Toronto Star

Thursday, February 13, 2003, p. P07

Ryan's story

Ryan Cooley

Special to brand new planet

Hey everyone! My name's Ryan Cooley. I'm 14 years old and I'm in Grade 9. You may know me as J.T. Yorke from TV's Degrassi: The Next Generation. I'm here to talk to you about, well, my life!

When I'm not working in the crazy world of acting, I'm basically just a normal kid. I go to school, do my homework (sometimes), go to movies, ski (as you can see by my stuff on the cover), ya know- normal stuff. It's not like I walk around with bodyguards or get escorted everywhere by a limo!

I got into this unusual hobby when I was about 9 years old. My first job was a community theatre show called Jacob Two-Two Meets The Hooded Fang. I played "Jacob." I did that show for a month and loved every minute of it. Once I was done, I wanted to do more acting jobs, but this time on TV.

My dad, Charlie Cooley, knows a lot about the entertainment business because he is a musician. He got me an audition for an agent. The agent is the person who makes your life as an actor a lot easier. This is because they get you jobs!

I mean they get you auditions for jobs. Your agent will submit you for jobs, and in turn, you have to go and meet the producers and audition for them. The producers normally give the actors scenes from the main script to learn and perform. If they like you, they hire you. This process is how I ended up getting the role of J.T. in Degrassi.

I have gotten to know the cast of the show really well and I have become good friends with all of them. We try to stay in touch when we are not shooting. When we are shooting, we usually work for up to six months together, so it becomes like a second family. It really is a good feeling to know that I am actually excited to go to work each morning. I know that may sound kinda corny, but it's true. Even though some of those mornings can be early.

Although we have a lot of fun on set, we have to do schoolwork. This is how it works: The production company hires tutors on set and they set up a schoolroom. We get our work from our real teachers, and do it at the studio. If we are having any problems, the tutors help us. When we have a break on set or if we are not in a specific scene, we go to the schoolroom. Pretty easy, eh?

For me, being on a TV show isn't about the fame and glamour. Acting is what I love to do. Sometimes people recognize me on the street, but I don't think of myself as a "changed" person. I'm still the teenager called Ryan Cooley. I just hope that the people I know well don't treat me any differently just because of my job.

For kids who are looking for acting tips, I have two. Always try your best to be outgoing! (You can't be in front of a camera and be shy.) If you are thinking that you want to get into acting because of the money, you will NOT do well. You have to do it because you love it. That's the only option.

Ryan Cooley, 14, is in Grade 9.

Life's pretty normal after J.T. leaves the set

Illustration(s):

Degrassi days From top, Ryan Cooley, Sarah Barrable-Tishauer, Miriam McDonald, Cassie Steele and Jake Goldsbie.