Jonny Lewis, a late-blooming actor, discovered his passion for the craft at the age of 45 after being invited to a theatre audition, initially intending to simply observe. This serendipitous encounter led him to take on lead roles in three Off-Off-Broadway productions in 2002, followed by a Best Actor award for his debut in a short film.
Subsequently, Jonny relocated to Los Angeles, where he went on to participate in a staggering 150 student and independent films over the course of eight years. During this period, he honed his skills and gained valuable experience.
However, Jonny's personal life took a significant turn in 2014, when he returned to Michigan to care for his elderly mother. Despite the challenges that came with this new responsibility, Jonny continued to work on short films, occasionally flying back to Los Angeles to shoot new projects.
This dedication to his craft yielded impressive results, with Jonny earning an astonishing 20 awards on IMDb, as well as an additional seven awards from non-IMDb festivals, and 150 festival appearances. His hard work and perseverance were truly remarkable.
Now, Jonny is preparing to direct his first feature film, a comedy titled "Waking Up in Idaho," which is set to begin production in September 2021. The film will be shot on location in Idaho, utilizing local talent, crew members, and two cast members from his earlier short films.
To ensure the authenticity of his script, Jonny spent an extended period of time in Idaho, living among the local community for three and a half months. This immersion allowed him to craft a compelling narrative about two foster children, a Nez Perce girl and a white boy, who are forced to adjust to their new foster mothers over the course of a weekend spent camping, hiking, horseback riding, and panning for gold.
