We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Juliette Jeffers a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Juliette, thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I am extremely happy as an artist. I’ve been an artist my entire life. As a child my mother put me in dance classes at the age of four and I would light up when I performed on stage. I would watch TV or go to Broadway shows and visualize myself as the actors performing. So showbiz had a big impact on me at a young age. There was never a doubt in my mind that it would be my path. So when the opportunity came along for me to audition for the High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan, I jumped at it. From the ages of fourteen to eighteen, I was submerged in the world of performing and I was in heaven. I went to college to have something to fall back on but that was mostly to appease my parents. I was steadfast in my vision for the future.

I remember one year while in college, my aunt got me a job during my summer break, working in an office in Manhattan. It was a clerical position. On the first day, I felt so suffocated being in the office that I didn’t return the next day. I know I disappointed my aunt because she certainly pulled some strings to get me that position. But it is not in my nature to be confined to four walls. It never has been. I do realize that we are all different and there are others who love that environment. So there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. We all have our unique talents and that’s the beauty of what makes us human beings. And I would imagine that there’s a comforting sense of stability in a nine to five. Of course there have been times in my career when I yearned for the steady income that a regular job would bring but not at the expense of my art and my reason for being. The only “regular job” that I’ve ever wished for was a Series Regular on a TV show.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an actor, writer, director and solo show coach. As I mentioned earlier, I went to the High School of Performing Arts in New York City, which was made popular by the movie, Fame. That is where the core of my training began and I was hooked. I went to college to have something to fall back on but as soon as I graduated, I started pursuing acting full time. I moved out to LA in the nineties and guest starred on TV shows, such as The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Martin and Murder She Wrote, to name a few. I have enjoyed a busy career working on TV shows, commercials, film and theatre. Currently, I can be seen recurring on “Tulsa King” as Tyson’s mother, Angie. And stay tuned for my upcoming recurring role in Shondaland’s “The Residence” which will air on Netflix on March 20, 2025

In theatre, I’m very passionate about the solo show world. I’ve written and performed five solo plays and that journey led me to coach and direct other actors in their shows. I have received great accolades and awards for my work as a solo artist and it brings me a tremendous amount of joy to share what I’ve learned along the way, with my fellow artists.

I have assisted hundreds of solo artists with their shows, whether it’s been in a class setting or one on one. I am currently working on an online Master Class so it can be available on a global level.

I served on the board of the LA Women’s Theatre Festival for three years and curated a solo show festival entitled Black Voices for two years.

I believe self expression through art is an important part of our healing. So when I’m not working on set, I continue to create.

I’m really proud of myself for my resilience in this industry. It’s a tough one and I’ve certainly had my share of challenges. I know for sure that a lot of others would have given up by now. But I thank God that He keeps affirming that I’ve made the right decision to keep going.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is knowing that my work makes a difference. When I am able to heal or inspire others, it affirms my purpose on this planet.

My first solo play, Batman and Robin in the Boogie Down premiered at a local theatre in LA in 2003. It is about my brother and I growing up in the Bronx and it’s also a tribute to him because he passed away back in 1996. During the first week of my run, we had a talkback after one of the shows. One of the audience members said that he hadn’t talked to his brother in years but after seeing my play, he decided he was going to let bygones be bygones and call his brother.

Similarly, I’ve had countless audience members share how much my work has helped them in some way or another. That is why I do this. It’s not about the money, fame or any other accolades (although I’ll gladly take it). It’s about healing and inspiring others.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’ve had to pivot a few times in my career. After I lost my brother, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, a debilitating auto-immune disease. All my joints were swollen and in pain. I could barely walk. In 1997, I ended up moving back home to New York so my mother could take care of me. Once I began to feel better, I slowly started acting again but in New York. So in a way it was like starting over again because it took awhile for the NY casting directors to get to know me.

I moved back to LA in 2000 and it took awhile for me to get back into the groove of the film and TV world, so I created my first solo play.

In 2008, I moved back home to NYC. This time it was my turn to take care of my mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I was her full time caregiver but still managed to pursue acting. That was another pivot.

Then years later, I moved back to LA, once again pivoting in my career.

What was beautiful throughout all of my pivots was that despite my personal challenges, they didn’t throw me off track. My vision was very clear. I never steered away from my road to success. There were pivots, curves and sharp turns but I still stayed on the road. And one might argue that those pivots added another layer of depth to my work. So I’m grateful for it all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.juliettejeffers.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliettejeffers/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliettejeffersactor
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliettejeffers/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JulietteJeffers

Image Credits

1) Kevin Estrada
2) Chris Coleman
3) Tandem Photos
4) Paramount Plus
5) Ontario Haynes
6) Matt Miller
7) Selfie
8) Brian Douglas