823-6306 Visit: www.laughscomedy.com
