jasonhortoninterview

It's not every day you run into someone who's been a part of a Troma film , let alone played a number of parts in a Troma film, but Jason Horton has done just that. He plays a number of minor roles in Citizen Toxie : The Toxic Avenger part 4 , including a corpse in a meathanger scene, a cop in a scene with Ron Jeremy, and a guy picking his nose outside a rhinoplastery shop, among others. I managed to catch up with Jason on the Troma.com messageboard, and he was kind enough to agree to an interview.

Jason : Well I heard on a local radio station that it was being filmed the next town over from me , so I just showed up. I've always wanted to be in film. I've done some High School theater , and went to open calls for some feature films , but this was my

first taste of being involved with a film. I just signed a waiver , and I did like two scenes that day. One wasn't used, but I saw myself on another scene briefly ( I was in an alley in the alternate Tromaville , shaking down some kid with makeup on my face to make me look dirty). From there I just kept calling and showing up filming throughout 5-6 weeks of filming.

Blake : Veteran porn star turned Troma icon Ron Jeremy shows up yet again in Citizen Toxie. What was he like ?

Jason : I was on set 2 days he was on. I think he was there a week filming as the Tromaville mayor. I played a police officer when he held a press conference introducing superheroes to take on 'the bad toxie'. He seems really nice, down to earth. I had lunch with him and some others. I thought it was pretty cool since I've been seeing him in pornos for the last 12 years.

Blake : A lot of fans didn't enjoy The Toxic Avenger 2 , or The Toxic Avenger 3 anywhere near as much as the first. Did you enjoy those sequels , and what kind of a reception will Citizen Toxie get from Troma fans..... is it destined to be a cult classic ?

Jason : Well from what I've heard , both the second and third were one big movie , then split in half for two different movies. In this one it opens and says in the beginning how this is the REAL sequel . I think a lot more time , money , and effort went into this one. I think maybe it's destined to be a modern Troma classic.

Blake : What would you rate as the best Troma production , the best movie Troma has picked up for distribution , and the worst Troma movie ?

Jason : I don't think I'd be the best person to ask about this , since I haven't seen that many Troma films. But my faves are Surf Nazis Must Die and the original Toxic Avenger. I don't have a least favorite , although I was turned off a lot on Terror Firmer, even though it had some very clever and funny scenes. I know it's a fave for a lot of people , I just didn't like it all that much.

Blake : What is producer/director Lloyd Kaufman like on the set ? Goofy , intense , or a mixture of both ?

Jason : I think he's all of the above. He seems very grateful of everyones hard work , but he can berate people in the same breath it seems. He's pretty funny, especially when he is belittling someone for whatever reason.

Jason : I'd have to say Proof of Life , with Russell Crowe and Meg Ryan . Funny thing is , the last movie I worked on , A Beautiful Mind , where I play a college professor , was with Russell Crowe , got me my SAG ( union card ) which I've been working on getting and thought I would never get. But yeah , that movie was pretty bad.

Who knows , if Jasons role in A Beautiful Mind leads to bigger and better things, he may join the ranks of such actors and actresses as Kevin Costner , Billy Bob Thornton , and Marisa Tomei , all of whom are ex- Troma stars. I'd like to wish Jason the best of luck with his acting career.