Every October, most people look toward the month’s end to enjoy one of their favorite fall holidays – Halloween. From preschoolers to senior citizens, there is always something to enjoy during this spooky season.
For many people, the preferred way of celebrating the witching hour is to grab a hot toddy, curl up by a warm fireplace and binge on some of their favorite horror movies and television shows. After all, the best way to watch scary monsters and villains is from the safety of our living rooms.
While everyone has their favorite horror character, one of the most popular fiends is Jason Voorhees, the undead protagonist of the “Friday the 13th” franchise. Since 1980, Jason has entertained audiences around the world with his adventures at Camp Crystal Lake and beyond.
Recently, Hendersonville Lifestyle had the opportunity to sit down with local actor, stuntman and producer James Stokes, who has portrayed many different characters, including Jason Voorhees in “Voorhees: Night of the Beast.” James was happy to give us an inside look at the world of acting from an insider’s perspective.
What drew you to acting?
“I've always been an entertainer. I love to make people laugh, happy and smile, even cry or feel anger. It gives me satisfaction and a joy in my heart to entertain people.”
What are some of your favorite roles that you have played over the years?
“Some of my favorite roles have been playing a cowboy in a few westerns, portraying a father in a military film coming back from deployment to his daughter, playing a paramedic in the award-winning Netflix series “Stranger Things,” and playing the icon horror character, Jason Voorhees.”
What is your favorite genre?
“I love horror roles the most, but I also enjoy working western, action and drama films that give me an opportunity to show depth in my acting skills.”
What is the most important thing that you have learned from your acting career?
“The most important thing I have earned is to have tough skin, and to be mentally prepared for everything. Acting can bring out the best and the worst in a person, and sometimes you have to remember that you are just acting.”
Which do you prefer – film or television?
“At this point in my career, I prefer film over TV roles because of the sense of satisfaction of seeing something being developed in a shorter amount of time instead of a series that can take months to complete.”
What projects are you currently working on?
"Right now, I have two film horror film projects in the works, as well as a new television series in which I am one of the main actors as well as an executive producer. I am also managing an up-and-coming country music artist whose first single dropped on Spotify one month ago.”
"Do what you love to do without reservation, and without doubt in your heart."
James Stokes