Dubbed early in his career as the "little charmer", Luke Speakman's magnetic personality and undeniable range of evoking laughter and then switching to big emotional scenes has led to an impressive resume at a young age. At just 5 years old, he shared the screen with Victoria Pandretti in Steven Spielburg's Amazing Stories on Apple TV +. Seen on networks such as Peacock, NBC, HULU, Disney+, QCODE Media, and INSP, Luke also appeared as a lead in a Short Film with Blair Redford that was featured at the 2023 Mammoth Film Festival. Luke has worked with notable directors such as Keith Powell and Mark Mylord, and talent from all over the world on multiple feature films, television series, and voiceovers. Luke's most recent project, Lost Man Found (Hirowareta Otoko), where he plays series regular Sean, was filmed in Tokyo, Japan and can be found on HULU International Originals, Disney+ Japan, and Disney Hotstar.
How did you get your start in the industry at such a young age?
"I was very young when I started acting! I signed with my first agent (East Coast Talent) right before I turned 5 years old! My parents say that when I was little I was always full of energy, and I loved to meet and talk to people! Wherever I went, I made friends. Actually this is still true today! I also have always had BIG EMOTIONS. My mom says that I have always been able to feel what someone else was feeling, and when I was little, I had a hard time understanding these feelings. They wanted to find a way to channel my energy and emotions into something positive. Instead of changing who I am, use who I am! A friend suggested acting. I had always told my parents that one day I would be on the TV! I attended my first introduction class and I was hooked! I knew I was home! Acting helped me understand emotions and then how to use them on camera! I also find a place where my energy and love for people was welcomed! I am so fortunate to have found a place where I belong and have loved every second of this journey!"
At just 5 years old, he shared the screen with Victoria Pandretti in Steven Spielburg's Amazing
Stories on Apple TV +. What was it like to work with Victoria?
"Amazing Stories was my very first audition and my very first booking! Although I was super young, I will always remember that experience. I remember meeting Victoria for the first time in hair and makeup. I asked if I could sit next to her and she immediately said yes! I was so excited because most adults usually get annoyed with young kids, but she wanted to chat and hang out with me! It was very easy for me to pretend she was my mom on set. She made me feel so comfortable while we were filming and stayed and chatted between takes. I honestly could not imagine a better “pretend mom” for my first time working on set!"
Your most recent project, Lost Man Found (Hirowareta Otoko), where you play a series regular Sean, was filmed in Tokyo, Japan and can be found on HULU International Originals, Disney+ Japan, and Disney Hotstar. Tell us more about the series & your role?
"This entire experience was a dream come true! Lost Man Found was the first Disney + series that was a collaboration between the United States Disney + and Disney + Japan! Being a limited series there are 10 episodes with most of them being filmed in Tokyo! The process of booking the role of Sean was a roller coaster! Due to
covid, the entire process was “iffy”. We were not sure if the covid regulations would allow us to fly into Japan to film! We filmed a few episodes in Michigan and it wasn’t until halfway through we were given the okay to travel to Tokyo! I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but the series is based off of a true story written by Japanese actor
and writer Satoru Matsuo and is about the relationship between two brothers that everyone can relate to. Sean is a very complicated character that struggles with self doubt and bullying. I enjoyed portraying Sean because he challenged me to dig deep and push my out of my comfort zone while filming! Give it a watch! You definitely
won’t regret it!"
Was that your first time in Tokyo, Japan?
"This was my first time in Tokyo and I loved every minute of it! We spent most of our time off walking around and exploring! If you ever visit, you must stop by Takeshita Street! Did you know there is a puppy cafe? I could spend hours there playing with those adorable pups! You can also get cotton candy that is bigger than your own head!!! Not to mention all the little shops they had to explore! We also enjoyed exploring the little restaurants tucked away Throughout Tokyo. I am a sushi lover, so trying every sushi place we found was a must! Of course, while in Tokyo,
you must pop by the Pokemon and Nintendo store! The very best part of Tokyo is the people. Everyone was so nice and helpful. I felt so welcome and even though we didn’t speak the same language, we became friends. I hope to return soon!"
Do you have any upcoming projects?
"Well I can’t give away any spoilers, but I do have a pretty epic action/ suspense movie coming out soon called “Coal River”. It was the first time I was able to perform some of my own stunt work! I train in American Ninja Warrior, so I had been waiting for the day to perform stunt work on camera! I shouldn’t say anymore or I will give away the surprise! Stay tuned!"
You had the chance to play “Timmy” in Young Rock! Did you have the chance to meet Dwayne Johnson on set?
"Timmy was a blast to play and having the opportunity to work on the “Young Rock!” set was a dream come true for this 10 year old! I have always wanted to meet Dwayne Johnson in person. Meeting him is actually on my vision board! Unfortunately, he was not working during the time I was filming, However, I did get to meet and work with the talented Uli Latukefu, who plays The Rock in his young adult years. He was pretty amazing! I actually thought he was the real Rock the first time I saw him on set! He also was fun to work with. We practiced doing the “eyebrow raise” in between takes! I got pretty good at it! Maybe one day I get the chance to show Dwayne
Johnson!"
What is the best advice you were ever told?
"There are actually three mottos I was told and I try to remember:
1) “ There is enough space on this earth for everyone to shine!” This means that life is not a competition and sometimes you win some and some times you don’t. But it is okay! We all can shine and we all deserve a chance to shine! Instead of competing let’s cheer each other along!
2) “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard!” Basically this means that no matter how talented you are, if you don’t work hard, you won’t succeed!
3) “It’s a marathon, not a race.” In the entertainment industry it is hard not to compare your journey to someone else. You have to remember that it is a roller coaster. Sometimes you are up and sometimes you are down. It won’t
always happen fast and seeing results of your hard work takes time. Stick with it and the results with come when it is time.
What is your dream Actor or Actress to work with?
"Well this is an easy one! Dwayne Johnson of course! I would love to work on an action movie with him! Especially one that lets me do stunt work! Each year I put this on my vision board and I know that one day it will come true!"
Socials: Check me out on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luke.speakman/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lukespeakmanact
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luke.speakman/
Website: https://lukespeakman.info/
Zigazoo Kids Creator: Luke Speakman
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