Carter Jenkins
8-24-06
Carter Jenkins is a promising young actor best known for his roles as Zachary Stein in Keeping Up With The Steins and Miles in NBC's Surface.
Carter: Well I used to live in Florida and. . .it was so long ago. . but I’m pretty sure it was when I saw some child actors in a movie and I was like, ya know they look like they should be in school. I started bugging my parents about it. My mom enrolled me in acting classes thinking that would pretty much satisfy my wanting to be an actor but it didn’t. I got more into it and we ended up moving out to California for it.
SSM: What would you consider your biggest accomplishment so far?
Carter: My greatest accomplishment so far would be just pursuing my dream of being an actor. My family is really supportive and I am very lucky to be able to train hard and work with the amazing people that I have so far in my career.
SSM: What was your favorite part of filming Surface?
Carter: I had a lot of favorite things about Surface, but I guess if I had to pick one it would be working with the digital effects. Also I got to do a lot of water scenes and things like that. But I guess the digital effects would be my favorite.
SSM: What has been your favorite role to date?
Carter: Miles, my character on Surface, just because I had more time to work with him and develop him as a character.
SSM: If you could have written an episode of Surface, what would you have wanted to happen?
Carter: Preferably I would want to film more with Lake belle and Jay Fergusson because I became really good friends with them in North Carolina but we had never gotten to film together until the final episode. So I think I would have wanted to film with them more.
SSM: What went through your mind the first time you saw yourself on television?
Carter: The first time I was on television, that wasn’t a commercial, it was a small appearance on the Bernie Mac show and I remember saying to my mom, “Is that what I sound like?” I thought they had recorded over my voice or something. And I didn’t think that was how I looked, which was weird. I guess I had never really taken the time to think about what I looked and sounded like until I saw myself on tv.
SSM: If you could star in a movie with any actor or actress who has ever lived, who would you want to work with?
Carter: Tom Hanks because he’s my favorite actor and he’s just so cool. I’d love to work with him.
SSM: If you couldn't act, what kind of career would you want to pursue?
Carter: Even if you can’t act there are a lot of other careers in the field that you can choose from. I’d want to do something more creative like writing or producing. If I couldn’t do that I’d be a businessman like my dad.
SSM: If you could join the cast of any TV show which one would you join?
Carter: Either 24 or the Office, or Entourage those are my favorite shows. 24 is awesome, Jack Bauer is cool and the office; I love the office. I also love Entourage.
SSM: Where is the weirdest place you’ve ever been recognized?
Carter: I just went to Brazil. I was filming this show, CSI Miami, in Rio de Janeiro and I was walking around with my mom and this lady came up to me and we thought she was asking for directions. We thought she was asking how many miles to such and such a place and we were like “We don’t know we’re not from here.” She didn’t speak much English. Then we realized that she was asking me if I was Miles from Surface, my character. Which was interesting, because I guess even people down in Rio de Janeiro watch Surface.
SSM: What is one modern convenience you can’t live without?
Carter: I’d say my laptop. I’ve always liked laptops and wanted one since I was a little kid and I finally got one for myself and I love it. It’s a Mac and it’s really cool.
SSM: If you could have any super power, what power would you have and why?
Carter: I’m going to have to say, I’d love to fly. I think that would be pretty awesome. I’m not a big fan of flying regular, on airplanes so that would make things easier. I think it would be an easier way to travel. Ya know, no traffic. Ya know, people say, with driving in the beginning when you first start, oh it’s so cool. But then after a while, it’s not that fun. So maybe it would be the same with flying. But I doubt it.
SSM: If you could snap your fingers and magically be given any talent, what talent would you want to be given?
Carter: Maybe singing. I’m a terrible singer. I only ever sing in the car. Singing would be good or maybe I could have the talent to be an awesome poker player. I like poker. I’m okay at it right now, but not perfect. But winning in poker is fun.
SSM: But you don’t learn anything if you don’t lose.
Carter: Right, exactly.
SSM: What kind of poker do you play?
Carter: Right now I play what everyone plays, Texas Hold’em
SSM: Is Surface going to be returning for a second season?
Carter: No it’s not.
SSM: No? Oh, Man.
Carter: Yeah, I know, me too. Carter: The ratings were dropping during the last five episodes. Because what happened was they took us off the air for like a month. We just didn’t have enough in the ratings. The ratings really needed to go up during those last five episodes but instead they went down and down. But the show’s out on DVD so that’s something.
SSM: Do you have anything you'd like to say to your fans?
Carter: I’m sorry surface is cancelled. I wish it wasn’t either. And thanks for being a fan because having fans is really cool. I hope to have some new stuff for your entertainment pleasure soon.