Meet Jason Johnson | Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jason Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jason, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
While there is no doubt that I have had some success in my career since I started acting 3 years ago, I feel I have not achieved the level of success in this industry that I am meant for just yet. I feel like the desire and drive to become a successful actor was put in my heart for a reason and I am determined to make it happen. Some of the habits that I have used to get me to where I am today, as well as what I believe will set me apart and take me to the next level are… I try my hardest to be a better version of myself by learning from my mistakes. I believe that we are not defined by our past,  so I try not to dwell on past mistakes; instead, I do my best to learn from what I did wrong, making amends and moving forward with the knowledge to make a better decision the next time that I find myself in a similar situation. I also try to treat people with kindness, compassion and understanding. My take is that everybody is going through things in their life that we have no idea about which greatly effects their actions, so a little grace goes a long way. I try my hardest not to rely on motivation. Don’t get me wrong, motivation can be (and is) a powerful thing and it can get you where you want to go, but there will be a time where you’ll start to lack motivation so then you need to truly give it your all to persevere. This is where discipline comes in. When I’m  disciplined to do the things that I know will make a difference in my career, then even when I’m not motivated to get things done, my discipline is there to make me do it and push me forward. Of course, there are also the cliché things that I believe make a big difference in success such as being on time, being trustworthy, being professional and being a man or woman of your word.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a professional full-time actor. Since my first acting job in July 2020, I have worked in over 25 productions in roles such as leading man, supporting actor, recurring co-star roles, as well as principal, day player and featured background roles. There isn’t just one thing that sets me apart. I think its a combination of everything from God-given talent, work ethic, drive, determination, honesty, and being reliable, disciplined, confident, as well as honing in on my special skills and working hard to refine my natural abilities. I continue to work really hard on being the best version of myself that I can be, and to be the person God created me to be.  I believe that nothing worth having comes easy. There are times in my career when it seemed as if I was just being handed everything, yet there have also been times when it felt as if I couldn’t get a callback audition to save my life!

Acting is a business where you are constantly rejected, and truthfully, sometimes that can be really hard on your confidence and self worth. Yet it shouldn’t be, because self-worth and confidence have nothing to do with how many roles a person can book as an actor. Self-worth and confidence should not be based on external factors at all; it comes from within, living life authentically and being the person who you are created to be.  I choose to not let temporary feelings keep me down. I have learned to remember that the talents I have are for a reason. I trust and have faith that if I didn’t get the job I really wanted, it was because there was something better for me on the way!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So many things to do!!! Some of the spots I would take them would be the Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Fox Theatre, Stone Mountain Hiking, Ponce City Market, and maybe catch a football, baseball, basketball game, which game of course is depending on the season. As for eating spots The Sun Dial, Kevin Rathbun Steak, Canoe, The Silver Skillet, Sublime Donuts, The Varsity, Fat Matt’s Rib Shack, and Mary Mac’s Tea room are all some of my favorites. For drinks, The Rooftop LOA, JoJo’s, Ranger Station, Dryver Bar and The Red Phone Booth. Thanks a lot for asking this question… I’m hungry now!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost I believe that I wouldn’t be where I am or have what I have if it weren’t for God. He has blessed me in countless ways and He continues to do so. I believe it was part of His plan for me to get into acting. He is the reason for my success and the author of my story. No matter how many times I fall short, He picks me back up and pushes me forward. My family and friends have all been so supportive of me and my career. I can’t thank them enough. Having such wonderful people in my corner rooting for me to succeed is a very valuable thing to me.

Website: imdb.me/jasonjohnson

Instagram: @iamjasonjohnson

Image Credits
Kristine Canterbury Photography