OLTL: North Carolina 8th grader talks

From: http://www.hickoryrecord.com/servlet/Satel...d=1149193153825

'The camera just loves him'

Granite Falls eighth-grader has head start on Hollywood dreams

By Josh Yoder

Record Staff Writer

Sunday, February 11, 2007

HICKORY - When Austin Moore was 3 years old, he told his mother he wanted to be on TV.

Ten years later, he’s gotten his wish - and then some.

Austin, 13, of Granite Falls, is a budding actor. So far, he’s starred in commercials for Fred’s, World Wrestling Entertainment and Food Lion.

Austin’s mother, Robin Moore, enrolled him in a modeling agency when he was 3. He modeled in ads and catalogues from ages 3 to 5, and started acting when he was 8.

Now he has an agent in Charlotte and a manager in New York City - not bad for an eighth-grader.

Last week, Austin had his first gig on a television show: a bit part in ABC’s soap opera “One Life to Live.” The episode aired Thursday.

Robin Moore watched the show at home.

“The phone rang all day,” she said. “The camera just loves him.”

How did you find out you’d be on “One Life to Live?”

My manager left a message on our phone at home. I was watching TV in the living room and mom came running in yelling - she scared me half to death! We listened to the message on speakerphone and my mouth dropped open. We flew up to New York City in January to shoot the scene.

Tell me about your role.

I played a high school boy who was friends with Cole (one of the show’s main characters). The scene was a school assembly about drugs. You can see me walking to my chair and putting down my books. It wasn’t a speaking role, but you can see me throughout the scene.

Did you watch yourself on TV?

My whole class watched it in school (Granite Falls Middle School). It was really weird. I’ve seen myself on commercials before, but to see myself on a national television show - it was really fun. All of my friends were like, “There’s Austin!”

What’s been your favorite job so far?

The commercial for World Wrestling Entertainment was great. I got to eat dinner with the wrestlers and talk to Ric Flair and Vince McMahon.

What are some of your other hobbies?

One of my best talents is saxophone. I want to be in the marching band at South Caldwell next year. Also, I play football, and I love golf. I’d go out to the golf course every day if I had the chance.

Who are some of your heroes?

Mel Gibson - he’s a great director and actor. I also like Ashton Kutcher because he’s funny and he’s got his own show. Also, my band teacher, Mr. Crouch. He’s a very great musician.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Probably at a university or college, and working as an actor. If I don’t pursue acting, I want to be either an accountant or an anesthesiologist. But hopefully I’ll be doing movies and making big bucks.

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