Interview with actor turned author Lisa Jakub, plus a mini review of her memoir

We talk to Lisa Jakub, former actor (she appeared in such films as Mrs. Doubtfire and Independence Day), now author, at Book Expo America 2015. Our interview with her is below! She wrote the memoir YOU LOOK LIKE THAT GIRL (Beaufort Books) about starting her successful acting career at the age of four, and making the difficult decision to retire from it at the age of 22.

I love memoirs, novels, films, and documentaries that show a behind-the-scenes look at careers in the arts, and YOU LOOK LIKE THAT GIRL was no exception.  I couldn’t put it down! I found it to be a very honest and straightforward account of what it was like for her to be a child actor, feeling like an outcast at times because of how much she missed school, and traveling the world with her mother working on different films. I found it refreshing how it wasn’t the typical child star memoir about drug abuse and sleeping around (but she does allude to some of that stuff going on in the world around her). It’s easy to identify with her as she comes across as a sweet, rational person trying to survive in Hollywood, and eventually comes to the realization that being an actor just isn’t for her anymore.

Since I was a child I wanted to be an actor, and I am still struggling (succeeding sometimes by booking professional TV, film, and theatre jobs, but struggling the majority of times), so there were points where it was hard for me emotionally to get through it, as she lived the life I would want (and she acknowledges in the book that she knew she was in an enviable position, being a well known working actor). But I believe that’s what a good book does, it makes you feel things as well as reflect on your own life. I also really appreciated how she handled this respectfully, admitting that she knew a lot of people would love to have her career, and she wished she could let someone take her place.

I interviewed her before reading her book, but regardless I still hope our interview provides some additional insight. It was really great to speak to her. We met her and her husband and they both seem like really cool people. Enjoy, and pick up a copy of her book!

Jessica Mazo interviews, Tom O’Brien produces/shoots/edits.

For more on Lisa, visit http://lisajakub.net/