Jillie Reil

Comedic Actress, Jillie Reil, is set to appear in The Perfect Serial Killer, a thriller feature film in pre-production. With her quirky, off-beat silliness--she is sure to be a hit.

Jillie Reil is one of those charismatic actors that when you first lay eyes on her she captures your attention. Her golden long hair and bright blue eyes mesmerize, but when she opens her mouth you realize that she's just sweet girl from Minnesota with a heart of gold and an infectious laugh.

She has one of the most disarming smiles of any actress in Hollywood and has an uncanny ability to warm even the most dejected soul.

Revealing herself in this candid interview, Jillie sets the record straight about life, love and how to keep it funny.

Q: How old were you when you knew you wanted to act?

A: I always wanted to act and create from the time I was a little girl (cliché, I know). I made my girlfriends do the craziest things like perform SNL-type skits and dance routines at our lemonade stand (I must say, however, that we did have the most successful lemonade stand on 1^st Street!) Growing up in Minnesota, I tried to bury those dreams, but I discovered that heart-felt desires always find their way back to you at the most unexpected times.

Q: Who were your major influences?

A: I love the quirky, sexy and sweet characters portrayed by Suzanne Sommers, Katy Segal and Lisa Kudrow.

Q: What movies would you watch growing up that influenced you?

A: Some of my favorite movies (obviously comedies) that my brother and I would watch over and over are Airplane, Naked Gun, Caddy Shack, Sixteen Candles, National Lampoon's Vacation, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Q: What does your family think about your acting?

A: I initially moved to San Diego to attend law school, but somehow that idea did not challenge me in the way of life experience (I am a true Aquarius in every sense of the word). I had proven to myself that hard work and scholastics equals money, and I have the rest of my life to make more money (at 16, I moved out of the house and worked a part-time job to pay my rent while finishing high school, and at 18, I went straight into corporate America while finishing college). I knew my father always thought that I would make a great lawyer, but I never allowed myself to slow down and think about what I really wanted. When I knew I had to do something more creative and meaningful, I was surprised to realize that my parents support me 110% in whatever I do so long as I am happy (and, according to my mom, I don't appear on a show that interferes with her favorite show).

Q: What was your first major success as an actor?

A: Considering Airplane and Naked Gun are two of my all-time favorites, I had the honor of working with Jerry Zucker on a late-night sketch pilot for TBS. He is truly a great guy, and I love witty humor.

Q: How long did you act in Minnesota before you moved to Hollywood?

A: I never acted in Minnesota, unless you count all the times that I showed up at corporate job interviews in a suit with my hair in a bun, wearing glasses. Given real estate development is such a male-dominated industry, I had to look and act much older and serious. The first day on the job was always interesting.

Q:What character would we know you as?

A: Most recently, I played Cheryl, the ditzy sidekick to the twisted plastic surgeons in the feature comedy, PARfection, Yoni, the frigid Tantric Yoga instructor in the sitcom pilot "Yoga Madness," and Roxanne, the porn star with a heart of gold in the Jerry Zucker/TBS sketch pilot "National Banana."

Q: Why did you make the leap from modeling to tv/film?

A: It really was a quick transition in San Diego. Modeling lead into local commercials, news and radio appearances, and then I was referred through a fellow model into my first short film. I was hooked so much that I left my beachside apartment in North San Diego to live in Hollywood, and I felt more at home in that area than anywhere in my life.

Q: What was one of the first things you discovered here as an actor that was different than Minnesota?

A: Acting (in the professional sense) is new to me as of a few years ago. I had never been to California until nearly four years ago. (On my first visit to see my auntie, I job interviewed on a whim. I hadn't even thought about selling my house in Minnesota, but I took the job and ended up in San Diego weeks later.) So, it's still ALL very new to me, yet I feel like a wise old soul with a sense of belonging. LA can be such a crazy place, but it is full of opportunities than I never had back home.

Q: How did you get your most current role?

A: I was actually cast off my reel to play Cheryl in PARfection. My most favorite parts have come from a simple casting process where it was a mutual understanding that I WAS the character and they need not look elsewhere.

Q: Was it easy to play for you, that character?

A: It really wasn't a far stretch for me; I just added a few extra bubbles to my "bubbliness."

Q: What was it like working with that cast?

A: I had an absolute blast. I laughed until my stomach hurt. Everyone involved was a crazy character, yet unbelievably sweet.

Q: What acting technique do you use?

A: I have studied various methods, but the more I think about the technique, the more it drives me away from my instinctive comedic nature. What works for me is getting lost in the moment, reacting and playing off of other actors.

Q: What characters or roles do you want to see yourself playing?

A: Comedy, comedy, comedy. Quirky, silly, sexy, yet clueless. The more outrageous, the more fun! Maybe even a MILF, cougar or the like...RAWR.

Q: What are you currently doing?

A: I am set to appear in The Perfect Serial Killer, a thriller feature film which is in pre-production and should be filming soon. I am also being considered and I have been cast in several projects (TV, film and theatre); however, I have learned not to put the cart before the horse in making those announcements. Otherwise, my partner and I are strongly focused on writing and producing our spiritual comedy feature film.

Q: What is your goal for this upcoming year?

A: As well as setting the wheels in motion for my own message-filled film, I am determined to land some memorable comedic roles in mainstream television and film.

Q: How do you have fun and relax?

A: I truly enjoy flying by the seat of my pants on random adventures, meeting new people, gaining new perspectives and being creative. I love anything active and outdoors, and I often escape to the ocean alone to center myself with nature. (I have never been into the nightlife scene; for me, it's a waste of human experience.) When I have time, I also follow my favorite sports teams ...SKOL VIKINGS!

Q: Are you married, single, or dating?

A: I was married for a year or so back in Minnesota, but we were polar opposites following Midwest societal pressures. There is something very liberating about screwing up big and losing everything you worked so hard to attain; it allows you to go after what you really want with a "nothing to lose" attitude, and I really wanted to live by the ocean (people rarely leave our area). I am happier than ever being single until I meet someone who is grounded that adds to my life experience; otherwise, my time could be better spent doing laundry. When a man with intelligence, class, depth AND a sense of humor crosses my path, I might consider dinner.

Q:Do you have any pets?

A: No. I killed a cactus a few years back. I took it as a sign.

Q: What city do you live in?

A: I affectionately call Hollyweird a/k/a Lalaland home. It's like going to the carnival everyday for me.

Q:Tell us about your hobbies?

A: I had so many back in Minnesota, i.e. golf, hockey, motorcycles, snowmobiles, boating, travel, concerts and following sports, but I had to put most of that aside for the time being while pursuing my Hollywood aspirations. There are so many more places I want to see and there is so much I want to try and learn; I'm a big kid at heart.

Q: Do you change your look often?

A: Not really. I was super tan and blonde in my twenties in the middle of Minnesota, but then I got scared that I would eventually end up looking like Magda in Something About Mary. Now, I'm just happy being day-glow white in Southern California.

Q: Do you have any special thanks to give anyone in your life?

A: My father is my best friend and a saint. I talk to him almost daily. He's supported me through every crazy step and story of this journey; I know someday I'll write a book about our conversations. I admire all of the adversity he has overcome in his life while maintaining a heart of gold and making stupid jokes. He's instilled in me faith in God, self-respect, pride, fighting determination, witty humor and a love for humanity.

Q: Tell me about your production company?

A: I was sitting at dinner one night with my now production partner and a mutual friend. Our mutual friend had made the observation that the two of us seem to have similar goals and ideas and simply said "come together." With that, we formed a partnership and our idea and interest for a comedy feature film has been growing like wildfire. We have had an amazing response even in the early stages, and my intuition tells me we're onto something big.

Q: As a screenwriter, is there anything you want to share with your fans?

A: Any intelligent and determined person can learn and achieve most anything that he or she sets out to do. However, God-given inspiration, passion and a belief in yourself despite the odds is essential to go the distance.

Contact Jillie Reil:

Theo Caesar, Talent Representative
90210 Talent
9440 S. Santa Monica Blvd., #515
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
323.791.8436
theo@90210talent.com
www.90210talent.com