Check out our interview with talented young actor Thomas Parobek who can be seen playing the role of Ezra in the Apple+ series “The Crowded Room” with Tom Holland. His mother is played by award winning actress Amanda Seyfried. Thomas is also known for playing Young Johnny in ‘Cobra Kai’.
Follow Thomas @thomasparobek
Hi Thomas, please tell us a little about you?
Hi! Well, my name is Thomas and I’m 8 years old, but I turn 9 in July. I just graduated 3rd grade and I’m also an actor! It’s a fun job.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
That’s a hard one…maybe creative, kind, and funny
How did you get started into acting?
My uncle put me in a movie called “Authentics” when I had just turned 5. I can’t remember much about it, but I do remember an actor named Linden Ashby worked with me and he called a talent agency he worked with and told them I should maybe join them! He said I did a good job on set. I really had a good time. I auditioned for the talent agency and the rest is history! Now I have two agents and a manager!
How has this changed your life?
Well, I get to meet all these really cool people and travel. I love acting so it’s fun that I get to do this for a job. It’s definitely different for a kid to do these types of things!
What is the best and worst part of being an actor?
The best part is meeting all these creative people who are like me and also being able to travel. The worst…I don’t know. I would say the hardest part is maybe memorizing the lines especially if I have to learn them quickly.
Tell us about your work as Ezra in the Apple Plus series “The Crowded Room” with Tom Holland?
Well my name is Ezra in the show and I play Amanda Seyfried’s son. She works a lot and is a single mother so I spend a lot of time with my grandmother who is played by Laila Robins. I miss having my mom around because she’s busy so I may throw a few tantrums on camera! I’m in a few episodes, but I haven’t seen them yet. It was great.
How was working with such a talented cast?
Oh, it was so cool! I couldn’t believe it when I got the part. I’m a huge fan of Tom Holland. I’ve watched all the Spiderman movies. When I first met him, he was on set with Amanda. I got to sit in the director’s chair and watch them act together. It was amazing. I knew who Amanda was, too, because my parents watched The Dropout and loved it. They are all so nice and kind. Amanda Seyfried and Laila Robins still keep in touch with me which means a lot. We’re all just normal people at the end of the day.
How did you got the role and how challenging was the casting?
My agents at CESD sent me the audition. I auditioned at my house (self-tape) and sent it in… A month later, I got a call that I booked it! I had just graduated from 2nd grade that day so there was a lot of celebrating going on!
Now tell us about working in very popular Netflix series “Cobra Kai?”
That was another amazing experience. I played the younger version of Johnny Lawrence in some flashback scenes. I loved meeting all the cast… Big Johnny Lawrence even taught me the crane kick! The fans have all been so nice and welcomed me right into the Cobra Kai community. I even attend Comic Cons now and have been lucky enough to see a lot of the actors again from the show. Definitely was a dream role! I never watched Cobra Kai before, but my parents did. I’m a huge fan now too.
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
I love playing dramatic or horror movie roles, but I like to keep my options open. I’m still young and figuring it out!
If you weren’t acting, what would you be up to right now?
Probably the same thing I’m doing now… Just being a kid. I do karate 3x a week, I love swimming, playing outside and riding my bike, playing video games, hanging out with my brother and my friends.
What’s your advice for the newer actors?
Don’t give up, but also don’t just do one thing. Have a balance in your life because that makes you a more well-rounded person. I don’t think it’s good to just do one thing. Also, keep on practicing in your acting. Make fun videos at home, practice monologues on your friends and family and look for opportunities in your community to act or be creative.
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
Don’t take things personally. I haven’t gotten certain roles because of my age or maybe my look. I know it’s out of my control… I just have to do the best I can and have a good attitude about it.
How would your best friend describe you?
Loyal, kind, a super fast runner and a really good video gamer ????
What’s next for Thomas Parobek in 2023?
Well, you can catch me in The Crowded Room on Apple TV+, but I also have a short film coming out soon called “Baby Brother”, and two other feature films coming out. One is called “Love Dogs” (I don’t know how that will be released) and the other is a tennis movie called “Never Give Up” and that will be in theaters on September 1st. I play the lead in that one. I’m also attending a Comic Con as a guest later in the summer. Beyond that, I have no idea…but I’m excited about the possibilities!
What is your favorite healthy food?
I LOVE shredded carrot and hummus wraps. I also love guacamole!
And your favorite cheat food?
I love going to ice cream places and getting the most toppings I can. I think I get more toppings than ice cream!
What is your favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
That’s another hard one. I love “Dream On” by Aerosmith or anything by Andy Grammar.
What do you think of Social Media?
I think it’s great if you use it the right way. I love watching Youtube videos for gaming or watching other Youtubers like Mr. Beast or Mark Rober. My mom manages my social media account for Instagram and Facebook.
Where we can follow you?
I’m on Instagram @thomasparobek and I also have a Facebook page for “Thomas Parobek”
Book: I really like the “I Survived” series.
Movie: Maybe “Poseidon” or “Up”. I binge watched all the Star Wars movies, too, so also maybe “The Empire Strikes Back”.
Tv Series: Stranger Things
Favorite Food: I love sushi and ramen.
Travel Destination: Japan
Blue top photo credit: Aiva Genys @aivagenys
