Eugene Simon had a crazy year last year between landing his recurring role as the hilarious Jerome Clark on Nickelodeon's House of Anubis, as well as his spot on HBO's Game of Thrones as Lancel Lannister. To start 2012 off right, the 19-year-old British cutie sat down with J-14 to chat about his start in Hollywood, the culture shock he experienced visiting L.A. from London for the first time, and some of his upcoming projects that you need to check out!
J-14: Tell us about how you got started in acting.
Eugene Simon: The whole situation started when I was in my last year of school and I went to audition for the House of Anubis role down in London. On June 11, which is coincidentally my birthday, I received a call saying they would like to bring me in for the role Jerome. On the very same day, I also found out about Game of Thrones, so both things happened at the same time!
J-14: Have you've experienced any culture shock coming to the U.S.?
Eugene: The first time I was in the U.S. was for the Kids Choice Awards and it was such a thrill! We arrived and the fans seemed to be going mad for the first season of the show.
J-14: Do you have a guilty pleasure or a weird quirk?
Eugene: I have an obsession with Ketchup! I have it with everything. I had a subway sandwich on the way here and I put dollops worth of Ketchup on it!
J-14: You've had so much success so quickly, but have you ever had an embarrassing moment on set?
Eugene: One of the most embarrassing moments I've had was on set of House of Anubis. We have big heaters to keep us warm, because in the U.K. it can get quite chilly. I remember one day, I was talking to one of the members of the crew, and behind me this heater was really warming up the material of my trousers. I couldn't feel it but I thought to myself, 'It's really quite warm.' After, I walked on set, sat down at the dinner table and instantly popped up! The fabric of my trousers was searing hot -- and this was in front of the entire cast and crew!
J-14: Where can fans see you next?
Eugene: On the second season of House of Anubis -- it's a lot of fun and really unique show! I'll also be on Game of Thrones. The first season was obviously an absolute hit and the second season is going to absolutely blow you away! Also, at some point this year, ABC is going to release a TV movie of Ben-Hur and I play the young Ben-Hur in the movie.
Photo Courtesy of Katie Amey/J-14
