BSCkids recently got the chance to talk with the young but immensely talented young actor, Regan Mizrahi. He spoke with us about his role in the star studded film, Nature Calls which hits theaters on November 9th, as well as working on several different television shows and projects.
New Jersey based television, film, and voice actor, Regan Mizrahi, is already making a name for himself at the ripe age of twelve. Starring opposite Johnny Knoxville, Patton Oswalt, and Maura Tierney in the upcoming Magnolia Pictures’ comedy, Nature Calls (out November 9th,) Regan can be seen as Kent, the precocious boy in love with Tierney’s character, Janine. From comedy to drama Regan has acted in a variety of roles already. He’s worked alongside industry veterans such as Robin Williams in the feature film, Old Dogs, and Denis Leary, as a cancer stricken patient in Rescue Me as well. Other credits of Regan’s include Blue Bloods, White Collar, Saturday Night Live, Ice Age III, and more. In addition to his tv and film roles, Regan’s face is often recognized as the CEO of the kid-run company for Haribo Gummy Bear commercials and the voice behind BOOTS, on the hit Nickelodeon series, DORA THE EXPLORER, a role that landed him an award for Best Actor in a Voiceover at the 2011 Young Artist Awards. Regan is also an advocate against bullying, forming the organization Young Performers Against Bullying.
BSCkids: Regan Mizrahi
When did you know you wanted a career as an actor?
Being the youngest in a family of three working kids, and the son of an actress, it was something I was Just ‘born into.’ It just seems normal to me because I started when I was a baby. It is something I have always done and loved.
Tell us about the film Nature Calls and your role in it?
It is a film about a couple that adopts a boy from Africa and wants him to fit in. They plan a sleepover party and the boys get kidnapped by the uncle to go on a Boy Scout camping trip. My character (Kent,) stays behind and makes love advances at the wife (Maura Tierney.) He is a boy ‘older than his years’ who helped Janine (Maura) hold down the fort and keep the moms of the missing boys from knowing the truth (of where they are.)
Was Patton Oswalt as funny in real life as he seems on screen?
Patton is very funny, but he also takes his work very seriously. I had to know my lines and be professional to prove that I (at 12 years old) deserved to be there.
What was the biggest thing you learned from your costars in Nature Calls?
When doing comedy acting with comedians (who do a lot of stand up,) learn your lines, but be flexible and understand that things wont go as planned. Lots of improv and craziness will happen. You need to just go with the flow and see what the scene becomes. I definitely expanded my risk-taking skills… and how to bite the inside of my cheek to stop cracking up when they are just TOO funny.
What project that you worked on has been the most fun?
I would say working on White Collar (USA,) playing Young Mozzie. I got to play a con man that steals money. It was a character so far from who I am that I really had to have fun with it.
You also voice the incredibly popular character, Boots, from Dora the Explorer; do parents or children ever recognize your voice?
I have voiced Boots for almost five years. Once, when I was on a plane to LA, a little girl would not stop crying no matter what people tried to do to help. I used my Boots voice to her to stop. The whole plane applauded.
You also have worked on Saturday Night Live, what was it like working on such a loved show?
I have done both the live show and digital shorts for SNL. It is fun to stay up until midnight and feel how psyched the live audience is to be there. It’s amazing! I once go to a digital short with my brother Blake, where we got to break into a house. It’s fun to be silly with him.
Which film director do you look up to the most?
I really admire Scorsese. I am a crazy avid reader and I feel like his movies are books come to life. Hugo was just amazing. I would love to be in one of his films.
If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be?
My great grandfather Nat was a radio star. He died before I was born, so I wish I could have met him. I feel like my voice over genes come from him. I feel like he is watching over me, guiding my career.
Tell us about the Young Performers Against Bullying initiative.
I was seeing a lot of kids around me getting bullied. The schools don’t have the funds to really bring in programs that work to prevent this, so I wanted to try to make a difference. I have been raising funs and awareness. And I plan to give 100% o the money to a local school, to help fund a decent anti-bullying program. I have interviewed tons of kids who have been bullied about what their schools did and didn’t do right to help them. I post stories and ideas on my Facebook page.
Why do you think bullying has become such a huge issue?
Kids are often like sheep… they follow the flock. They eat the same time and walk the same way- in a line. The head sheep doesn’t like other sheep that don’t follow. Bullies don’t like you to be you. They want everyone to be the same. If you are different, they want to beat you down until you become the same as everyone else. It is wrong. We are not all meant to be the same. That’s what makes life interesting.