With a career spanning four decades, Jasper Cole has made a name for himself with over 120 film and television credits to date. He will next be seen with his first lead role as Rodney Garrett in the upcoming Christmas horror thriller Final Recovery, which he also produced. From the team behind the award-winning series Kombucha Cure, the film tells the story of a desolate rehab center in Michigan where things are not as they appear, and patient’s recovery efforts are hindered by a ruthless administrator. The cast also includes TV icon Charlene Tilton, Richard Tyson, Michael Emery, and Cherish Lee just to name a few. The movie is set to premiere on-demand soon.
His diverse resume is a testament to his talent. Best known for his memorable role as Zeke in the cult classic MacGruber opposite Val Kilmer, Will Forte, Val Kilmer, Kristen Wiig, and Ryan Phillippe. Cole also showcased his range in the critically acclaimed thriller Fall alongside Jeffrey Dean Morgan and will also appear in its upcoming sequels. In addition, he can currently be seen with a cameo as Rusty in the film Don’t Turn Out The Lights, which is streaming nowon Prime Video. A fixture on the small screen, Cole co-starred with Emmy-winner Tamara Braun in the popular Amazon Prime Series Kombucha Cure,which he executive produced. Other television credits include American Horror Story, CBS’ Training Day, The Rookie, and Brooklyn Nine-Nineamong many others.
Jasper welcome to OLC! You’ve had an impressive career spanning four decades. What’s been the key to your longevity in the ever-evolving world of entertainment?
Thanks so much for having me. I think for me my longevity is all about “staying in the game” through all the peaks and valleys. I also felt my career was going to be a MARATHON not a SPRINT. I had encouragements all along the way that I would work more as I got older and thankfully that’s came true.
In your upcoming Christmas horror thriller, Final Recovery, you take on your first lead role as Rodney Garrett. What drew you to this character, and what was it like stepping into a lead role while also producing the film?
This role was written for me almost 16 years ago now by my friend and fellow Georgian, Jerry Lee Davis. At the time the script was MOUNTAIN BOYS and wasn’t a thriller rather a drama about addiction in the Appalachian Mountains. I’m proud that we were able to hold true to most of the original story while adding in the thriller/horror elements. I been so blessed to be a character actor in supporting roles for over 40 years so I think all those roles prepared me to carry a film in a Lead character role. I also had the help of a great Director and cast, led by the incredible Charlene Tilton and Co-Producers that stepped up and went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that while filming, all I really had to focus on was acting. It truly takes a village and I’ve been blessed to work with a core team of people that I’ve been with for many years, starting with my longtime collaborator, Jack JR Rosenberg.
The setting of Final Recovery is a desolate rehab center with a ruthless administrator. How did you prepare for this role, and what were some of the biggest challenges in bringing Rodney Garrett to life?
The biggest challenge for me as a Californian for all the years was adapting to the cold Michigan winters in December. In a strange way, it really helped me with my physicality, especially with the discomforts of going through drug addiction withdrawals which included shaking and shivering and trust and believe what you see in the film was REAL. I reframed it to my advantage.
You’re known for playing complex, often dark characters like Zeke in MacGruber and Cory Black in The Family Business. What draws you to these types of roles, and how do you balance playing villains with other kinds of characters?
I always try to look at these characters as not really ‘bad” people rather damaged people who probably started out with good intentions in life but through a series of events things affected them in such a way that it changed them. No one is all good or bad. There are elements of both in most personalities. In a way, I try to show compassion for them and try to make them somewhat vulnerable if possible. I mean don’t get me wrong, sometimes the character is just pure evil, sadly like some in real life and for those it’s just about tapping into inner rage and anger that we generally keep suppressed to live in a civilized society.
You’ve worked with an incredible range of talent throughout your career, from Val Kilmer to Tamara Braun. Can you share a memorable moment or lesson you’ve learned from working alongside some of these industry legends?
Yes indeed, I never take for granted how fortunate I have been along the way. I was just a little kid in Athens, Georgia with stars in my eyes who loved TV/Film and all things Hollywood but had no idea how if or how I would ever get here. So the fact that I’ve worked with the likes of Sam Elliott, Judith Ivey, Terri Polo, Ernie Hudson, Val, Tamara, Will Forte, Ryan Phillippe, Kristen Wiig, Lorne Michaels, Seth Meyers, Powers Booth, Maya Rudolph, Charlene Tilton and so many more in these last 40 years is icing on a really great cake. I’ve had many “pinch me moments” in my career where I have to stop from fanning out on set and remember it’s a really exciting job.
As an actor and executive producer on Kombucha Cure, how do you approach storytelling from both a creative and business perspective? Has producing changed the way you approach acting?
KOMBUCHA CURE holds a very special place in my heart and career. It was originally shot as an indie film in Feb 2020 literally weeks before the pandemic hit and afterwards it basically sat and was DOA. I teamed up with the Writers and Director, Cecilia Choi and her husband Michael Snell along with one of the stars of the film Yorke Fryer and Producer, Jack JR Rosenberg to resurrect it as a 6 episode TV Series. We took all the same footage from the film and re-edited it into the episodes during Covid, mostly on Zoom in 4 different states at times. The fact that we went on to win 6 prestigious TELLY AWARDS and so many others is just incredible. Season 1 is now on TUBI as well as Amazon Prime. I always say once I stepped behind the camera as a Producer, it forever improved my acting career mainly because it confirmed how impersonal the whole casting process is and that it leveled the playing field for me in that I don’t assume just because I give a great audition that means I will land a role.
You’ve had a wide variety of roles across film and television, including American Horror Story, The Rookie, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Is there a particular genre or type of role you feel most at home in, or do you enjoy constantly switching things up?
I really do love comedy and hope to do more of it. Most of my work is in drama which I’m so grateful for but when I get a chance to show the other side of my abilities, I love it. When I started out in Los Angeles in 1987, comedy was really where I thought I would land first in TV/Film and while I did and have been lucky along the way, I didn’t really start to come into my own until I turned 40 and for the past 20 years, it’s been a blessing to be type cast and to be on a certain list at times of “bad guy” roles. My dream job would be to be a series regular on a show where I get to play an undercover cop who plays homeless, drug addict/dealers, criminals…all the roles I love doing now.
You also host a podcast, One on One with Jasper Cole. How has podcasting enriched your creative journey, and are there any standout interviews that left a lasting impact on you?
I love hosting and interviewing others so much. It gives me a chance to show my real personality and my love for pop culture and reality TV as well as current events and even politics at times. I did a whole series of episodes focusing solely on the LA HOMELES CRISIS and I’m really proud of those as helping the unhoused is my top platform now. I’ve had the pleasure to interview icons like Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jody Whatley, Leslie Jordan, Elaine Hednrix, Lisa Ann Walter, Sam Harris and so many more over these past 12 years. All my episodes are available on Apple, iHeart radio, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Looking forward to the release of Final Recovery, what do you hope audiences take away from the film, and what’s next for you in terms of upcoming projects?
I’m hoping they really love it and especially fall in love all over again with the amazing Charlene Tilton in a role like she’s never played before. I think this is going to give her a whole new fan base. I hope in some ways it might help people dealing with addictions and rehab. I’m in the new horror film DON’T TURN OUT THE LIGHTS which is now on HULU as well as other platforms. I just wrapped a new “faith based” film playing an unhoused Vietnam Veteran which will be out in 2025. I’m producing and starring in a film called SAVAGE SISTERS that was first brought to me in 2005 and like FINAL RECOVERY it’s taken me a while to get it made but it seems now is my time to go back and finally make these films I’ve wanted to make. Supporters can follow me on ig @jaspercolesays and my website is Jasper Cole – Official Website I love to stay connected. Thanks so much
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