The method acting journey from Orange County to the Bronx
In short: Before becoming a recognizable face in major franchises like Jurassic World, actor Justice Smith underwent a rigorous transformation for a Netflix musical drama. To inhabit his role, he moved into a dilapidated apartment in the Bronx, demonstrating a commitment to craft that predates his mainstream stardom.
Justice Elio Smith was born in Los Angeles on August 9, 1995, and raised in Anaheim, California. His formal training began at the Orange County School of the Arts, where he graduated in 2013. This foundation led to early opportunities in theatre around Orange County and a guest appearance in Nickelodeon's The Thundermans in 2014.
A pivotal moment in Smith's career occurred in 2016 with Netflix's musical drama series The Get Down. Playing the role of Ezekiel Figuero, Smith utilized method acting techniques, which included taking up residence in a dilapidated apartment in the Bronx during the production. This period of immersive performance preceded his inclusion on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2017.
Smith's career has since spanned diverse genres, from supporting roles in Paper Towns to leading parts in Detective Pikachu and All the Bright Places. He balanced film work with stage productions, such as Yen at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in early 2017, and participated in live screenplay readings for charity in 2020. His recent projects include a role in Now You See Me: Now You Don't (2025) and an upcoming casting in Heated Rivalry.
Beyond his performance style, Smith has been open about his personal identity. In June 2020, he came out as queer on Instagram. He later shared reflections on the dynamics of relationships, noting that while he remains attracted to women, he finds same-sex relationships more freeing than heterosexual ones, which he felt carried a restrictive pressure to perform specific gender roles.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Justice Smith
- Also: Wikidata — Justice Smith · CC0
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