CATCHING UP WITH JONATHAN JACKSON
Today, the ex-GH star travels the straight and narrow to glory ...
works with Al Pacino ... and never forgets Lucky
The assortment of issues up for contention at the break of this new
millennium is vast and plentiful. The capability of Jonathan
Jackson, as a matinee idol or average individual, is not among them.
Deemed by the daytime press as a prodigious thespian for his Emmy-
decorated run as the semi-rebellious, yet oft-righteous, son of Luke
and Laura on General Hospital, one would be hard-pressed to locate a
scathing review of Jackson's work.
Ensconced deep within the computer's Yahoo search engines are
critiques which tout the 20- year-old as having a "convincing
screen presence," and owning "confidence, maturity and self-
possession." Having said goodbye to GH in `99, the actor has managed
to make a name for himself on his own terms, allowing for the
progression to take place so seamlessly that many have mistaken his
growth to be effortless.
Film Buff
Having starred in "Deep End of the Ocean," "On the Edge" ("I've heard
rumors of it coming out this year"), and an original short, penned
along-side brother Richard and called "Crystal Clear" (Winner at the
Brooklyn Film Festival), Jackson is now in the middle of two major
projects: "Insomnia" and "Tuck Everlasting." Working opposite Oscar
winners Al Pacino and Sissy Spacek respectively, although
invigorating, does take a toll. The fact that Jackson is able to
thrive with his helter-skelter work schedule is a conundrum.
"I've managed somehow (to stay awake on the sets)," Jackson laughs,
ironically speaking to Update not long after an afternoon
slumber. "On my days off, I've been flying to opposite sides of the
coast, but I can't complain. Things are going well."
Teen Dream
Instead of burning out from the scrutiny, Jackson, as Teen Beat's
latest `cover boy' toasts himself a golden brown. As much as
fanatics of "Total Request Live" coo over his baby skin complexion
and aqua eyes, Jackson's primary source of sustenance resides in
humility. A young man of devout faith, prestige is not as pertinent
as a decent value system. This is how Jackson tackles working and
socializing with Al Pacino, an actor who has made so many of us "an
offer we couldn't refuse."
"I was one hundred percent at peace," reflects the actor of his first
meeting with Pacino. "There was excitement, but I wasn't nervous. I
was just thankful to be a part of something like that." "Insomnia,"
slated for release in March 2002, will see Jackson as Randy, the
boyfriend (and sometime suspect) of a murder victim. In "Tuck
Everlasting," however, a lighter side is entertained.
Contrary to popular belief, the actor is chatty when conversing, not
in the least subdued, simply taking the time to answer the questions
posed by Update thoughtfully. He even provokes laughs at certain
breaks. :) Take for instance, his proposal to do periodic stints as
Lucky. "I'd have loved to come back (here and there.) I don't think
they believed me," his voice void of cynicism. Jackson asserts his
good will when protection his successor from jabs by the
media. "Jacob is cool," he says, acknowledging that if he had stayed,
a maligned Lucky would not exist. "They've taken Lucky where they've
taken him dependent on the circumstance."
Where the Heart Is
Currently, a welcoming lull replaces the maelstrom that once
surrounded Jackson following showbiz insiders' christening him as the
next Anakin Skywalker (the role went to Hayden Christensen) in "Star
Wars: Episode II." Unsure of when -and if- the media frenzy will
pick up, Jackson intends to maintain his "grace."
Now fully residing in a galaxy removed from GH's Ice Princess,
Jackson is nevertheless particularly salutary to the legends
responsible for his own trek down fame's yellow brick road. "I can
NEVER forget Tony (Geary) and Genie (Francis)," asserts the
actor. "I take them wherever I go --always. They're in everything
that I do."
And audiences acknowledge Obi-Wan Kenobi to be the greatest mentor to
ever command the Force. Ha!
Sporadic Quotes:
One of Jackson's favorite scenes is from "The Deep End of the
Ocean,": "I love when Michelle and I talked in the jail."
"I've just kind of let God guide me into what I feel He wants me to
do," says the star.
"Tuck is free and full of life. I'm having a heck of a lot of fun."
"Richard is good," tells Jackson. The brothers just finished their
2nd original work.
The picture is the Jim Warren one with Jonathan in the yellow sleeveless shirt.
