Show Up!
Character Actor and Standup Comic Jason Stuart Is a Certified One Hundred Percent Service Provider
by Dann Dulin
Jason Stuart could be Dr. Phil’s brother. There’s such a compelling resemblance. Like Dr. Phil, Jason reaches out to help others, but in just a wee-bit dissimilar manner. Jason gives of himself to others. Wait! I must clarify. That statement could easily be taken in a whole different fashion than I intended. However, the veteran standup comic would probably delight in this sexual innuendo.
Jason has volunteered continually for the HIV/AIDS community ever since he did his first AIDS Walk in 1984. He boasts to me that he still has the T-shirt from that event. Losing numerous friends to the epidemic, Jason frequently lectures on safer sex to youths around the country and to kids that he mentors through Lifeworks Mentoring Program, where he’s been active for seven years. He also produces its annual comedy show benefit. Jason’s involved with other causes as well, including homelessness, marriage equality, and LGBT rights. He’s also the national chairman of the first ever SAG/AFTRA LGBT Committee, which he co-founded. The group is presently working on an out actor survey—a first—from the Williams Institute at UCLA.
This character actor has appeared in over forty television shows including Charmed, Will & Grace, George Lopez, Entourage, and My Wife and Kids. His roles include those in films such as Kindergarten Cop, Vegas Vacation, and Gia, an AIDS-themed biopic. Also listed on his CV are loads of independent films and one that he produced, wrote, and starred in, 10 Attitudes. Watch for his new films, Holy Land, produced by James Franco, and Goodbye World, co-starring Adrian Grenier, Ben McKenzie, and rapper Kid Cudi. He’s slated to direct a film, Mentor, which stars one of the kids he mentors, Paul Elia.
Jason’s attraction to performance was secured early on by watching his favorite sitcoms I Love Lucy, All in the Family and Mary Tyler Moore. His inspiration was kindled by studying the work of Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Don Rickles, and Joan Rivers. He began his entertainment career as a standup comic in the early eighties, but what garnered him more respectability and recognition was his coming out on The Geraldo Show in 1993. Not too shabby for a boy who started off as Stuart Ted Greif, a student at Hancock Park Elementary School in Los Angeles, with fellow classmate Jodie Foster!
Dann Dulin: Did you really go to school with Jodie Foster?!
Jason Stuart: Yes, and I loved that she came out at the Golden Globes. I so respect her for that.
And though he was a bit older than me and I didn’t know him well, I used to pass Timothy Hutton in the hallways at Fairfax High School [in Los Angeles].
When I toss out the word “AIDS,” what comes to mind?
The loss of a generation. It reminds me of the strength of the gay community; the support we gave to one another, and continue to give, at one of the most difficult times.
Where did you first hear about the epidemic?
It was Gay Pride, 1984. I remember it well. I was dating this hot Latino guy with a Mohawk and everyone was talking about this gay cancer. Then Rock Hudson died and everything changed. It was a sad, scary time for me.
I know you’ve lost many friends to AIDS; tell me about one that left an impact.
My first close friend, Barry Robins. He played “Cotton” in Bless the Beasts and the Children and was on Broadway in The King and I. I was so young when I met him but he left such a deep impression on me. He mentored me and gave me so much education about the theater and love and life. I think I was in love with him but he would not let it go anywhere, which saved my life. He even gave me his old car when my car died. He was so generous with his time when I needed it so badly.
When Barry got really sick he stopped seeing people, including me. I was devastated. I remember going by his apartment, knocking on his door, and he would not answer it. He would tell me, “Go away. It’s better that way.” I respected his wishes. To this day I regret that. But I do forgive myself. I had never been in that situation before and didn’t have the smarts to listen to my heart—as I do now. I was so young, a baby. If it were today, I would go back the next day.
What stage production about the epidemic blew you away?
In the early eighties I saw Brad Davis in New York and later Richard Dreyfuss and Bruce Davison in Los Angeles perform in The Normal Heart.
It changed my life. I saw what being an advocate really is. It taught me about stepping up to the plate and…just showing up. To simply say, “I’m here, What do you need?” I have not been able to do all I wanted to do. I am just a working Joe, a middle-class actor and comedian who’s way over forty, but who thinks it’s important to be an active member of the LGBT community.
Why do you care?
It’s a big part of my life to do service. Giving back is who I am. It gives me depth, and light in my life.
In a nutshell, what do you tell the young kids you mentor about safer sex?
I let them know the fight is not over and to “Take care of yourself because you matter.”
Have you ever dated anyone who was HIV-positive? If so, were there any challenges?
Yes I have. I treat everyone as if they are HIV-positive and that’s how I have been kept safe. Many of the guys in my age group are positive. These are my brothers and I love and support them. I also know that there are many different strains of HIV and a lot of people who are on meds are now undetectable. So I say, read about it and learn more; keep up on the latest information so that you are educated.
How often do you get tested?
I get tested two to three times a year. It’s important to know your status. I like to stay on the safe side.
Of the many characters you’ve played, does one role stand out?
I loved playing Greg Lewis on The Closer. He was Jewish, bossy…and I think straight! My scene was with Kyra Sedgwick. I had most of the lines and I didn’t know what to expect with such a big star, but she was so present and in the moment. It really made me step up my game. I saw her socially once and she told me I was so different in every take and that’s what she liked about my work. I was over the moon when she said that, I almost cried. It’s not easy to get good roles and there are always so many people to thank.
What do you give thanks for?
I stand on the shoulders of so many out gay people. I wish I could name all of my gay brothers and sisters who gave me the extra pat on the back that I needed just by seeing them walk the walk. For that, I will be forever grateful.
Dann Dulin is Senior Editor of A&U.
