Jason Schwartzman

Jason Francesco Schwartzman (born June 26, 1980) is an American actor and musician.

Early life

Schwartzman was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Italian American actress Talia Shire and the late producer Jack Schwartzman, who was Jewish. Schwartzman is part of a family of people involved in film. Besides his parents, he is also the nephew of Francis Ford Coppola and cousin of Nicolas Cage, Sofia Coppola, Roman Coppola and Christopher Coppola. He is the brother of actor/musician Robert Carmine (vocalist for the band Rooney), and is the half-brother of cinematographer John Schwartzman. His cousins are entertainment publicist Eric Schwartzman, and brand strategist Jamie Schwartzman.

Career

Schwartzman is best known for his role in the films Rushmore, I ♥ Huckabees, and Slackers. Prior to acting, he was the drummer for the band Phantom Planet (best known for their hit single "California," the theme song for The O.C.). Despite leaving the band for an acting career, he still composes music for some films. He appears in the music video for the rock remix of "All About the Benjamins" by Puff Daddy. He also contributed to Ben Lee's 2005 album Awake Is The New Sleep.

In 2007, he created the pop/rock solo act Coconut Records. The first CD was released on iTunes on March 20, 2007. Songs include "West Coast," "Nighttiming," and "This Old Machine."

In early 2005, he took part in production of Marie Antoinette in Paris under the direction of Sofia Coppola, in which he appears as King Louis XVI with Kirsten Dunst.

Currently, Jason attends Clemson University where he is a marketing major.

Trivia

• Schwartzman received his groundbreaking role in Rushmore when the casting director (who was a friend of his cousin, director Sofia Coppola) mentioned having trouble casting the role of Max. Jason was recommended by Sofia due to his love of older women and his precocious nature.
• Since at least his Phantom Planet days he has described himself as a vegan.[1].
• Jason was also the recorded voice of Julius the Monkey for the fashion brand Paul Frank.
• He was originally cast for the role of Donnie in Donnie Darko, but was later replaced by Jake Gyllenhaal due to Schwartzman's scheduling conflicts.
• During the 2004 Oscars, in the cinematography category, he was shown in the live picture box that should have been for half-brother John Schwartzman, for the movie Seabiscuit (2003). He looked a little surprised to have a camera on him.
• He mentioned in an interview with AOL's Moviefone Unscripted with Kirsten Dunst that he enjoys munching on Stan's Doughnuts of Westwood, CA.
• Jason recently recorded with Incubus guitarist Mike Einziger and wrote several songs which can be heard at http://www.myspace.com/coconutrecords

Personal life

Schwartzman has dated actresses Zooey Deschanel and Selma Blair, the latter of whom is eight years his senior.

Partial filmography

Actor

• Rushmore (1998)
• Freaks and Geeks, Episode 7: "Carded and Discarded" (2000) (TV series)
• CQ (2001)
• Slackers (2002)
• S1m0ne (2002)
• Spun (2002)
• Cracking Up (2004) (TV series)
• I ♥ Huckabees (2004)
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) (uncredited)
• Bewitched (2005)
• Shopgirl (2005)
• Marie-Antoinette (2006)
• The Darjeeling Limited

Composer

• Orange County (2002) & The O.C. (2003) (Phantom Planet song "California")
• Slackers (2002) (song "Little Locked Room" & "Lonely Day")
• The O.C. (2007) (song "The West Coast")

Writer

• The Darjeeling Limited

Awards

Schwartzman won the following awards:

• the 1999 Lone Star Film & Television Award for Best Actor (for Rushmore)
• the 1999 YoungStar Award for Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Comedy Film (for Rushmore)

He was also nominated for the following:

• the 1999 Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising Actor (for Rushmore)

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