Check out our interview with young actor Mason Blomberg who can be seen on Apple TV+’s “Jane” playing the roll of David.
Other credits include Prince in Shameless, The Baxters, and lead role as Dax in the feature film The Furry Fortune (to be released). Mason also voices the role of Young Chip in the new Disney live action film Chip n Dale Rescue Rangers.
Follow Mason @themasonblomberg
Hi Mason, please tell us a little about you?
Hi! I am an 11 year old actor and big brother to three little siblings. I love yo-yoing because it’s always satisfying watching people do the tricks like the one handed bind and I love figuring out how to do them myself. I also am starting to learn to do CGI animation. Seeing the amazing work of the CGI animators on my new show, Jane, inspired me to start learning how to do it. I love being creative and making whatever my imagination can think up is really cool!
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Funny, Fun,Caring
How did you get started into acting?
I got started in the industry when I was around 7 years old. My mom signed me up for theater camp. Parents are always signing kids up for things to see what they like. Well, I loved it! So one day I asked my mom, “Hey, can I be on TV?”. I would watch shows and thought it looked like it would be so much fun to be an actor! She signed me up for acting classes and it was even more fun than I imagined. I got an agent and a manager and then I started booking small roles like commercials and backgrounds. I kept working hard at my craft and the work paid off as I started getting bigger roles!
How has this changed your life?
This experience changed my life because I got to travel around the world and see different environments and ecosystems at work which was really cool. For example, in Costa Rica we saw a snake climbing in the trees and before I saw that I didn’t even know that snakes could do that. It also changed my life because I got to meet lots of amazing people like Jane Goodall and I have learned so much from all of them. I will also be getting the opportunity to work with Jane Goodall Institute in the future which will be so awesome.
What is the best and worst part of being an actor?
The best part about being an actor is getting to meet all the new people because I love people, I am an extrovert and I will always be excited to meet new people. The worst part about being an actor is when there is a long period between bookings so I don’t get to be on set and do what I love!
How do you prepare for a role?
I always read the script for the character before I read the actual script so that I understand who the character is. It is important to understand the character and their personality before reading the script and beginning to memorize. Then as I am memorizing the lines, I really think about, if this were a person how would I feel and how would I react. This helps me with my performance.
Tell us about your work in Apple TV+ “Jane”
Jane is a fun and imaginative series about Jane Garcia and her two friends, David (who is my character) and Graybeard (the chimpanzee). The three of us go on tons of adventures to save endangered species. This is a live-action show, unlike anything we’ve ever seen before with a mix between live-action scenes and amazing CGI. It is inspired by the works of Dr. Jane Goodall and each episode contains a quote from her that helps Jane and David learn a lesson. We traveled the world to film this show so that we could showcase real environments where some of these animals live. When you watch Jane, you will see us in Toronto, Alberta, Costa Rica, Kenya, and even in the ocean on Catalina Island. I can’t wait for the world to see this show and meet these awesome characters.
You did a lot of travel while filming “Jane”, what was your favorite place to travel and why?
Every place we filmed was amazing because they were all so unique and I got to learn about so many different environments and the animals there. But, my top pick would be Kenya, Africa! There were so many animals there including monkeys, zebras, lions, tigers, elephants, gazelles, giraffes, and more! We even went on two safaris that were super cool. One of the best experiences there was when I got to meet the last two living Northern White Rhinos. It was really emotional when the guide was talking about how there would be no more after these two died. This is also a good reminder of why we need this show and the teachings of Dr. Jane Goodall to help inspire others to make a difference to keep this from happening to more species.
What was your reaction when you found out that you landed the role of David in “Jane”?
I was about to film a different audition when my agents and managers called me and they tricked me by saying, “I know this isn’t the news you were expecting….” I thought they were going to say I didn’t book the role! But then they said… “just kidding! You booked it!!!” I was so excited that I just ripped the script that I was using in my hands in half and then I threw it in the air and I jumped around and started dancing. So my reaction was quite Wild!
Tell us about your passion for animals and wildlife conservation?
I love the environment and I’ve been caring for the environment most of my life. For example, when I was 7 years old I became a vegetarian because I didn’t want to be the reason animals died. I am starting to create a website that will encourage kids all over to pick up trash in their communities. I also love animals and learning about animals because I just think there are different species and they’re all so interesting. For example, did you know that octopuses have three hearts and that their tentacles have their own brain, it’s crazy right? Each animal is different in its own unique way.
What other projects are you currently working on?
I have an upcoming film called “The Furry Fortune”. I play the lead role of Dax alongside Juju Brenner who plays my twin sister. It is about the twins’ dog, who starts to shed money and their neighbors dog-nap him! It’s a super funny movie. I am also recording a series regular role for a new Disney series, but I cannot reveal anything about that yet.
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
I love making people smile and laugh so my favorite roles are comedic characters. I love reading scripts that make me laugh out loud as I read them. It makes it fun to memorize the lines. Plus, it gives me more jokes for real life! I also like serious characters too though, because it gives me the challenge of becoming someone so different from who I am in real life.
If you weren’t acting, what would you be up to right now?
I would be playing football and getting better at it. I would also be learning more CGI everyday. I would be watching tutorials on how to make realistic artworks. I would also have fun with my friends and siblings all the time.
Which fictional character would be the most exciting to meet in real life?
For me it would be Harry Potter because it’s so cool that he survived Voldemort’s attack and the first thing I would ask is if he could make me a mythical sandwich. I’d also ask him to teach me how to do magic because he is so good at Wizarding that I think he would also be a good teacher.
Can you name 3 actors/actresses you would love to work with?
One actor I love to work with would be Tom Holland because he would be really good on set and I believe he would be good in a show with me. Also The Rock because he is so funny and he can make really good shows and also I can do the eyebrow just like him. Then last but not least I would like to be in a movie/show with Ryan Reynolds because he is such a funny character in movies and shows and I believe we would be a really good combo together
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
The most rewarding part of my work is making people laugh! It gives me such a good feeling inside. I also love when my siblings get to watch me on TV because they really like seeing me. My 2 year old sister points at the TV laughing and saying, “Mason! Mason!” over and over. It is so cute!
What’s your advice for the newer actors?
Acting is just like a sport, you have to practice to get better and to do that I recommend you enroll in acting classes. Also, you do sit around in the green room for a while so bring a book or game to pass the time.
What would you say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
Mine is definitely when I was filming the show Baxter’s and the director told me, “Practice doesn’t make perfect, practice makes better”. That shows that you always need to practice and you should never stop practicing because there’s always room for improvement.
How would your best friend describe you?
I think he would say I am kind, helpful, outgoing, funny.
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
I would name the book Mason Blomberg. I think it would be interesting and fun if there was a book on my life as an actor. I think it would actually be kind of cool to read how I started acting and how I got to where I am now.
What’s next for Mason Blomberg in 2023?
I’m filming a series regular role on a Disney cartoon and I am hoping that I get some more jobs so I can keep doing what I love.
What is your favorite healthy food?
My favorite healthy food is fruit. For example when I am asked for what side I want at restaurants I always say fruit instead of french fries because fruit is like 10 times better than french fries in my opinion and it has lots more variety. If we’re going into specifics my favorite fruit is watermelon because watermelon is good in every way. It looks good it smells good and it even tastes good. When my grandma is cutting up a watermelon my mouth is always watering because it tastes so good.
And your favorite cheat food?
I’m generally a healthy eater but my favorite cheat food would be a banana split because it has ice cream which is very good and it also has something healthy in it, a banana!
What is your own definition of happiness?
My definition of Happiness is when you’re doing something you love.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
It would be the Wright Brothers because I am related to them and it would be really cool to just talk with them and learn lots about planes. It would also be good to learn about them so I could give more facts to people in the present time.
Do you support any charity?
I support the Jane Goodall Institute because they are an amazing charity and I appreciate their goal and trying to protect the environment. They have protected 3.4 million acres of habitat.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
I hope to book some more lead roles. I also hope to be a big environmentalist and make a difference in trying to protect the environment as much as I can.
Favorite song? Why?
My favorite song is ‘Burn the Whole House Down” by AJR because I love their music and I think the tune and the singer are both really good in the song.
What do you think of Social Media?
I think social media is a good way to communicate with people and learn about what’s happening in the world.
Where can we follow you?
You can follow me on Instagram @themasonblomberg and also on my website www.masonblomberg.com
Book: Harry Potter
Quote: “Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, we shall be saved.”
Movie: Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Tv Series: Stranger Things
Favorite Food: Burritos
Travel Destination: Africa
Sports Team: The Cleveland Browns (football)
Photo Credit: Shandon Youngclaus
