At just 16, Jacob Laval is making waves in Hollywood and beyond. From 8-Bit Christmas to his Broadway debut in The Rose Tattoo with Marisa Tomei, he now stars in Lionsgate’s The Unbreakable Boy, a true story about a boy on the autism spectrum with brittle bone disease. With credits across HBO, Netflix, and theater, Jacob brings heart, humor, and authenticity to every role.
In honor of Autism Awareness Month, we caught up with the rising star to talk about his journey, the challenges of this role, and what’s next.
How do you balance high school and a growing acting career?
Auditions aren’t as frequent because I’m either too young or too old for certain roles. So, I have plenty of time to focus on school. My teachers are really supportive.
Favorite subject in school?
Right now, I’d say AP World.
What was your introduction to acting?
At eight years old, I really wanted a job. I started with extra work (background acting), and eventually got an agent. I quickly knew this was something I wanted to do.
Do you see yourself acting for the rest of your life?
I love acting, but I’m open to finding something else I love just as much in the future.
Before acting, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Sometimes I wanted to be president, sometimes I wanted to play baseball for the Yankees.
Favorite Yankees player?
Aaron Judge, obviously.
You’ve worked on Broadway, TV, and film. How do they compare?
When you’re performing live, you can’t mess up—people pay a lot of money for tickets. On a film set, if something goes wrong, you just do another take. I’d say Broadway is more stressful, but it also taught me discipline.
You starred in 8-Bit Christmas—a favorite in my house! What was that like?
So much fun. It’s about a kid in the 80s who will do anything to get a Nintendo Entertainment System for Christmas. My character, Conor Stump, was kind of the comic relief—he ate erasers and didn’t care what anyone thought of him.
Let’s talk about the newly debuted The Unbreakable Boy. In your own words, what is the film about?
It follows Austin LeRette, a boy with autism and brittle bone disease, and how his family navigates their struggles together. His parents face incredible challenges, but Austin’s joyful outlook on life transforms everyone around him. The movie is about resilience, love, and seeing the good in difficult situations.
How did you prepare for the role of Austin?
I had to memorize a lot of lines, including a Jack Nicholson monologue from A Few Good Men. Beyond that, I really had to understand Austin’s personality—his optimism, his quirks, and the way he sees the world.
Did you get to meet the real Austin?
He messaged me on Instagram before we started filming. Then, he and his family visited the set- so special! It helped me understand him on a deeper level.
How did you balance the emotional weight of the role while still portraying Austin’s joy?
Austin goes through so much—he’s hospitalized, he faces bullying—but he remains incredibly positive. I had to make sure those darker moments were real, so that his optimism felt even more powerful.
Have you ever been bullied, in real life?
Yes, I was bullied when I was younger. I never really learned their stories, which I regret now. But looking back, there was one kid in particular who was especially mean to me, and I later realized he had a tough home situation. He moved around a lot, and I can understand now that maybe he felt like he had to be mean to others. It doesn’t excuse what happened, but I think people act out for reasons we don’t always see. That experience taught me a lot about compassion—sometimes the people who hurt you are hurting themselves.
What did you learn about autism through this role?
I learned just how broad the autism spectrum really is. Austin is talkative and outgoing, but some autistic kids don’t speak at all. There’s no one way to define autism, and that’s an important message.
What was it like working with co-stars, Zachary Levi and Patricia Heaton?
Zachary Levi was amazing—super kind and always making sure everyone on set was having a good time. He even hosted a screening of the movie at his place after filming. Patricia Heaton was great too.
Any fun behind-the-scenes memories?
Filming the camping trip scene was my favorite. I live in New York, so I had never really camped before. That day on set felt like a field trip.
If you could work with any actor, who would it be?
Jim Carrey. I love how versatile he is!
What’s next for you?
I’m auditioning a lot. I’ve gotten close to landing a few big roles, so I’m hoping The Unbreakable Boy opens up more opportunities.
How do you handle rejection?
At first, it was really hard. But I’ve learned that in acting, rejection is normal. If I don’t book a role, I just remind myself that the right one will come along.
What’s on your playlist?
Billy Joel and The Beatles.
Favorite food?
Chicken wings, pizza, and steak.
What’s on your bucket list?
Traveling to Europe and Eastern Asia.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully in college or working on another great film. Maybe both.
Any final thoughts on why to see The Unbreakable Boy?
It teaches people how to handle challenges as a family. It’s easy to blame each other when things go wrong, but this movie shows the power of forgiveness and coming together. No matter who you are, you’ll find something to connect with.
instagram.com/jacoblaval