Jay Tavare, Actor

Jay is very talented Actor who has delivered memorable performances in movies such as Pathfinder, The Missing, Cold Mountain, Adaptation, Street Fighter… just to name a few over the last two decades.

The work Jay has produced from film to charities alone, this web page could not hold.

We were privileged to work with Jay Tavare were able to capture his portfolio with great uniqueness. Igor (my trusty assistant) and I drove nine hours to LA to meet Mr. Tavare for the shoot. It was a long brutal ride for me because I was sick as a dog and wanted to make a good impression meeting Tavare. So you have to ask yourself; how does one put on their best smile and look pro when you’re running a fever and dealing with a runny nose and a bad cough? Yes, it’s a doggy dog world but somebody’s got to do it!

LA

Well, we finally got into L.A. late at night following a GPS system and the address I had brought for Jay’s home.. just to find out that the address I brought was the wrong one! We drove right to his PO Box. We didn’t figure it out until about the 10^th time circling a building and GPS saying you have reached your destination! Anyone that’s been sick with a bad head and chest cold knows it only gets worse at night plus adding a 9 hour car ride to it wasn’t any better… just to find yourself arguing with a PO Box and a GPS system. So finally I called Jay.. he could hear I wasn’t doing ok. When he asked, “Are you alright?.”  I explained about being sick and lost. Right away he was helpful by telling me I was at his P.O. Box and that I had another 25 minute drive to get to his house. So we said good bye to his PO Box and drove to meet Jay. Lucky for me, the hotel was only a couple blocks down the road from where he lived.. When I heard the word hotel, the extra 25 minute drive didn’t seem that bad ’cause all I could see was a bed in my mind. When we finally reached the hotel I called Jay to let him know we had arrived. He said he needed to walk his dog and he would meet us at the hotel. I kept thinking, “It’s late and a long conversation would be brutal on me because all I can think about is that bed.” So while Igor was trying to figure out how and where to safely park the van with all our lighting gear in it, I stood on the side walk looking for Jay. In a matter of minutes here comes Jay from around the corner with his dog Bardot.. From the first second you say hello, you just feel like you have known the guy forever. He is very confident in every one of his movements and very much an animal lover. He treats Bardot as if she is completely human.

We shook hands and did a buddy hug. He asked where Igor was and I explained that he was trying to find a safe place to park the van to keep all of our gear safe. Then, out of nowhere Jay says, “Here, I brought you something for your nose.” Right away I’m thinking, “Yep, we’re in L.A. around movie stars and the big wigs, here comes an offer of nose candy.. then I realized it was something to help clear up my cold.. Jay being helpful once more.

Jay, Bardot

After that, we headed into the main lobby to get a room. Jay picked up Bardot and put her right on the counter like you would a small child. As I began reaching for my wallet to pay for the room, Jay stops me and flips our bill for 3 nights. I was really shocked by his generosity… on so many levels… then once we got the room key, they gave us parking in the parking garage with security watching all our lighting gear. Now Igor was happy as well. Then Jay said to me, “Well you need your rest. Why don’t you go up and get some sleep. We can talk tomorrow.” My brain screamed YESSSSS!!! No long drawn out conversations..

I was once again impressed by how understanding Jay is. He then asked, “What time would you like to meet tomorrow to start shooting?” I told him, “Well I’m awake by 5 a.m. every day of the week without an alarm so anytime after that would be awesome.” We shook hands. Then Igor and I headed up to the room. I kept thinking in the elevator how it was only a matter of minutes til I will finally be in bed. No more car ride, no more arguing with a PO BOX and a GPS, nothing but sleep. Life is good!! We get up to the room and I’m in bed tossing and turning coughing every 5 minutes, waking up and waking Igor up.  Igor left the room and came back with hot tea of some night time cold med mixed in it. I think it was his way of saying shut up already and get some sleep. Well that mixture knocked me out to the point where I didn’t wake up till 10 a.m. When I woke up and saw the clock, I freaked out thinking oh crap first day to shoot Jay and I’m 5 hours late. I called him up to apologize. He explained he was up and ready at 5am.. I said to him, “Wow I’m very sorry. You should have called.” He was kind enough to say, “No, I knew that you were sick and really needed the sleep.” I said I’d hit the shower and be right down.

When we finally met up with Jay, he took us to breakfast and treated us yet again. This man has been in so many movies and knows so many famous people and has hung out with so many big names. He treated Igor and I as though we are just as important as Ron Howard or Steven Spielberg. I thought to myself, “This man has not let fame get to his head at all, he’s down to earth, open and no hold back honest guy. With a great sense of humor as well.” He would need the sense of humor to put up with Igor and I that is for sure. I mean he’s dealing with 2 guys that argue with a PO Box in the middle of the night.

The Interview

There are so many questions you would want to ask a man like Jay. On the day of the shoot we were busy having such a great time that it ended up feeling like a day out with your buddies instead of work that you start forgetting to ask questions. I decided to interview Jay on site so Igor and I wouldn’t get side tracked by having such a blast with Jay. Here are some of the questions I meant to ask him while I was out there.

So Jay, you have been in a lot of successful A list movies for many years now, when did you first realize you wanted to be an actor?

Jay. “You know I remember at school when I was very young we had a career speaker come to tell us about the kind of jobs we could work towards. He started the lecture by saying who wants to be an astronaut? Who wants to be a spy like James Bond? And who wants to be a movie star? And to the shock of most kids who had their arms up, he said well you can all keep dreaming but now let’s talk about jobs you really can get. LOL! I knew back then I wanted to be on the big screen living larger than life characters but that day my dream seemed so so far away.”

Did you take acting classes?

Jay. “I did study acting both in England where I lived for several years and in Los Angeles with the Strasbourg Academy and with other great coaches, but the best education for me was to make movies. Nothing will prepare you for a film like making one.”

What was your first big break and how hard was it to get that first break?

Jay. “Street Fighter in 1994 was my first big Hollywood feature. I got a starring role playing VEGA, the Spanish Ninja, to this day many remember me from this movie. It has become a cult film for the gamer generations and others. Every role for a major film is hard to land because you are up against everyone. I found out that the other three names who were up for this role in 1994 were Antonio Banderas, Esai Morales & Antonio Sabato Jr. So winning that role was no easy task. The description read Vega, brutally muscled with matinee idol looks.  I think every actor in Hollywood said hey that’s me! LOL!”

I have noticed you have tons of drive and determination in everything you do. Who has been your biggest influence that gives you the most drive?

Jay. “I live with passion. I can’t do anything unless I’m passionate about it, then it’s not ”work” anymore but joy to be doing it.  It’s something I advise all young people to find in life. Make your job your passion and you will never run out of gas… you hope. I also feel a sense of purpose in life. I feel life is an opportunity to learn, refine and share love and joy with all who are around us…. make it count!”

You do a lot of your own crazy stunts in your movies. Did you get training for these stunts? Do you ever get scared? If not, how do you block out the fear to pull off these stunts?

Jay. “You know, I did not plan on being a stunt actor, but from my first film Street Fighter where I did all my own crazy stunts, I got to be known as the American actor who does all his own stunts. I have always had good physical skills having been an acrobat and break dancing champion in my youth. For many years I also studied Martial Arts, ran track and many other sports. I also trained with Benny the Jet and his world class stunt team for several of my films, so I picked up skills on the job so to speak. But there were times when even I thought I was nuts! Like when I agreed to guest star on CSI Miami and jumped out of a 23 rd floor window to free fall over 200 feet backwards attached to a thin cord attached to a decelerator and nothing else beneath me but concrete!!!!  I look at fear as; “nothing but false evidence appearing real.” It’s the mind killer and so I control it and use it to stay sharp and focused.”

What would you say your most rewarding role was and why?

Jay. “Now that is not easy to answer. Each film has its own memory and magic. I guess playing a legendary Apache in Ron Howard’s “The Missing” with a stellar cast is as good as it gets to being a movie star. I felt that role allowed me to pay homage and honor to my elders and I knew I hit my mark when I watched the film with 600 elders on the Apache Reserv. and after the film they all formed a circle around me and lowered their head as a gesture of gratitude which in Apache culture is the highest honor.”

Could you say what your worst experience was in a movie without giving the name of the movie?

Jay. “I have enjoyed most of them but there have been moments that were uncomfortable. I had a “hair person” from another country try to tell me how to wear my hair with a generic braided look when I had done so much research on my character and knew that Cherokee’s did not wear their hair that way. I am a student of American Indian culture and history and each role allows me to dig deep and learn as much as I can from my characters. So you can imagine how hard it was to listen to someone wanting me to play Hollywood Indian!!!!! Not on my shift honey.”  :)

Your list of fans seems to be endless but yet you take the time to talk to each and every one of them online or in person. How can you not get worn out from so many people wanting a minute of your time?

Jay. “Well I used to answer tons of Q and A’s but nowadays I don’t really have the time. Facebook and Myspace are hard enough but I try not to get too involved, as not all fans mean well, especially if they don’t get the right attention.”

You have worked with countless photographers over the years what made you decide to go with a “new to the business” photographer such as us?

Jay. “I have worked with many great photographers throughout my years. Your work was brought to my attention by another wonderful artist and photographer, Cherrilyn Silva, who I love working with. She really bragged about your work and when I finally saw it, I knew right away I wanted to work with you. Robert you are an amazing photographer with an amazing technique and eye. I know this is not the first or the last time we will work together. Besides, you are a great soul and I have grown to really admire you and your family. I also loved Igor who is your awesome side kick. “

Is there anything about our photography work that sets us apart from other photographers that you like?

Jay. “Your technique is unique and eye catching, almost like a painting. Your lighting style and the post digital finishes you give to your shots make your work extraordinary in my eyes.”

I notice that anytime you did an outfit change, you would fall into a totally brand new person as if you were playing a new part. It felt like I was shooting someone new every time you changed outfits. What do you do to prep yourself mentally to be able to do that?

Jay. “When I wear an outfit, it’s as if I put on my super hero custom. I feel the character. If it’s a suit, I feel the grace and sophistication. If it’s leather pants and tank top on a bike, I feel rugged and rebellious. It’s no different than anyone else but the trick is to project it so that the lens can feel it. Besides, I need to stay interesting for my girl so she don’t get bored with me. She can be demanding trust me… and known to throw some fast left hooks… LOL”

When we did the shoot of you on the beach, you cannot help but notice you are clearly a Martial Arts expert and you must work out daily. What style of martial arts did you train in?

Jay. “I have studied many techniques from a young age; from Kung Fu to Karate,  Judo to Kick Boxing & more. Nowadays I teach film fighting to others, as the art of looking good in a fight scene is harder than it may look. One needs grace and intensity without hurting yourself or others.”

Did you get involved in martial arts to prepare for the film Street Fighter?

Jay. “When I met Benny the Jet who was hired to coach for Street Fighter and help each one of us to create a style for our characters. It was a great match.  Benny is an amazing teacher and has been my Sensei ever since.  We hit it off right away and he used my dancing and gymnastic abilities to create a memorable character on screen. Fighting with a mask and a foot long claw that was heavy  was a challenge in itself.”

Out of all the photos we shot of you in those three days, what photo do you feel is your favorite photo that speaks to you the loudest?

Jay. “I love so many of them!  The biker shots were classic. I love the black suit  for it shows me as I really am. Many people see me in certain movies and they expect a wild and rugged man… and I am at times. But I like dressing sharp and living a sophisticated life and I love opening doors for my lady and being romantic with surprises… No need for leather and feathers. LOL”

What photo do you feel your fans think is the best photo that was shot in those 3 days?

Jay. “Time will answer that question. My guess… one of the biker shots.”

Do you have any new exciting projects coming up that you can tell us about or is it too soon..?

Jay. “I am up for a major film in June of this year. I can’t tell you anything yet… but soon. I can also tell you that Street Fighter is making an official sequel and they have asked me to be in it after 16 years from the original which to me is a compliment. No it’s not Vega again…”

Now I know in the time that a bunch of your fans have found us since we have shot you, the main question they ask me is always; “What is a normal day for Jay from the time he wakes up until he goes to sleep?” I always answer; “He’s a very busy man but always has time to help anyone with a smile on his face.” Maybe you can answer the question in your own words?

Jay. “I can only say, each day I do exactly what I want. The freedom to live my life as I wish.  When I am not making films, I write and travel and work out and spend time with my girl who does not live in the same state as me yet… but soon. I feel success is to live your life as you wish and although I have a lot of work left ahead of me, I am happy and very lucky to have lived the life I have had so far. I am blessed to live my dreams. How many can say they dreamed of being a movie star and then make it happen?…”

And finally I have to ask this; “Did you enjoy working with Igor and I? And would you work with us again soon?”

Jay. “I love you guys, no not in that way… LOL! But I know for sure I will work with you guys again. By the looks of the first few shots I have shown to my fans and friends… Your work is a huge hit! I want to thank the talented Cherrilyn Silva for putting us together. She was right as usual.”

Jay I have enjoyed working with you. And I still cherish the gift you taught me while working with you. That gift has improved my outlook on my business a million times over already and I want to thank you for that. You’re an awesome man Jay!

Jay. “The feeling is mutual Robert. I have found a great friend and ally in you. As the Apache never say goodbye… I will end by saying… Nan dolsh talsh… See you again.”

With All My Heart…

Jay Tavare.

JT>

.You can find out more about Jay on his website at www.jaytavare.com

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