Matt Cohen stars as Aiden Dennison. His classic good looks make him a teen heartthrob, but it’s his performance that draws fans back. With a recent guest spot on The O.C., we can only hope to see more of him. For now, though, there’s always somewhere to see him – nowhere – South of Nowhere that is.
THE STAR SCOOP:
When did you know you wanted to act?
MATT COHEN:
It has been a closet dream for awhile. I love to entertain and I never did it and I never did it, id joke around, I want to be an actor one day and nobody would really buy it, and I never knew, and then all of a sudden things fell into place and I met this manager. I got out here and I was presented with one of the biggest challenges of my life. I love a challenge. Once I started working, that’s the actual moment.
THE STAR SCOOP:
Speaking of work, how did you get started on South of Nowhere?
MATT COHEN:
I came out here about 10 months before. It was rough, I’m not gonna lie. I was out here by myself and I was going on some auditions. I was going out and people were telling me this and that and I started working. 10 months later I went in for the audition and ended up booking it.
THE STAR SCOOP:
Can you tell us about your character?
MATT COHEN:
He’s good at sports. On the inside he’s torn apart. His ex girlfriend has turned gay, his new girlfriend has left him, and this kid has got a big heart, he’s an emotional guy, he cares a lot about people. Looks can be deceiving. He’s definitely not what he looks like. I would compare him to myself in different ways. I think that a lot of people judge you by what you look like. I am an emotional person; my emotions are very close to the surface. It takes the right person to bring them out.
THE STAR SCOOP:
What is a day in your life like when you’re working on the show?
MATT COHEN:
Were like best friends. We joke; we play, were just idiots together. Nobody’s trying to be somebody else. We’re all ourselves. Nothing embarrasses any of us. We get to set and its laughing all day long and we get to our scene and everyone takes it serious. It’s like family. I love going to work. The things that are going to happen to all of our characters are something that people want to happen, some things that they’d never imagine. It’s really crazy. The writers are doing such a wonderful job.
THE STAR SCOOP:
What results have you seen personally from the show?
MATT COHEN:
I have seen an impact, I get recognized here and there, nothing too major. I write to the fans, they ask questions and I make sure I write back to them every week. A lot of kids are grateful to a show that’s a real voice. It’s been good. There’ve been a lot of thank yous. It gives kids an excuse to talk about it.
THE STAR SCOOP:
Speaking of the fans, why is there such a fan base?
MATT COHEN:
I don’t know for sure. I guess its one of those things you hope for. You hope that you can be a positive influence, especially people watching your show, which happens to be teens. Hopefully South of Nowhere is the type of show that is having a positive affect. That’s the only thing I can hope for, a show that matters.
THE STAR SCOOP:
How have you managed to keep this positive mindset?
MATT COHEN:
My dad’s my best friend and I love him a lot. [He] gave me the best advice. Never start something you don’t finish. If I was serious about acting I needed to move L.A. I came out here by myself. I had that in my mind the whole time. I’m not gonna start this and in three months go home—as long as it takes, I’m going to be here.
THE STAR SCOOP:
So what about you? Can you tell us about yourself?
MATT COHEN:
I was born and raised in Miami. I am an adrenaline junkie. I’ve raced dirt bikes and motorcycles, that’s kind of how I have my fun. I love sports, still a huge love of mine. I don’t pursue it any more than play in a tournament here and there. I like to do crazy stuff, be wild. That’s pretty much it. Anything to get your blood flowing, I love.
THE STAR SCOOP:
What else would you like to do in the acting world?
MATT COHEN:
I hope to do work in film. I love television and I love to be on a show that can have an affect on people, but film is definitely where I want to go. I’m definitely heading that way. I’d love to work in film.
THE STAR SCOOP:
What other projects are you working on?
MATT COHEN:
There aren’t a lot of things I can do. I recently did a guest spot on The O.C, that was fun. It was different from shooting South of Nowhere. It’s a big budget project. It was fun to work. We did our stuff, and that was it. Everybody’s a family.
THE STAR SCOOP:
What does the future hold for you?
MATT COHEN:
Hopefully doing some movies and working as an actor for the rest of my life. I’m not here for the fame or pictures or parties I just want this to be my job forever. I just want to wake up and act, becoming somebody else for a day.
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