Nolan Gross Interview


Nolan Gross may be young, but his experience as an actor is growing rapidly, having guested on hit shows such as (dearly departed) The New Normal and American Horror Story. Now, he is set to appear as the Young Ham, Noah’s son, in Darren Aronofsky’s highly anticipated biblical epic Noah. We sat down with Nolan to discuss filming in Iceland, his love of adventure and the importance staying grounded.

Nolan GossYOUNG ADULT: How did you get the role of Ham in Noah?

Nolan Gross: I auditioned for it at the casting office of Betty Mae. I waited a couple weeks and actually forgot about it. The last day of 3rd grade they called me for a callback, and 5 minutes after I left they called me and asked if I could fly to NYC on Monday to meet with Darren Aronofsky. I stayed in NYC two nights and went in and out of auditions with Darren, and one of them with Logan Lerman. A few days later I got a call saying I booked it and within a month I was in Iceland!

YA: What was it like hearing that you’d get to star in a huge Hollywood blockbuster?

NG: This was my first big movie that I had booked, and it’s such a big one that when I got the news I was so excited I almost cried. I remember where my dad told me and it is something that I will remember the rest of my life. This was and is a huge step for me and my acting career, and I was so excited to spend my summer in Iceland and New York filming.

YA: Who is Ham? 

NG: Ham is Noah’s middle son. The role is shared with Logan Lerman. I play his younger version in the movie. 

YA: What similarities do you share with Ham?

NG: I think Ham is a curious kid, and I am as well. I know Ham had to trust his father when everyone else thought his dad was crazy, but I believe Ham had to have his own faith as well. I can relate as I have my own faith in God.

YA: Did you and Logan get to hang out? What sort of guidance was he able to give you in becoming Ham?

NG: Every scene I am in, Logan isn’t. There were some days on set where they would be filming scenes with him, then scenes with me, so I would see him in passing and I would sometimes get to see him on our breaks. A few times, I went to set to watch scenes that he was shooting and was amazed to just see him act. He was super kind to me from the first time I met him at the audition till my last day on set. 

YA: What was it like working with such a talented cast? What acting tips did you pick up?

NG: The cast was so talented, but one thing I noticed was no matter how big or small you were, everyone felt privileged to be working on this project with Darren Aronofsky.  The cast and the crew and production were just so incredible. I think people are going to be blown away when they see the movie.  Russell Crowe would tell me that if this is truly something I want to do then I should keep pursuing it and work hard. Darren would always say “remember you are just a normal 4th grader, don’t let this go to your head”. It is good to stay grounded, and these guys were making sure we heard that.

YA: Any cool movie magic you got to witness?

NG: Yes. The ARK and the animals. They built the Ark at the same dimensions that are in the Bible, and the first time I saw it I was in awe. I think it took them 6 months to build. The animals were all added in post production so the magic is just making it all come together, and from what I have seen it is incredible.

YA: What was your favorite part about this whole process?

NG: So many great things.  It is hard to just name one:
Getting to do what I love

Getting to be directed by Darren Aronofsky

Getting a chance to be on the set of a huge blockbuster

Meeting people that have become great friends

YA: Have you seen the entire  film yet? Were you happy with how it turned out?

NG: No, the premiere is in a couple of weeks in NYC and I can’t wait. I have heard from some people who have seen it and they have told me great things. I cant wait.

YA: Why did you want to become an actor?

NG: I have always loved performing in front of people and my parents noticed that I enjoyed being on stage. I asked my parents about people I saw on TV and they enrolled me in some acting classes. At the end of the 8 week course, I did a performance and was contacted by an agent. I started with commercials and now that has led to TV and Film. 

YA: What’s next for you?

NG: I am auditioning  for a lot of projects right now and have three films in addition to Noah that all should be coming out in 2014. The most recent film that I finished is called Any Day, with Sean Bean and Kate Walsh. I’m really excited for people to see this movie. 

YA: Is there anyone in Hollywood you’d like to work with in the future?

NG: Ryan Reynolds would be fun to work with, and a lot of people say I look like a younger version of Joseph Gordon-Levitt so he would be fun to work with as well. I want to do an action-adventure movie at some point — that would be awesome!

YA: If you were to be any Disney Prince, which would it be and why?

NG: Captain John Smith from Pocahontas. He is well respected and very adventurous, and he was chosen to be the leader.  I am a leader and love adventure too.



nolan-gross-interview-ham-noah

Nolan Gross may be young, but his experience as an actor is growing rapidly, having guested on hit shows such as (dearly departed) The New Normal and American Horror Story. Now, he is set to appear as the Young Ham, Noah’s son, in Darren Aronofsky’s highly anticipated biblical epic Noah. We sat down with Nolan to discuss filming in Iceland, his love of adventure and the importance staying grounded.

Nolan GossYOUNG ADULT: How did you get the role of Ham in Noah?

Nolan Gross: I auditioned for it at the casting office of Betty Mae. I waited a couple weeks and actually forgot about it. The last day of 3rd grade they called me for a callback, and 5 minutes after I left they called me and asked if I could fly to NYC on Monday to meet with Darren Aronofsky. I stayed in NYC two nights and went in and out of auditions with Darren, and one of them with Logan Lerman. A few days later I got a call saying I booked it and within a month I was in Iceland!

YA: What was it like hearing that you’d get to star in a huge Hollywood blockbuster?

NG: This was my first big movie that I had booked, and it’s such a big one that when I got the news I was so excited I almost cried. I remember where my dad told me and it is something that I will remember the rest of my life. This was and is a huge step for me and my acting career, and I was so excited to spend my summer in Iceland and New York filming.

YA: Who is Ham? 

NG: Ham is Noah’s middle son. The role is shared with Logan Lerman. I play his younger version in the movie. 

YA: What similarities do you share with Ham?

NG: I think Ham is a curious kid, and I am as well. I know Ham had to trust his father when everyone else thought his dad was crazy, but I believe Ham had to have his own faith as well. I can relate as I have my own faith in God.

YA: Did you and Logan get to hang out? What sort of guidance was he able to give you in becoming Ham?

NG: Every scene I am in, Logan isn’t. There were some days on set where they would be filming scenes with him, then scenes with me, so I would see him in passing and I would sometimes get to see him on our breaks. A few times, I went to set to watch scenes that he was shooting and was amazed to just see him act. He was super kind to me from the first time I met him at the audition till my last day on set. 

YA: What was it like working with such a talented cast? What acting tips did you pick up?

NG: The cast was so talented, but one thing I noticed was no matter how big or small you were, everyone felt privileged to be working on this project with Darren Aronofsky.  The cast and the crew and production were just so incredible. I think people are going to be blown away when they see the movie.  Russell Crowe would tell me that if this is truly something I want to do then I should keep pursuing it and work hard. Darren would always say “remember you are just a normal 4th grader, don’t let this go to your head”. It is good to stay grounded, and these guys were making sure we heard that.

YA: Any cool movie magic you got to witness?

NG: Yes. The ARK and the animals. They built the Ark at the same dimensions that are in the Bible, and the first time I saw it I was in awe. I think it took them 6 months to build. The animals were all added in post production so the magic is just making it all come together, and from what I have seen it is incredible.

YA: What was your favorite part about this whole process?

NG: So many great things.  It is hard to just name one:
Getting to do what I love

Getting to be directed by Darren Aronofsky

Getting a chance to be on the set of a huge blockbuster

Meeting people that have become great friends

YA: Have you seen the entire  film yet? Were you happy with how it turned out?

NG: No, the premiere is in a couple of weeks in NYC and I can’t wait. I have heard from some people who have seen it and they have told me great things. I cant wait.

YA: Why did you want to become an actor?

NG: I have always loved performing in front of people and my parents noticed that I enjoyed being on stage. I asked my parents about people I saw on TV and they enrolled me in some acting classes. At the end of the 8 week course, I did a performance and was contacted by an agent. I started with commercials and now that has led to TV and Film. 

YA: What’s next for you?

NG: I am auditioning  for a lot of projects right now and have three films in addition to Noah that all should be coming out in 2014. The most recent film that I finished is called Any Day, with Sean Bean and Kate Walsh. I’m really excited for people to see this movie. 

YA: Is there anyone in Hollywood you’d like to work with in the future?

NG: Ryan Reynolds would be fun to work with, and a lot of people say I look like a younger version of Joseph Gordon-Levitt so he would be fun to work with as well. I want to do an action-adventure movie at some point — that would be awesome!

YA: If you were to be any Disney Prince, which would it be and why?

NG: Captain John Smith from Pocahontas. He is well respected and very adventurous, and he was chosen to be the leader.  I am a leader and love adventure too.