Meet Jamie Hughes | Actor & Producer

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

Hi Jamie, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
Growing up in Sacramento with two working parents, I learned at a very early age how important a disciplined work ethic would set me up for success and achievement. While both of my parents worked 9-5’s, I took all the AP/advanced classes, participated in after school activities like drama and swimming, and even got a job when I turned 16. At the time, the only real goal was to make it to college (neither of my parents had college degrees). But when I realized that my path in life was to be an actor, I spent months preparing my auditions for various theatre programs. Ultimately, I landed a spot at UCLA’s B.A. Theatre program. Having a strong work ethic allowed me to excel at UCLA. I was very involved in classes and was cast in several department shows, but also joined clubs on campus. I did club water polo, joined the Shakespeare Company on campus, pledged a sorority, worked multiple on-campus jobs and started a small headshot business. And yes, like most college kids, I partied. Somehow, I was able to do it all and graduated a quarter early.
Like a lot of actors, the first job I got when I finished school was not a top-of-call-sheet role, but as server in a restaurant. I started auditioning but still didn’t have a great grasp of “The Industry”. I felt lost; I had become so accustomed to the academic system where the schedule was just built in for me. I had a theatre degree and couldn’t book a job on-camera. But I’ve remained a go-getter and a person who has a thirst for knowledge. I sought insight from industry professionals, built relationships with wonderful artists in LA, and practiced self-taping. I had to learn from the experts. After lots of different classes, background work, trial and error, failing and then failing again, I finally booked two top-of-call-sheet leads in two feature films last year! I finally feel content with the process I’ve built for myself and even joined a swim team for my mental and physical health. I will always thank my parents for being a shining example of determination and a solid work ethic. If you want something bad enough, you have to be willing to work hard and have patience in order to achieve it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a professional film, television and theatre actor, who also directs and produces. Like my mentors Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Kate Winslet, and Angelina Jolie, I am a leading lady. I am most proud of my recent back-to-back feature films I shot at the end of 2023, where I played the lead in both. The first was shot in Nashville and was called ‘A Time to Dance’. I play a good-hearted lawyer who finds herself entangled in the mystery of a couples’ divorce. The second, is a period bio-pic about ‘The Fox Sisters’, which was shot in Brazil. The three sisters, Leah, Maggie, and Kate, were spiritual mediums in the 1850s and founded the Spiritism movement in the U.S.. Both films were my first top-of-call sheet roles and I learned so much. I spent a month preparing for ‘Dance’, learning the lines and also how to ballroom dance. Once that wrapped, I was on a flight to Rio de Janeiro the very next day. It was a whirlwind seven weeks in Brazil. We had the language barrier, a heatwave, only two weeks of prep, and many more challenges. It was the hardest and most rewarding job I have ever worked, showing me that I am a very resilient actor and person. It was a dream job; period film, biopic, lead role, got to travel, old age make-up, etc. I really could not be more grateful to bring such an amazing character like Leah to life and tell her story. For me, I want to tell captivating and entertaining stories. This sounds incredibly broad, but I never want to limit myself in what stories I tell. I grew up loving so many genres and types of stories. I gravitate towards it all. As an athlete, I want my next project to be an action/adventure show or film. I want to be apart of the magic and escapism that entertainment provides for us, so we can take a break from our normal lives and throw ourselves into a journey with the characters on our screens.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If you’re coming to LA, I will definitely take you to some great spots. 1. The Huntington Gardens and Library in Pasadena – I’ve gone four times in the last two years. I’ve taken so many friends and family and we never fail to have an amazing experience. The gardens are absolutely gorgeous (my favorites are Chinese, Desert and Rose gardens), you can have lunch there, and there’s also beautiful library museums.
2. Pine and Crane OR Joy – These sister restaurants have unreal Taiwanese food. My boyfriend and I have had so many dinner dates here and it’s probably my most visited restaurant in LA.
3. Monty’s Burgers – I am vegan, and this is the best vegan burger, animal fries, and shakes in the world! You’ll love them even if you aren’t vegan, guaranteed!
4. Echo Park – After you get Monty’s Burgers, you can go to Echo Park and stroll. It’s got a beautiful pond with swan paddle boats (if that’s your thing). All in all, it’s a beautiful park.
5. Beachwood Cafe – Now this is truly a staple spot for me. I bring all my visiting friends here. It’s a super casual cafe with really good food (vegan and non-vegan options). They may have been out of coffee when Harry Styles went, but they are never out when I go. Also, they don’t take reservations, so the wait on the weekends for brunch can be 20-30 minutes (but so worth!)
6. Hollywood Reservoir – This 3.5 mile flat loop around the Hollywood Reservoir is a recent “hike” my roommate found recently. It’s a great walk with beautiful views of the Hollywood sign and when we went, we saw a family of 6 deer walking and eating on the other side of the fence.
7. The Fat Dog in North Hollywood – An upscale gastropub that yours truly works at! I may be biased but our family-owned pub has amazing cocktails, 22 beers on tap, and a killer menu. Not to mention, we are dog-friendly and have a great patio!
8. Malibu Farm – If you are looking for an upscale dining experience, this is the place. It’s right on the Pier in Malibu, has amazing food and gorgeous ocean views. Definitely go for sunset!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
One of the greatest mentors I’ve had is Audrey Moore with the Audrey Helps Actors Podcast. As a young 21 year-old with very little industry knowledge, her podcast taught me SO much about the entertainment business. Her work is informative and entertaining, and she brings on inspiring guests. I did a career consultation with her and she put me in-touch with my current acting coach. She doesn’t B.S. you about what you actually need in your career. I am so grateful to her for her guidance and education these last few years. Go listen to her podcast, she is amazing! I would also like to give an honorable mention to my high school acting teacher, Richard Winters. He was the first educator I had who treated me like an adult, a peer, and pushed me to become a better actor. He continues to inspire me and has always been a constant support in my life. He has left teaching to pursue directing, writing and acting in professional theatre productions in Sacramento, CA.

Website: www.thejamiehughes.com

Instagram: @jamiehughes_hey

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-hughes-938990139

Twitter: @jamiehughes_hey

Other: IMDb: https://imdb.me/jamiehughes Actors Access: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/jamiehughes