Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with On Becoming a God in Central Florida’s Cooper Jack Rubin

Cooper Jack Rubin is an up-and-coming talent who’s currently starring opposite Kirsten Dunst, Mel Rodriguez, and Beth Ditto in Showtime’s On Becoming a God in Central Florida. It’s his breakout TV role, and he’s captivating audiences with his portrayal of Harold, a young man who hides his love for the arts from those closest to him. Pop Culturalist caught up with Cooper ahead of the show’s highly anticipated season finale.

On Becoming a God in Central Florida

PC: Tell us about On Becoming a God in Central Florida, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Cooper: The Showtime series is about a pyramid scheme where Krystal Stubbs (Kirsten Dunst) has a tragic loss that she blames the scheme on. The rest of the show is how she tries to climb the ranks to put an end to it or maybe more. My character, Harold, is the son of her next-door neighbor and manager at the water park, Ernie (Mel Rodriguez) and his wife Bets (Beth Ditto). Krystal gets Ernie involved in the pyramid scheme and it leads to a lot of turmoil! Harold is a bit of an introvert but he loves the arts—to sing and dance. That is what drew me to this project. I absolutely love to sing and dance. I’m not an introvert, but there are similarities between us!

PC: This is your first television role. Did you feel any pressure because of that? What was the biggest takeaway from the experience?
Cooper: I felt some pressure because of the stars in the show, but everyone welcomed me with open arms. I’m not nervous in front of the camera, so that did not bother me. My biggest takeaway was getting to see firsthand what it takes to put a scene together. There are so many people involved in every shot, from the cameras to hair and makeup to the producers and directors to the other actors to craft services—just so much to make the show go as well as it did.

PC: Harold has a passion for the arts, but he hides it from his family. How did you prepare to tackle that story arc?
Cooper: I had to go to a different place. I am always smiling and out there. So I really had to think about how to bottle all that up. Also, the directors were great and I hope they got what they wanted!

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Cooper: When I was three years old, my parents took me to see The Phantom of the Opera, and I was hooked. I learned every song to not only that but other musicals, including Les Misérables, Wicked, and any other shows I could watch! I then started to do theatre both in my school but also at Jefferson Performing Arts Society. When I was around nine, I decided that I wanted to learn other aspects of acting, so I started acting classes with Mrs. Debby Gaudet. She taught me how to transition from stage to screen.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Cooper: Interestingly enough, I would say Judy Garland. It was The Wizard of Oz that really opened my eyes in putting song, dance, and acting all together. She was mesmerizing on the screen.

PC: Is it a challenge to balance your career so early on in your life?
Cooper: I miss a lot of school, which is the hardest. It’s not just being away from the school but from friends as well. My set tutor Ms. Dana was incredible though and kept me up to speed on my schoolwork.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Cooper: Stranger Things

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Cooper: IT

PC: Favorite book?
Cooper: Any book by Roald Dahl

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Cooper: Wicked

PC A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Cooper: Juice Newton

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Cooper: Riverdale

PC: Hidden talent?
Cooper: I can make weird noises with my mouth.

To keep up with Cooper, make sure to follow him on Instagram. Catch the season finale of On Becoming a God in Central Florida tonight at 10/9c on Showtime.

Photo Credit: Kate Adair