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Nate Hartley doesn’t consider himself a role model.
But if other people do, that’s cool with him.
The 17-year-old former Hartville resident is climbing the entertainment ladder in Southern California while keeping his feet firmly planted on the sunshine-baked soil.
His most recent movie project, “Role Models” in which he plays the character Rule Master, hit the big screen before the 2008 holidays.
The young actor ended up in the cast of “Role Models” in a dot-to-dot kind of way. Hartley, who was in the movie “Drillbit Taylor,” met Paul Rudd at a premier, who encouraged him to audition for a part in “Role Models.” A few days later, Hartley read and eventually landed the part of Rule Master of the LAIRE (Live-Action Interactive Role-Playing Explorers) program. The main young character in the movie, Augie Farks, is involved in medieval role-playing and Hartley’s character is the rule master of the events. Believe it or not, Hartley was drawn to the Rule Master role because of the make-up and wardrobe, not the juiciness of the role.
“To be honest, it was the zits on my face,” Hartley giggled. “They (make-up) had to apply these zits all over my face to make me look pimply and stuff. It just seemed so cool to me. I was like ‘that’s an awesome character that I would love to play.”
Hartley continued: “I was very, very lucky and it was a lot of fun. To be a part of the actual medieval events, playing with foam swords and foam arrows was a really good time, too.”
And what about the whole idea of being a real role model? It’s not something that Hartley had really given much thought too.
“I would like to be thought of as a role model, because I do live my life the best that I can and to the best of my ability,” Hartley said. “I would hope that younger people would look at me and say ‘hey, I want to be like him when I grow up.’ If I do that, and I accomplish that then alright, then I’m a role model and that would be great. I would hope that some people would consider me a role model. But I don’t think of myself in that way. I was just out there having fun.”
Nate Hartley doesn’t consider himself a role model.
But if other people do, that’s cool with him.
The 17-year-old former Hartville resident is climbing the entertainment ladder in Southern California while keeping his feet firmly planted on the sunshine-baked soil.
His most recent movie project, “Role Models” in which he plays the character Rule Master, hit the big screen before the 2008 holidays.
The young actor ended up in the cast of “Role Models” in a dot-to-dot kind of way. Hartley, who was in the movie “Drillbit Taylor,” met Paul Rudd at a premier, who encouraged him to audition for a part in “Role Models.” A few days later, Hartley read and eventually landed the part of Rule Master of the LAIRE (Live-Action Interactive Role-Playing Explorers) program. The main young character in the movie, Augie Farks, is involved in medieval role-playing and Hartley’s character is the rule master of the events. Believe it or not, Hartley was drawn to the Rule Master role because of the make-up and wardrobe, not the juiciness of the role.
“To be honest, it was the zits on my face,” Hartley giggled. “They (make-up) had to apply these zits all over my face to make me look pimply and stuff. It just seemed so cool to me. I was like ‘that’s an awesome character that I would love to play.”
Hartley continued: “I was very, very lucky and it was a lot of fun. To be a part of the actual medieval events, playing with foam swords and foam arrows was a really good time, too.”
And what about the whole idea of being a real role model? It’s not something that Hartley had really given much thought too.
“I would like to be thought of as a role model, because I do live my life the best that I can and to the best of my ability,” Hartley said. “I would hope that younger people would look at me and say ‘hey, I want to be like him when I grow up.’ If I do that, and I accomplish that then alright, then I’m a role model and that would be great. I would hope that some people would consider me a role model. But I don’t think of myself in that way. I was just out there having fun.”
The fun – and the acting – promises to continue for Hartley, who has several projects that will debut over the coming months. He will appear on the new Jonas Brother show “Jonas” as the threesome’s best friend, Carl Shuster. Hartley also earned a role in the show “The Adventures of Zeke & Luther,” in which he plays a professional power walker. Both shows are with the Disney Channel and will premier in the next couple of months.
And speaking of the Disney Channel, Hartley recently learned that he will appear on the “Hannah Montana Show” this summer. He will play Miley’s date, Aaron, on an episode.
Two other films were added to Hartley’s repertoire – “Great Buck Howard,” starring John Malkovich and Colin Hanks, which is to be released March 20, and “South Dakota,” which will be released in this year as well.
He is also working on several scripts and makes short films through his “production company” call ProdigyProductions. He hopes to attend the University of Southern California to pursue a career as a director/producer.
Although the young actor gives his best every day, Hartley gives kudos to his parents, Rei and Michele, for his success. Thanks to their sacrifices, Hartley has been able to pursue his passion for acting.
“I am very grateful for my parents,” Hartley said. “They are the greatest parents in the world. I think that any parent should do what my parents did – put their children before themselves. When I raise children, I am going to do it exactly the same way.”
To learn more about Hartley, his upcoming projects or to email him, check out his Web site at www.natehartley.net
