Jonathan Taylor Thomas: A real Tom Sawyer for the ’90’s
By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service
Jonathan Taylor Thomas especially remembers that summer day when he white-washed the fence. He was playing Tom Sawyer in “Tom and Huck,” and was recreating one of the most famous moments from Mark Twain’s great novel. “It was kind of eerie, white-washing that fence,” he says. “It goes down in history, it’s classic American literature.” “There’s a bit of pressure in that, too. We have to live up to what Twain wrote,” Thomas says. “This is going to affect the interpretation of ‘Tom Sawyer’ for all who see this film, especially young kids; so you have to live up to the story and give your best performance.”
If they seem like especially astute observations for a child actor, two points must be made. First, Thomas no linger is a child actor. Despite his short stature and baby face, the star of TV’s “Home Improvement” is already 14. Second, Thomas is smarter than the average actor, child or otherwise. He’s carrying a straight-A record in school, is a vociferous reader, understands the importance of education, and takes a practical approach to his beginning career as a film actor.
His role model is Ron Howard, who began his career as a little kid named Opie, and is now being mentioned as a best director Oscar nominee for “Apollo 13.”
Fortunately, though, Thomas remains enough of a kid that his fondest memories of the “Tom and Huck” set are racing co-star Brad Renfro with the gold carts they’d been provided to get to the locations. “Brad and I got along, which helps in a film having to do with loyalty and friendship,” Thomas says.
Renfro, who made his debut in “The Client,” plays Huck Finn in the film.
Asked if he thinks his fellow teenagers should be able to identify with Tom Sawyer, Thomas has no worries. “Tom wanted to be free and independent, and was an adventurer. He wanted to be free of society’s hold, just like teenagers of today. If kids are skeptical about relating to the character, they’ll find they have a lot of similarities. “He’s got a lot of great leadership qualities, and he’s there when you need him.” “This movie also deals with a lot of moral issues, too; and we need morality in the ‘90s. Tom has to make the right decision at the key point in the film. That’s important.”
Thomas also thinks today’s teens will appreciate that “Tom and Huck,” isn’t a fluffy, cleaned-up version of Twain. “I think this movie is different than the previous Tom Sawyers. It’s grittier and more realistic; it’s got an edge to it. It’s like the book; the book is dirty and gritty and rough and tough.”
As an actor, Thomas also is growing out of childhood roles and into adolescent parts. Not all child stars make the transition. “I’ve been aware of it and there’s concern. But there will always be projects for a wide variety of ages, and hopefully they will be quality projects,” he says. “If I don’t do a movie this year, that’s fine, too. Life goes on. I’m aware that acting careers can end like that,” he adds, with a snap of his fingers. “You just have to have an education to fall back on. And that’s why I’m going to a good school now and getting the best education I can get. I want to take advantage of that.”
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