Jon Simmons
| Jon Simmons |
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Jon Simmons is an American film and television talent manager and acting coach operating out of Los Angeles. He is the co-founder of Simmons and Scott Entertainment.
Early life
Jon was born in Bonne Terre, Missouri to William C. and Marcille Nina (Cartmill) Simmons and grew up in St. Charles, Missouri. He graduated from St. Charles High School and later attended Hannibal LaGrange College in Hannibal Missouri, and finished his undergraduate at Carson Newman College in Jefferson City Tennessee with a BA in Psychology and Religion.
Eventually landing in Dallas, Texas, Jon started his entertainment career with the Kim Dawson agency where he modeled and acted in commercials. From this beginning he decided to try and make a break in Hollywood.
Career
Jon began as an actor in soaps, having a recurring day player role on General Hospital as well as roles on The Bold and the Beautiful and Santa Barbara. He later appeared on Alias, Sports Night, 7th Heaven, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, and as young Alfred Pennyworth in Batman and Robin. After being an actor for several years Jon decided to change direction. He turned to talent management and founded Simmons and Scott Entertainment in 1999 with Carl Scott, formerly of Warner Bros. Records. Their first client was Chad Michael Murray.[1] Jon was also instrumental in beginning the careers of Garrett Hedlund,[2] Chris Zylka <,[3] D.J. Cotrona, Brandon Buddy[4] Drew Roy, Max Greenfield, Jesse Plemons, Nate Parker,[5] Luke Kleintank, Colton Haynes, JD Pardo, Nicole Anderson, Casey Deidrick, and Ryan Carnes.
His current roster includes Kat Graham, Charlie Barnett, Frances de la Tour, and Cherilyn Wilson.
Jon is known for coaching and teaching each of his actors, personally fine tuning their skills. Many of his clients, both former and current, attribute their success to his guidance. Plemons says that "If I have any talent, it's because of him. He's an amazing acting coach . . . I studied with him for nine years.".[6] Zylka has stated that Jon "became not only a father figure, but a mentor and my voice of reason. If anyone has a Jiminy Cricket, it's me. For sure!".[7]
Jon continues to love acting and actively looks for the next big thing while coaching and teaching.
Filmography
| 2002 | Alias | F.B.I. Officer |
| 2000 | The Bold and the Beautiful | Minister |
| 1999 | Providence | Bar Customer |
| 1998 | Sports Night | Burke |
| 1998 | Ellen | Minister |
| 1998 | 7th Heaven | Richard Watson |
| 1998 | House Rules | Fellow Doctor |
| 1997 | The Tony Danza Show | Middle Aged Man |
| 1997 | Batman and Robin | Young Alfred Pennyworth |
| 1997 | Silk Stalkings | Minister |
| 1997 | NewsRadio | Dave's Lawyer |
| 1987 | LA Law | Waiter |
References
- ↑ "Chad Michael Murray Biography". Celebrityring. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
- ↑ "Proscout Discovery Garrett Hedlund". Proscout.com. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
- ↑ Fallon, Kevin. "From Homeless to HBO, The Leftovers' Star Chris Zylka's Crazy Hollywood Story". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ↑ "Proscout Discovery Brandon Buddy". Proscout.com. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
- ↑ Tucker, Kyle (December 23, 2007). "From Hampton Roads to Hollywood". PilotOnline.com. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
- ↑ Gardner, Jessica (May 4, 2010). "'Happiness; Is the Kicker". Backstage.com. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
- ↑ Sanjiv, Bhattacharya (June 26, 2012). "The Look: Mr. Chris Zylka". MrPorter.com. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
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