The Haitian Cometh...
An exclusive interview with Jimmy Jean-Louis
9/12/07
© By: David Deas www.the-owi.com
A guy so cool and persevering, that you
could never call him unforgettable.
An exclusive interview with Jimmy Jean-Louis
9/12/07
© By: David Deas www.the-owi.com
A guy so cool and persevering, that you
could never call him unforgettable.
THE OWI EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JIMMY JEAN-LOUIS
I recently got the opportunity to have a conversation with Jimmy Jean-Louis. He plays the Haitian on NBC's #1 hit drama
HEROES. He has come a long way in his life, from a small village in Haiti, to a become household name after years of hard
work and perseverance.
Jean-Louis described how he grew up "wearing no shirt, having no electricity" and playing soccer with a ball made "of
paper and plastic" all the time. He had "no knowledge of the TV shows" that were being produced in the world, no
knowledge of anything outside of his village.
At a young age he moved with his parents and his brother to Paris. When asked about moving to the City of Lights from a
Haitian village with no electricity he replied "It was a huge change, massive change, for me as a person." His parents
eventually moved back to Haiti and he and his brother stayed on in Paris. Jimmy was out "all of the time" and made his
own life in the nightclubs of Paris. "Its is the best school, that was my best school anyway." He said Paris "is where I
understood what it was to be an artist, night time is where you meet all the artists." At one point he was more or less
homeless in Paris, "Sometimes I would end up squatting, I would squat apartments, whatever apartment was
free...or...you find a girl. That's what kept me going for actually a few months you know, girl friends. But all of that was
great education for who I became, it taught me a lot." Once he started making connections he slowly got into the
business, even though Paris "is not really an easy city for a brother." He eventually moved to Spain to learn another
language and to get away from the stress of Paris.
Once in Spain he joined up with a musical theater which he worked with for 3 years. He once again became bored and
packed his bag for Italy. There he studied modeling and a year later he was off to South Africa and then on to England just
a year after that. "After those five years of modeling, I got tired, fed up and said let's try something else. Here I come
America."
With such an amazing story with so many "hurdles" to overcome Jimmy realized that after all he had been through life
could throw him little more, "At this point I am like, what can really happen to me that I have not lived yet. Its just gonna
have to go forward."
After landing a role with HEROES he has found a new following. His character was originally written as a Maori Warrior
from New Zeland. His casting and background changed all of that. "...because I am from Haiti I understand everything they
are talking about. I also understand the spiritual factor of the Haitian. Because we are very spiritual down there. Not to
mention the Voodoo belief that we all have..." asked if was easy to believe the supernatural idea of the show he replied "...I
would say so, that it is normal that I completely believe that my character can actually erase people's minds. And when
you go into a character with such a strong belief you play it fully, with no hesitation and that helps." "...I am very happy they
made it the Haitian because it gave me a chance to represent my country."
The Haitian did not speak for the first few episodes of the season and Jimmy was relentlessly teased on set 'when is he
gonna talk, when is he gonna talk', "When they hired me they said that I was going to be silent for the first few episodes
and then at one point I would be speaking. So it didn't bother me at all, the people teasing me."
Asked about whether or not the Haitian has a regular name and if the audience would ever hear it, Jimmy simply said "He
has one but I don't think I can tell you". His character has actually had more interaction with the full ensemble cast than
any other actor on the show. Jimmy was asked who he enjoyed working with the most, "I would have loved to work a bit
more with Claude, Christopher (Eccleston). But unfortunately he has not been doing much lately with us." There is
speculation this popular character may be back in the second season "I know they want him back, so maybe they will be
able to bring him back." "...he (Christopher) is a good actor. Its always good to work with good actors. Everybody is doing a
great job, but because he comes from a different place different style then he adds something different to the show."
Will the Haitian and Sylar the show's main bad guy played by Zach Quinto ever have a showdown? "We only had a couple
scenes together only and he is obviously amazing. But we don't have too much to with each other. I think if we meet one of
us would have to go." Asked about working with Mr Bennet as played by Jack Coleman, "Yeah obviously I enjoy working
with Jack as well and I do all the time. Even in the second season I am always with him."
From the beginning of the first season, NBC has been publishing on-line graphic novels that fill in back stories of some of
the characters, NBC Graphic Novels. This summer the Haitian was featured in a fantastic 4 part series. Jimmy stated "I
got a little bit of it you know when they go back to the village. They explain the reasons the boy disappeared and how his
dad got killed. The Tonton Macoutes and all the things. Its very interesting because it could be based on a real story. On a
true story. So the writers did some research for sure." Was this new information on his character? "New information.
Completely new information. So I am going to be able to use it in the next few episodes. The one thing about the show they
don't give you too much information at all. It is hard to get them to say anything past the episode that you are shooting."
The spectacular writing on the show has also created challenges for the actors, often changing motivations for the
scenes, "Completely, but at the same time that is how they want to keep it. At the end of the day we are just actors and we
just do what we are supposed to do."
The HEROES season finale was filled with so much drama and suspense that some would have missed the fact that the
Haitian was nowhere to be found in the last three episodes of the season. "No you have not seen him in the last three
shows. He has a good reason, you will learn that he wasn't in the country at the time. They will do a flashback as to why he
wasn't there. We explain why he wasn't there and what he is doing and where he is. He will be back though in the second
season. You will see him in the second show." And will the Haitian play a larger role this season? "Based on the first show
you will see me, I am thinking a lot more. They are giving a little more the character a little more depth for sure and will
have a bigger part. Once again I don't know what direction they are going with him. Every single script I read it is like oh my
goodness this is amazing. What are they going to do with the Haitian what are they going to do with any of the characters,
nobody knows."
Jimmy is fluent in 5 languages and has already displayed his knowledge of French when in a scene with Cristine Rose,
who plays Angela Petrelli. "They originally gave her a dialect coach, a guy from Canada, speaks French of course. At the
same time I was able to help a little bit too." Will we hear him speak Creole? "I would love him to speak Creole. No that I
know of, but so far he has not spoken Creole, but I can say that they show will go to Haiti at one point."
We saw a young version of the Haitian in Company Man, one of the highest rated fan favorite show of the season, "I was
not on set that day. Unfortunately or fortunately they only bring the people they need on set..." Asked if Company Man was
his favorite episode, "For me it was the best show. My favorite one." and favorite scene? "In that beautiful scene on the
bridge. Which could be for me the best scene in the entire season. There is so much in one that scene."
Jimmy has become a celebrity back in his home country of Haiti,"Yeah, Yeah. They used to recognize me, but now it is
going to be more. I represent the country now. It is a different deal. I understand it and accept it as well. No they expect
something from me know. So whatever I can deliver I have to deliver. But yes I do go back to Haiti."
Jimmy Jean-Louis is the best representation of Haiti. Hard working, persevering and optimistic. He has gone from a young
boy playing soccer to homeless in Paris, modeling in Europe and now in your living room every Monday night. Because of
all of these things the Haitian will not soon be forgotten.
Thank you to Jimmy Jean-Louis and John Moore for both their time and professionalism. The OWI truly appreciates their
generosity.
HEROES. He has come a long way in his life, from a small village in Haiti, to a become household name after years of hard
work and perseverance.
Jean-Louis described how he grew up "wearing no shirt, having no electricity" and playing soccer with a ball made "of
paper and plastic" all the time. He had "no knowledge of the TV shows" that were being produced in the world, no
knowledge of anything outside of his village.
At a young age he moved with his parents and his brother to Paris. When asked about moving to the City of Lights from a
Haitian village with no electricity he replied "It was a huge change, massive change, for me as a person." His parents
eventually moved back to Haiti and he and his brother stayed on in Paris. Jimmy was out "all of the time" and made his
own life in the nightclubs of Paris. "Its is the best school, that was my best school anyway." He said Paris "is where I
understood what it was to be an artist, night time is where you meet all the artists." At one point he was more or less
homeless in Paris, "Sometimes I would end up squatting, I would squat apartments, whatever apartment was
free...or...you find a girl. That's what kept me going for actually a few months you know, girl friends. But all of that was
great education for who I became, it taught me a lot." Once he started making connections he slowly got into the
business, even though Paris "is not really an easy city for a brother." He eventually moved to Spain to learn another
language and to get away from the stress of Paris.
Once in Spain he joined up with a musical theater which he worked with for 3 years. He once again became bored and
packed his bag for Italy. There he studied modeling and a year later he was off to South Africa and then on to England just
a year after that. "After those five years of modeling, I got tired, fed up and said let's try something else. Here I come
America."
With such an amazing story with so many "hurdles" to overcome Jimmy realized that after all he had been through life
could throw him little more, "At this point I am like, what can really happen to me that I have not lived yet. Its just gonna
have to go forward."
After landing a role with HEROES he has found a new following. His character was originally written as a Maori Warrior
from New Zeland. His casting and background changed all of that. "...because I am from Haiti I understand everything they
are talking about. I also understand the spiritual factor of the Haitian. Because we are very spiritual down there. Not to
mention the Voodoo belief that we all have..." asked if was easy to believe the supernatural idea of the show he replied "...I
would say so, that it is normal that I completely believe that my character can actually erase people's minds. And when
you go into a character with such a strong belief you play it fully, with no hesitation and that helps." "...I am very happy they
made it the Haitian because it gave me a chance to represent my country."
The Haitian did not speak for the first few episodes of the season and Jimmy was relentlessly teased on set 'when is he
gonna talk, when is he gonna talk', "When they hired me they said that I was going to be silent for the first few episodes
and then at one point I would be speaking. So it didn't bother me at all, the people teasing me."
Asked about whether or not the Haitian has a regular name and if the audience would ever hear it, Jimmy simply said "He
has one but I don't think I can tell you". His character has actually had more interaction with the full ensemble cast than
any other actor on the show. Jimmy was asked who he enjoyed working with the most, "I would have loved to work a bit
more with Claude, Christopher (Eccleston). But unfortunately he has not been doing much lately with us." There is
speculation this popular character may be back in the second season "I know they want him back, so maybe they will be
able to bring him back." "...he (Christopher) is a good actor. Its always good to work with good actors. Everybody is doing a
great job, but because he comes from a different place different style then he adds something different to the show."
Will the Haitian and Sylar the show's main bad guy played by Zach Quinto ever have a showdown? "We only had a couple
scenes together only and he is obviously amazing. But we don't have too much to with each other. I think if we meet one of
us would have to go." Asked about working with Mr Bennet as played by Jack Coleman, "Yeah obviously I enjoy working
with Jack as well and I do all the time. Even in the second season I am always with him."
From the beginning of the first season, NBC has been publishing on-line graphic novels that fill in back stories of some of
the characters, NBC Graphic Novels. This summer the Haitian was featured in a fantastic 4 part series. Jimmy stated "I
got a little bit of it you know when they go back to the village. They explain the reasons the boy disappeared and how his
dad got killed. The Tonton Macoutes and all the things. Its very interesting because it could be based on a real story. On a
true story. So the writers did some research for sure." Was this new information on his character? "New information.
Completely new information. So I am going to be able to use it in the next few episodes. The one thing about the show they
don't give you too much information at all. It is hard to get them to say anything past the episode that you are shooting."
The spectacular writing on the show has also created challenges for the actors, often changing motivations for the
scenes, "Completely, but at the same time that is how they want to keep it. At the end of the day we are just actors and we
just do what we are supposed to do."
The HEROES season finale was filled with so much drama and suspense that some would have missed the fact that the
Haitian was nowhere to be found in the last three episodes of the season. "No you have not seen him in the last three
shows. He has a good reason, you will learn that he wasn't in the country at the time. They will do a flashback as to why he
wasn't there. We explain why he wasn't there and what he is doing and where he is. He will be back though in the second
season. You will see him in the second show." And will the Haitian play a larger role this season? "Based on the first show
you will see me, I am thinking a lot more. They are giving a little more the character a little more depth for sure and will
have a bigger part. Once again I don't know what direction they are going with him. Every single script I read it is like oh my
goodness this is amazing. What are they going to do with the Haitian what are they going to do with any of the characters,
nobody knows."
Jimmy is fluent in 5 languages and has already displayed his knowledge of French when in a scene with Cristine Rose,
who plays Angela Petrelli. "They originally gave her a dialect coach, a guy from Canada, speaks French of course. At the
same time I was able to help a little bit too." Will we hear him speak Creole? "I would love him to speak Creole. No that I
know of, but so far he has not spoken Creole, but I can say that they show will go to Haiti at one point."
We saw a young version of the Haitian in Company Man, one of the highest rated fan favorite show of the season, "I was
not on set that day. Unfortunately or fortunately they only bring the people they need on set..." Asked if Company Man was
his favorite episode, "For me it was the best show. My favorite one." and favorite scene? "In that beautiful scene on the
bridge. Which could be for me the best scene in the entire season. There is so much in one that scene."
Jimmy has become a celebrity back in his home country of Haiti,"Yeah, Yeah. They used to recognize me, but now it is
going to be more. I represent the country now. It is a different deal. I understand it and accept it as well. No they expect
something from me know. So whatever I can deliver I have to deliver. But yes I do go back to Haiti."
Jimmy Jean-Louis is the best representation of Haiti. Hard working, persevering and optimistic. He has gone from a young
boy playing soccer to homeless in Paris, modeling in Europe and now in your living room every Monday night. Because of
all of these things the Haitian will not soon be forgotten.
Thank you to Jimmy Jean-Louis and John Moore for both their time and professionalism. The OWI truly appreciates their
generosity.
