Apart from acting and performing, Dylan Riley Snyder plays piano, swims, shoots pool, plays chess, makes origami animals and so much more. Having moved to New York with his supportive family just to ‘see how it went’ years ago, Dylan hasn’t looked back since, now enjoying his longtime role of Milton on Kickin’ It on the Disney Channel.
Young Adult: When did you first get into acting?
Dylan Riley Snyder: In a way, I almost fell into acting. My sister always took me to her rehearsals for school plays and community theatre so when I was asked to perform, I was used to the environment. When my sister stopped, I just kept going and when Hurricane Katrina hit the South, my family and I decided to send me to New York to try out acting. We were only going to be there for six months just to see how it went, but at the end of the six months, I had an agent and a job in Tarzan on Broadway!
YA: Is your family supportive?
DRS: My family was very supportive in the entire process of moving, acting, and pretty much everything. I do not think I would have gotten as far as I have, or even started at all if my family was not supportive. They have been very good with keeping me out in New York and California and also making sacrifices along the way.
YA: What has been your favorite part of the job?
DRS: My favorite part of the job has been getting the opportunity to meet a group of kids who share my love of performing. Our cast is really close and we work so well together, I could not have asked for a better group to work with for my first television experience.
YA: How did you get the gig on Kickin’ It?
DRS: Honestly, I have no idea! Before the show, I had never done any comedy. I had never looked into performing comedy and when I read the audition script, somehow the idea of it clicked. Maybe it was just a natural change, or perhaps I had just watched a lot of sitcoms, but after two callbacks, I received the part of Milton David Krupnick.
YA: Who is Milton? Tell us more about this role.
DRS: Milton is a preppy, geeky character who has a lot of heart, which he expresses to his friends at the karate dojo. I really enjoy playing him because I was able to develop him into who he is, therefore his differences have all been natural.
YA: Is there any Dylan in Milton?
DRS: There is a little Dylan in him, but for the most part, he is a different person. The little part of me is his inner confidence. Milton gets his confidence from his friends and karate and I get mine from acting and school.
YA: What are five fun facts that happen on set?
DRS: Five Fun Facts for Milton: We work with a lot of animals so I will never have to go to a petting zoo again, the density of a falafel ball is greater than that of a doughnut hole, athletic socks ARE the new summer wear, bow ties are not just for Milton anymore, and the Earth does revolve around the sun!
YA: How do you manage school and work, all at once?
DRS: I manage school and work all at once by doing schoolwork on set…while working. We have teachers that are with us at all times at work to make sure we get our work done. This means when we are not in a scene, we will be studying. This can prove difficult but I love the system.
YA: What can you tell others pursuing the same career?
DRS: If it is truly what you want to do then keep pushing for it. If you are in the right place, good things will follow.
YA: What other pursuits do you have outside of acting?
DRS: My main pursuits are Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, education, and spending as much time with my nephew Avery L. May as possible.
YA: Who would you like to work with in the future?
DRS: I would love to work with Anthony Hopkins, Ed Norton, Bryan Cranston, Matthew Broderick or Michio Kaku.
YA: What’s your favorite book, or what book are you currently reading?
DRS: At first my favorite book was The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien, but after tackling many Dr. Seuss books for my nephew, I have learned to appreciate and love Fox in Socks. I am currently reading a few books actually. I am reading The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, The Night Circus, and The Great Gatsby.