Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Coop & Cami’s Paxton Booth

Paxton Booth is a fearless actor who’s been gracing the screen since the ripe age of two-and-a-half. He’s had dozens of nationwide commercials and several guest starring roles on hit television programs, including Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Romanoffs, Teachers, and The Toy Box. Currently, he’s crushing it as Ollie on Disney Channel’s Coop & Cami Ask The World. Unlike his character, Paxton thinks before he speaks, but they do share a passion for doing their own stunts. Pop Culturalist sat down with Paxton to chat about Coop & Cami Ask The World and what it’s like stepping into the shoes of a character that’s so different from himself, plus we played a game of “Would You Wrather”.

PC: Tell us about Coop & Cami Ask The World, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Paxton: Coop & Cami is a family show about a mom, her four kids, and a neighbor who acts like her fifth kid. The two middle siblings (Coop and Cami) have an online show called Would You Wrather where they ask their followers for help with everyday problems and their opinions on which silly stunts they should do. I play Ollie Wrather, who’s the youngest of the family. He is a really fun character to play because he says whatever is on his mind. Ollie really has no filter! He is also the ‘test pilot’ for the Would You Wrather show, so I get to do a bunch of really fun stunts.

Being on a Disney show is just about every kid’s dream, so I jumped at the chance. I’ve done a bunch of really cool projects that were more for older kids or adults, so I was only able to watch the scenes I was in. Being on a Disney show means I can watch the entire show!

PC: How much of yourself do you see in Ollie?
Paxton: Ollie and I are very different. I like to think about things before I say them, but Ollie just says the first thing that comes to mind, regardless of whether it makes sense or not! We both do share a love for stunts, but I’m not a fan of the messy ones like he is. Another thing we have in common is that we both love our families and would do anything for them.

PC: You did a lot of different stunts for the role. What was that like? Do you have a favorite?
Paxton: It’s interesting because doing stunts was never even mentioned before I got the role of Ollie—it was a nice added bonus. We have an amazing stunt coordinator who taught me how to be safe and have fun at the same time. I was able to zip line across the room, be suspended from the ceiling, and even play human pinball! It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I think I’ll have to go with flying in the air in a wing suit.

PC: How did you and the rest of the cast build your bond/chemistry?
Paxton: Honestly, we all became friends right away! From the first day of shooting the pilot, it was like we all had been friends for years. There was a six-month break before we started shooting again and Disney got all of us back together a few weeks before. We did school together every day and also had some improv classes for fun.

PC: What has been your favorite episode/scene to film?
Paxton: I don’t want to give too much away, but there’s a birthday scene where I come in riding a large animal named Peanut. Peanut was very cute and sweet, but didn’t go to his mark. Instead, he went right for the pink cake and started to eat it!

PC: What’s been the biggest lesson that Ollie’s taught you?
Paxton: Ollie doesn’t take life too seriously and I think that is a good approach to take. Sometimes people get too serious about things and that can take the fun out of life. Ollie says whatever he is thinking and sometimes that can be a good way to handle stressful situations.

Would You Wrather…

PC: Would you rather have a rewind button or a pause button on your life?
Paxton: Rewind button for sure. Sometimes I want to eat two pieces of chocolate instead of just one!

PC: Would you rather be able to talk with animals or speak all foreign languages?
Paxton: Talk to animals! I want to know if sloths talk as slow as they move.

PC: Would you rather be Batman or Spiderman?
Paxton: I’d rather be Batman because he has a really cool car.

PC: Would you rather go deep sea diving or bungee jumping?
Paxton: Deep sea diving so I could see really cool animals.

PC: Would you rather have x-ray vision or magnified hearing?
Paxton: X-ray vision because I don’t want to hear everyone’s conversations all the time.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Paxton: Canada’s Worst Driver (I know I’m not from Canada, but it’s on YouTube)

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Paxton: Plan 9 from Outer Space

PC: Favorite book?
Paxton: The Geronimo Stilton series

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Paxton: School of Rock

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Paxton: Motley Crue

PC: Hidden talent?
Paxton: Hot Wheels knowledge

Make sure to follow Paxton on Twitter and Instagram, and check out Coop & Cami Ask The World on Disney.

Photo Credit: Paxton Booth