The following in an actor profile on Jon-Erik from his talent agency.
Bob Le Mond/Zetter Management
La Cienega at Beverly
L.A. (Contact David Wall)
8-1-83
Profile: JON-ERIK HEXUM
Although he is considered one of the most photogenic men in Hollywood, Jon-Erik refuses to follow the well-worn track and depend on physical features alone to propel his career. Instead, as he struggled to break in, Hexum acquired a reputation as one of the most industrious and determined actors in New York. Now that he has succeeded and is one of the most sough after properties in television --- he works even harder with a rigorous work schedule of acting, singing and dancing classes.
Eating a salad he’d grabbed on his way to an appointment, Jon-Erik explained, “I always eat on the run. That’s why I’ve never owned a car with a stick shift; it’s hard to eat while you’re shifting gears.”
Despite having just completed Male Model, a TV-movie with Joan Collins for broadcast during the major fall ratings period and despite the fact that he’s presently considering several series offers, he still won’t be joining the Hollywood pack who rest on their good looks as well as their laurels. Indeed, Jon-Erik Hexum was simply not raised to coast through life.
Throughout his years in school, Jon-Erik developed a growing love for the theater and decided to channel his energies into TV or Broadway.
Massive debts, combined with a seemingly impossible dream, could discourage most people, but never Jon-Erik Hexum. A philosophy and economics graduate on Saturday, he traveled to New York and began auditioning for parts on Monday. “In New York I spent what little money I had buying all the daily trades, looking for anything to audition for. I’d audition or take classes during the day, take more classes in the evening and then work all night at dozens of part-time jobs.”
“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 chance of making it.”
“You’ve got to go on thousands of interviews and contact an endless parade of agents to get into this business. If you’re not willing to put in the effort, you might as well get into some other line of work because you’re going to be miserable, disappointed and very hungry.”
Massive auditioning for countless Broadway and Off-Broadway shows eventually led Jon-Erik to be selected from 2000 men to appear in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Although much of the cast, including Jon-Erik, was replaced prior to their first performance when a new choreographer was hired, the fact that he was originally selected for the show made a big impression on casting directors and it brought more work.
Persistence paid off and he was accepted by one of New York’s top agents. His manager, however, entered is life in a slightly different matter. “I was working part-time cleaning apartments and the guy whose apartment I was cleaning happened to know Bob Le Mond (John Travolta’s manager) of Le Mond/Zetter Management. Evidently, this guy saw a lot of talent in the way I cleaned venetian blinds; he set up a meeting and Bob Le Mond became my manager.”
Once re-located to Los Angeles, his manager’s base, Jon-Erik Hexum’s career began to build. He was offered sever key soap opera roles and some prime time series, but they just didn’t feel right. “I really trust my manager and he warned me about taking the first thing that comes along; many actors do and they regret it later.” When Voyagers! came along, everything felt right, and Jon-Erik had his first starring vehicle.
While millions of Americans soon became familiar with Jon-Erik Hexum, the actor, his career was being assured by Jon-Erik Hexum, the businessman. To further his visibility, a poster was designed and although it was offered to seven poster companies before being distributed, those same companies are now in line, waiting for the initial contract to expire so that they can have a shot at distributing Jon-Erik’s poster.
Such a keen business sense is also reflected in Jon-Erik’s image of himself as a sex symbol; he’s not about to take it too seriously. “You know, it’s so hard to get work in this industry; I guess if I couldn’t back it up, if I couldn’t follow the sex symbol image with good quality work, then yes, being a sex symbol might bother me. But I think I can offer quality work.”