I chatted with Jon Abrahams about his film career, his unique love for Baltimore and convention life

When did you know you wanted to be an actor?

It wasn’t a career path I was looking at for myself. I was in digital arts mainly. I was going to go to college for that. But I took an after school improv class and I liked it. There was just something spiritual about that for me. I ended up getting picked up off the street to audition for a film called “Kids.”

You played Sonny in “Dead Man Walking.” What was that experience like?

I filmed “Kids” between my junior and senior year of high school. Went back to school and “Kids” premiered at Sundance in January of my senior year. An agent called and asked if I was interested in a career in Hollywood. I said “no” and hung up. He called right back and said that he was a real agency and wanted to meet me in New York in public. We met and he wanted to just try it out. One of the first auditions he sent me out on was “Dead Man Walking.” I got it and went and shot it during my Spring Break. It was life changing. Working with Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, and Tim Robbins..a lot of people may not remember but Jack Black and I play Sean Penn’s brothers.

“Kids” was a true indie film, but this was the real deal. Trailers and craft services and all of the perks. I took film class in high school; I always wanted to do makeup visual effects. I figured this was my ticket to be on movie sets and learn. I deferred a year for college but never went. I luckily kept working after that.

Another cool thing about that movie was Roger Deekins shot it. He’s one of the greatest cinematographers of all time. I’ve always loved his work, especially on Coen Brothers movies.

You were nerding it, weren’t you?

I really WAS nerding out!

It’s ironic because back in high school, we were shown the movie and studied the subject matter of the death penalty. And recently, the film was on again and I just so happened to record it.

It’s really a great film. Not just because of the cast, writing or directing, but it takes an honest look at the death penalty from everyone’s perspective. It doesn’t preach to you on how you should feel.

More recently, you guest starred on a few episodes of “High Potential.” Do you prefer film or television?

I prefer to work. ::both laugh::

I don’t discriminate. I grew up watching television and love the medium. I’m a movie guy first I think. It’s a different pace. Television, you move really fast. Lots of cameras, as opposed to one or two for film. I’ve treated my career over the past thirty one years as school. I get paid to go to school and am always trying to learn. If you consider yourself all knowing everything, I think you’re in trouble.

I watched those episodes with someone and they knew your face but couldn’t place you. I was like “That’s Bobby Prinze, put some fucking respect on that name!”

Yeah, put some respect on my name! ::both laugh::

I saw on your IG that you met Traci Lords. You call her a hero. Why’s that?

I’m a big John Waters fan. I saw “Cry Baby” when I was eleven or something. I love that movie but more specifically Wanda. She was my dream girl. I was a huge fan of Tracy’s or anything John Waters has done. I’ve always been into cult films. She stood out to me. I love the greaser era of the fifty’s, so it fit right in for me. As life has it, I got to meet her at a show. Even better than I would’ve imagined. She is the BEST.

I got to meet her about a decade ago at another convention and we talked for a good fifteen minutes about John Waters and Baltimore and just life. Really, really sweet and genuine.

She really is. She’s awesome. Now we talk on occasion and it’s one of the greatest joys of my life. I had a poster of Wanda on my wall as a kid..and now me and Wanda text. “Beat it! Beat it creep!”

You obviously starred as Bobby Prinze in “Scary Movie.” Did you know when you were filming it, how funny it was and that it would live on in the zeitgeist?

I was a huge Wayans family fan growing up. “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” was my SHIT when I was a kid. “In Living Color” was everything for me in junior high school. I knew how wonderfully talented they were, but I didn’t think anyone had a clue “Scary Movie” would have had the success it has had, including the reboot. Here I am talking to you on the backside of a $105 million dollar opening weekend. So it’s pretty awesome.

What was it like coming back for Part 6?

When the franchise got taken away from the Wayans family so it was a real bummer. The first thing I found out that Marlon, Shawn, and Keenan had gotten it back and that was the greatest news ever. A few months later, Marlon said the new entry would include the legacy cast. What I didn’t realize was just how emotional it would be on set. Here I am looking into Anna Faris’ eyes and I haven’t seen her in close to twenty years. To be back there and be Bobby again..a little more emotional than I would’ve thought. I couldn’t be happier for them.

Is there a scene in the original you thought when filming wouldn’t make the final cut, but it did?

No, but there are things that didn’t make the final cut. There were definetly some stuff within the sex sequence of Bobby and Cindy that didn’t make it in. There’s a scene, well cut away, where we’re about to get busy and big pair of throbbing blue balls fall down between my legs. They told me the camera would be behind me looking at Anna through my legs. It was a bare ass so they had a body double. But I said “no no, it’s gotta be me! I wanna do it!” Keenan said “okay, but don’t bend over to pick up the balls so I don’t see your butt crack.” We shot it and I thought it was hysterical. Out of courtesy, I bent down to pick up the balls and Keenan yells “NO NO NO NO NO!” It didn’t make the movie..not sure if it was because of my butt or it just didnt work.

So the load blowing part made it, but not your blue balls.

Oh yes, my load blowing has been solidified has a piece of cinematic history.

I laugh at that scene harder now than when I saw it the first time at ten years old.

****SPOILER ALERT****

So the movie has been out a few days..I guess I can say pretty sure that’s the moment where Olivia Rose Keegan’s character was created.

Is there a line or scene that fans quote to you the most?

People love “ketchup, just like my mom puts on her spaghetti, baby.” There’s so many in that movie that has become a part of pop culture.

“Oh my god, we hit a boot!”

“Where’s the foot?”

If you had one superpower what would it be and why?

The obvious one is to fly. I have a lot of dreams where I’m flying. Another one would be to physically feel what others are feeling.

Empath?

Yup yup. I’m a bit of an empath myself. That would be a burden to carry.

We have to talk about the Knicks. Why am I/you so excited about this team?

OH MY GOD. I’m so excited. I’m a New Yorker through and through. It’s so exciting; it’s been so long but now we have a really great team. It’s great for New York as well. For whatever reason, it’s unifying a lot of people in this country right now. Last night was a bummer, but I think we’ll close it out. Knicks in five..you heard it here first!

What is it like being able to go to these conventions and talk to fans?

I was really into horror films at an early age. My dad would take me to horror conventions in New York City and follow guys like Tom Savini around. I’m a fan first at these things; so I get to hang around these like minded people and also meet my heroes, which I’ve been so lucky to do. The best feeling in the world is to meet fans and know that something you created means so much to them. And that’s why I love doing what I do. That’s what it’s all about.

Some of your work like “Scary Movie”, “We Are Your Friends..”

Oh wow.

Yeah man, that’s a deep cut of yours. Also “Meet The Parents”, and “The Faculty.” Just all great movies so thank you for those.

Thank you for saying that. I’ve been a horror fan since I was a kid and love cult stuff. I approach a lot of things as a fan. It would be cruel to just work on it in whatever way. For “The Faculty”, I went into read for Elijah Wood’s role with Robert Rodriquez. I knew they weren’t going to cast me in that role. I told him that but I really wanted to play the “fuck you” boy. He looked at me like “are you crazy? That’s a nothing role.” I was serious and he was psyched that I believed in the film and wanted to be a small part of it.

Are you excited about appearing at The Maryland Pop & Horror Con this weekend in Baltimore?

I am SO excited. I’m a big John Waters fan. Although I’ve never been before, Baltimore has a special place in my part. I’m really pumped to see everyone and to celebrate the success of “Scary Movie 6.” I’ll be with my buddy Lochlyn Munro, whom I met on the set of the first “Scary Movie.” We’re really tight buddies all these years later. We make a good time, everyone should come see us, and let’s party!

Jon is appearing this weekend at the Maryland Pop & Horror convention in Baltimore! Buy tix

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