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Star Spotlight
Jason Earles plays Jackson, a troublemaker with the best of intentions, on the popular Disney Channel series Hannah Montana. Scholastic News Online recently caught up with Jason and asked him about the show, his third-grade acting debut, and the importance of reading. Here's what he had to say:
Q & A
Q:
You play Jackson on Hannah Montana. What is he like?
Jason: Jackson is really fun. He is a harmless troublemaker. If something outrageous and funny is going to happen to somebody [on the show], it usually [happens to] Jackson. He gets himself into a lot of trouble over things like girls, and cars, and picking on his sister, but his intentions are never bad; everything is kind of light and playful.
Q:
Would Jackson be a friend of yours?
Jason: Jackson would definitely be a friend of mine. He probably gets into more trouble then I ever got into as a kid, but we are interested in a lot of the same things. He could probably [help me to] loosen up, and push me out of my comfort zone.
Q:
What most surprised you about the set of Hannah Montana?
Jason: I was really surprised by how fast everybody came together. In a very short amount of time we all just kind of looked out for each other. I was really amazed at how the cast and crew just jelled together [and became] a cool little family.
Q:
Can you think any funny things that have happened on the set?
Jason: There was one episode where Billy [Ray Cyrus] and I were pulling pranks on each other. The last prank he set up, I fell feetfirst into a kiddie pool full of pudding. We are always kind of messing with each other. It kind of adds more energy, and you just never really know what is going to come at you next.
Q:
When did you know that acting was what you wanted to do?
Jason: My first play was Hansel and Gretel, in the third grade. I played Hansel [and] had so much fun. It was something that a middle child in a family of five [could get attention for]. It was kind of my way of being an attention getter. Very early on, I knew it was something that I was interested in.
Q:
Do you remember your favorite book as a child?
Jason: I was a huge fan of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I read those books a thousand times growing up.
Q:
When do you find time to read?
Jason: I usually read before I go to bed. It has always been like that, even in elementary school.
Q:
How would you encourage a kid that is either having trouble reading, or doesn't like to read?
Jason: As you get older, everything you do is going to require a certain amount of reading skills. If [a kid is struggling or doesn't like to read] they just need to find [a topic] they are interested in, and kind of run with that.
—Interview by Marie Morreale
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Jason Earles
(Photo: Amanda Parks/AP Wide World)
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STAR STATS
Star Calendar
To find out when Hannah Montana is on in your area, visit this Web site.
Star Stats
Full Name: Jason Earles
Birth Date: April 26, 1985
Astro Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: San Diego, California
Current Residence: Los Angeles, California
Star Faves
Actors: Clint Eastwood, Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman
Music:Modest Mouse, Nirvana, Pearl Jam
TV Show: Lost
Favorite Subjects: math and science
Author: Steven King
Food: Chinese
Car: Mini Cooper
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