Jonathan Lipnicki, the beloved child star of the late '90s, has finally opened up about his absence from the big screen. Known for his roles in Stuart Little, Doctor Dolittle, and Joe Schmo, Jonathan revealed he never truly stepped away from acting. Instead, he chose to focus on other parts of his life during his formative years. Let’s dive into what he’s been up to and how he’s making a comeback.
High School Days and a Balanced Life
Jonathan shared some heartfelt insights with E! News in an interview published on January 21. The 35-year-old actor emphasized that his decision to step back wasn’t a conscious one. “It wasn’t like I was saying, ‘I’m stepping away.’ I still had my agent, and I’d audition here and there,” he explained. “But I wanted to live a normal life. I went to high school, played water polo, attended prom, and even participated in youth league sports. Acting wasn’t the only thing in my life, and that was a good thing.”
The Struggles of Auditioning
Jonathan also candidly admitted that he faced challenges when trying to land new roles. “Let’s be honest here—it’s okay to admit it. Acting is something I’ve always loved, but sometimes it doesn’t love you back,” the Doctor Dolittle star confessed. “There was a period where I wasn’t working, but I was still pursuing it. I auditioned a lot, but the ‘you got it’ call just didn’t come often.”
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Focusing on Growth
Rather than letting the rejections discourage him, Jonathan decided to focus on improving his craft. “I think I lost touch with who I was for a while. Acting requires you to be in tune with yourself, and there was a phase where I just wasn’t at my best,” he admitted. “But I’m okay with saying that. If it’s something I can control, I’m more than willing to take responsibility and work on it. Growth is a lifelong process.”
Expanding Beyond Acting
Jonathan’s journey hasn’t been limited to acting alone. He’s ventured into film production, becoming an executive producer for Buffalo 8, a production company known for its innovative projects. “Over the last 25+ years, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with some incredible storytellers,” Jonathan wrote in a June 2023 post. “I’m excited to expand my network and bring quality projects to life. Thank you to @buffalo8pro and @therealadamharris for this amazing opportunity to grow as a producer.”
A New Chapter with 'The Joe Schmo Show'
Jonathan is set to make a triumphant return to television on January 21 with the premiere of The Joe Schmo Show. This scripted series features an unscripted reality TV setup, and Jonathan plays a heightened version of himself—a bratty child actor. Speaking to TV Insider, he expressed how much fun he’s had with the role. “It’s been empowering to let loose and play someone completely different from who I really am,” he said. “In the industry, especially when you start young, there’s this tendency to be a people pleaser. You don’t want to ruffle feathers or gain a bad reputation. So, it was incredibly freeing to portray someone with a terrible reputation.”
