"Peter Pan" the
movie, starring former Mt. Sterling resident Jeremy Sumpter
climbed as high as No. 6 recently on the list of top movies
at the box office.
He and his family believe such showing bodes well for the
young actors future.
"This is what is going to take him to the top," said his
grandmother Mary Johnson, who lives here in Mt. Sterling.
Despite spending much of his time hoisted in the air by thin
guy wires in the action thriller, Jeremy said the experience
was, well, what you would expect a 13-year-old to say,
"pretty cool."
"It was fantastic," Jeremy said further. "It was
really great fun. I worked with a lot of really good
actors. It was the role of a lifetime."
Since filming the movie in Australia Jeremy, who has a
birthday ahead Feb. 5, has returned to school where he is a
freshman this year.
But his mind is still on movies.
Next up, he said he would like to play a part in a film
trilogy, something along the line of the popular "Lord of
the Rings" series.
"The look fun to film and there's a lot of action," Jeremy
explained.
Eventually, he hopes to direct his own picture.
Whatever the case, this grandfather, Mt. Sterling resident
Herb White, insists Jeremy will keep his feet firmly on the
ground. |
"The great thing about Jeremy's career is that it hasn't
spoiled him," White said. "He's the same kid he was
when he left here in 2000."
Jeremy grew up an imaginative and energetic child in Mt.
Sterling, where he was known to trek through the woods near
his home climbing trees and bringing home snapping turtles
to adopt as pets.
Johnson remembered Jeremy as a rambunctious and talented
youngster, but never foresaw his stardom.
"Not that I look back he was always carrying on," she said.
"He was a card. He would have you climbing the wall or
pulling your hair out. He was always singing Achy
Breaky or Wild Thing. We didn't know it was going to
this place though."
Jeremy's raw talent was first discovered as a first grader
in elementary school.
A teacher there noticed his colorful artwork, which was soon
put on display at a local art gallery. At age 6, be
became the state's youngest child accepted to the Gifted
Arts Program.
In subsequent years he would excel in other areas, including
spelling. He was a finalist in the fourth grade
spelling bee.
Jeremy's break would come when he entered an International
Model and Talent Association contest in Lexington at the
urging of his family, who were familiar with his humorous
dancing and outgoing personality. |
From there,
Jeremy was invited to the association's international
convention in Los Angeles, where he went on to win Pre-Teen
Model of the Year.
At the convention Jeremy signed with a personal manager and
in June 2000 relocated to the Los Angeles area with his
family, parents Gary and Sandy Sumpter and sisters Jennifer
and Gigi.
Soon after Jeremy appeared in several national commercials
and made guest starring appearances on television shows,
including "ER." He has also appeared on stage and drew
praise for his work in "Just A Dream" a Showtime movie
production directed by Danny Glover.
Jeremy's other movie credits include "Local Boys" and
"Frailty," in which he co-starred with fil veteran Bill
Paxton of "Twister" fame.
Jeremy returned to Mt. Sterling last year to attend a
premiere of "Frailty" at Tenth Frame Cinema.
Joining him during a limo ride to the premiere and walk down
the red carpet were some of his childhood friends.
"I miss everyone back there, my friends and family," Jeremy
said. "I miss Mt. Sterling."
The acting bug has claimed his sisters as victims.
Both have been attending auditions for television
commercials and Jeremy's twin sister Jennifer recently
appeared in an anti drug and alcohol message.
"They are doing very well," Johnson said. |
