Jackson
Rathbone (aka Monroe Jackson Rathbone V) was born on December 21st,
1984 -- he is an American actor and singer, who came to prominence
while costarring as Jasper Hale in the film adaptations of Stephenie
Meyer’s Twilight novels.
Born in Singapore, and living (thanks to his father’s job) in places as
varied as Indonesia, London, Connecticut, and Norway, Jackson grew up
in Midland, Texas. Though he had always loved sports, Jackson’s true
love was performing -- he got his start while doing musical theater as
part of Midland’s “Pickwick Players.” During his final two years of
high school, Jackson moved to northwest Michigan where he attended a
private school, The Interlochen Arts Academy. There he grew quite fond
of classical theater and Shakespearean plays.
After graduating, Jackson headed to Los Angeles to seek work as an
actor -- he soon found work on Disney 411, where he worked as an
interviewer, talking to the likes of Hillary Duff and Raven Symone. He
was also cast in small television roles in The O.C. and Close to Home.
Bit parts in small films followed (Molding Clay, Pray For Morning,
Travis and Henry), though the projects were certainly nothing to write
home about.
However, in 2008, Jackson caught the role of a lifetime when he was
cast as vampire Jasper Hale in the film version of Twilight. Fans of
the series (literary and cinematic) are legion, and those devoted to
his character are known as Team Jasper. Jackson will reprise the role
in the forthcoming sequels.
Jackson enjoys writing, singing and producing music, and performs in a
band called 100 Monkeys -- their first two albums will be released in
2009. He is also close friends with his Twilight costars Nikki Reed,
Kellan Lutz, and Ashley Greene (whom he has known since before making
Twilight). Among his favorite actors are Christopher Walken, Clint
Eastwood and Johnny Depp. His favorite films include Akira Kurasowa’s
Seven Samurai, JIm Jarmusch’s Dead Man, and Lars Von Trier’s
documentary, The Five Obstructions. As for music, Jackson’s tastes are
nothing if not eclectic -- everything from blues legends Robert Johnson
and John Lee Hooker, to Wilco and Chet Baker. Along with his manger,
Jackson has formed his own production company -- he hopes to eventually
become a director.
Up next: S. Darko, Dread, New Moon, Eclipse, and The Last Airbender
