John Marshall Jones has enjoyed a successful career on stage and screen. From Amazon’s hot show Bosch to Sundance’s series Rectify, he’s showcased his multidimensional talent by taking on polar opposites. I caught up with the actor to find out a little more about his fascinating career and show business wisdom.
As Special Agent Jay Griffin on Bosch, you’ve polished your law enforcement chops. Then you’ve had to shift gears a bit in taking on the role of ex-con Pickle in Rectify. Has playing “both sides of the fence” helped you perfect each character in a way you wouldn’t have thought about before landing these distinctly different parts?
Because of my training at Northwestern University, way back in the day, I’ve been able to create some very diverse characters over the years. I won NYC’s African-American Theater “Best Actor Award” several years ago for The Guest at Central Park West, in which I played homeless, mentally ill, ex con, Terrance Haggard. That actually helped prepare me for “Pickle.” With law enforcement roles, they come with an inherent sense of authority so I search the opposite. What is the character’s flaw? His vulnerability. Then I layer that beneath his authority. That’s what make him real. We all cover who we really are to some extent.
What do you most love about the series Bosch and your character Jay Griffin?
I love working with Titus [Welliver] and Jamie [Hector] because they are “actor’s actors.” They disappear into their characters which then allows me to disappear into mine. When you’re in a scene and you’re tuned in, the slightest tilt of the head, or extended eye contact triggers an emotional response. A lot of actors are afraid to connect that intimately. Titus and Jamie are not. That courageous connection opens me up every time we step on set.
You have had a very eclectic film, television and theatre career. What’s the secret to perfecting your talent and staying happy in an ever-changing industry?
Perfecting your talent and being happy both come from the same place, humility. It took me a long time to learn to be humble and work well with others. But once I got it, I felt the weight of my own ego fall off me like a giant rock that I didn’t know I was carrying. Suddenly there was a “lightness of being” that allowed me to accept my true self and, therefore, be open to accepting ideas and suggestions from others. There’s nothing more satisfying than learning to accept that you don’t know everything. It releases you from the burden of having to be right 100% of the time.
You have a busy schedule, but have made mentoring a priority. What advice would you give those pursuing a career in the arts?
You are the only one who can know your truth. Your truth is what defines you as an artist. It is your sail, your rudder and your beacon in the darkness. Protect it like it’s a small child. Don’t let Hollywood or anyone else define for you what your truth is. That’s too much power to give to anyone, especially if they don’t love you.
If you hadn’t been an actor, what other career might you have pursued?
My deepest interest is philosophical quantum physics. I probably would have ended up in that field of study. Still might. We know so little about how life actually works. We spend so much of our attention on “busy-ness” that we often don’t start thinking about quality of life until we’re too old to really enjoy it to its fullest. Who really knows what the future holds for any of us?
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