Meet Jeff Deglow

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Deglow.

Hi Jeff, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story starts in a small town in Canada where I grew up.
Having always wanted to see myself on TV shows that I watched with my family, I decided to take matters into my own hands. At the age of 12, I started making cold calls to Casting Directors located in the nearest major city. It’s not something I would recommend now, but I was fortunate enough to have connected with a very generous and patient CD that got me on set as a Background performer, which I loved, and never looked back!

From there, I spent the rest of my youth dedicated to the craft; I transferred to a School of Performing Arts, started doing professional theatre and working on set whenever the opportunity arose and even found myself working on a Disney Channel show.

When high school ended, I knew I wanted to continue to pursue acting as a career, so I moved to NYC to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. After graduation, I started working Regionally, Off-Broadway and touring the country with different shows. It was an acting contract that brought me to Arizona originally. I came to do a Shakespearean show for what was to be 3 months but ended up staying for 7 years. As an actor, one usually goes where the work is, and as I continued to book more and more contracts in AZ, I just kind of stayed.

Here I have worked consistently on stages across the Valley, filming movies, shorts, industries, and commercials (both local and national). I believe I currently have 3 commercial spots running in the AZ market, so keep your eyes on them! haha

While I am very grateful for all the opportunities I have acquired in AZ, I knew it wasn’t my final destination. Late in 2019, I moved to CA part-time and now work in both markets. Suppose you want to hear more about working with major celebs or being around Hamilton the Musical’s mega-hit. I have stories to tell. Along the way, I have earned many incredible stories.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This industry is hard for everyone in their own right, so I will never claim to be a victim. However, my biggest struggle is being a foreigner and requiring a work Visa to be in the country. This facet of my career requests that I maintain a certain level of work and credits/success to remain in the country, and this reassessment of my profession happens every few years. Again, I am always grateful for what I have been able to accomplish and do, but I never can forget that there is a sword of Damocles hanging over my career if I do not keep hustling and working. It’s truly been a blessing and a curse never to be able to relax or get sidetracked, but it makes taking risks in my career feel scarier!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an award-winning actor; with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Classical Theatre. I have built a name for myself as a comedic actor on stage, where I spend half of my time doing classical work. This means I have spent most of that time speaking in prose, not verse. I usually speak in “everyday dialogue” without meter, rhythm, or the poetry that Shakespeare is known for! I always laugh that while I have an incredible handle on Shakespearean text, I always seem to play the Fools in the Shakespeare shows I book.

What I am most proud of is the fact that I can say that I have been a gainfully employed actor/creative for over a decade now, a feat I do not take lightly or for granted. While most of my career has heavily emphasized performing on the stage, my current focus is to return to my origins of on-camera work, which is why I am now splitting my time between AZ and CA.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I have been following a golden path that has had many adventures, friends, twists, turns, and even some flying monkeys. At the risk of sounding overly cliche, I often compare my life and career to the journey of The Wizard of Oz. Along the way, I found my heart while living in Vancouver. (when I first fell in love), earned my brains in NYC (where I earned my degrees and developed as a human), and it was in Arizona that I discovered my courage. Arriving and working in the Valley gave me confidence and strength to know who I was on and off stage, showing me where I wanted to go and providing me the courage to get there. Next is to conquer Emerald City, so wish me luck in Tinsel Town!

Contact Info:

• Website: jeffdeglow.com
• Instagram: @jeffdeglow
• Facebook: jeffdeglow
• Twitter: @jeffdeglow (though I rarely ever use this)
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu6GF91FGRlOc0WnEyHbvyw

Image Credits
1) soldier uniform ~ Laura Durant 2) sunbathing ~ Laura Durant 3) Lady laughing ~ Nick Woodward-Shaw 4) Lady Hiding ~ Nick Woodward-Shaw 5) Trailer Selfie ~ ME 6) Cowboy onset Selfie ~ ME 7) Black and White ~Julian Hampton 8) Western ~ Nick Woodward-Shaw