Ryan Lee Speaks
The J.J. Abrams/Stephen Speilburg blockbuster, SUPER 8, follows 6 youngsters as they bear witness to a catastrophic train wreck that causes unusual disappearances and inexplicable events throughout the town. Ryan Lee provides the plucky comic relief of the group as Cary, the mischievous pyromaniac. Lee can next be seen on the big screen in Judd Apatow’s This Is Forty, which is the follow up to Knocked Up and focuses on Leslie Mann’s and Paul Rudd’s characters. Lee will play Emmy winner Melissa McCarthy’s son and he is the love interest of Maude Apatow.
Mike Parker – You’ve got quite a performance resume for a person of your age, but I have to assume that Super 8 kicked your career up to a whole ‘nuther level.
Ryan Lee – Yeah, it was definitely one of the biggest things I’ve done.
Parker – I understand J.J. Abrams told you and your cast mates to enjoy your anonimity while you could, because after Super 8 came out you wouldn’t be able to go out in public without being noticed. Have you found that to be true? Has appearing in the film changed your ability to live a somewhat normal life?
Lee – In some points. It was nothing like I expected. It has resulted in people recognizing me when I go out and I’ve enjoyed it. People want to take pictures with the kid that blows stuff up. But it hasn’t been overwhelming.
Parker – Most people I know struggle for years with the idea of knowing what they want to be when they grow up. Have you already made your choice? Is performing your lifelong career path?
Lee – I like acting and performing. I think I’d like to go to college, and maybe study directing. But hey, I’m 15 years old, so I don’t know what I want to do with the rest of my life. I’m thankful that all this has happened, all the success, but I don’t want to jinx anything.
Parker – You play sports. You are involved in Boy Scouts. It sounds like you are a normal teenager rather than a budding young superstar. How do you stay grounded?
Lee – Yeah, I am just a normal kid. I have a lot of friends and family who know me well, so if I were to ever start acting like I’m better than I am they would call me on it. I have no intention of becoming big headed.
Parker – Tell me about the Trevor Romain Foundation.
Lee – That is one of the coolest projects I’ve ever worked on. The program helps kids who have parents who have been deployed. It helps kids who may have experienced the loss of a loved one or are coping with a family member who was wounding in combat. My grandfather was in the military and he said they didn’t have anything like it when he was serving in Viet Nam. It is so cool. It brings comedy to the table to help comfort and entertain these kids, even though the subject is quite serious.
Parker – Last words?
Lee – I think it is a cool thing that Steven Speilburg inspired J.J. Abrams to make movies, and then J.J. inspired us to make movies. I hope we can inspire a whole new generation of kids to want to make movies.
The Seven Questions
1. What’s your favorite sound?
Lee – I like the sound a violin or piano makes. It’s relaxing.
2. What makes you happy?
Lee – Being on set with the same cast for a couple of months. You become like a family. I like hanging out with friends. Being surrounded by good people.
3. What makes you angry?
Lee – When I know I didn’t give something 100 percent. When I know I could have done better.
4. What is the secret of success?
Lee – You have to work hard in life. As an actor I had to go to auditions and go to acting class. Then when the opportunity comes you have to grab it. And being nice to everyone. I think being nice matters.
5. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, living or dead, who would it be?
Lee – Before I actually had dinner with Steven Speilburg, I would have said him. But right now I think I would have to say Tom Hanks. He is such a great actor and I love his life path.
6. What is the epitaph that is written on your tombstone?
Lee – “A role model. He made people smile.”
7. When you get to heaven, what is the first thing you want to hear God say to you?
Lee – “I liked your movies. I’m proud of how hard you worked.”
Super 8 released on DVD and Blu-ray on November 22, 2011.
