Although considered on of the most photogenic men in Hollywood, Jon-Erik Hexum confesses that he hasn’t always been a very adept ladies’ man. In fact, before acquiring his heart-stopping physique and rich bass voice, he claims, “ I was hopelessly square.”
College allowed him to take the romantic lead: “I grew about four inches, gained about fifty pounds for football, my face changed, and I lost my baby fat. My range of experience broadened almost immediately.”
Although he owes much of his physical presence to college football, his body told him to forget sports: “After my sixth concussion and a second broken nose, I realized it wasn’t working out.”
Now Jon-Erik works out enough to stay in shape and spends the rest of the time keeping his career in fit form. Largely because of the heavy competition in Hollywood and Jon-Erik’s intense determination to succeed, the woman in his life find they aren’t competing with each other - they’re competing with a telephone and a crammed calendar.
If someone actually pries him away from his work for an evening, it might be to play video games, miniature golf, or to go bowling.
Besides accepting his crowded schedule, a relationship with Jon-Erik also means rejecting some of the myths associated with leading men. You’ve heard about the exquisite dining, vintage wines, and elegant cars of stars? Well, this hero’s favorite foods are pizza and cheesecake. Additionally, he prefers milk and orange juice to liquor, and drives a funky, two-tone ‘54 Chevy. “It’s very practical and considering the freeways out here, the car is very safe.”
By now you have probably guessed the Jon-Erik Hexum refuses to follow the well-worn track and depend on physical features alone to propel his career. “This industry is filled with good-looking actors.” So, as he struggled to break into the business, Jon-Erik worked hard to acquire a worth beyond face value; in the process he became recognized as one of the most industrious and determined young actors in all of New York. Now that the effort has paid off, and he is one of the most sought after properties in Hollywood, he works even harder.
Eating a salad he had grabbed on his way to an appointment, Jon-Erik says, “ I always eat on the run. That’s why I’ve never had a stick shift, it’s hard to eat while you’re shifting gears.”
All this hard work has paid off in addition to starring in NBC’s The Voyagers!, Jon-Erik has been in the top-rated movie Making of a Male Model, and in the soon-to-be released Bear Bryant Story.
Even in high school, Jon-Erik was driven to succeed. A classic overachiever, his activities must have seemed a bit of a blur to most witnesses. “I played the verta horn, violin, piano, and organ. I wrestled, played soccer, and was on the swim, diving, and gymnastic teams.” Between band practice and track he managed to slip in a few musicals and become class President.
Despite severe financial hardships and a mother who had to work two jobs to support the family, Jon-Erik recalls having a great childhood in Tenafly, New Jersey. “I played baseball, took singing and dancing lessons, loved going to the theater, and even though we couldn’t afford it, my mother bought me a piano.”
It was probably from his mother that he inherited one of his strongest traits. “I’m sometimes amazed at my confidence, even in situations where is doesn’t make a lot of sense.” For example, although he had participated in high school wrestling and the decathlon, Jon-Erik admits, “The first football game I went to was when I first arrived (as a student) at Michigan State. I saw the excitement on the field, the ABC Sports cameras, the network announcers, and it was so damn exciting, I couldn’t take just sitting in the stands, I had to play!’
Even telling the story several years later, he gets excited. “Here I was, twenty-one, and just deciding to play football, but I thought I might make All-American!” Although he barely made bench-warmer, it wasn’t for lack of trying: “ I spent eight hours a day getting into shape to play.”
Fortunately, he disappointment he felt on the playing field was compensated somewhat by a growing success in another field. Jon-Erik developed a growing love for the theater and decided to channel his energies into TV or Broadway.
“Finally I realized I should have just gone to New York right out of high school.” So he rushed through college, collected degrees in philosophy and economics on Friday, and flew to New York to begin seeking acting jobs on Monday.
Having borrowed himself “into oblivion” at Michigan State, Jon-Erik spent what little money he had left buying the daily theater newspapers and searching for opportunities to try out for plays. “I also sent out thousands of resumes to casting directors and agents. Then I’d follow up the letter with a phone call and office visit. Basically, I just bugged people to death! That’s the only way most people have a change at making it in acting.”
Persistence paid off, and he was accepted by one of New York’s top agents and one of L.A.’s leading managers. When he relocated to Los Angeles, his career began to build.
His ultimate fantasy is to star in Gone With the Wind II, but he also reflects in quieter moments on getting married and having kids...someday.
“I had to work very hard to break into this business, and now there’s even more work to be done. But I thrive on that. When I’m really busy, I don’t have to unwind because I don’t feel wound up. When you enjoy what you’re doing like that - it’s a great feeling.”
One of my strongest traits is confidence; at times I’m amazed at my confidence, even when it doesn’t make sense that I should be.”