Cooper van Grootel is an up-and-coming Australian actor whose career is in the fast lane. His credits include hit TV shows including Unverified, Mystery Road, and The Heights. This summer, he can be seen on the big screen as Dean Zeta, a go-karting champion and the antagonist of the new family film, Go!. Pop Culturalist caught up with Cooper to chat about the project.
PC: Tell us about Go!, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Cooper: Go! is a family film filled with action, humor, and romance. It follows a teenage boy and his burning passion for go-karting. I play Dean Zeta, the go-karting champion and the antagonist of the film. I was drawn to this project because the writing is fun and natural. All the characters have great chemistry and I love to go-kart!
PC: We read that you had a quick turnaround between finding out you landed the role and the first day of filming. Did that change your preparation? How did you tackle stepping into Dean’s shoes?
Cooper: Dean is a very competitive person when it comes to go-karting, and I share the same quality when it comes to sports. It was about finding that burning rage and passion that he has when it comes to his sport; I felt like I connected to that really well. Portraying the bad guy is also a lot of fun. I had to find the nuances and mannerisms that felt true to Dean.
PC: Dean is the antagonist in the film. Is there more freedom playing a character like Dean?
Cooper: The freedom you have as an actor really lies with the director. I had an amazing director and felt like I could explore the character while on set. Playing the bad guy is exciting because I get to explore a role that’s so different to me. It’s always a welcomed challenge.
PC: How have previous projects like Unverified, Mystery Road, and The Heights prepared you for Go!?
Cooper: Being relaxed and confident on set is key to giving a true performance. Having experience working on sets like Mystery Road prepared me for what was to come on the set of Go!. Being at ease and in the right frame of mind is crucial.
PC: You’re one of the leads of the film. Did that bring any added pressure? What was the biggest takeaway from the experience?
Cooper: It was a major step for me. It was a daunting task, and I was super nervous to say the least, but it made me realize that this what I want to do and that I want to pursue this passion further. One of the biggest takeaways from this film was if it excites you and makes you nervous, hell, keep at it!
PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Cooper: I started acting school when I was eleven-years-old. It was such an unknown territory for me, but after the first class I discovered something so creative and interesting—I couldn’t wait for the next class. Exploring characters and having fun with people that share the same interest is truly inspiring. I’ve been acting ever since!
PC: You were born in Australia but have been in Los Angeles pursuing your dreams. How challenging is it to be so far from home? How do you balance your career and life as a normal young man?
Cooper: It’s challenging; I miss home a lot! With that said, I’ve been given this amazing opportunity to fly across the world to pursue my dream, which could potentially turn into a lifelong career. I find balance by keeping grounded people and friends around me so that I don’t go crazy. Rejection can be tough in L.A.! Having people around you for support and reassurance is vital. My manager is an absolute champion at guiding me through it all, keeping me sane!
PC: What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned being a part of this industry?
Cooper: Stay humble. Seriously. It’s a tough gig—so many people are out for the same thing and you can’t get ahead of yourself. I just tell myself, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Have fun with the process, everything will work itself out.”
PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Cooper: Chris Lilley’s Lunatics! It’s ridiculous and hilarious. Definitely check it out if you have some spare time!
PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Cooper: Monster House. I loved that film as a kid…still do!
PC: Favorite book?
Cooper: The Dry by Jane Harper. That book is so damn exciting, I finished it in a few days.
PC: Favorite play or musical?
Cooper: I’m going to have to go with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I did that play in high school and it was so much fun!
PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn on your playlist?
Cooper: Sticky Fingers. They’re an Australian band. Definitely check them out! Great tunes!
PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Cooper: Breaking Bad. I can’t get enough of that show. I could watch it over and over and it would still be exciting.
PC: Hidden talent?
Cooper: I like to think I can do a pretty convincing South African accent.
To keep up with Cooper, follow him on Instagram, and catch Go! in theaters now.
Photo Credit: @rachpalumbo
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