‘He didn’t brag about it’: How Ithaca’s ‘Moonlight’ star rose to success

He’s won two awards for his performance

Jharrel Jerome rocketed this year from being an Ithaca College student to a supporting actor in a Golden Globe winning film.

You’ve probably already heard of the film, “Moonlight”, which scooped up the Golden Globe for Best Drama Motion Picture. “Moonlight” tells the story of a young African-American man, Chiron, as he struggles to find his place in a rough neighborhood of Miami, and discovers his sexuality.

Then there’s IC sophomore Jharrel Jerome who plays Kevin, a friend of Chiron’s, as a teenager. But how did the 19-year-old Bronx native end up being casted in an award winning film?

Jharrel kicked off his acting career at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, a prestigious performing arts school and the Alma mater of stars like Al Pacino and Jennifer Aniston.

During his senior year, he caught the attention of talent managers and agents through roles in high school productions, including the lead in the musical “In the Heights” and a role in the play “The Laramie Project.”

A few months later in October 2015, as a freshman at IC, he decided to send out an audition tape for “Moonlight”.

Justin Doze, a friend of Jharrel in the IC theater department, said he helped Jharrel with self taped auditions to send to his managers and casting agents.

His perseverance paid off and he got the part a week later.

Justin told The Tab: “It was one of those things that he had to wait and hear from, and I remember him telling me when he got it that he was leaving for like three months to film a movie he’d been cast in called “Moonlight.” Around Christmas break we stayed up till like four in the morning right before he left for Miami.”

Jharrel and Justin at IC

Shortly after hearing the news, the rising star took 12 days off from school to fly to Miami and shoot his part for “Moonlight”. He said the IC theater department was really great and open to having him miss classes.

Jharrel’s former voice and speech professor, Kathleen Mulligan, said she was excited about him landing the role, but also tried to be realistic because things may not always “pan out” for an actor in a film. But her perspective changed when she heard that it did in fact pan out for him.

“You know, the thing is, he never bragged about it. He was pretty quiet and low key about it…I don’t think he wanted to make a big deal out of it,” Kathleen said.

As for his role in the movie, he told The Ithacan he related to Kevin’s struggle with trying to put on a different identity, which helped him perform the character.

“LaGuardia has a lot of people who aren’t from the Bronx or the hood…so trying to fit into another persona or trying to be someone else is something I did for a while before I realized it was time to be myself,” Jharrel said.

The movie was shot during what the Sophomore described as the busiest, challenging year of his life: he recently graduated from high school, acquired a talent agent, his grandfather died, he began college and then starred in “Moonlight”. The movie was first shot two months after Jerome’s grandfather’s death.

Justin described Jharrel as someone who connects and commits to people. “It’s something that sticks despite where you come from or who you are which is why we became so close.”

The Ithaca College star has won awards for his role in “Moonlight”, such as the Independent Spirit Robert Altman Award and the Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Ensemble Performance.

Nine Artists, One Love ?? #moonlight

A photo posted by Rome (@jharreljerome) on Nov 29, 2016 at 5:36pm PST

Justin said he’s been fortunate enough to be able to experience Jerome’s success:

“As his friend it’s been crazy to see him grow and excel in this craft that everyone we knew is trying to break into and be apart of. The craziest part would be thinking back to when we would talk about either one of us making it and seeing where we would be in a year or so, and looking at where he is now.”

Jharrel’s career won’t stop here. He’ll continue to build Ithaca College’s reputation in his upcoming roles in “Monster” and “First Match.”

Jerome’s latest Instagram post was a picture of the “Moonlight” cast where he gushed over their Golden Globe win.

“…Although I wasn’t able to attend, I couldn’t help but cry last night as I watched the Globes on the couch with my mama. I couldn’t be more proud of the amazing and talented and crew of this film. This journey has shaped my life in so many ways. And I couldn’t be more grateful…”

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