Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Last Man Standing’s Jet Jurgensmeyer

Jet Jurgensmeyer is an exciting young actor and musician who’s quickly making a name for himself on the screen and in the studio. He’s currently starring in Season 8 of Last Man Standing and just released his self-titled debut album. Did we mention he’s only fifteen? Pop Culturalist caught up with Jet to chat about his multifaceted career.

Career

PC: You’re an actor and a musician. How did you discover your passion for the arts? Is there one that you gravitate towards?
Jet: My parents owned a restaurant and music venue when I was little and have always been in the music industry. I was around musicians and entertainers as long as I can remember. I always wanted to get up on stage; I would stand by the stage when I was like three-years-old with my little guitar and tell the performers that I wanted to get up and sing. They pretty much wouldn’t tell me no. So, I would get up, sing a song, and then try to tell a joke or two. I loved it!

I went from that to getting an agent, and I started acting as well. They both have always just seemed so natural to me. I was never a shy kid, so this was a way I could always talk to people and just have fun. I’m not sure if I really gravitate more towards one or the other. I really do love them both. I always say it would be so cool to do a musical someday.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Jet: I would probably say my parents. I see how hard they work, but they still always put our family first. They have taught me that no matter what I choose to do, I need to work hard and try to be the best I can. They’ve told me they will always support me if this is what I want to do, but if it stops being fun and I don’t want to do it, they will support me with that as well.

Last Man Standing

PC: You’re currently starring as Boyd Baxter on Last Man Standing and joined the cast in Season 7. What has been the biggest takeaway from this experience?
Jet: You know, I think the one thing that really stands out to me is to just be nice. Molly McCook and I both came on the show in Season 7. We are wondering how it would be coming on a show that already had our character established. Everyone in the cast and crew just welcomed us both with open arms. They made us feel like part of the family immediately—they were all just so nice. I will always remember that and hope I can pass that along to someone someday.

PC: What can you tease about Boyd’s arc in Season 8?
Jet: Boyd has a new sibling in Season 8. I think we are going to see him maybe have some issues with that and then pretty much come full circle and start to embrace the fact that there is a new little one in the family.

Music

PC: You also just released your self-titled debut album. What inspired the collection?
Jet: Well, my parents, my producer (Butch Baker), and I all looked for songs that really had a good or positive message but were age-appropriate. It took a lot of work to find the right songs. I am young, so I haven’t experienced certain things yet. We wanted to still find songs that people could relate to no matter how old they are.

PC: If you had to pick one song that best encompasses you as an artist, what would it be and why?
Jet: I think one of my songs would be “Unfinished”. I really like what it says: you don’t want to live your life unfinished. You want to enjoy life and follow your dreams.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: If you were stuck on a deserted island and could only have three things, what would they be and why?
Jet: 1. My guitar, so I could keep busy and entertain myself.

2. Sunflower seeds because they are good, especially when you need to pass time.

3. My pre-made survival kit [laughs] because you have to survive!

PC: Who’s the last person you called or texted?
Jet: My mom [laughs]

PC: Favorite on-set snack?
Jet: Welch’s Fruit Snacks! Tim Allen and I love them and are always grabbing bags of them in Crafty. We always say they are real fruit!

PC: A person you’d like to meet dead or alive?
Jet: Robin Williams

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Jet: Me!

To keep up with Jet, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Pick up or stream his self-titled debut album on Amazon Music, iTunes, or Spotify, and catch new episodes of Last Man Standing every Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.