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A skilled actor and producer, Jeff Rose has established himself as one of the industry’s most
promising and top talents. With a clear vision for his future and conscious of the importance of
family, nothing can break his focus now.
Few actors step on a set and garner attention like Jeff Rose. Already in 2010, the talented actor has
won an award for “Best Actor” at the 168 Film Festival in LA, received critical acclaim in LA Times,
and can be seen starring opposite veteran actress/Golden Globe winner Cybill Shepherd on the hit
Lifetime Channel series ‘Drop Dead Diva.’ Jeff is best known for his role as Major Ogden on
Lifetime’s hit TV series ‘Army Wives.’
IAE: Can you please tell us where you’re from and what influenced your decision to get into
entertainment?
JEFF: Sure! I’m grateful to say I was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia (northwest suburb of Atlanta). “It’s a
Wonderful Life” is – by far – my favorite movie of all time and, even as a young child, I was just like George
Bailey. My dream was to break out of my hometown and “see the world.”
Specifically, it was a classic TV series that influenced my decision to become an actor. When I was seven, my
Dad was working a second job in the evenings. Every evening, my Mom and I would sit down to watch reruns of
our favorite TV shows. One night, we experienced an episode of “The Rifleman” in which Lucas McCain
(Chuck Connors) suspected his son Mark (Johnny Crawford) was guilty of some wrong-doing. Now, I don’t
remember all the details, but when Mark finally revealed his culpability and shame, the music swelled and I was
suddenly caught off guard by some very intense emotion.
I had been completely consumed by that black and white universe of North Fork (the show’s setting) and the
lump in my throat was big enough to choke an elephant!
Not wanting to be caught crying – I was the man of the house at that moment, after all – I tried to hide my
emotions from my Mom. I fought as hard as I could, but the grip of that show just wouldn’t let me go. Almost 5
minutes into the next broadcast, I simply couldn’t hold it in any longer. I burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably,
which totally freaked my Mom out because so much time had elapsed since the show had ended. When I was
finally able to explain to her that it was “The Rifleman” that moved me so strongly, she explained to me in
seven-year-old terms that it took a team of people to bring that show to life – a team in front of AND behind the
camera. She tells everyone to this day that I looked her in the eye that very night and said, “Mom, I want to be
a part of that team”.
I enjoy and appreciate literally every aspect of filmmaking, but since the actors were the only players on the
“team” with whom I could identify at that time, acting became (and remains to this day) my strongest passion.
IAE: What training have you had to prepare you for a career as an actor?
JEFF: There was absolutely no one in or around my life that knew the first thing about how to get started
or prepare for life as an actor. Although fear kept me on the sidelines in high school, I decided to sign up for a
few drama classes in college at Kennesaw State University. It was there that I prayed for courage, performed
my first monologue, and I made up my mind that I wasn’t going to let anything stop me from becoming a
professional actor. That was a very powerful beginning to a new chapter of my life. My dream was finally being
realized. It didn’t hurt that 90% of the drama students were beautiful women, either! [laughs]
I continued to study under Kurt Daw, my college professor. I also worked to put myself through the prestigious
Alliance Theatre School in Atlanta. Having learned from my professor and my instructors at the Alliance about
the importance of live theatre, I started auditioning and landing roles in many of Atlanta’s reputable Equity
houses. It was on the lighted stage of those houses that I truly learned my craft.
Also, since I didn’t have enough money to move to L.A. or New York for any genuine formal training, I had to
be inventive. I took two tech positions (Assistant Director and Master Electrician) at Theatre in the Square, a
well respected equity house in Marietta (GA). By working with professional actors and directors during
rehearsals and having the privilege of watching great performances while operating the lightboard every night
during every run, I grew immensely as an artist. Though I was risking the potential of becoming branded as a
techie instead of an actor, it was definitely worth the risk. I don’t think I could have learned and grown
anywhere else as much as I did in that environment for two full seasons.
And, sticking with the “inventive” theme…after booking my first guest star role a year or so later on CBS’s “In
the Heat of the Night” (which was shot just outside of Atlanta), Carroll O’Connor and his cast and crew
accepted me as part of their family. Not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, I would drive an hour and a
half out to the set literally every day I possibly could just to stand back and watch their team go to work…more
networking and more priceless education.
IAE: You moved to Los Angeles, but then came back to Atlanta. What brought you back to
Atlanta and how has your relocation affected your career?
JEFF: I was blessed to be able to build a very nice resume in Atlanta before moving to LA. Though there
were some tough times at first, I loved being in the thick of the action in LA. I eventually started landing lead
roles in indies and cable movies. Everything was beginning to look very bright. Then, just weeks after I signed
with a prominent agent, my mother had a massive stroke which brought me back home to Atlanta. Thank God
mom survived, but she was much worse off than we had hoped. What I believed would be a relatively short
stay while she recovered ended up turning into two full years. I lost my LA agent and, except for a couple of
regional commercials, I didn’t work at all during that period. Just three weeks before I decided I’d return to Los
Angeles, and start over, my dental hygienist set me up on a blind date. Well, that blind date became my wife
just a few months later and we now have two incredible children!
Of course, by deciding not to move back to LA at that time (ten years ago), I was facing the real possibility that
I had committed career suicide. While I respected the Atlanta market for preparing me for the LA market, it was
still a secondary market and nothing at all like what I had experienced in LA. I felt that it would be a huge step
backward to rejoin Atlanta’s market, so I tried to convince myself that I no longer wanted to have an acting
career anymore. After a ton of prayer and encouragement from my wife, I finally stepped back into the Atlanta
market. Contrary to what I had been thinking, I actually began working like crazy. It took a relatively short time
to re-establish myself. Each year, my wife and I have charted exponential growth in my career here in Atlanta. I
thank God I got over what I had been telling myself about Atlanta being a step backward.
IAE: You recently won ‘Best Actor’ at the 168 Film Festival in Los Angeles. Tell us about the film
and how that role came about?
JEFF: The film is called “The Party.” One day, my agent called to say I had been requested by a top
casting director to audition for a “very intense” film that was being produced for the 168 Film Festival in Los
Angeles. I knew of the festival and respected it greatly, not to mention the fact that I was aware of some of the
really big “names” in Hollywood who were involved. So I requested the script and by the time I got to the third
page I was in love. Scott Ippolito had written a screenplay that was pure genius. An abusive/alcoholic father is
forced to face the harsh reality of life and death by the ultimately innocent actions of his precious six year old
daughter who simply wants to protect her mother. I’m not going to give away what those innocent actions are,
but I will say these three characters were rich and the dialogue was brilliant. Once my wife read it, she agreed
with me that I should audition.
Out of almost a hundred films, “The Party” was nominated for 8 major awards at the festival. We won 6 of
those 8 categories including Best Picture (Helen Urriola), Best Director (Jim McKinney), Best Screenplay (Scott
Ippolito), Best Actress (Maggie Jones), Best Supporting Actress (Carrie Walrond), and Best Actor (me). I
cannot say enough about the talent of this cast and crew, and I am more proud of it than words can say. From
top to bottom, we were blessed with a perfect team.
I can’t think of a better way to have returned to LA after all these years, than to win an award for “Best Actor”
at one of LA’s most recognized and respected festivals. I am one blessed individual.
IAE: Many actors believe that this is an overnight business. What advice can you give to actors
who believe this way?
JEFF: I kept my dream alive for years – especially during my mom’s illness – with some advice Sally Field
gave in a TV interview years ago. She said, “If you have talent…if you TRULY have talent…and you don’t ever
give up, someone of influence will eventually notice and doors will open.” Ms. Field was speaking of her own
journey, and I held on to the fact that if someone with her talent needed to learn to be patient, we all should be
prepared to travel a similar road.
I don’t know of a single actor who has become truly successful by themselves. Real success takes more than
talent and a good agent. It takes time to hone your craft and to build a team of professionals (managers, PR
reps, etc) who can truly help you navigate the path to your goals. So, be patient, be passionate, hone your
craft, assemble your team, build your resume, and don’t be afraid to work hard.
IAE: What are the differences, in your opinion, between the Atlanta film market versus the Los
Angeles market?
JEFF: One of the obvious reasons my career has blossomed again in Atlanta is because this market is
exploding. If an actor can’t be in LA or NYC right now, Atlanta is the place to be. Many of my dearest friends in
the industry have been very instrumental in seeing to it that the state of Georgia created massive tax
incentives which are bringing producers back to the area. I am so grateful for their hard work and this current
growth is mind boggling. But, let’s be honest, Hollywood is still the hub of the industry. It’s a shame that LA has
lost so much production over recent years, but shooting on location has always been a reality and the majority
of all major decisions are still made in LA.
The same way I felt about coming back to the Atlanta market to work; that’s the same attitude many people
have regarding any secondary market. But, the good thing is that it’s starting to change. Because of Atlanta’s
deep base of true talent on and off the camera, the market is rapidly gaining the respect it deserves. Just as I’
ve been blessed, many Atlanta-based actors, crew, and other film/TV professionals are getting bigger and
better roles and positions on major productions as Hollywood’s eyes are being opened by what we are capable
of doing. All Atlanta based professionals must be willing to meet the demands of Hollywood filmmakers so that
this region can gain noteriety and flourish.
IAE: If you could change anything about this business, what would it be and why?
JEFF: Oh, that’s easy! If someone found a magic wand that could put an end to all “reality” TV, I would
use it in a heartbeat. [laughs] I’ve never been, nor will I ever be, remotely interested in that stuff. It’s as far from
“reality” as the east is from the west. I’ll take a single re-run of “The Rifleman” or “The Andy Griffith Show” over
a new season of Survivor or The Kardashians any day. Guess I’m going to be blacklisted from reality TV now.
Wait…how much does it pay? [laughs]
promising and top talents. With a clear vision for his future and conscious of the importance of
family, nothing can break his focus now.
Few actors step on a set and garner attention like Jeff Rose. Already in 2010, the talented actor has
won an award for “Best Actor” at the 168 Film Festival in LA, received critical acclaim in LA Times,
and can be seen starring opposite veteran actress/Golden Globe winner Cybill Shepherd on the hit
Lifetime Channel series ‘Drop Dead Diva.’ Jeff is best known for his role as Major Ogden on
Lifetime’s hit TV series ‘Army Wives.’
IAE: Can you please tell us where you’re from and what influenced your decision to get into
entertainment?
JEFF: Sure! I’m grateful to say I was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia (northwest suburb of Atlanta). “It’s a
Wonderful Life” is – by far – my favorite movie of all time and, even as a young child, I was just like George
Bailey. My dream was to break out of my hometown and “see the world.”
Specifically, it was a classic TV series that influenced my decision to become an actor. When I was seven, my
Dad was working a second job in the evenings. Every evening, my Mom and I would sit down to watch reruns of
our favorite TV shows. One night, we experienced an episode of “The Rifleman” in which Lucas McCain
(Chuck Connors) suspected his son Mark (Johnny Crawford) was guilty of some wrong-doing. Now, I don’t
remember all the details, but when Mark finally revealed his culpability and shame, the music swelled and I was
suddenly caught off guard by some very intense emotion.
I had been completely consumed by that black and white universe of North Fork (the show’s setting) and the
lump in my throat was big enough to choke an elephant!
Not wanting to be caught crying – I was the man of the house at that moment, after all – I tried to hide my
emotions from my Mom. I fought as hard as I could, but the grip of that show just wouldn’t let me go. Almost 5
minutes into the next broadcast, I simply couldn’t hold it in any longer. I burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably,
which totally freaked my Mom out because so much time had elapsed since the show had ended. When I was
finally able to explain to her that it was “The Rifleman” that moved me so strongly, she explained to me in
seven-year-old terms that it took a team of people to bring that show to life – a team in front of AND behind the
camera. She tells everyone to this day that I looked her in the eye that very night and said, “Mom, I want to be
a part of that team”.
I enjoy and appreciate literally every aspect of filmmaking, but since the actors were the only players on the
“team” with whom I could identify at that time, acting became (and remains to this day) my strongest passion.
IAE: What training have you had to prepare you for a career as an actor?
JEFF: There was absolutely no one in or around my life that knew the first thing about how to get started
or prepare for life as an actor. Although fear kept me on the sidelines in high school, I decided to sign up for a
few drama classes in college at Kennesaw State University. It was there that I prayed for courage, performed
my first monologue, and I made up my mind that I wasn’t going to let anything stop me from becoming a
professional actor. That was a very powerful beginning to a new chapter of my life. My dream was finally being
realized. It didn’t hurt that 90% of the drama students were beautiful women, either! [laughs]
I continued to study under Kurt Daw, my college professor. I also worked to put myself through the prestigious
Alliance Theatre School in Atlanta. Having learned from my professor and my instructors at the Alliance about
the importance of live theatre, I started auditioning and landing roles in many of Atlanta’s reputable Equity
houses. It was on the lighted stage of those houses that I truly learned my craft.
Also, since I didn’t have enough money to move to L.A. or New York for any genuine formal training, I had to
be inventive. I took two tech positions (Assistant Director and Master Electrician) at Theatre in the Square, a
well respected equity house in Marietta (GA). By working with professional actors and directors during
rehearsals and having the privilege of watching great performances while operating the lightboard every night
during every run, I grew immensely as an artist. Though I was risking the potential of becoming branded as a
techie instead of an actor, it was definitely worth the risk. I don’t think I could have learned and grown
anywhere else as much as I did in that environment for two full seasons.
And, sticking with the “inventive” theme…after booking my first guest star role a year or so later on CBS’s “In
the Heat of the Night” (which was shot just outside of Atlanta), Carroll O’Connor and his cast and crew
accepted me as part of their family. Not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, I would drive an hour and a
half out to the set literally every day I possibly could just to stand back and watch their team go to work…more
networking and more priceless education.
IAE: You moved to Los Angeles, but then came back to Atlanta. What brought you back to
Atlanta and how has your relocation affected your career?
JEFF: I was blessed to be able to build a very nice resume in Atlanta before moving to LA. Though there
were some tough times at first, I loved being in the thick of the action in LA. I eventually started landing lead
roles in indies and cable movies. Everything was beginning to look very bright. Then, just weeks after I signed
with a prominent agent, my mother had a massive stroke which brought me back home to Atlanta. Thank God
mom survived, but she was much worse off than we had hoped. What I believed would be a relatively short
stay while she recovered ended up turning into two full years. I lost my LA agent and, except for a couple of
regional commercials, I didn’t work at all during that period. Just three weeks before I decided I’d return to Los
Angeles, and start over, my dental hygienist set me up on a blind date. Well, that blind date became my wife
just a few months later and we now have two incredible children!
Of course, by deciding not to move back to LA at that time (ten years ago), I was facing the real possibility that
I had committed career suicide. While I respected the Atlanta market for preparing me for the LA market, it was
still a secondary market and nothing at all like what I had experienced in LA. I felt that it would be a huge step
backward to rejoin Atlanta’s market, so I tried to convince myself that I no longer wanted to have an acting
career anymore. After a ton of prayer and encouragement from my wife, I finally stepped back into the Atlanta
market. Contrary to what I had been thinking, I actually began working like crazy. It took a relatively short time
to re-establish myself. Each year, my wife and I have charted exponential growth in my career here in Atlanta. I
thank God I got over what I had been telling myself about Atlanta being a step backward.
IAE: You recently won ‘Best Actor’ at the 168 Film Festival in Los Angeles. Tell us about the film
and how that role came about?
JEFF: The film is called “The Party.” One day, my agent called to say I had been requested by a top
casting director to audition for a “very intense” film that was being produced for the 168 Film Festival in Los
Angeles. I knew of the festival and respected it greatly, not to mention the fact that I was aware of some of the
really big “names” in Hollywood who were involved. So I requested the script and by the time I got to the third
page I was in love. Scott Ippolito had written a screenplay that was pure genius. An abusive/alcoholic father is
forced to face the harsh reality of life and death by the ultimately innocent actions of his precious six year old
daughter who simply wants to protect her mother. I’m not going to give away what those innocent actions are,
but I will say these three characters were rich and the dialogue was brilliant. Once my wife read it, she agreed
with me that I should audition.
Out of almost a hundred films, “The Party” was nominated for 8 major awards at the festival. We won 6 of
those 8 categories including Best Picture (Helen Urriola), Best Director (Jim McKinney), Best Screenplay (Scott
Ippolito), Best Actress (Maggie Jones), Best Supporting Actress (Carrie Walrond), and Best Actor (me). I
cannot say enough about the talent of this cast and crew, and I am more proud of it than words can say. From
top to bottom, we were blessed with a perfect team.
I can’t think of a better way to have returned to LA after all these years, than to win an award for “Best Actor”
at one of LA’s most recognized and respected festivals. I am one blessed individual.
IAE: Many actors believe that this is an overnight business. What advice can you give to actors
who believe this way?
JEFF: I kept my dream alive for years – especially during my mom’s illness – with some advice Sally Field
gave in a TV interview years ago. She said, “If you have talent…if you TRULY have talent…and you don’t ever
give up, someone of influence will eventually notice and doors will open.” Ms. Field was speaking of her own
journey, and I held on to the fact that if someone with her talent needed to learn to be patient, we all should be
prepared to travel a similar road.
I don’t know of a single actor who has become truly successful by themselves. Real success takes more than
talent and a good agent. It takes time to hone your craft and to build a team of professionals (managers, PR
reps, etc) who can truly help you navigate the path to your goals. So, be patient, be passionate, hone your
craft, assemble your team, build your resume, and don’t be afraid to work hard.
IAE: What are the differences, in your opinion, between the Atlanta film market versus the Los
Angeles market?
JEFF: One of the obvious reasons my career has blossomed again in Atlanta is because this market is
exploding. If an actor can’t be in LA or NYC right now, Atlanta is the place to be. Many of my dearest friends in
the industry have been very instrumental in seeing to it that the state of Georgia created massive tax
incentives which are bringing producers back to the area. I am so grateful for their hard work and this current
growth is mind boggling. But, let’s be honest, Hollywood is still the hub of the industry. It’s a shame that LA has
lost so much production over recent years, but shooting on location has always been a reality and the majority
of all major decisions are still made in LA.
The same way I felt about coming back to the Atlanta market to work; that’s the same attitude many people
have regarding any secondary market. But, the good thing is that it’s starting to change. Because of Atlanta’s
deep base of true talent on and off the camera, the market is rapidly gaining the respect it deserves. Just as I’
ve been blessed, many Atlanta-based actors, crew, and other film/TV professionals are getting bigger and
better roles and positions on major productions as Hollywood’s eyes are being opened by what we are capable
of doing. All Atlanta based professionals must be willing to meet the demands of Hollywood filmmakers so that
this region can gain noteriety and flourish.
IAE: If you could change anything about this business, what would it be and why?
JEFF: Oh, that’s easy! If someone found a magic wand that could put an end to all “reality” TV, I would
use it in a heartbeat. [laughs] I’ve never been, nor will I ever be, remotely interested in that stuff. It’s as far from
“reality” as the east is from the west. I’ll take a single re-run of “The Rifleman” or “The Andy Griffith Show” over
a new season of Survivor or The Kardashians any day. Guess I’m going to be blacklisted from reality TV now.
Wait…how much does it pay? [laughs]
| Award Winning TV & Film Actor Jeff Rose |
| FOR MORE INFORMATION ON JEFF ROSE PLEASE VISIT www.jeffrose.tv |