Life & Work with Johnny Jay Lee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnny Jay Lee.

Hi Johnny Jay, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It all started with comic books; I was introduced to Marvel comics by some friends when I was five or six and immediately took to The Fantastic Four. Johnny Storm, in particular, always stood out to me–probably because we have the same name, haha. I remember flipping through any comic I could find with him on the cover, praying that I would get his superpowers so I could be just like him. A few years later, the fantastic four movies came out with Chris Evans as Johnny Storm, and I was blown away! Movies had stolen my heart, but growing up in a very small Texas town outside of Dallas, pursuing film wasn’t much of an option. It wasn’t until high school that I re-examined what I wanted in life. Graduating high school early, I discovered a new mania: Musical Theatre. This led me down a vocal performance path.

My parents are banjo builders (Chuck Lee Banjo Co.), and because of that, I had the opportunity to learn many musical instruments, including: Guitar, Banjo, Ukulele, Bass, Mandolin…etc. I was lucky enough to tour across the US starring in the musical Flat Stanley and cruise around the world on a luxury cruise ship as a lead vocalist with my (now) wife (Actor/Singer, Mary McElree). Aboard the ship, I (once again) looked at what I was doing and wasn’t satisfied with my career trajectory; Marvel movies were hitting theaters in big ways and I knew I wanted to work with them. Within two years, through a series of God-lead lucky breaks, I found myself staring in a movie, living in Los Angeles, and working with the best management company, Kreativ Artists–adding TV credits with ABC, NETFLIX, PEACOCK, RIVIT TV, & LIFETIME along the way… and I’ll tell you what: I’m just getting started!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Honestly, it has been kind of smooth! I have had incredible support from family, friends, and industry professionals who took chances on me—for no good reason! The usual things in LA are hard: The grind, rent, and knocking on doors that shouldn’t open for you, but you knock hoping they will anyways. My wife and I moved out here with no family and very little prospects, but I have been remarkably blessed throughout my time here and I am thankful, every day, for the opportunities I have been given.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an actor and a writer–which makes me pretty average in LA… ha! However, this combination has given me the opportunity to create content for myself, which has paid off tenfold in my move to LA. Before moving out here, I wrote a web-series for myself (Nuke Nelson) that opened a lot of doors later down the line, including a fantastic writing-friendship with my dear friend, John Baumgartner. In fact, we have a feature we are currently working on together that will be going into production next summer (Covid willing!) The project I am most proud of hasn’t officially been announced yet… so I have to keep to my NDA. But look out Spring 2021!

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Support me by watching any of my projects, and consider giving me a follow on social media! imdb.me/johnnyjaylee.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.JohnnyJayLee.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnyleeisme
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnnyJayLee/
• Other: imdb.me/JohnnyJayLee, Management: https://kreativartists.com/

Image Credits
Evan Wallis Mary McElree