Alex Ferris: Balancing Acting, School and Childhood

How many Canadians do you know who begin acting careers at the age of seven and a mere five years later land roles in major Hollywood blockbusters? Meet Alex Ferris, an accomplished but still very youthful 12-year-old actor from Vancouver. Last year, when he wasn’t capturing the city soccer championships or assisting with the school council, he was filming The Time Traveler’s Wife alongside Hollywood stars Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana. I recently had the chance to interview this talented young star about how he balances his acting with his life.

It’s hard to imagine a 12-year-old taking on challenges that established actors face, so what is it that initially sparked Ferris’s interest in acting? “I met a boy on the beach by complete chance. He did commercials for matchbox cars,” Ferris recalls. “I liked matchbox cars so I begged my mom to let me be an actor. That was really what got me interested.”

Let’s face it, there’s more to acting than just playing with matchbox cars, but Ferris was able to adapt successfully to the challenges of being a young actor in the busy industry. “I’m doing great in terms of fitting in with the tight schedules, even though it’s tough,” he acknowledges. “You’re always on the move; you really don’t know where you end up after a week.”

It’s hard to wrap one’s head around all of Ferris’s success in the movie industry at such a young age. In a mere five years, he has been able to build a portfolio that many Hollywood actors would be keen to possess, such as landing roles in Disney’s Tooth Fairy (2010) and Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010) in addition to two young actors nominations for his roles in The Invisible (2008) and Martha Speaks (2009).

With that kind of resumé, it’s a wonder Ferris is able to maintain his high grades. “Well, my teachers do help me out a ton on my late assignments,” Ferris admits. “But I like going to a regular school, it allows me to have a normal childhood. Someday I’ll have a career as an actor, but for now I just want to enjoy being a kid.”

So what advice can he offer to teens who are older than him? “Just have confidence in yourself and never give up on something you love to do,” he says.

Coming from a 12-year-old kid, that’s pretty good advice.