Rowan Smyth – Young SCV Resident Takes the Acting World by Storm

 When asking an 11-year-old what is on their daily schedule, acting in Hollywood movies is usually not the response.  But for child-actor Rowan Smyth, that is just the answer to describe his reality.
Starting his career working on print ads and commercials at age 6, Rowan discovered that he loved performing. Since then he has participated in 15 different television and film projects, including four feature films.
One of Rowan’s major highlights to his career so far, was a recent nomination for best lead actor in the movie “I Believe” at the International Christian Film Festival (ICFF).  While he did not win, simply being nominated was an amazing feat as all of the actors he was up against were adults. He played an inspirational role in the movie as a boy who, through a series of miracles, calling out to God, and faith, led his family to Christ.
It took a month to do the project, working five-day weeks for 20 days.  It was incredibly time-consuming and tiring working every day, plus completing independent work study to keep up with school, but Rowan loved it.
“We knew we were doing the right thing with him, because he loves it so much,” says his mother Lena Smyth, “this project was kind of a test to see if he would really like it– and he did, he loved it and was sad when it ended.”
Rowan currently lives in Newhall with his two siblings as well as his mother  Lena and father Santa Clarita Mayor Cameron Smyth.  He and his siblings are all heavily involved in a variety of sports and activities–and SCV has provided a perfect place for them all to grow.
“A lot of child-actors live in Santa Clarita because it gives you a nice balance,” says Lena.  With Hollywood so close Rowan has the ability to be involved in the film industry without being enveloped by it.
Rowan is not only a movie star however.  He also participates in Taekwondo, gymnastics, public school and hangs out with friends–basically your average 11-year-old boy. Where he varies is the auditions he attends every week for an assortment of projects ranging from commercials, to movies, to modeling.
“Because the entertainment business is so up and down, for me, it’s important for acting not to be the only thing he does, because you never know what may happen,” says Lena
So what’s next for this young SCV actor? Rowan has just finished up a theatrical promotional project that is still in the works and, therefore, must remain unnamed. He also has a supporting role in a film directed by Judy Greer called “A Happening of Monumental Proportions” which recently won best spotlight feature at the Bentonville Film Festival.  This film includes actors Bradley Whitford, Allison Janney and Katie Holmes to name a few–and being able to act alongside them was an amazing experience for him.
“It’s a lot of work,” laughs Lena, “but he enjoys it so much it makes the driving and time worth it.”

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