Jake T. Austin

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Jake T. Austin

Jake T. Austin, September 2011
Born Jake Austin Szymanski
December 3, 1994 (1994-12-03) (age 17)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation Actor, voice actor
Years active 2003–present
Website
www.jaketaustin.com

Jake T. Austin (born December 3, 1994) is an American actor and voice actor. Beginning a career as a child actor at the age of seven, Austin is a five-time Young Artist Award nominee, best known for his role as Max Russo, the youngest of three wizards on the Disney Channel original series Wizards of Waverly Place, and as the voice of Diego, the 8-year-old animal rescuer on the Nickelodeon animated series Go, Diego, Go!.

Contents

Early life

Austin was born Jake Austin Szymanski on December 3, 1994 in New York City, the son of Giny Rodriquez Toranzo and Joe Szymanski.[1][2][3][4][5] His middle initial, "T" is taken from his mother's maiden name, "Toranzo".[1] His mother is of Puerto Rican, Argentine, and Spanish descent, and his father is of Polish, Irish, and English descent.[1][2][3][4][5][6] He has one younger sibling, a sister named Ava.[2][5][7]

Career

Austin began his career in 2002 at the age of 7, with roles in commercials, and in 2003 he appeared in his first "credited" role as "Kid 1698" in a comedy sketch on The Late Show with David Letterman.[5][8] He first gained notoriety in 2004, when he landed the role as the voice of Dora's adventurous 8 year-old cousin, Diego on the Nickelodeon animated series Dora The Explorer (credited as "Jake Toranzo Szymanski").[8][9][10] Austin continued to voice the role of Diego for three seasons as the title character on the 2005 animated spin-off series Go, Diego, Go!, as well as on the musical CDs Diego, Dora & Friends Animal Jamboree Album and Dora's Fiesta Album.[2][8][9][10] During his time as the voice of Diego, Austin went on to lend his voice to several other animated projects including the popular feature films The Ant Bully, and Everyone's Hero, as well as Comedy Central's Christmas special, Merry F#%$in' Christmas and Playhouse Disney's musical Happy Monster Band segments.[3][8][11]

In 2006, Austin landed the lead role of Angel Macias in his first live-action feature film, The Perfect Game based on a true story about the first non-U.S. team to win the 1957 Little League World Series, although the film wouldn't be released in the United States until more than three years after filming was completed, due to post-production financing difficulties.[12][13][14][15] In 2007, Austin began what would become a prolific career with Disney when he was cast as Chris in the Disney Channel original movie Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board.[2][8] Later that same year, he was cast as the youngest sibling, Max Russo on the Disney Channel original series Wizards of Waverly Place alongside Selena Gomez and David Henrie.[2][8][16][17] Wizards debuted in October 2007 and quickly became a fan favorite, lauded for its portrayal of Latinos and winning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Program in 2009, as well as ALMA, Imagen and NAACP Image Award nominations.[18][19][20][21][22]

Austin at The Perfect Game premiere in April 2010

In 2009, Austin made his live-action feature film debut with a starring role as Bruce, an orphan who hides numerous dogs in an abandoned hotel, in the successful Dreamworks family film Hotel for Dogs, while later that year, The Perfect Game debuted at the 2009 Guadalajara International Film Festival.[6][23][24][25][26] In the summer of that same year, Austin appeared as Max Russo in a crossover episode of the Disney Channel series, The Suite Life On Deck and in the Emmy Award winning Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, Disney Channel's television film adaptation of the popular series.[2][8][27][28][29] In the spring of 2010, after almost four years, and several postponed release dates, The Perfect Game was finally released in U.S. theaters by Lionsgate.[12][13][14][15] In the fall of that year, Austin was named as one of "The 25 Brightest Latino Stars Under 25" in the October 2010 issue of Latina Magazine, along with his Wizards co-star Selena Gomez.[30]

As of 2011, Austin currently stars as Max Russo on the fourth and final season of the Emmy Award winning series Wizards of Waverly Place.[31][32][33] The final episode of the series wrapped production in May 2011, and is scheduled to air in early 2012.[34] In April 2011, Austin voiced the role of Fernando, an orphaned Brazilian boy who is forced to capture exotic birds, in the 20th Century Fox 3-D animated musical feature film, Rio.[8][12][35] In December 2010, it was announced that Austin would be teaming up with Pilgrim Films & Television productions as co-executive producer of a new reality series that will focus on a group of families in the Los Angeles area as they put their lives on hold to pursue their children’s dreams of acting, singing and/or modeling, with the pilot episode scheduled to begin filming in mid-2011.[36] In March 2011, it was announced that Austin would have a role in Gary Marshall's romantic-comedy, New Year's Eve, released in December 2011.[37]

It was announced January 13, 2012 that Austin would be guest starring in the long-running NBC legal drama, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in the episode "Home Invasions" as Rob Fisher, the boyfriend of a girl whose family is massacred. "It's an honor to be a part of such a respected series," Austin said in a statement to The Huffington Post. "Being a New Yorker myself, I'm a huge fan of the show and can't wait to start filming."[38]

Personal life

Austin is fluent in both English and Spanish, and currently divides his time living in Los Angeles and New York with his parents, his younger sister Ava, and the family's two dogs, Bogey and Beju.[2][10][39] His family owns an historic restaurant called ‘The Clarksville Inn’.[5][39][40] The restaurant, located in West Nyack, New York, originally opened in 1840 as a hotel.[5][40] Austin attends public school when he is in New York and has his school work sent to him when he is away filming.[5] Along with writing, directing and acting in shorts for his YouTube channel "Jakeethekid", he has also written, and sold his first screenplay titled "Kings of Suburbia" which he has said is written in the same vein as his favorite film Stand By Me.[2][9][41][42]

When he isn't busy with school and work, Austin devotes his time to various charitable causes including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children who have life-threatening medical conditions, the Starlight Children's Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening medical conditions, and Variety's Power of Youth initiative, which partners with young stars to help raise money for their chosen causes.[4][43][44]

Filmography

Film
Year Film Role Notes
2006 The Ant Bully Nicky (voice) Supporting role
Everyone's Hero Yankee Irving (voice) Lead role
2009 Hotel for Dogs Bruce Lead role
2010 The Perfect Game Angel Macias Lead role
2011 Rio Fernando (voice) Supporting role
New Year's Eve Seth Supporting role
Television
Year Show Role Notes
2003 Late Show with David Letterman Kid 1698 1 episode

"Episode dated December 23, 2003"
2004 Dora the Explorer Diego (voice) Credited as Jake Toranzo-Szymanski
2007 Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board Chris Lead role

Disney Channel Original Movie
Disney Channel Games Himself Mini-series
2005–2008 Go, Diego, Go! Diego (voice) Lead role

Credited as Jake Toranzo-Szymanski
2008 Studio DC: Almost Live Himself Credited as Jake Austin
Disney Channel Games
Happy Monster Band Bluz (voice) Lead role
2009 The Suite Life on Deck Max Russo 1 episode: "Double-Crossed"
Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie Max Russo Lead role

Disney Channel Original Movie
2007–2012 Wizards of Waverly Place Max Russo Lead role
2012 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit[38] Rob Fisher 1 episode: "Home Invasions"

Awards

Awards
Year Award Category Role Film / Show Result Ref.
2006 Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role - Young Actor Diego Go, Diego, Go! Nominated [45]
2007 Imagen Award Best Actor - Television Diego Go, Diego, Go! Nominated [46]
Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role - Young Actor Yankee Irving Everyone's Hero Nominated [47]
2008 ALMA Award Outstanding Male Performance in a Comedy TV Series Max Russo Wizards of Waverly Place Nominated [48]
Young Artist Award Best Young Ensemble Performance in a TV Series Max Russo (Shared with: Selena Gomez, David Henrie, Jennifer Stone) Wizards of Waverly Place Nominated [49]
2009 Teen Choice Award Choice TV: Sidekick Max Russo Wizards of Waverly Place Nominated [50]
Young Artist Award Best Performance in a TV Series - Leading Young Actor Max Russo Wizards of Waverly Place Nominated [51]
2010 Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actor Bruce Hotel for Dogs Nominated [52]
Best Performance in a TV Series - Leading Young Actor Max Russo Wizards of Waverly Place Nominated [52]

References

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  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Jake T. Austin "Max Russo"". Disney Channel Medianet. http://www.disneychannelmedianet.com/web/showpage/showpage.aspx?program_id=3113247&type=austin. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  3. ^ a b c "Un Yankee latino - Jake T. Austin". La Prensa San Diego. http://www.laprensa-sandiego.org/archieve/2006/september22-06/jake.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  4. ^ a b c "Selena Gomez on being Latin". ShowbizCafe.com. http://www.showbizcafe.com/en/interviews/exclusive-selena-gomez-on-being-latin/1247. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Interview: Jake T. Austin". Miss O & Friends - pt 1. http://www.missoandfriends.com/interviews/jake-t-austin-interview.php. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  6. ^ a b Hernández, Lee (2009-01-07). "Jake T. Austin's 'powers' beyond TV". New York Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/latino/2009/01/08/2009-01-08_jake_t_austins_powers_beyond_tv.html. Retrieved 2009-01-10. 
  7. ^ "Jake T. Austin & Ava Photos". Life.com. http://www.life.com/search/?type=images&q0=ava+austin. Retrieved 2011-01-16. 
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h "IMDb.com - Jake T. Austin". IMDb.com. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1545471/. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  9. ^ a b c "Interview: Jake T. Austin 'Go, Diego, Go!'". Miss O & Friends - 2. http://www.missoandfriends.com/interviews/jake-t-austin-page-3-interview.php. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  10. ^ a b c "Meet The Voice of Diego: Jake Toranzo Szymanski". Nick Jr.. http://www.nickjr.com/video/?videoid=101062. Retrieved 2011-01-13. 
  11. ^ "'Everyone's Hero': An Interview with Jake T. Austin". BlackFilm.com. http://www.blackfilm.com/20060908/features/ravenjake.shtml. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  12. ^ a b c "Interview: 'The Perfect Game's' Jake T. Austin". Cinema Blend. http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Interview-The-Perfect-Game-s-Jake-T-Austin-And-Cheech-Marin-18082.html. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  13. ^ a b "'The Perfect Game' Jake T. Austin Interview". ShockYa.com. http://www.shockya.com/news/2010/04/15/the-perfect-game-jake-t-austin-interview/. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  14. ^ a b "'The Perfect Game' Interview - Jake T. Austin". Trailer Addict. http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/the-perfect-game/interview-jake-t-austin. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  15. ^ a b "'The Perfect Game' stages ninth-inning comeback". Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big_picture/2010/03/hollywood-revival-report-the-perfect-game-is-back-from-the-dead.html. Retrieved 2011-01-12. 
  16. ^ Levin, Gary (2007-10-18). "Nielsens: Friday night was 'Murder' on ABC". USA Today 2007-10-18. http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2007-10-17-nielsens-analysis_N.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-12. 
  17. ^ "Cable's most-watched shows, Oct. 15-21". USA Today. 2007-10-23. http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/2007-10-23-495187257_x.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-12. 
  18. ^ "2009 Emmy Nominations". 2009 Primetime Emmy Awards. http://www.emmys.com/nominations/2009?tid=123. Retrieved 2011-01-12. 
  19. ^ "2008 ALMA Awards". Web Archive. Archived from the original on 2008-07-30. http://web.archive.org/web/20080730002201/http://www.almaawards.com/2008-nominees.html. Retrieved 2011-01-12. 
  20. ^ "23rd Annual Imagen Awards". The Imagen Foundation. http://www.imagen.org/awards/2008/nominees. Retrieved 2011-01-12. 
  21. ^ "24th Annual Imagen Awards". The Imagen Foundation. http://www.imagen.org/awards/2009/nominees. Retrieved 2011-01-12. 
  22. ^ "40th NAACP Image Awards". NAACP Image Awards. http://www.naacpimageawards.net/40/win_tv.php. Retrieved 2011-01-12. 
  23. ^ "'Hotel For Dogs' Interview with Jake T. Austin". MovieSet.com. http://www.movieset.com/hotel-for-dogs/videos/7ayn49/Hotel-for-Dogs-Interview-with-Jake.T.Austin. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  24. ^ "Thor Freudenthal Interview 'Hotel For Dogs'". MoviesOnline.com. http://www.moviesonline.ca/movienews_16276.html. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  25. ^ "Jake T. Austin Interview 'Hotel For Dogs'". Chuck The Movieguy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fzCnogLzj8s. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  26. ^ "A Conversation with Jake T. Austin". Box Office Magazine. http://www.boxofficemagazine.com/articles/2008-12-a-conversation-with-jake-t-aus?q=homemade. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  27. ^ "'Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie: Jake T. Austin Interview". TV.com. http://www.tv.com/video/10392590/wizards-of-waverly-place-the-movie--jake-t.-austin-interview. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  28. ^ "'Wizards of Waverly Place' Movie Casts Spell". TVGuide.com 09/08/27. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Wizards-Waverly-Place-1009215.aspx. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  29. ^ "2010 Emmy Nominations". Primetime Emmy Awards. http://www.emmys.com/nominations?tid=123. Retrieved 2011-01-12. 
  30. ^ "The 25 Brightest Latino Stars Under 25: Jake T. Austin". Latina Magazine. http://www.latina.com/entertainment/celebrity/25-brightest-latino-stars-under-25?slide=13. Retrieved 2011-01-12. 
  31. ^ "'Wizards of Waverly Place's Jake T. Austin Interview". TV Guide 2010-12-16. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Jake-Austin-Interview-1026872.aspx. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  32. ^ "Disney Channel Renews "Wizards of Waverly Place"; Plans Second Movie". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/06/03/disney-channel-renews-wizards-of-waverly-place-for-a-fourth-season/53112. Retrieved 2011-01-12. 
  33. ^ "Disney Orders 4th Season of "Wizards of Waverly Place" and Film Sequel". All Headline News. http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7018896380. Retrieved 2011-01-12. 
  34. ^ "Wizards Cast Gets Emotional at Final Live Taping". PopStarOnline.com. 2011-05-06. http://www.popstaronline.com/blog/entry/wizards-cast-gets-emotional-at-final-live-taping/. 
  35. ^ "Jake T. Austin: Hollywood Christmas Parade Interview". ClevverTV.com 2010-12-04. http://www.clevvertv.com/interviews/19712/jake-t-austin-hollywood-christmas-parade-interview.html. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  36. ^ "Pilgrim Films & Television and Jake T. Austin will co-Executive Produce". Television Show Auditions. http://www.tvshowauditions.info/2010/12/pilgrim-films-television-seeking-child.html. Retrieved 2011-01-12. 
  37. ^ "Who's the Married Actor Kissing...". MSNBC. March 18, 2011. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/42143315/ns/today-entertainment/. Retrieved 2011-05-11. 
  38. ^ a b "'Law & Order: SVU': Jake T. Austin Books Guest Role". The Huffington Post. January 13, 2012. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/13/law-order-svu-jake-t-austin_n_1205631.html. Retrieved January 13, 2012. 
  39. ^ a b "Jake T. Austin Goes To "The Dogs"". OK! Magazine. http://www.okmagazine.com/2009/01/emma-roberts-jake-t-austin-go-to-%e2%80%98dogs%e2%80%99-11369/. Retrieved 2011-01-12. 
  40. ^ a b "Saving An Historic Building". Nyack-Piermont NY Patch. http://nyack.patch.com/articles/saving-an-historic-building-and-returning-it-to-its-pub-days. Retrieved 2011-01-12. 
  41. ^ "Jake T. Austin Writing A Script - 'Kings Of Suburbia'". MTV Movies Blog. http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2010/04/15/jake-t-austin-writing-kings-of-suburbia/#more-33515. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  42. ^ "Jake T. Austin's "jakeethekid" Youtube Channel". YouTube - jakeethekid's Channel. http://www.youtube.com/user/jakeethekid. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  43. ^ "Jake T. Austin Interview: A Stellar Night 2010". ClevverTV 2010-03-24. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTpA0gTP24Y&feature=player_embedded. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  44. ^ "Jake T. Austin - Variety's Power of Youth". CharityBuzz.com. http://wwww.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/5100197. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  45. ^ "27th Annual Young Artist Awards". 26th Young Artist Awards. http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms27.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  46. ^ "2007 Imagen Foundation Awards". Imagen 2007 Awards. http://www.imagen.org/2007awards/nominees_list. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  47. ^ "28th Annual Young Artist Awards". 27th Young Artist Awards. http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms28.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  48. ^ "2008 Alma Awards". TV Squad. http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/07/22/alma-award-nominations-announced/. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  49. ^ "29th Annual Young Artist Awards". 29th Young Artist Awards. http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms29.html. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  50. ^ "2009 Teen Choice Awards". CinemaBlend. http://www.cinemablend.com/celebrity/Nominations-Posted-For-2009-Teen-Choice-Awards-18151.html. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  51. ^ "30th Annual Young Artist Awards". 30th Young Artist Awards. http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms30.html. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  52. ^ a b "31st Annual Young Artist Awards". 31st Young Artist Awards. http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms31.html. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 

External links

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