“I wasn’t the healthiest,” admits Jharrel Jerome about his life before “Unstoppable.” But playing wrestler Anthony Robles in the Amazon MGM film has changed that. He says, “I’m into the gym now. That’s something I’ve always wanted to do and it’s a blessing that work led me there. I learned fitness health, and that led to mental health, caring for myself and understanding me more. Not often as an actor do you get to do a role that shapes you and teaches you something.” (Watch the video interview above.)
“Unstoppable” tells the true story of Anthony, who defies the odds of being born with one leg to pursue his dream to become a national champion. At the heart of the film is the loving relationship between Anthony and his mother, played by Jennifer Lopez. What was it like working with Lopez? “I’m also from the Bronx so it wasn’t too hard to have the same humor and understanding of the world.”
And while Anthony’s fitness regime was new to Jerome, he understood the family dynamics well. The actor reveals, “His family life is very similar to mine. So when I met Anthony, we clicked immediately. Two momma’s boys get along real well. So we did.”
It’s important to Jerome that he remembers his humble beginnings. He says, “I can’t believe I’m here and I always want to hold onto that. It’s what keeps my feet on the ground. The second I feel like I should be here is where I lose the essence of who I really am.”
In 2016 Jerome starred in “Moonlight,” which won the Oscar for Best Picture. And in 2019 his critically hailed turn as Korey Wise in “When They See Us” won the actor an Emmy. “That was the first time I got to play a real life person. Meeting Korey changed my life,” says Jerrome. “This time around when I met Anthony, I was less nervous because I felt like I had the understanding of the dynamic between the actor and a real life person. But everything’s different. I may play Kanye West one day and that’s not going be the same experience.”
The actor also admits, “I’ve gained a lot of attention young. But as I grow, I’ve realized it’s not all roses and dandies. I got spoiled early on. I’m still an actor of color that faces adversity in the casting rooms regardless of what I’ve gained before. But that’s always a struggle that we face but we work twice as hard.”
Jerome explains his process as an actor has also evolved. “I’m fighting to not think of Jharrel anymore. That’s always the challenge for an actor: letting go of who you are, the insecurities, the doubts and the second guessing. Fighting those thoughts and falling into the character.”
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