Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremy Hallam.
Hi Jeremy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I’m a dwarf/little person originally from Melbourne, Australia. I began working in the entertainment industry in 2005 after appearing on a talk show in Australia called “Rove Live.” Seeing how everything came together, the thrill of entertaining made me want to get involved, so I began pursuing work in film and television, both behind and in front of the camera. This then lead to my acting and performing career.
My first gig was for a radio company called Austereo and their Christmas party as a character and event host. From there, my career took off, and I got work in various TV show appearances, radio talk show interviews and gigs, a variety of performances, including dancing and acting for various company events and festivals, developing a professional strongman persona named ‘Goliath’ that I’ve performed as in a variety of countries around the world, and also being dubbed as “The People’s Dwarf.”
My first overseas contract was working for Universal Studios Japan at the theme park in Osaka. I was hired on as a character actor, debuting a new character in their Sesame Street live theater show. I also debuted a character in the very popular Japanese manga/anime “One Piece” as the character “Tony Tony Chopper.” I also appeared in their Halloween Horror Nights, Christmas parades and even got hired as a Creative Assistant for their annual seasonal One Piece live theatre shows for several years.
From there, I eventually wanted to further pursue acting and performing and made the move to LA in December 2017. Once I got settled, I’ve since found myself an agent and have appeared in a few movies such as “The Magic” as a main character, as well as the movie Babylon as a stunt performer alongside Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and Tobey Maguire. There are a few other things in the works that I can’t mention as they haven’t released yet, but keep an eye and ear out for me.
Between all this, I also found a love in event and trivia hosting. I’ve hosted a variety of trivia nights and events in several countries (Australia, Japan, USA) and even hosted trivia tournaments in front of thousands of participants.
I’m constantly looking at new ways to better my craft, expanding my character acting roles, evolving my performances, and, of course, expanding my client base so I can continue to share my art with the world.
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?
Not exactly. Like most things in life, there are challenges. Being a person with dwarfism, a disability, there are additional challenges that I’ve had to overcome. Stares from folks, lack of recognition, folks not taking me seriously or treating me like an actual person, doubting my abilities and skills, just to name a few. But my life motto has always been “Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” and I’ve always found a way to succeed in the pursuit of my goals. It’s just not always the same path everyone else might take.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an actor, event & trivia host (both in-person and virtually), voice actor, character actor, professional strongman, motivational speaker, and all-round performer. I excel on giving a positive and memorable experience whenever I perform. Professionalism, exceptional and memorable performances, ensuring it’s entertaining and educational, and leaving a lasting impression are some of the things I ensure with my work.
I’ve landed several appearances on TV for Channel 9, Ten, Seven and more, in shows like “The AFL Footy Show”, “Hey Hey It’s Saturday”, “Before The Game” and “Hole In The Wall”. I was a regular on the popular radio talk show ‘Hamish And Andy’, known as The People’s Show, where I was given the proclaimed title “The People’s Dwarf”, as well as featuring on Nova 100’s Hughesy, Kate, and Dave for a variety of entertainment performances.
My professional strongman persona, “Goliath, the World’s Smallest Strongman,” has taken me all around Australia, performing at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, The Gold Coast Fringe Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, and more. I’ve even taken it internationally to Ireland for the Street Performing World Championships in 2011, where I performed in front of tens of thousands of people. I’ve also performed at the Glastonbury Music Festival in 2011 as well as in Osaka, Japan in 2014 and 2015.
As a motivational speaker, I’ve had the pleasure of speaking at both primary and high school levels over several years to students about dwarfism and overcoming adversity.
In mid-2011, I took to Osaka, Japan, where I continued to perform at the Universal Studios Japan theme park up until 2019 in a variety of shows with the Sesame Street cast in Happy Surprise Party, Elmo’s Dance Dance Evolution, and more. I not only debuted a new character in those Sesame Street shows but also debuted the popular “Tony Tony Chopper” character in the One-Piece Premiere Live action seasonal show from 2012 to 2019, as well as working in the Halloween Horror Nights cast. I was also the Creative Assistant for a couple of years for the One-Piece Premiere show due to my love, creativity, and knowledge of the One-Piece world.
Since living and working in Los Angeles, California, continuing to expand my acting and performing career further where I’ve featured in films such as “The Magic” and “Babylon”, alongside Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Tobey Maguire with other works in progress.
I’m also a world-class trivia host, hosting a variety of trivia formats in different parts of the world (Australia, USA, and Japan) in front of crowds spanning into the thousands.
I recently took to the live theatre stage in late 2023 at the MGM Borgata in Atlantic City, performing a lead role as “Alabaster Tinsel” for the show “Christmas In The Air.”
I’m also a World Dwarf Games 3-time gold medalist, where I won gold medals in the 100m sprint, 200m sprint, and powerlifting max weight bench press, where I achieved a world record in my weight category, lifting 93kgs/205lbs when I only weighed 39kgs myself.
What sets me apart from others is my lasting positive impression and memorable experiences I leave with people. I’m always open to expanding my knowledge, sharing what I know, learning more from others, and creating a fun and lasting impression on everyone I come across through my various lines of work.
What matters most to you? Why?
If I had to choose, it would be between positivity and health. Positivity – life is challenging. It can be tough, overwhelming, difficult and is constantly evolving and changing. It’s very easy to succumb to negativity, and folks seem to find it harder to find the positive in things. As someone with dwarfism, my life has been a constant challenge above the norm already. So, knowing that I can spread a positive message to those I encounter in the form of my various avenues of work, even if just one person learns something, then I’ve made a difference for the better.
Health – the human body is a wonderful and magical vessel. It has the ability to heal, evolve, create, endure, and so much more, and a lot of us take it for granted. When you’re born with a disability, you realize just how fragile things can be. As someone with dwarfism, my bone structure isn’t as strong as a normal-statured person’s. So, keeping strong, fit, and healthy is even more important than just looking good, feeling good, and having more energy. It keeps me out of hospital, out of surgery, and keeps me active and moving. Eating well, training well are two very big goals of mine that I’ve kept consistent at ever since I was a teenager. The results speak for themselves. I have more energy, I look and feel great, I can do more things, travel, get out and about, and spend less time in pain and agony and being limited.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jeremyhallam.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepeoplesdwarf
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeoplesDwarf
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-hallam
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepeoplesdwarf
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/thepeoplesdwarf
- Other: https://imdb.me/jeremyhallam
Image Credits
Capture Me Photography
APL Photography
Alan Holben Photography
