Meet Juliette Jeffers | Actor, Writer, Director and Solo Show Coach

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

Hi Juliette, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success is perseverance and faith.
I started out in the entertainment industry in the early nineties. I was successful in commercials, film, TV dramas and sitcoms.
In 1996, I lost my brother and shortly after, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, a debilitating auto-immune disease. All my joints were swollen and in pain. I could barely walk. I took a little break from the industry and when I came back, although I was still experiencing pain, I kept going.
In 2003 when things were slow for me in film and TV, I created a one woman play and subsequently created four more. I kept going.
In 2008, I moved home to NYC to care for my mother who had Alzheimer’s. I was her full time caregiver but still managed to pursue acting. I kept going.
In 2013, my mom’s condition became worse so I moved us both back to LA and put her in a nursing home close to my apartment. I was still her primary caregiver but I had a lot of help. I kept going.
Today, I am a recurring character on two high profile TV shows. (Tulsa King on Paramount Plus and Shondaland’s, The Residence, which will be on Netflix in 2025)
Even though I am on medication that controls the disease, I am in physical pain or discomfort every day, but I keep going.
My perseverance and faith got me here.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My life mission statement is to heal myself and others, using my creative endeavors.
I remember how television was an escape for me as a child who was sexually abused. I would live vicariously through the characters on the screen. They made me laugh and think in different ways. I was inspired.

I wanted to do that. I wanted to provide that escape and healing for others. As I started performing, I realized that, not only was I providing healing for others but for myself as well.

As much as I love to act in TV and Film, the thing about theatre is that you can experience that mutual healing in real time. I have five one woman plays that I’ve written and performed. Performing my solo plays was so transformational and empowering that I wanted other actors to have that same experience. So I started coaching. I help to develop solo plays for actors and I also direct. Over the years, I’ve assisted hundreds of artists whether it’s been in a class setting or one on one.

It can be challenging in the film and TV world because you’re relying on your agents to get you auditions. But I’m a creative being. I live, eat and breathe creativity. It is my life force. I’m going to create whether the phone rings or not. I don’t wait for an invitation or permission.

I tell my solo show artists to make what you do, bigger than yourself. Yes, it’s your story. Yes, it’s your truth. But if you choose to share, in service to others, it becomes bigger than you. Then everyone benefits. We are healing ourselves and others and it transforms into something quite magical.

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?
I’m an absolute lover of water… anything that has to do with water. I would take my best friend to Hermosa Beach to chill in the sun, Santa Monica Promenade for shopping and the Pier for connecting with our inner child. I’d go on a boat ride out of Marina del Rey.

I also love Malibu… my favorite spots would be breakfast at the Malibu Beach Inn, lunch at Malibu Pier and dinner at Nobu. I love driving over Malibu Canyon from the Valley to get there. The views are exquisite.

I love driving through the Hollywood Hills or Mulholland Drive and looking at houses and the beautiful views. I love the Grove and the Farmer’s Market. I actually love any Farmer’s Market throughout LA. There are so many to choose from.

I’m a self care freak; Olympic Korean Spa, Watsu massage, I’m a member of Artha Wellness Center which has Flotation Tanks, Infrared Saunas and Cryotherapy. I love hiking at Fryman Canyon Park. I love sound baths so much that I just became a certified Sound Healer. In the summertime I love going to Latin Sounds on Saturday afternoons at LACMA. Speaking of museums, I love Immersive experiences.

I just love to laugh, have fun and be pampered!

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?
My mother received a scholarship from the St. Kitts government in the Caribbean, to study nursing in England. She then migrated to the United States. She was the first one in her family to move here and she subsequently sponsored her other siblings and parents to join her. She was a trailblazer. My mother and her sister bought their first house during a time when females weren’t eligible to receive a mortgage by themselves. So they put their brother’s name on the application as well as the deed. She was determined to get it done no matter what. That’s just a little sample of her greatness. Her determination, independence, ambition and perseverance has always inspired me.

My father migrated to the States from the Caribbean island of Nevis with the dream to pursue acting but because of circumstances beyond his control, he decided not to pursue it professionally. Although he chose a different path, he still fueled his creative juices by writing poetry, short stories and plays in his spare time. He also performed a lot of his own material in community theatres and churches. He was born to express himself creatively and he did it whenever he could.

In that way, I truly am my father’s daughter! Subsequently, I am working with the Nevis government to help them develop their film industry. I’d also like to set up a scholarship there in my father’s name.

So I’m dedicating this interview to both of my parents who continue to guide, inspire and support me with their magical powers, as my guardian angels.

Website: https://www.juliettejeffers.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliettejeffers/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliettejeffersactor

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JulietteJeffers

Other: TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@juliettejeffers?_t=8qcs6BMihUQ&_r=1

Image Credits
HEADSHOT – TANDEM PHOTO
911 LONE STAR – KEVIIN ESTRADA
FREE CONSULTATION – SELFIE
BATMAN STILL – ANTOINETTE TYNES
NEVIS – NNC
PRAYER POSE – TANDEM PHOTO
TELL YOUR STORY – CHRIS COLEMAN
TULSA KING SEASON 1 – BRIAN DOUGLAS
TULSA KING SEASON 2 – PARAMOUNT PLUS