JAMES PAXTON

Photos NIHAT ODABASI

Some people are born to be stars, and James Paxton is one of those rare talents. Having just come off a great year shooting independent films, dynamic television roles, and building a music repertoire as a lead vocalist in two bands, James Paxton is an actor ready to light up the big screen. With perfect chiseled features that come from his European and American lineage, James has the look of a model or the presence of blueblood royalty. However, when you hear him speak, you know that he can do more than pose for pictures or wear a faux crown. Even in small roles, James Paxton holds his place in a sea of big names. Here’s a thespian who’s ripe for a significant part in a leading role to showcase both his acting and singing talents. Vestal online had the pleasure of chatting with the multi-talented son of a Hollywood legend, at his family home just northwest of Los Angeles.

Stacy Stewart Smith __ Hi James, welcome to Vestal Magazine! Tell our viewers where you’re located at the moment.

James Paxton __ Thanks so much for taking the time to speak to me, Stacy! Honored to be featured in Vestal. I’m currently spending some time up in my hometown of Ojai, California, enjoying the summertime, and getting to do two of my favorite things “safely” outdoors. That’s swimming and playing basketball. 

Stacy Stewart Smith __ Did you ever play on a team? Swimming and basketball are great exercises. Is this part of a fitness regimen, or do you workout at a gym as well?

James Paxton __ I just finished up a meditation, which I started trying to incorporate into my daily life a few months ago. It’s helping me stay calm during these stressful times. As far as playing on a team, I certainly did! I played on many travel club basketball teams growing up and my high school team as well. I was a shooter playing the wing-guard position mostly. I still play a lot, and it’s a great workout. My typical workout in a gym combines free weight stuff and treadmill cardio, but I haven’t worked out in a gym much this year due to the pandemic. Been trying to go on runs outside a bit, because I also used to be a track runner, but I just haven’t had the discipline this year. 

Stacy Stewart Smith __ Meditation and sports! Hey, that sounds like a great balance, but certainly, with the sunny California heat, there are limits. 

James Paxton __ True! For example, my attire for the summer’s just been gym shorts. I’m trying to work on a tan, which is always a slow process for me thanks to the ghostly pale skin I inherited from my mother’s side. 

Stacy Stewart Smith __ Yes, but you have the kind of pale skin that can be transformed easily into characters like a vampire, a British rocker, or a fine artist such as Andy Warhol, so don’t damage it in the sun. It’s one of your greatest assets. 

James Paxton__ You’re absolutely right! My mum would agree with you, wholeheartedly. Haha! But—yeah, it’s just been getting too hot to wear anything else. Anyway, I can’t get dressed up at all for any events during this wild time. My hair is multicolored, and getting crazy long these days. The bottom half is all blonde, which I dyed for a shoot right before the pandemic really struck, and then had to cancel. And—it’s just been growing out since. I change my hair a lot, though; I feel it helps me get more into character when taking on roles.

Stacy Stewart Smith __ (smiling) Speaking of your various looks and roles, most people who grow up to be as attractive as James Paxton did not start that way. Were you always this ideal, blond surfer type with a great smile, or were you awkward with bad teeth and a different nose?

James Paxton __ (laughing) You went straight for the jugular on this one! Haha—I’m just kidding. I appreciate the kind words and compliments. I definitely went through a very long awkward phase growing up. I had braces for longer than I’m willing to admit, and I used to be quite gawky and pale. I don’t know if my nose has changed much over time, though. Haha! I used to be embarrassed by my rail-thin frame. As time goes by, I’ve now come to appreciate it. 

Stacy Stewart Smith __ Certainly, most people will admit that there is now something certainly appealing about your movie star looks and uniqueness.

James Paxton __ Everyone’s body is different. I believe what was once looked upon as a “weakness” or “imperfection” over time can become one of the things you most appreciate and celebrate about yourself. I think looking unique is way more valuable than looking conventionally “hot” or “cookie-cutter attractive.” That being said, I often still feel like that awkward looking kid. The image of the kid I once was is forever burned in my brain, and I’ll always take that with me.

Stacy Stewart Smith __ It appears that you come from a loving family. What was it like growing up with Bill Paxton as a father? Do you now perceive your dad’s fame altered your perspective on life in any way?

James Paxton __ It was awesome! Way back when I was young, before I ever could grasp or understand the concept of what my dad did for a living was, I knew he had a cool job because we were able to travel a ton as a family. That was always the most exciting part—seeing where his jobs would take him next. I was fortunate to see a lot of the world at a young age. Did my dad’s fame alter my perspective on life? Nah—not that much, honestly. I think that’s because both of my parents wanted to make sure my sister and I had a normal upbringing, or as normal as possible. They didn’t want to raise us in Hollywood around the entertainment industry, so they brought us up in the tiny little town of Ojai, California, about an hour and a half north of LA. We could really hide out up there and enjoy living in a small, tight-knit community. I attended public school most of my life, which is the “free” and paid for by our tax dollars to the state kind of school. My dad was just really a down-to-Earth person; he never let fame alter how he treated anybody or the way he looked at life. I’d like to say I’m the same way, and I’m thankful to him and my mum for that.

Stacy Stewart Smith __ You portrayed Lukas Waldenbeck, one of two young closeted gay youths, in the USA Network drama series ‘Eyewitness.’ In this role, you were in a partly closet-gay relationship with the character portrayed by your co-star Tyler Young. That was 2016, and your father (Bill Paxton) passed-away just a while later. What did your father think of your role in ‘Eyewitness’ at the time? Did he offer you any sound advice or critique?

James Paxton __ My dad watched every single episode right as they aired. We watched a lot of them together. He couldn’t have been more proud. He was absolutely beaming. He would tell everyone about the show—literally, everyone. I sometimes got embarrassed because he would talk about it so much, but that’s just what proud parents do. Hell, I think that I’ll be the same way when I’m a parent. I’ll be like, “My kid just made a drawing of the dog pooping; get this masterpiece in an exhibit at MOMA immediately!”

acy Stewart Smith __ And what did he say to you about your role in ‘Eyewitness’ or acting per say?

James Paxton __ My dad did give me a lot of advice, but he also recognized that I needed to learn and figure things out on my own. There’s no better way of doing that than what he always said, “You’re learnin’ while you’re earnin’!” He helped me the most in the auditioning phase of trying to land the roles. We would read the scenes out loud together a lot and rehearse.

Stacy Stewart Smith __ Has portraying a gay youth in a romantic role negatively affected your acting career?

James Paxton __ No, it hasn’t affected me negatively at all! I’m a very proud and outspoken ally of the LGBTQIA+ community and will be forever honored that I got to bring the role and tell the story of Lukas Waldenbeck with my work on ‘Eyewitness.’ It was my first significant role, as well. I got so damn lucky with that one. The writing of the show was phenomenal. It was light years ahead of its time, which bums me out, but I’m so thankful society is starting to move forward together and effect change. We are all humans, and love is love.

Stacy Stewart Smith __ When you were much younger, you stated in an interview video that still can be viewed online that you would prefer to have a car over high school education. Given the space of time that has passed, what are your thoughts about higher education for young people today?

James Paxton __ In that interview, I was just speaking solely for myself. My personal stance on this hasn’t changed, but I think higher education is incredibly important for young people. I suppose you’ll need it if you’re going to become a scientist or doctor or mechanic, just to name a few examples. In that case, higher education in a school environment is absolutely crucial, and there’s no other way around it. People can educate themselves outside of a traditional school environment if they have intrinsic drive and motivation. It depends mainly on where you live and where you grew up in the world. There are resources at our fingertips more than ever before. For me, setting out to become an actor, I needed to study something particular. I think seeking higher education entirely comes down to doing it for the right reasons. I started out going first to college at New York University in Manhattan with the goal in mind to study broadcast journalism, but I got very sick there during my first semester and had to take a leave of absence. I fully intended to return, but my curiosity and existing passion for acting and filmmaking grew stronger as time went by. I wanted to move to LA and start working, in any capacity, on film sets, so that’s what I did.

Stacy Stewart Smith __ Where did you go to school in England, and how long did you attend? What caused you to switch from journalism to film? 

James Paxton __ I did an exchange program for a short time in England studying British film, just for one summer in 2013. It was an American exchange program out of the University of Idaho hosted in London at Imperial College in South Kensington. Such a great summer! It wasn’t an acting class; it was an in-depth course about film history in Britain. It was riveting, and we watched terrific movies every week! 

Stacy Stewart Smith __ Do you see yourself behind the camera in the film industry in the future?

James Paxton __ I definitely would love to get into producing and ultimately directing. I’ve also always wanted to write screenplays, but I’ve just found it so daunting. I don’t know what story I would like to tell from a writer’s perspective yet. Hopefully, it will come to me soon.

Stacy Stewart Smith __ What is the most unforgettable lesson you learned while studying acting at the Vincent Chase Workshop at Los Angeles?

James Paxton __ I learned not to be afraid to watch myself on camera. I used to “HATE” that, and I couldn’t stand myself. It was vanity, though. You can and need to learn from playing-back and watching your performances. To be honest, I don’t care about anybody saying otherwise. It’s a vanity thing. When I first started taking Vince’s classes, I would never watch my tapes at the end of the session. The rest of my classmates did this, but I refused. I would walk outside and wait for that part to be over. I got over myself, though, and Vince helped me do that. He was the greatest teacher ever, and I learned countless lessons from him. I miss him so much. He was and will forever be family to me. He was one of those rare acting coaches that truly loved to teach and didn’t care about having a personal acting career of their own. He was selfless and imparted his gifts to all those lucky and smart enough to have studied with him.

Stacy Stewart Smith __ In an online video, you stated in a rap song that was in tribute to your dad that you would stay home with your mom and sister Lydia. Has time changed that promise?

James Paxton __ (laughingly) In that tribute song, I spoke more metaphorically as in “I’m going to fight and stay here alive on this planet to help support my mum and sister.” I wasn’t “literally” saying I was going to stay home always. So no, the time has not changed that promise and never will. I do see my family as much as possible, though. That’s why I’m in Ojai right now; my sister is home from having just graduated college. I’m so proud of her! I want to spend time with my family, especially during this tumultuous time in the world.

Stacy Stewart Smith __ In the independent film ‘An American in Texas,’ you give a believable and heart-wrenching performance as a lead singer in a local punk rock band during the 1990s. In one scene, the group is in concert, and this is where you sing and dance around the stage with a spiky glued mohawk hairstyle. Because I grew of age at that time, I could feel the reality of the performance. I know you were acting, but some significant research must have gone into that scene to get it right. Tell Vestal readers about it, so they can go and stream the film themselves.

James Paxton __ Hell, yeah! Thank you very much; I’m stoked to hear you found it to be a believable performance. I love that movie. I know it’s not perfect, but it’s an indie gem, especially for people who love punk rock and its history. I did a “TON” of research and preparation before shooting that film. I combed through every punk performance from that time that I could find on YouTube, stuff from people like Darby Crash and Henry Rollins and Minor Threat, etc. I watched interviews as well to get a feeling for the overall mind-set at the time and what performers were-like trying to achieve in their messages. I would also stage these fake performances in my apartment where I’d take a prop microphone and jump around the room, screaming and singing into it. I wanted it to look right out of the period. Getting that role correct was the most important thing to me. The movie was on Hulu for a while. I think it can be streamed and rented for viewing pretty much anywhere now.

Stacy Stewart Smith __ As a vocalist and performer yourself, do you have a favorite musician that you would love to portray on the big screen?

James Paxton __ Yes! My absolute dream biopic of a musician would be to play David Bowie. I could slip into looking just like him. I genuinely don’t think there’s an actor that looks more like him out there right now. Of course, so much more goes into playing a real-life person than just a physical resemblance and likeness. I would have to really study his entire life and get his accent down. That would be a dream job for me, though. Also, Tom Petty is another one I think I could pull off a convincing job playing. I’m a huge fan of both those artists’ music.

Stacy Stewart Smith __ I have been a David Bowie fan since I was thirteen. When I agreed to take this project, I told the Vestal Team how much you remind me of Mr. Bowie. It is so exciting how you are also a musical vocalist and performer. Undoubtedly, the time is ripe for such a great movie about Bowie. Speaking of British accents—they’re quite different depending upon where a person was born. Since your mum’s from England, maybe she could help? You already have the physical attributes to portray this musical and often androgynous fashion genius, where might you go to train for a part if it was to be offered?

James Paxton __ I can’t tell you how encouraging it is to me to hear you say that! I would be over the damn moon if this dream of playing Bowie ever became a reality. That’s so awesome you’ve been a lifelong fan of his, and I love that you pointed out his androgyny! That’s one of the qualities that I find so fascinating and intriguing; he was so fearless. My mum will definitely be of enormous help to me if I ever get to play him. Her accent is quite transatlantic these days because she’s spent more time of her life in America now than in England, but whenever we visit family, her accent comes out much stronger and goes back to what it used to be. I would go to where Bowie grew up and spent most of his formative years to train for this role. I would want to know everything about him literally and get to see it for myself. 

Stacy Stewart Smith __ You had a tiny part in Netflix’s ‘Velvet Buzzsaw’ (2019) starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Renee Russo. I recall it was just seven words as a smart-aleck reply to the uppity arts dealer played by Zawe Ashton. This role seems to be a reduced part compared to your start in ‘Eyewitness.’ However, I have seen other great actors rise out of obscurity by playing bit parts. What motivates you to accept these roles even though they may seem to be beneath someone with your abilities? 

James Paxton __ I don’t ever view any projects or roles as “beneath me.” However, I will turn down stuff if I don’t respond well to the material or not something I believe in or want to do. With ‘Velvet Buzzsaw,’ that was something exceptional because Dan Gilroy, the director, gave me my first real job in Hollywood right when I moved to the city at 19. He hired me as a PA (personal assistant) and later as a Property Production Assistant on his directorial debut ‘Nightcrawler’ with Jake Gyllenhaal. I became friends with him while working on that set, and he later went on to use some of my old band’s music in the soundtrack of that film! A few years later, Dan rang me up again and asked if I wanted to come and do a line in ‘Velvet Buzzsaw.’ I said hell yeah! I’d do anything for Dan. He’s just one of the most wonderful and talented people in the business. Also, I did bit roles before I landed ‘Eyewitness.’ No matter the size, every part has teachable moments, and it’s always good to use to stay in practice. My dad did caution me, however, saying, “A career is oftentimes built just as much upon what you choose to turn down as what you choose to do.”

Stacy Stewart Smith __ What project(s) are you currently filming? I discovered that you are in ‘Marvel’s Agents of Shield’s.’ Tell our readers a little about your involvement and anything else recent or forthcoming.

James Paxton __ I was lucky to have filmed a lot last year, and these projects are just airing and starting to come out. I’m thankful for that because the industry has been largely shut down due to Covid-19, and I haven’t been able to film anything this year. I shot a guest-starring role in the 7th and final season of ‘Agents of Shield’ that just finished airing on ABC a few days ago. Incredibly proud of that one. I played a younger version of the same character John Garrett that my dad played in the first season of the show seven years ago. It has been receiving a wonderfully positive response from fans of the show. Last night I was also on TV in a different show, which marks back-to-back nights on TV for me in two different shows. That’s a first for me in my career and such a fantastic feeling! The show that aired last night is called ‘Tacoma FD.’ It’s a comedy about firefighters stationed in the United States’ wettest county, so they never fight fires. It’s on Tru TV, and I did a couple of episodes of that in a funny man-bun wearing role. 

Stacy Stewart Smith __ Wow, James; that’s fantastic! Anything else brewing right now?

James Paxton __ I’ve always got some projects in the hopper. I make a cameo appearance in a friend’s film called ‘Teenage Badass’ about a band trying to play on the Phoenix news in 2006. It’s coming out for streaming on September 18th. I also shot an indie film with King Orba and Luke Wilson last year. It’s in its final editing stages and being submitted to festivals for consideration. I believe that one is called ‘The Cleaner,’ now, but it’s changed titles a few times.

Stacy Stewart Smith __ With all your roles, and hopefully more in major motion pictures, one day you will go up to the podium, perhaps a virtual one due to pandemics, but on stage to either present or to hopefully earn a coveted award for acting in a major motion film. You will not be allowed by your publicist and studio, etc. to wear a surfer ensemble, so which designer will dress you for the formal ceremony, and whose apparel and accessories will you choose for the after-parties?

James Paxton __ Haha! I can only hope! As far as designers go, honestly, I really like John Varvatos. However, I’m happy to wear whatever I’m vibing with, and I’m never hesitant to try on pretty far “out there” or “wild” looks and clothes. One of my very closest and dearest friends in the world, Phillip T Morrison, is a stylist and designer, and I never feel more fly than when he dresses me for events and things. He’ll be the one styling me for sure. He’s a mega-talent and fashion genius, in my opinion. 

Stacy Stewart Smith __ Okay, James Paxton, I like your music enough to download it. Tell Vestal readers more about your role in two bands.

James Paxton __ Why thank you! That’s probably one of the highest compliments anyone can give me. I’m so very proud of the music, and it’s one of the most important things in the world to me. It’s my therapy; it’s my happy place, it’s where I wish I could be almost all the time. Writing and creating music with my best friends. I’m a recording artist, so I write lyrics and perform vocals mostly. I’m learning the guitar. I play guitar and keyboard sometimes on our songs. I’m in two different bands currently, Soundaze and Flamingo Dogs. 

Stacy Stewart Smith __ Flamingo Dogs is an excellent name for a band. Tell us more about your involvement and music with this group.

James Paxton __ Flamingo Dogs is the duo I formed with my friend Jared McGill (Redbeard) back in middle school. He is the producer and beat-maker and creates all the music. We learned how to make music and write songs together, and the band went through many different names and changes over time. We started out making hip hop music, and then it sort of evolved into a more alternative hip hop leaning “genre-blending” sound. We’ve been working on music gradually for so long, creating music videos and albums and EPs. A couple of years ago, though, we started collaborating with my best actor and artist friend Dayton Sinkia (DayWu Xin) and quickly realized the music was becoming its own thing with its own sound. It needed to become its own band. Dayton is another rapper, singer, recording artist, and lyricist, so he and I handle the vocals in Soundaze. We go back-and-forth as co-lead singers. He’s an immense acting and musical talent. Jared still handles the music production for Soundaze for the most part. 

Stacy Stewart Smith __ It sounds like the two bands need to become one.

James Paxton __ The three of us prioritize Soundaze as a band right now and are currently working on a bunch of music videos and a new EP (a short album), which we hope to release by October. We currently have 12 songs out on all streaming platforms as Soundaze. Flamingo Dogs has three albums out now on all streaming platforms as well. 

Stacy Stewart Smith __ James, Vestal online hopes to feature a few of the tracks from both Soundaze and Flaming Dogs on the Vestal Music Box in October. 

James Paxton __ That sounds awesome! When people respond to the music we make, it’s the most excellent feeling in the world. It’s probably my number-one passion, although I could never choose between film or music. They go hand in hand for me.

Stacy Stewart Smith __ James, I am glad that you are pleased. It has been quite a pleasure meeting you, and I hope you’ll keep Vestal informed about your developments in both film and music. We wish you the best, and I am looking forward to seeing you in the movies soon.

James Paxton __ Great questions! And I’m glad that you like my films and music. Thanks to you and the Vestal staff for this interview.

Photography Nihat Odabasi Stylist Alexa Safran Creative Director Simon Schwarz Production No-Name Management  Grooming Barbara Lamelza (using MAC cosmetics and Kevin Murphy) Talent James Paxton