Interview with John DeLuca

John DeLuca has always known he wanted to be an entertainer. Raised in the small town of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, DeLuca fueled his creative passions through various high school theater productions where he honed his acting technique. When he was cast as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, DeLuca’s love for acting was affirmed and he knew that pursuing a career in the entertainment industry would require him to leave the comfort of his home in Massachusetts.RAINE: Having been raised in a small town, can you talk about your decision to leave Longmeadow for New York City to pursue your dream? DELUCA: I went to Fordham University in NYC. I didn’t go in as a declared Theatre major, but I felt drawn to the city because I knew it was a place where I could develop the courage to chase my dream. Nobody I knew was going to study anything in the arts in college, and it just seemed like such a different path to be taking. When you’re younger, doing things differently from what’s considered “normal” is scary. After my first year at school as an undeclared major, I had come to terms with the fact that I really did want to be an actor, and that’s what I wanted to dedicate my education to. It was a scary plunge to take, but I did it and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.RAINE: You received your breakout role in Teen Beach Movie. Looking back in retrospect, did you realize that it was going to be the success it is today?DELUCA: I knew it was a ton of fun to make and that I had met some wonderful friends along the way, but no, I don’t think any of us knew what was going to come of it all. I remember the moment we all found out how many people had tuned in to watch, how popular the movie was, and just kind of freaking out a little bit because we just had no idea it was going to be what it became. It was just so exciting! Then to be able to go back and do it all a second time was incredible. To this day, I’m still kind of in awe that it all happened...and kind of have to pinch myself to remind me that it’s all real.RAINE: What was it like working on the movie Staten Island Summer with members from the cast of SNL?DELUCA: It was so much fun but it was also very intimidating at times. I just went into it all as such a fan of SNL so to be working alongside them took some getting used to. Everybody was so nice and such a blast to work with. It was also a sort of comedy workshop for me getting to watch these brilliant people work every day. I just feel very lucky to have been part of the film.RAINE: What is one piece of advice that has served you best in your career?DELUCA: Willem Dafoe came and spoke at Fordham while I was a student there and gave us this advice: “Figure out what it is you want to do in life, get AS CLOSE as you can to it, and if it’s meant to be, something will happen.” That has rung very true for me...choosing to move to NYC. Choosing to be a theatre major. Choosing to move to Los Angeles—I think it was great advice.RAINE: What are three fun facts about you that your fans do not know? DELUCA: My father is also named John DeLuca so I’m John DeLuca Jr., which is why my family calls me Johnny. I’m an Eagle Scout. I once played Robin from Batman and Robin at Six Flags New England.