"I have a big imagination. I'm very ambitious and want to do it all. And thankfully, I get to."
When you've reached the level of stardom Nick Jonas has, you can pretty much do anything. But his fame isn't a factor for him when picking projects, the story is. "It's definitely helpful to work with brilliant people. And this one [The Good Half] is insane." In the film, Jonas plays Renn, who returns home for his mom's funeral. He says the movie "made me think of great films that I think do that really well, where the themes and the story might be sad [but] the only way through situations is to find the humor." Known for music, Jonas is proud to do a variety of things, including an expected 2025 Broadway musical The Last Five Years. "I get to be really creative with the things that I take on in the acting space, in addition to the music side of things. And Broadway is a combination of both, which will be a great challenge and super-fun experience." In the end, though, it's all about the people. "It's incredible to just keep jumping to different projects and seeing the creative voices and just powerhouse people that I'm fortunate enough to work with."
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Editor's Note: This conversation has been edited and condensed for publication.
What interested you about this film?
I loved the script. I feel like it was right in my sweet spot of things that I'm interested in, human stories that feel grounded, that tackle big themes like loss and grief, but also has a good sense of humor. I think that one of the things that was most surprising to me about the script when I first read it was how much I laughed, which I thought was an opportunity to do something really special, and also to get to work with my longtime friend Robert Schwartzman, the director of the film. All this shorthand going into it made the filmmaking experience that much more gratifying and fun.
The humor in it was really special. How did the humor of the story stand out to you?
It really stood out to me and made me think of those great films that I think do that really well that I love, where the themes and the story might be sad, but in real life, you know that does happen sometimes. The only way through situations is to find the humor in it, or take a minute away, step away and just disconnect and go into a different emotional stratosphere just to find a way to deal. I think the script did a really great job of toeing that line.
When you're dealing with this balance of grief and humor, how do you find how you'll approach the character?
I work with an acting coach. That's one thing. We've spent a lot of time talking about it and trying to find this guy. But also, because it is sort of autobiographical for the writer of the film [Brett Ryland], there was a lot on the page that just helped bring it to life. But then, as far as the relationship goes with Elisabeth Shue's character [Lily Wheeland, Renn's mother], I think that the key was thinking about those people in my life that I love and that I care deeply about, that I trust. And not to say what would it be like if they pass, but just filling up that well with gratitude allows the depth one feels for the person in the scene to be that much more real and visceral. And that's what I did, just thought a lot about my loved ones and came to set each day ready to dig in and go to those places.
So many of the roles you've taken on recently show your growth as an actor. And next year you're heading to Broadway with The Last Five Years. Do you find yourself wanting to do that more than maybe music or business?
Luckily, I don't have to decide between the two, which is amazing. So I get to be really creative with the things that I take on in the acting space, in addition to the music side of things. And Broadway is a combination of both, which will be a great challenge and super-fun experience. And then, something like this [film], where I'm just sort of acting, it helps me tap into other creative sources and outlets that I am really grateful I get to, because I have a big imagination. I'm very ambitious and want to do it all. And thankfully, I get to.
Are you terrified at all to go to Broadway with this big show?
It's where I started. I did shows as a kid. And then I've since done Les Mis on the West End and another show on Broadway about 11 or 12 years ago. I love the community of it. I think it's just one of the greatest tests of a performer and an artist, to be able to get them on a Broadway stage and sing, dance, act, do it all in one place. And then on top of that, you're doing eight shows a week, so it's a grind. I have the utmost respect for people that are theater performers and actors. I would say that this show in particular, I'm not scared or nervous because I don't think you can be and feel free. I have to feel free physically and emotionally to step into a show that is that emotional and intense, not to mention it's a Jason Robert Brown score, so it's a big sing as well. I'm actually just excited to get in and start playing with it. I've sung it a million times, kind of by myself in the shower, but that's now going to be in front of a couple thousand people every night on a Broadway stage.
Also just the people you're working with seem to be getting better and better. Do you find yourself intentionally wanting to do a project to work with certain people?
It's definitely helpful to work with brilliant people. And this one [The Good Half] is insane. This cast, they're all brilliant and bring something so unique and special to the table. As I'm going about different projects, I think the caliber is so high. I just did a movie with Paul Rudd, which I'm super excited about, with John Carney directing. I've loved his movies forever. It's incredible to just keep jumping to different projects and seeing the creative voices and just powerhouse people that I'm fortunate enough to work with.
Do you feel like being around talent like that makes you a better actor?
I think it definitely helps you grow and, like anything, iron sharpens iron, right? And so being around greatness is going to pull the best out of you, and I just hope that trend continues.
You're also expanding into more producing. What's that like?
I'm trying to fill my development slate with things that I'm really passionate about, and I cover a wide range of projects that I'm interested in. That producer hat is super fun to wear as well. I think during COVID, when we were all just at home, that's what I spent my time doing, just ideating and thinking about things that I could be in or that I could just write or develop. And again, just talking about those different lanes of creativity, my brain's constantly just going, my imagination is big, so I love having different pathways to channel that.
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H. Alan ScottShare on Twitter
A writer/comedian based in Los Angeles. Host of the weekly podcast Parting Shot with H. Alan Scott, every week H. Alan is joined by a different celebrity. Past guests include Tom Hanks, Keke Palmer, Melissa McCarthy, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Probst, Tiffany Haddish, Jamie Lee Curtis, Idris Elba, Bette Midler, and many more. He also writes the Parting Shot portion of the magazine, the iconic last page of every issue. Subscribe to H. Alan's For the Culture newsletter, everything you need to know in pop culture delivered to your inbox every Tuesday and Thursday. H. Alan has previously appeared on The Jimmy Kimmel Show, Ellen, CNN, MTV, and has published work in Esquire, OUT Magazine and VICE. Follow him @HAlanScott.
A writer/comedian based in Los Angeles. Host of the weekly podcast Parting Shot with H. Alan Scott, ... Read more
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