Meet Jacob Hacker | Firefighter, Paramedic, Model, and Actor

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

Hi Jacob, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks is the most crucial step in anyone’s journey. It is said that success is just on the other side of fear, and I think that’s why a lot of people don’t take risks is because of fear. Whether it be fear of failure, fear of judgment from others, or even fear of embarrassments it deters people from reaching for their dreams and becoming their most successful version of themselves. If I wouldn’t have ever stepped outside of my comfort zone and taken risks, I don’t know where I would be in life. Once I got over that fear and started taking those risks my life has had a domino effect of amazing successes and dreams that have come true.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I like to think of myself as the “Jake of all trades” I wear many hats but My career started out as a firefighter paramedic. This is an amazing and gratifying Job that I still do full time to this day. I farm, I bartend, I work in shops, I’m a busy guy. Yet when I was younger I had no idea what I wanted to do in life just like most kids. I was very out of shape and quite obese at 287lbs. As I grew older I decided to take my life into my own hands and change. This took many many years but once I started to get in shape and take care of myself mentally and physically I decided to follow one of my biggest dreams which is modeling and acting. Talk about scary but I pushed and kept working at it and here I stand today, busy as hell but have done some things and gotten some experiences that are unbelievable! And this is just the begining.

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.
If my friend was visiting me they must really want to get out of the city because I live in the middle of nowhere surrounded by cornfields! So we would do all the country things. Mainly camping and fishing followed by bonfires and trail rides! The real deal out here in the middle of nowhere! And of course you have to hit all of the local hole in the wall bars amd take the boat out onto the river! Every small village and town has events and farmers markets and festivals. I’m sure there is a local one around with a band!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Where do I begin, the whole world of modeling and acting is all about who you know and the connections you can make along the way. My cousin Kaitlyn was my very first point of contact when I decided to start modeling and acting and went to her for my beginning advice, It was hard for me to open up about this because going from my blue collar work into the arts was terrifying! She gave me my first portfolio book and set me up with multiple photographs to build off of. It all started there. Following this would be My friend Bonnie who runs a modeling and acting school who through her and the instructors I learned my skills needed to enter into the work force, they treated me so well and taught me so much. Christina Babinsack who took a chance on an actor with no experience and gave me the lead role In her short film that became a large success. She noticed the drive and desire in me and took on the challenge which opened so many doors for me and more to come, including more with her! I love her and her family for everything they have done for me. Next is my agencies The Talent Group and Heyman Talent. These agencies are always getting me auditions and keeping me busy! I love them deeply.
Of course Netflix for giving me my big break with the series “The Mole” and hopefully more work in the future!
David Roger’s , his family, the entire Australian Firefighters Calendar team, and all the Australian Firefighters who took me in like family and brought me in to be one of the two Americans to participate in their world wide “Australian Firefighters Calendar” such an amazing organization all for charity. This opportunity has helped me so much in my career and is such a blessing to be a part of their organization, it brought me My publicist and friend Steven Cuoco, one of the smartest men I know who tells me like it is, always has my best interest and constantly getting me work, my career is constantly moving forward due to him and his amazing skills. My agent Michael with ME2MANAGEMENT who also took a chance on me, even with a full roster, decided to take on an Ohio boy. He constantly teaches me tips and tricks of the trade and is patient (which is great because I’m not always the fastest learner!)
Above all, I have to thank God every day for giving me the strength, courage, drive, and determination to hold fast in my faith while pursuing this wild crazy dream.
There are many many more people who have helped me and influenced me along the way that I haven’t named but to everyone here and those I haven’t mentioned, thank you from the bottom of my heart, without you I wouldn’t be where I am today, I am forever greatful and I love you all.

Website: https://www.stevencuoco.com/jacob-hacker

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jacob.eugene.hacker

Twitter: Www.twitter.com@jacobhacker08

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jacob.eugene.hacker

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12300633/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Image Credits
Katie jo Smith Australian firefighters calendar Priscilla Runion Netflix Simion Collins