Jacob Tremblay on child stardom, The Little Mermaid and Justin Bieber

As a child actor, Canada’s Jacob Tremblay became known for punching above his age in mature dramas like Room and Wonder. Now, at 16 years old, he gets to revisit a classic children’s movie by voicing Flounder in Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.
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[@McFlurryMachineIsDown]

If he stays on this path this dude's going to be huge. Any of the movies he's done are all pretty darn good.

[@richardcourchene7477]

Well if he exercises and maintains a proper diet I don’t think he’s going to be huge.

[@McFlurryMachineIsDown]

@@richardcourchene7477 😂

[@vitormateussm]

I see an Oscar win in his future easily, I still think he should have been nominated for room

[@edwardsepulvado8617]

I am sorry you feel such. Maybe I am being hopeful about the kid but there is certainly nothing wrong with hope ✌

[@emiliobello2538]

Meant as a star@@richardcourchene7477

[@blueiris1542]

I want him and Timothee Chalamet to star in a movie as best friends or brothers.

[@djaniputri6267]

Even them tone and rythme when talk seem similiar

[@graystarfilms1677]

That’s what I was thinking too

[@Alexa_s_life.]

Yes!

[@fatimaperez5383]

That's what I thought too, the way they talk, similar

[@mikeking9373]

They resemble each other!

[@UnderTheTableGremlin]

I hope he keeps going with his acting. He was phenomenal as a kid in Room, and he’s been great in so many other roles. He’s gonna be huge one day.

[@manuelbello5806]

He is amazing

[@lady_h9659]

He is huge already.

[@Angel_Auraa]

​@@lady_h9659 Yeah but he needs another breakthrough as an adult.

[@Angel_Auraa]

@@lady_h9659 Plus if you've been keeping up with him, you'd know his career is in an extremely quiet phase right now.

[@Angel_Auraa]

@@lady_h9659 Also, he hasn’t worked with a big director in upwards of 7 years. He’s not an A lister. He’s not in the conversation. Most teens today don’t know who he is since most of his movies have been directed at adults, these adults are the ones who might remember him. He also doesn’t hang out with other celebrities, doesn’t live in LA, and casting agents show preference to American talent. That’s why Canadian actors are less likely to reach the top. I’m not sure what you guys categorize as “huge.”

[@Hectorferjr2]

I can't believe Jacob grew up fast. I wanted him to star in a Home Alone reboot.

[@idaf3028]

No. There was already a terrible reboot plus he's like 16

[@franciskwiah5676]

@idaf3028 You really have to read his comments again.

[@connorweisberg3956]

Wow Jacob grew up! It’s like seeing a younger sibling you haven’t seen in years

[@nerd_in_norway]

The passion that woke up in him once he started talking about creative writing, you can tell that's where his heart truly is. Still, a great actor, possibly the best child actor in Hollywood since Haley Joel Osment.

[@keyblademasterclark]

He's grown up into a smart, polite, and very grounded young man. Can't wait to see what the future has in store for him and I wish him nothing but happiness.

[@karlc2869]

I hope he doesn't become the next Lindsay Lohan or Britney Spears.

[@keyblademasterclark]

@@karlc2869 I don't think he will. He's not as popular as they were in their prime and I think parents these days are a lot more aware of how toxic that lifestyle can be

[@karlc2869]

@@keyblademasterclark Agreed. I mean, Scarlett Johansson said she was lucky because her parents were not media people and were not money hungry like Britney, LiLo, Amanda, MJ and RDJ's parents.

[@Angel_Auraa]

​​@@karlc2869 Well, he didn't grow up in Hollywood. Or America. (He's not American.) So this drastically reduced his chances at ending up being washed up. Plus his parents didn't seem to use him, they simply helped him. He was / is extremely mature for his age so I wouldn't be surprised if he was behind every decision he made back then.

[@karlc2869]

@@Angel_Auraa Let's wait and see but yeah.

[@kikis2686]

He is so well spoken.

[@seanwebb605]

But is he really? Can he really organize his thoughts and answer a question?

[@jaimiehex9420]

@@seanwebb605 he literally did, you just saw it

[@seanwebb605]

@@jaimiehex9420 Bullshit. He ummmms......aws.....pauses and desperately struggles to give a coherent answer.

[@scotlandbeck701]

@@seanwebb605 he did say that he struggles talking normally

[@seanwebb605]

@@scotlandbeck701 Which is perfectly fine. Not everyone is a great public speaker.

[@DLPSLA]

What an awesome young man. It was so nice to meet him as a youngster at the Palm Springs International Film Festival while co-writing the awards show when he was there for Room. Totally poised as a 10 year old, and now so mature and on his way to continued greatness...

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

Unlike many child actors, Jacob is maturing into a serious, well-founded character actor with more talent and fewer hang-ups that most who have grown up in front of the camera. Much of this is down to his grounded family life and the fact that Canadians are generally less starry-eyed, and accept even movie and music stars as just fellow Canuks, or in Jacob's case Québécois.

[@kuhmee]

He *is* québécois right?? Tremblay is a very French-Canadian last name

[@Angel_Auraa]

​@@kuhmee Nope. He's from Vancouver.

[@Angel_Auraa]

I disagree. Many child actors end up okay. Leonardo DiCaprio comes to mind.

[@dvqjacks7735]

It's hard to believe he voiced Luca. His voice has changed a LOT!!

[@anxiousSt4rr]

yeah !! its crazy 😮

[@Angel_Auraa]

@@dvqjacks7735 It’s almost as if voices do that

[@dvqjacks7735]

@@Angel_Auraa Yk what I mean

[@seynpurrp]

wait WHAT!?

[@johns4571]

This boy is a huge talent and highly intelligent and knows how to speak - well done Jacob !

[@petersaysthings]

I really love these kind of intimate chats with celebrities, they're so interesting to listen to. Jacob is super talented and sounds very grounded, though I hope he takes some more understated roles now and then. People are saying 'he's going to be huge' but I personally feel like getting too popular too young tends to box people into roles that aren't all that captivating after a while, and I'd like to see him take on more challenging roles.

[@watcher0148]

Well-spoken, a very talented young actor, i would love to see him and finn wolfhard starring in a movie together!

[@gavinmagnus6072]

I like gavin magnus better.

[@princessberry98]

I am a fan of Jacob's work! It makes me smile to see how much progress he has made 💕

[@chuualwayswins]

he’s very articulate with his words, I can’t wait for more of his future projects he’s always incredible

[@emmak2005]

He sounds so young in The Little Mermaid as Flounder. 4 years older now and a definite voice change over the years

[@stevek6432]

that's because he did recorded it pre covid then it got delayed being made.

[@Bene_Gesserit]

Such a good conversationalist for his age

[@Hectorferjr2]

I always believed that having an acting career when I was a teenager would help improve my social skills.

[@andreuboada]

I know! I feel like he's gonna be a huge star

[@gavinmagnus6072]

he reminds me of the popular kid gavin magnus.

[@sinemaklip6336]

He's giving bradley cooper vibe

[@PayakanTheOG_Quit]

Nah not Gavin Magnus

[@yesthatbruce]

The sky is truly the limit for this guy. He has grown from an amazingly talented, adorable, and winsome little kid to a poised, charming, and funny young man. I've always rooted for Jacob, and I always will be. One of my favorite Canadians ever.

[@Angel_Auraa]

I think so too, but now that he's older he sort of needs to worm his way back to where he used to be. I think people remember him. I know lots of people can't recognize him.

[@TowerThunder]

@@Angel_Auraa I hope he doesn't become the next Corey Feldman or the next River Phoenix.

[@Angel_Auraa]

​@@TowerThunder Oof River Phoenix 😅 I think it might be a bit hard for Jacob to become like that since he doesn't live in LA.

[@TowerThunder]

@@Angel_Auraa Yep.

[@TowerThunder]

@@Angel_Auraa BTW I sub.

[@upmysuccess90s20]

He’s sure grown into quite a teenager, and turns 18 this year! (2024). Not gonna lie…17 year old me would definitely be crushing on Jacob (I’m 21).

[@Colombiana153]

He is so handsome❤

[@janicelaurin7263]

Wow, he seems very well rounded and articulate. Great interview! I remember him in "Room" and thought he was so good. His hair was straight, but looks like it turned curly now. I hope the money made from his movies is in some sort of trust now. Maybe he will be like child actors Dylan and Cole Sprouse. They ditched Hollywood and both went to college in New York and graduated. They saved their money and it basicially paid for college. One went back into acting and I believe the other lives in Idaho or Utah (?) and works in a business. But they had a back story with their mother and ended up living with their father who made sure they were financially protected. I wish Jacob the best in whatever he pursues. But in the meantime, he is only 16 and I hope he is just enjoying life, school and his family.

[@stevek6432]

he wore a wig in room. after the gran cuts it off, that's Jacob's own hair

[@MohaishenMTaha]

the timothee aura and the way the words leaves his mouth and how the jaws form, they're all very timothee. a new gen perhaps and I live!

[@cheryldee9240]

I gotta share this in support of Jacob. My son just turned 26, went with me twice to see the movie! Anyway, he got his first cell phone at 12 and recorded his first greeting that he still uses to this day, refusing to change from his 12 y.o. voice. Is he special! No, nuttin' wrong with him just....weird in a fun way! It cracks people up to hear his greeting!😂😂

[@magdalenasharee2551]

The entertainment industry has a pristine track record for ruining young actors. Willing the good in this boy always. 🙏

[@jimwilliams133]

Its great that hes so level headed and knows just what he wants to do with his life.Would be very interesting talking to him about most anything.

[@andreuboada]

I LOVE JACOB TREMBLAY!!!

[@MisturMonster]

LETS GO STORY MAKER JACOB PERIOD!!!!!! DIRECTOR

[@whizzardblizzard5696]

If he picks the right projects from hereon, It’ll only be a matter of time till he catches on Timothy Chalamet’s level and quality of fame.

[@Angel_Auraa]

@@whizzardblizzard5696 To be honest, that won't happen unless he selects the right roles. He has the looks of a heartthrob but I'm not sure he has the confidence.

[@Dadfromtexas]

He reminds me so much of Timothee Chalamet. He is so talented just like him. I only continue to see success in his future

[@mathildakd1]

Its uncanny

[@SiaMusic2007]

WOAHHHH HIS VOICE CHANGED SO MUCH I WAS WAITING FOR THIS AHHHHHH

[@timothyachema6523]

His filmography is insane! Star!

[@carlyskinner6122]

Him in the room he was amazing such a great film xxx

[@BatmanHQYT]

I just watched Room for the first time, and seeing this video is giving me insane whiplash.

[@stevek6432]

such an underrated film, music is excellent as well

[@brielle7130]

he’s amazing

[@ThallVic]

So pissed that he wasn't even nominated for the Oscar for his amazing performance in "Room".

[@stevek6432]

the fact no award ceremony ever has a little podium when they have kid nominations shows how little regard they have for children at these occasions.

[@phily8093]

He seems like a charming young man. It's a shame his role was almost non existent in a mediocre remake.

[@liamnevilleviolist1809]

13:47 the cute little voice-crack :P He's a great actor! I last saw him in Doctor Sleep (watched it maybe 4 times now I guess).

[@stevek6432]

he plays a kid being brutally murdered so well 😮 apparently he filmed that on his 12 birthday.

[@AAsmr-wp8ev]

He is very well spoken. You are gonna go far kid, you got this! I am rooting for you❤

[@nika-pt2pl]

I love him in " Wonder"! Can't believe how much his voice has changed

[@ameliabedelia7018]

@nika-pt2pl he was not in Wonderland. That movie was rated R and came out in 2003. Jacob was born in 2006. Plus I don’t think he would take a part at -3 years old. Much less a movie about murder, gangs and drugs like Wonderland. That’s kinda weird. Val Kilmer and Josh Lucas did a good job though.

[@xminniex1754]

​@ameliabedelia7018 not wonderland, wonder is another movie based off the book by r.j palacio

[@lorireece1970]

It’s so cute when he does his own voice as a little kid! He should use that voice in a future animated character! 😁

[@mysticwanderer4787]

What a wonderful interview. Another Ron Howard in the making.

[@olamideakinola7297]

Hope to see him win an Oscar and many industry accolades someday. He’s a very talented actor.

[@Angel_Auraa]

Same. I feel like directors have forgotten about him but if he can get back on their radar he can definitely be an Oscar contender one day.

[@lorireece1970]

I absolutely adore him in Wonder! I’m now trying to catch up with all of his other movies.

[@swimmerbruno]

he is so nice and kind :D

[@aljohnabogado21]

HI JACOB TREMBLAY im aljohn from philippines i really like u, im a big fans of u here in manila i watching youre all movies and ur series i hope we meet very soon in usa

[@mathildakd1]

When I first saw this interview on shorts I immediately started sweating from the shock of how much he resemble Timothee Chalamet these days! Would never have guessed back when he was a kid. Its uncanny

[@mentallyaktive916]

Before I Wake Is So Underrated !!!!

[@stevek6432]

a lot of his early films are.

[@Angel_Auraa]

​@@stevek6432Even his current films. Not like Little Mermaid did that well. Although he hasn't been in a "oh, wow" film since Room. I think he might just need to work with some good directors.

[@snatched.8135]

I am BAFFLED that he's this old now. In my head I thought he was entering the 5th grade😯😯

[@edwardsepulvado8617]

A great interview. First saw Jacob on a clip from the Tonight Show. Very mature for his age. Saw his dad in a rerun of Are You Afraid of the Dark? soon after. Had to Google to learn the connection. His parents deserve so much credit for him being so grounded. Best of luck as he becomes a young Oscar winner like Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. They seem to have done okay.😉 P.S. kudos to the theater people for requiring him to have an eighteen year old to get in to his own movie. Sets a ripe example.🤗

[@seanwebb605]

I remember when people were saying the same things about a young Aaron Carter.

[@edwardsepulvado8617]

Different family dynamic.

[@seanwebb605]

@@edwardsepulvado8617 We have absolutely no way to verify that. The same things get said about child celebrities all of the time. Then we are surprised that the public image put forward comes short of reality. It's just empty ah golly shucks gawking at a kid you like. These are exercises in public relations and marketing. We can hope that the guy is well adjusted and situated for success in the future, but it's the same soft ball questions and weak follow up questions. Pretty empty interview.

[@edwardsepulvado8617]

I am hopeful for the kid. Nothing wrong with hoping. Taught middle school for twenty-nine years. Even when I was facing dissappointment

[@seanwebb605]

@@edwardsepulvado8617 Hope is good. Blind optimism far less so. Ignoring that we have seen these promotional campaigns before and continue to see a pattern is dangerous.

[@JeanGoalin]

I live in Tremblay, a small village not far from the port of Saint-Malo in Brittany. This young man certainly has French ancestry.

[@Angel_Auraa]

He does. French and Spanish (I'm assuming, since he has family in Chile.) Also Italian.

[@ryanpjk-sproule3813]

Wow he's growing fast I remember him when he was like 8 years old last movie I saw him in

[@Jacob_BK_Tremblay]

Love Boss Jake so much!

[@RonniSkifte]

Jacob Tremblay seems like a nice guy 🥰💖

[@lordmadin]

Listened for 1 minutes and boidem has been brought up well!

[@bakebake._.acakecake2380]

He’s so handsome!

[@tennisCharlzz]

At the end of the interview, Jacob talks about wanting to write and direct. The career path seems a little like Ron Howard, except I think Ron and, say, Spielberg were more about directing and less about writing which is why they are so prolific. A writer/director like Bong Joon-Ho or, I think, Rian Johnson or Martin McDonagh write and direct, so their output is less because they want to do both things and writing takes time.

[@uzairhashir6801]

man, hes just like tim

[@daisythomas5601]

He looks like the young version of Adam Warlock.

[@terrellratliff2229]

He , Look just like, Ben10 ,A, Teenage Ben10, He , Can, Be. Perfect,

[@terrellratliff2229]

He , Going, Just, Like Ben10, A, Teenage, He , Can Playing Ben10,

[@JohnSmith-xg9wx]

LUCA!

[@resotunes]

WAIT HE VOICED FLOUNDER!?

[@CarolineStrunk-ld4ri]

Yes

[@stevek6432]

did you know boys voices go deeper as they get older?

[@DavidLari]

Luca's voice changed!!!!

[@stephendennis5969]

Should have asked about the scene in Doctor Sleep.

[@SabinaCabanero]

Is his first film Smurfs 2 as Blue Winslow cause I can’t remember. But yeah I love him as Auggie in Wonder.

[@FablestoneSeries]

He's grown up so much in the past few years I hardly recognize him. I've worked with him on several projects and i still hardly recognize him.

[@CarolineStrunk-ld4ri]

Really that's cool

[@keyblademasterclark]

Was Wonder any good?

[@denman2991]

YES YES YES as a person with a disability myself it holds a very important place in my heart

[@keyblademasterclark]

@@denman2991That was when I first took notice of Jacob's acting skills. I saw previews for it and I thought it looked really good.

[@masonbourgeois7798]

Jacob in the doctor sleep omg that was crazy

[@7n154]

I forgot about that scene! Probably purposely blocked that memory. I saw it in the theatre for a test screening so it was before his scene was edited for wide release. I couldn't handle it and had to leave the theatre for a moment. It was too real. Reminded me too much of the real case of Adam Walsh.

[@stevek6432]

@@7n154 dont watch the behind the scenes on it in that case. he filmed it on his12th birthday , did the scene so well that rebecca Ferguson as rose couldn't say her lines, then soon as they went 'cut' everybody was silent whilst he jumped up, headed for the catering trolley, still covered in fake blood, and ordered some food

[@avatenaglia6440]

So eloquent

[@gbagman]

His voice changed!!😲

[@mbg140897]

He’s going to be as big as Timothèe Chalamet

[@Angel_Auraa]

Depends on the roles he gets. Tbh.

[@RAtheGoodRailfanner_888]

Nice voice!

[@SJ-gc8mw]

I think he will be huge if he gets the right movie roles. Hopefully he’ll make that transition from child actor to adult.

[@Angel_Auraa]

He’s pretty much already there. He considers himself a young adult performer now.

[@Angel_Auraa]

But you’re right that regaining his prior fame and growing from there would require selecting the right roles.

[@hussainaljohany9567]

Wallem shiksper story 1.2.3 4................... is very funny his story

[@zacharysmith8902]

Is this the boy from that GOOD BOYS….He grew up

[@BrianYerby-he9jo]

Yep you nailed it

[@mlee6050]

Yeah he said was probably 12 when did it and wanted to take his friends there and they was older so probably as under 14 he needed someone over 18 to watch with even with point to poster that he was in it lol

[@stevek6432]

@@mlee6050 funny, he can be in a film where he's kissing a sex doll but can't watch the film he's in where his character kissed a sex doll, weird

[@PabloRodríguezFlores-x7o]

Lo amo a mi hermanito besitos bb se que no es cierto decir esto eres increíblemente actor i hermano

[@CDHfilms]

How did this guy not get the part of Percy Jackson?!

[@Angel_Auraa]

I remember one woman saying he "wasn't hot enough" which was extremely bizarre considering he was even younger back then. 😅 But it's also possible he's just too old for the role. He's 18 now, so he'd be looking at more young adult roles. Walker Scobell is the right age for Percy. You have to be middle school to high school age for that character.

[@dannyvermeylen7408]

So cool boy ❤

[@manuelbello5806]

Wow

[@charlizearaguz]

He Looks Like Gordo From Lizzi Mcguire

[@jonathanroberts6434]

Omg he does 😊

[@CarolineStrunk-ld4ri]

He Could be his son damn

[@emmanuelowodunni-ze3ri]

15:33

[@jeremywilson5872]

Such a cool and beautiful ❤😢❤😢❤😢😂

[@allenpayne927]

Wait, Jacob is Canadian?

[@sensarmy]

Yes

[@Jackie_Love_Heart]

Also Latin I think his mom is part Chile

[@hussainaljohany9567]

Knew wallem shakisper . He is foumos story ..........................

[@2frungjung]

Mmmm the interview style is too… interviewy.

[@_lewisgo]

he's 33 years old

[@PayakanTheOG_Quit]

Huh?

[@elizabethdowell5382]

New drinking game: Take a shot everytime he licks his lips 😂

[@seanwebb605]

Two shots for when he looks away and fails to make eye contact.

[@Ashleyscott27]

@@seanwebb605 im the same way when talking to new people 😅 ig its a shy thing

[@seanwebb605]

@@Ashleyscott27 Bah.

[@Floral_skies2727]

⁠@@seanwebb605no I also look away, it’s normal 😂

[@seanwebb605]

@@Floral_skies2727 You give TV interviews? You are involved in public speaking? You're an actor?

[@iseejewelz3874]

Daaaammnnn is he a chalamane clone?

[@22CaptainAmerica]

I miss him being a little kid

[@22CaptainAmerica]

@@tinker_belle41 the first time I saw him in a movie was called room

[@kaylareg]

Theirs no way him and I are the same age

[@hussainaljohany9567]

Attaik all

[@hussainaljohany9567]

Mr. Answer question Please why some boy his mouth smell is very fantistic

[@arcanejude8308]

he's giving finn wolfhard

[@anonycover9932]

He’s a lot classier

[@stevek6432]

well he did work with Gaten Matarazzo, but he does look like finn

[@hussainaljohany9567]

T.v is very fantistic isearch exlant film

[@joshuaj.chinda9873]

I think he'll make a great peter parker.

[@Angel_Auraa]

Oh please no superhero movies. 😅 They have such a bad reputation.

[@hussainaljohany9567]

Iwant to see funny

[@zacharysmith8902]

Very cute boy…. do you have a girlfriend?

[@isabellamarty8745]

………..excuse me? Do you realize he’s a celebrity

[@zacharysmith8902]

@@isabellamarty8745 i know from that movie

[@idaf3028]

Umm...

[@now192002]

@@isabellamarty8745 Gotta admire the naivete though.

[@bluehouseroots]

Creep

[@RobertoRockyMan-fp2cj]

He looks not that happy as he was couple years ago.

[@devanmoran]

jacob is so beautiful (: such a soothing voice

[@rossgreen391]

What a highly articulated young man, what a credit to Disney. Hope you don't stop and chase that dream Jacob!! 💗💗💗