Interview: Actor Cooper Jack Rubin

Cooper Jack Rubin has been making waves in his latest project, the Showtime television series On Becoming a God in Central Florida.

Everly Mag talked to Cooper all about acting, how he got his start, his role models, and more!

Everly Mag: What sparked your interest in acting?

Cooper: When I was about 3 years old, I went to see The Phantom of the Opera with my parents and I was just really in awe. I was such a good show—lighting, effects, everything—and that inspired me. [Also] when I saw Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz, her performance was just breathtaking. Her acting was so raw and natural and that really drew me to acting. I started to do theater at my school and be part of small productions. I was Young Simba in The Lion King and that was really fun!

Everly Mag: Who are your acting role models?

Cooper: I love Hugh Jackman because he’s a triple threat and he and I both like similar things in terms of acting. Millie Bobby Brown in Stranger Things: her acting is of course great, and she has her own business now. She’s really on a roll and I hope to be like that someday.

Everly Mag: Tell us about playing Harold on On Becoming a God in Central Florida.

Cooper: Harold is an introvert with a hidden passion for dance. He loves dance but won’t show [his passion] to his parents. My favorite thing about him may be that Harold’s just fun. I loved getting to do scenes as him, whether it’s at a waterpark or in my room. I think we’re similar because we both love the arts, but we’re different [in that] I’ve shown my love and his is hidden.

Everly Mag: What was your favorite thing about filming the series?

Cooper: Just hanging out with everyone and getting to see everybody. Doing hair and makeup, going to set, saying hi to everyone on crew, hanging out with my scene partner. While it was so hard to leave, I knew that I was so proud of my work.

Everly Mag: In general, what’s the best thing about acting?

Cooper: Getting into a character. It’s fun when I’m playing someone completely opposite from me so I can get into their mindset. It’s like I’m empathizing with them as I’m becoming them, whether I’m auditioning or [filming] a role. I have to put myself in their shoes.

Everly Mag: What’s the hardest thing about acting?

Cooper: The most difficult part has to be coming home from a long day of school and memorizing, like, ten pages of lines. I get through it but that’s hard sometimes. Also, when we finished filming On Becoming a God, it was hard to go away because I missed everybody. It was tough to leave.

Everly Mag: When you’re not acting, what are your hobbies?

Cooper: I like to swim, jump on the trampoline, play basketball with my dad, and sing.

Everly Mag: What are your hopes and dreams for the future?

Cooper: A lot of things. I want to continue acting in theater and movies, I want to be an author because I love to write, [and] I want to be a teacher because it would be awesome to teach kids.

Follow Cooper Jack Rubin on Instagram and watch On Becoming a God in Central Florida on Showtime, Sundays at 10:00 pm ET/PT.

If you liked this article, you might also enjoy reading:

Interview has been edited for clarity. Feature Image Credit: Shandon Youngclaus.