Who is Jason Zlatkus? Jason Zlatkus American film actor known for his exceptional performances in films such as The First Rule, A Killer Rising, Near Enemies, and Forever Young (2020). At 6’4″ with an athletic build, Zlatkus has made a name for himself as a versatile and skilled actor, appearing in leading roles for industry giants like Marvel, Every Man Jack, Philips, Ford, Cisco, and 1-800Flowers. His modeling career is equally impressive, with runway appearances for Men’s Wearhouse and published print modeling work. Zlatkus has also played a part in social advocacy, portraying Hunger Halter, a superhero created by Feeding San Diego and The San Diego Comic-Con Museum to raise awareness about food overproduction and waste. Based in Los Angeles, he is committed to continuously refining his acting abilities, studying with renowned instructors such as Duane Whitaker, Daniel Roebuck, and John Swanbeck. In addition to his acting career, Jason hosts a popular SAG-AFTRA approved live podcast and show for actors, “Coffee Breaks Thursdays with Jason Zlatkus.” Featuring interviews with working actors, the show has garnered a global audience of aspiring actors and fans alike.
What initially drew you to the world of acting, and how did you start your journey in this industry? I actually started as a model and was lucky to get to showcase very prestigious brands which then led me to commercial work. I was at some point offered a part in an independent film and I fell in love with acting on that set.After that I was on a mission to be a great actor as if I’d been given new purpose in life.
Can you share a memorable experience from filming “The First Rule” that helped shape your acting approach?I learn so much from every set I’m on. First Rule was my first black and white film, it’s a film noir and very experimental. It’s brilliant really. It was also my first time working with green screen on a film and one of my favorite memories is Director Mohapatra writing me to tell me my “being 6’4” was a strain on the green screen budget”. I still chuckle when I think about that. We won many awards for The First Rule and I’m very proud of it.
“A Killer Rising” features intense themes; how do you prepare mentally and emotionally for such demanding roles?Funny story about that, I was fairly new when I was offered the role of Agent Moore in A Killer Rising. I was asked to be there and told I’d have some lines. I ended up being in some pretty pivotal and cool scenes, but I didn’t actually know the entire story or have the whole script. I didn’t know what it was actually about until I saw the film. We were filming this when we found out Kobe Bryant had passed, that’s stuck in my mind now.
In “Near Enemies” and “Forever Young,” you portrayed vastly different characters. How do you approach character development for such diverse roles?
I love this question! I am very different in both of those and I actually really like my performances in both. In Near Enemies my character (Barnes) is very apathetic and worn out, he’s just ready to be done. For that role I truly just embraced my surroundings, I didn’t even realize I was creating such a good character, It was cold and it was dark and I had just driven far into the Santa Cruz mountains and was ready to be done before we started. Haha, I fueled it into my performance and it came out great. I learned so much and I’m grateful for that experience, I use that clip in my real to this day. Forever Young is so different; I’m a very dangerous guy in that. That’s a much tougher role to prepare for, it’s not a side of me I like to bring out but I keep getting asked to do it on film, so I give people what they want. I’ve learned to harness the intensity for film but it has taken years of practice.
Working with big brands like Marvel and Ford in commercials must be a different vibe from film acting. How do you adjust your performance for these mediums?
Yes! Commercial sets are such a different vibe. I start with the music I listen to on the way to set, if it’s a commercial I know it’s an upbeat fast environment and I go in with that mindset, happy and confident. For film, I play what I think will get me into the character’s mindset. However performance wise, for both they want believable characters. While we still have spokespeople, commercials these days have moved on from being “salesy” to more of “a friend telling you about this brand”, so you have to turn in a believable sincere performance. I give it the same mental preparation / inner work as film.
As a model for Men’s Wearhouse and other brands, how has your experience in modeling influenced your acting career?It has definitely shaped the characters I audition for. Modeling for Men’s Wearhouse, Jos A. Bank and other major suit makers as you can imagine I have a lot of pictures in suits. I started to get cast as a businessman or lawyer type, well actually usually a hitman. Hahaha, sometimes the hitman is wearing the nicest suit. Being a model first taught me attention to the finest details and I bring that to my wardrobe choices for not just characters I create but in the outfits I wear to industry events.
Who has been your biggest mentor among the industry professionals you’ve studied with, and what was the most valuable lesson they taught you?That’s tough because I have been so blessed to be mentored by many great people throughout my career so far. Porsha McGill found me and taught me to model and get in front of the crowd. She taught overcome my fears and how to follow a director. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be doing any of this. Daniel Roebuck took me under his wing and taught me that the first thing is to “Always be gracious”. I do my best to stay gracious and I keep a picture of him on my refrigerator to remind me every day.
Could you describe a particularly challenging moment in your career and how you overcame it?I’ve learned that challenging moments are an opportunity for growth, especially around acting. I was working with a company for a while and after one of my performances I was let go. The producers had some harsh criticism for my performance. I felt defeated because it was a good gig. After I sulked for a while and called all my actor buddies for a pep talk, I decided to take the criticism seriously and I worked hard to improve at acting. I used it as motivation to work to become a better actor and it taught me to not rest on my training even if I have good thing going.
Your podcast “Coffee Breaks Thursdays with Jason Zlatkus” features working actors. What inspired you to start this podcast, and what do you aim to achieve with it? The podcast was initially going to be done just as a promo for an upcoming film, but that film never came to be. The show kept going and took on a life of its own, becoming a big success. I just hope I can keep learning from it. Every time I get to talk to a new guest I’m asking and learning the things I want to know about them and their career. It’s been great to be able to access so many different types of actors and keep it entertaining and fun at the same time.
What has been one of the most surprising or enlightening moments during your podcast interviews?There have been so many and I’m lucky to be a part of them. One that always stands out is Pete Girard. Pete talked about living / acting with his stage 4 cancer on my show and it was very moving. Pete is so full of life and is easily one of the most entertaining and wild guests I’ve had. I think about it a lot and it reminds me to be grateful.
As your podcast is SAG-AFTRA approved, what impact do you think this endorsement has on your audience and the content you create? I consider the SAG-AFTRA label to be very prestigious and I have one of the few shows of its kind to be SAG-AFTRA, so I take it very seriously. I work hard to make sure the show is of a certain quality and to get great talent on the show. The SAG-AFTRA endorsement has also allowed me to reach guests who have achieved some higher performance levels. I’m very proud to have this show recognized by the union.
Beyond acting and modeling, you’ve also taken on roles to promote social causes like ending food waste with Hunger Halter. What drives you to use your platform for activism?This is the best thing I get to do. I’ve often needed help in my life and my career and to be able to use my talents to give back is such a blessing. Hunger Halter is not only a great character but he’s an icon to raise awareness of the need to stop overproduction of food and stop wasting what we do produce. I’m humbled and truly grateful to get to portray such an amazing hero.
How do you select the social causes you support, and how important is this activism to your personal and professional identity?It’s a pretty tough line as an actor to support causes publically because you always run the risk of alienating a part of your fan base or potentially someone who might hire you. I have to be careful but also true to myself. I really like the causes that have helped me in the past and I’ve been helped by many. I don’t believe we take this journey alone and I’m honored to help when I can.
With such a busy schedule, how do you manage your time effectively between acting, modeling, podcasting, and social activism? I don’t. ha-ha. It’s definitely difficult. I don’t model anymore so I can be fully focused on acting now. Acting requires complete focus and a lot of time, it’s my main thing and where my most of my time is spent. I’m usually training, working or networking.
The entertainment industry is highly competitive. How do Altamero Management and The Wayne Agency help you navigate and succeed in this environment?
I have great representation. I work with my team to submit to roles I’m right for and they have guided me to some of my best work. They can submit me to many roles I can’t and, they help me to get contracts correct and deals made before filming begins.
What role does public relations play in your career, and how has GTK PR Agency helped shape your public persona?
This is has been by far the absolute biggest gun in my arsenal. Choosing GTK as my Public relations has been the best thing that has happened to me since arriving in LA, 3 years ago. It’s so hard to get noticed and be taken seriously as an actor, GTK has put me on the map by getting my name out there! Because of GTK I get to attend large and fun Hollywood events which led me to meeting so many great people many of whom appear on my show! Networking is one of the biggest aspects of my job, GTK gets me into those events and I get to meet people and sometimes those people end up being directors who want to hire me. I’m truly grateful for GTK, I feel like my LA journey would be so very much harder without them.
Looking forward, what are some roles or projects you aspire to tackle in the future?Still looking for my western. Haha. I’ve been close and I know when it’s right I’ll get it and for now that’s what I want to do! I’ve been a superhero and the devil but I just can’t land that cowboy role yet.
What advice would you give to aspiring actors who look up to you and wish to follow in your footsteps?Take acting classes. This is not easy, plan to stay the course. Then take some more acting classes. After that, build a solid team and hang on!
How has the evolution of social media impacted your career, and how do you engage with your fans through these platforms? Social media is a massive part of what I do these days. It’s the fastest way to share what I’m doing directly with my fans and family. Social media has brought directors, actors, writers and film makers together from across the world like never before. I have friends and fans all over the world. I feel a good Social Media presence is a necessary tool for any artist.
Finally, what legacy do you hope to leave in the entertainment industry, both as an actor and a change-maker?I’d love to make a film someone truly thought was their favorite movie. I always thought that’d be pretty awesome to hear someone say. I don’t think too much about my legacy in films but I’d love to see Hunger Halter be an icon for many years to come. Now say if there was to be a Hunger Halter movie, that’d be some legacy.
Follow Jason on his social media.
https://www.instagram.com/jasonztheactor/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbHrL6B63ntV5_UE1mcr2hQ
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10535900/
Written by Sherry Lee, Editor in Chief Hollywood Legends Magazine
