In the second of my interviews this week featuring the cast and crew of the upcoming Hallmark premiere Truly, Madly, Sweetly, I am happy to introduce my readers to an actor who first came to my attention a couple years ago in the Fox show Wayward Pines. Back then, I was watching that show because I had some other friends involved with it, and I happened to see this actor pop up in the credits. Around the same time, I noticed an acting school that bears his name, and many of the young people I was interviewing (and have interviewed since then) have been students at his acting school. Due to the hectic schedules both he and I have kept over the past couple years, it is only now that I can highlight the highly gifted Julian LeBlanc, as he will be making his second ever Hallmark appearance this weekend (September 22nd).
RH: Why did you decide to become an actor? What kind of training have you had?
JL: I decided to become an actor because I have always loved the escape of taking on a character that is not myself. You get to explore a completely different person. Also, I grew up in a very large family (in a loving foster home) with many brothers and sisters in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. I had to be the “actor” to get any attention from my Mom and Dad with so many siblings. It was a natural thing after a while, lol. As for training, I graduated from the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada in 2007, and have taken part-time classes with various other schools over the last few years.
What was your first professional role in the business? What are your memories of it?
My first professional role was the no-line role of “Piano Playing Boy” in the third and final season of Kyle XY. I remember being overwhelmed, but joyful at the same time. It was my first time seeing how a real set worked. I appreciated every minute of being on that set. I realized shortly after shooting the role that I could really do this acting thing!
With Dylan Neal
Truly, Madly, Sweetly
From what I can tell, your most-well-known works are in the following productions: Hellcats, R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series, Almost Actors, and Wayward Pines. Please tell us anything you especially enjoyed about the productions and creating your characters and feel free to share any behind-the-scenes stories.
One of the special memories I have with Hellcats was that it was my first recurring role ever, I was originally scheduled to play “Timon” for one episode, then they decided to bring me back for another one.
What I loved about R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series was that I got to play a villainous character in my episode and got to work with then up-and-comers Jodelle Ferland and Uriah Shelton.
Almost Actors was a comedic web-series produced by Athena Russell and two of her partners. I did four episodes in total (three as the hilariously diva-tastic character of “Tony”). I had a blast. There was not a day where laughter wasn’t filling the rooms we were filming in.
And Wayward Pines was created by the legend that is M. Night Shyamalan, so that was a project I was super proud to be a part of. I recurred in season two and got to work closely with Golden Globe-nominee Hope Davis, I will never forget how thoughtful and caring she was towards me. A class act.
My Favorite Wedding
I believe your first Hallmark production was My Favorite Wedding. First of all, were you a Hallmark fan before working on this movie? What was your experience working on this film?
My Favorite Wedding was my first Hallmark production, you are right. And yes, I was a fan before shooting my role of “Dance Instructor”. I grew up watching many Hallmark movies with my Mom because she loved them. So it was surreal to get to act in one when I did My Favorite Wedding. I loved my experience because I got to work with director Mel Damski, who is an amazing talent. Also, I got to use my dancing background for the role itself, so that was fun.
Very soon, viewers will see you in Truly, Madly, Sweetly. What was special about that film for you? How does your character fit into the overall story?
With Alison Wandzura
Truly, Madly, Sweetly
I play a young, eager reporter named “Benny” in Truly, Madly, Sweetly who is interviewing Nikki Deloach’s character Natalie before having to end the interview due to unforeseen circumstances (which you will have to watch to see what happens). I have always personally wanted to work with director Ron Oliver, so I was elated when I got cast in the part of “Benny”. My time on this set was a dream from the moment I arrived, to the moment I left. Incredible actors, incredible crew, etc. Dylan Neal was so nice too, loved him!
Any other upcoming works you can mention?
As of right now, I am auditioning a fair bit, so nothing at the present moment. But stay tuned, I am hoping to land something sooner than later. I am a determined (and partly stubborn – haha) guy.
Please tell us a little bit of history about your acting school. How long has it been around?
I started “LeBlanc School of Acting” in January of 2015, we are located inside of “Studio 3 Media” in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. We specialize in acting training for kids and teens and our students are truly (with no word of a lie) rockin’ the film & television industry. We have students as series leads, supporting leads, guest stars, you name it. I have always had a passion for teaching and sharing my love for acting/performing with others, so it doesn’t surprise me that I started “LeBlanc School of Acting”. I cannot believe we start our fifth year in January 2019.
What is your advice for young people who want to pursue a career in acting?
My advice is to get some training (take a class or two, or more) and see if you end up loving it. Because the main thing is to love it. Don’t get into acting for fame, because there is a lot of rejection and it is not for the faint of heart. Do it for the craft and because you cannot live without acting.
There is almost nothing I enjoy more than featuring actors who are pursuing their passions in every area of their lives, and in the case of Julian, that is flawlessly apparent. While his acting credits may be minimal at this point, he thoroughly appreciates every experience on set, regardless of the stature or name recognition it may garner for him. Furthermore, the fact that he is continually encouraging young people and equipping the next generation of professional actors is something that unequivocally deepens my level of respect for him. I am grateful that Hallmark has brought him back to this upcoming film that will inaugurate the stunning array of Fall Harvest programming on their channel. I certainly hope this is not the last time that we witness his unique combination of abilities on this network because it is my sincere belief that every single member of a production, whether large, small, or behind-the-scenes, is integral to all elements of the storytelling process.
Therefore, I invite everyone who possibly can to tune in Saturday night, September 22nd, to the Hallmark Channel for the premiere of Truly, Madly, Sweetly, the first of five Fall Harvest films that will be featured on the network. I encourage all my readers to not only keep a sharp eye out for Julian’s entertaining character Saturday night, but please also consider visiting Julian’s links and the links of his acting school, and if you are so inclined, I invite you to follow both where applicable. The fact that Julian continues to inspire the next generation through the pursuance of his own dreams is something particularly special that doesn’t happen every day. There is no doubt in my mind that Julian is one exceptional actor who always conducts himself with integrity and pragmatism, and the fact that his students (both former and current) foster such an affinity for him is something that speaks favorably of who he is as a professional, an instructor, and more importantly, an authentic human being who cares about the welfare of others. I applaud him for continuing to do the most important task in this world as he works with children, and my sincerest desire is that the blessings he reaps are decisively more than proportional to the seeds he continues to sow within the lives of the young people of Vancouver.
FOLLOW JULIAN
With Nikki DeLoach
Truly, Madly, Sweetly
FOLLOW LEBLANC SCHOOL OF ACTING
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1 Comment
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sounds like he’s on his way toward a wonderful career
