Tim Jo talks acting, music and breaking down barriers [Interview]

Tim Jo talked with TheCelebrityCafe.com about his acting career, current role on Pitch, band and changes he would like to see made in Hollywood.

Fox premiered their new series Pitch on Sept. 22. This show tells the story of a young woman who becomes the first female major league baseball player. One of the stars, Tim Jo, plays the lead character’s social media manager. In addition to being an actor, Jo has been playing music since he was quite young. Though he began his training with the piano, Jo is now a bass guitar player in a punk band.

With an easy-going and genuinely friendly vibe about him, Jo took some time to talk with TheCelebrityCafe.com's Erin Huestis. We discussed his acting and music endeavors and changes he hopes Hollywood will soon embrace in the way of equitable casting. Coming off as grounded but not overly serious, there was nothing fake or scripted in the way Jo approached this dialogue.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: What has been your experience as an Asian American actor? 

Tim Jo: I’m very aware that I’m just so lucky with the jobs I’ve gotten. Because I don’t think I’ve ever had to play any roles that I’m embarrassed about or that I felt were backtracking for our Asian-American community… That said, in between getting the roles I’ve done it has been extremely tough because there is a handful of – more than a handful – of roles that I never got to audition for that I felt would have been perfect for me, in line with where I was in my career and the clout that I carried at that time. And just the fact that I was an Asian dude meant that I was not even an option.

TCC: This past year there has been a negative reaction to movies like Ghost in the Shell coming out with Scarlett Johansson as the lead character. How do you feel when [Asian] roles are usurped?

TJ: I mean, it’s absolutely infuriating. Because even Japan, or even the countries that are making these movies… they are casting white heroes. I dare say, our home countries don’t understand the plight of the Asian American… They truly don’t understand the impact of – at least on the American audience – to see Asians being pushed aside like this. So I’m glad that our community is starting to speak out and I think it’s super important for them to continue to do that.

TCC: Do you feel like studios, executives, casting directors are starting to come around to making more reasonable and balanced choices?

TJ: If anything I think they are listening. Because when social media speaks out, the scary thing about it is it does impact the world. It does impact the box office. It has real life effects. So if something like Ghost in the Shell happens and if that movie ends up not doing so well, I don’t think people are going to be surprised.

TCC: Have you ever been offered a role that you had to turn down because it was disrespectful?

TJ: Oh yeah, that happens quite often… You could have the coolest Asian dude in the world, but sometimes if he goes into the acting sphere he might only be able to audition for the nerdy friend or the funny, horny friend. But it’s funny because maybe in real life he’s the cool guy amongst his friends. So just the fact that, because of his color that he might only be able to go in for a certain type of role.

TCC: You have taken on some very serious roles, but you’ve also taken some really funny quirky roles. You have a great sense of timing and this ability to be casually very funny. Do you aim to take on those parts that are fun and funny, or has it been coincidence?

TJ: It was true coincidence. If you see me amongst my friends, I’m not the one making everyone laugh; I’m not the funny guy. I’ve even had people that I’ve known for years – not as friends but as acquaintances – I’ve told that that most of my jobs have been in comedy. And they’re surprised; they’re like ‘Really?’… The way that I function, the way that I see characters, let’s them wear their vulnerability on the outside. And their sensitivity on the outside. And I think often times for my characters that lends to the comedy.

TCC: How’s is it going so far on Pitch?

TJ: It’s incredible. You can’t ask for anything more than for people to really respond to the story we are trying to tell… Even the way we portray our main character; she’s not a superhuman. She doesn’t have a crazy fastball. She has a very specialized skill set that has brought her here. And more important, she’s got an incredible drive and strength that keeps her here. And I think that makes the show so much more authentic.

TCC: We noticed in the trailer on Fox, the tagline is ‘A true story on the verge of happening.’ Do you think that is true?

TJ: Oh yeah! I like that one. I mean, maybe some people think it’s corny, but I think it’s awesome… The reason I wanted to become an actor has always been because if I see it, then I can believe it. Right? And as an actor growing up, I never saw Asian people on television… And as an adult Asian American actor right now my only goal can truly be that, you know, kids around the country are watching television and seeing an Asian face and thinking ‘Oh, no big deal. An Asian actor, [Asian] American actors whatever, no big deal. If I want to do it one day I can do that too.’ And that’s I think what, on a larger scale, our show is trying to do – Is let these girls know, hey, this is totally possible… I’m excited to see that. Hopefully Pitch will be a little part of inspiring that.

TCC: You’re still playing music with Much Better, is that correct? Can you talk a little about that and how you guys met?

TJ: I did a movie called Bandslam… My best friend in the movie was played by a guy named Charlie Saxton. And it was funny that we truly became best friends because we both shared the same passion for punk music and the same passion for Comic Con and all things related to nerd life. So we became best friends and talked about starting a punk band for years. And it wasn’t until last year that we actually sat down and started playing…

I think all of us have gone through some lows in our lives. But we play some really positive punk… We’ve got this one song that’s a breakup song. And it’s a really angry song but I recommended it to my bandmates that I think we should Trumpify it. Make it directed towards Trump. Because we are quite a positive band, but if you’re making a song at Trump and it’s quite angry – then that’s positive too! And it’s an awesome song, so I can’t wait to release that one.

TCC: Do you foresee Much Better touring at any point in the future? 

TJ: Yeah, that’s definitely a goal of ours. A little spoiler for Eliot’s backstory; that he does have a band. So I don’t know to what extent my real life band will interact with that. Or if the band will ever show up in any future episodes. But Eliot does have a band.

TCC: We’re curious what your take is on – as a male actor – if you feel like there is pressure to look a certain way, or how it changes what rolls you come up for.

TJ: As much as I can complain about – or how the community can complain about – Asians not getting the shots to play superheroes, we’re not getting the shots to be the love interest, I know for a fact I’m not six feet tall, or taller than that. But what I do know is I can get jacked. If I want I can get very jacked. So I don’t know if I’m going to be able to control my own destiny. But if I want to see some people on the screen doing some badass stuff, then I’ve got to let myself at least be in the running by getting myself to the gym.

TCC: Is there anything else that you would like to share with the world?

TJ: I really encourage everyone to know that you are powerful. Everyone has the potential to be a creator… If you have a passion for telling stories, then I encourage people to get into the arts. There are probably a lot of Asian doctors out there that are extremely creative and just followed their parent’s orders very obediently to be doctors. But I’m sure that a bunch of six-foot tall Asian doctors that are handsome could have been our next Marvel superstar. But since they’re not doing it, it’s going to have to be 5’8” or 5’9” me.

Watch Tim in Pitch Thursdays on FOX at 9/8c.

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