But the young man next to them in the film is another talented rising star that Dallas can call their own.

Johnny Simmons, who plays the lead male character in the film, Chip, is on the brink of making a big name for himself in Hollywood.

After moving to Los Angeles four years ago – straight out of W.T. White high school –Johnny, 22, has already had the career many actors only dream about.

You may recognize him from Evan Almighty (where he played Steve Carell’s son) and Hotel for Dogs.

And his next film, The Greatest, is with a couple of actors you may have heard of: Susan Sarandon and Pierce Brosnan.

On Sept. 15, just a few days before Jennifer’s Body Hollywood premiere, Johnny was nice enough to give me a little time out of his crazy schedule to chat with me over the phone. And it wasn’t just a few minutes, either. He talked to me for a whole whopping hour.

Right away, I realized Johnny has already become a pro at this interviewing thing. He spoke to me as if we were friends; just shooting the breeze, while he munched on an Italian B.M.T. at a Sherman Oaks Subway.

Johnny had just returned from the Toronto Film Festival to promote Jennifer’s Body.

He was using his first few days back home in Los Angeles to take care of some errands before the premiere.

His dad, Ben Simmons, and best friends from high school Travis Cleveland and John Bateman were flying out to join him at the big event.

“I told my mom not to come to the premiere,” Johnny said, clarifying that Jennifer’s Body isn’t exactly a family movie. The R-rated horror film/comedy written by Juno Oscar winner Diablo Cody marks Johnny’s first on-screen love scene -- and as any good boy wouldn’t, he would rather his mom not watch.  

What I was curious about, of course, was how it was working with Fox and Seyfried.

“I’ve had a crush on them ever since I met them,” Johnny said. “I get crushes on every girl I work with…and then you get to kiss them.”

But long before the days of sharing scenes with beautiful, famous actresses, Johnny was jonesing for a career in the spotlight.

 “I have been wanting to act since I can remember,” Johnny said. “It’s something you can’t explain. You know where you’re supposed to be, you know?”

He recalled watching Jumanji and Jurassic Park and realizing the kids in those movies were the same age as him at the time.

Johnny admitted he once called 411 and tried to contact the child actors and ask how they broke into the acting world.

“I’ve never told anyone that before,” Johnny confessed.

He landed his first agent here in Dallas with the Campbell Agency, and then later with Kim Dawson. His first commercial was with Dirk Nowitzki around age 13.

Johnny saved every penny, and upon graduating from W.T. White, he moved out to Hollywood.

Johnny said he knew from the moment he left it would be hard to leave his family and dog. He also he misses the Texas lake scene and Pappadeaux. He used to work at the one off I-35. But it seems as though the move was worth the risk.

After hosting my own version of “Inside the Actors Studio,” I knew I had to give Johnny some time to prepare for the big occasion ahead. But before I hung up, he shared one musing regarding red carpet events: He puts up a fight on the make-up issue. “I always say, ‘No I’m good’… I don’t know why you have to (wear it),” he said. “I can’t tell the difference.”  

I am a Reporter/Assistant Editor with neighborsgo and can be reached at 214-977-8872 or via e-mail at kekirkham@neighborsgo.com. Got a story, photo or video you'd like to share? Post them directly on neighborsgo.com. Got a story idea? Send it to me directly. For more about how neighborsgo.com works with our neighborsgo print editions, please visit neighborsgo.com/help.