 | f you think you recognize that guy on television or on the big screen from your days at Texas Lutheran, you may be right. Jeff Hiller, a 1998 TLU graduate, has had roles this year in commercials, the movie “Ghost Town,” and the TV comedy “30 Rock.” TLU senior communication studies major Brock Stanley interviewed Hiller for the Torch. |
When you first moved to New York did you have to do the stereotypical job of an actor, like wait tables? Oh my gosh… I did a thousand jobs when I first started! I have done every type of job you can think of…I have waited tables, I’ve temped, I’ve done transcriptions, I’ve worked in a themed restaurant, I’ve taught CPR classes…I have done some dirty horrible jobs — all in my quest to be an actor.
What is a normal day for you as an actor in New York? That is a good question…my dad always asks me, “What in the world do you do?” I don’t have a normal day, which is one of the fun things about being an actor. A typical day for me is hard to say because nothing is for certain. Maybe I’ll have a few auditions for legit stuff in a week (there is a difference between auditions for commercials and auditions for theater and film). Everything from saying this toothpaste makes my teeth whiter to this insurance makes me feel safer for my family.
For an actor, there is a lot of waiting. For example, I might have an audition at 11 a.m. and another audition at 4:20 p.m., so I will leave my apartment in Queens, go to the first audition in Manhattan—then I’ll go work out or maybe see a movie… I have spent a lot of time with my laptop in Starbucks.
I also teach Improv classes at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater. Sometimes I’ll teach a class on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, and at night I perform. I am a comedian, not a standup comedian, but an improv comedian, so I do long-form improvisation at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater. The Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater is owned by these people called the Upright Citizen Brigade – Matt Besser, Matt Walsh, Ian Roberts, and Amy Poehler. I perform there a lot.
Then there are the really exciting days where I’m actually acting! I just shot an episode of “30 Rock” and a commercial this month. Those are the days you really feel like an actor, because you know… you are! People are paying you to act. In November I started rehearsals for a play, so I was rehearsing all day long. Seriously, no day is ever the same.
How did you get involved with the Snickers commercials? Actually, I had this crazy, awesome year in 2007, where I booked the Snickers commercials – it was five spots that aired on television and then 30 minutes of content for the web. We even did a costume tour where we went to seven different NFL games, walking around dressed as a Pilgrim, handing out Snickers. Those commercials are still playing (and on YouTube). As an actor you can actually make a living doing commercials. Those Snickers commercials have allowed me to not be a waiter or temp. For that, I will be eternally grateful to nougat, caramel and peanuts.
What was it like to audition for the movie “Ghost Town?” When I got to the audition the casting people said, “Come in like you’re sneaking into a bedroom, trying to wake someone up, but being polite while you are doing it.” So I did. Then, two weeks later they called me and told me that I was going to be in a movie with Ricky Gervais! It was such an awesome experience because the director of the film is David Koepp who wrote “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” and “Spiderman.” He is a big deal and was just amazing throughout that whole process. It didn’t matter that my character was called “Naked Guy” – it was exciting! Of course, it helped knowing the movie was PG.
How was it filming the “30 Rock” episode? It was really fun! I played a hotel desk clerk, and I worked with Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey. I really had this awesome comedy geek moment because I got to meet both of them, and I think they are both hilarious, plus that show is, without a doubt, my favorite show on television—so to be on it was kind of mind blowing.
Did TLU help you get your career start? TLU was great for me! You could be in every single play, and I was in every single play. I went to a very large high school where I was always the fourth chorus member on the left. At TLU, I could take on larger roles and learn where my strengths were. I did everything from children’s theater to Shakespeare in my time there – my friends who went to large schools did one monologue at a senior showcase. Plus, even though I was very active in the theatre department, I was still able to participate in the other parts of campus life that interested me. I didn’t have to make a choice, and so I was active in campus ministry, Students Make a Difference, the concert choir, and, of course, in meeting some really wonderful friends that I am still pals with even today. TLU gave me a great foundation.
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