Jesse Garcia: “I’m here to tell good stories and open doors for others”

Jesse Garcia shines in ‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip’ alongside Eva Longoria, exploring representation, humour and a bold creative future.

With the premiere of ‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip’ on Disney+ this past 29 March, Jesse Garcia returns to a family audience—this time, firmly in the driver’s seat. In a comedy where chaos becomes a catalyst for warmth and growth, Jesse doesn’t just play a loveable character—he delivers a version of himself that finally gets to laugh without asking permission.

“I’ve been wanting to do family films for ages,” he admits. “I started out in sketch comedy and improv, but I somehow gained momentum doing drama and action. I love those genres too, but this project was something else. Disney, The Jim Henson Company, Marvin Lemus and Eva Longoria were all involved—it couldn’t have been more perfect. I practically begged to be in the film.”

This wasn’t a calculated career move; it was instinctive. For Jesse, the sincerity of the script, the commitment from the studio, and the overall playful tone made the experience feel almost therapeutic. “We laughed and played all day. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had on a film set.”

The story doesn’t just explore the charming dysfunction of a family in freefall—it also becomes an unexpectedly action-packed ride. “We didn’t realise it would feel so much like an action movie. There were far more stunts than I anticipated. The stunt team brought their A-game and made us look way cooler than we actually are.”

When we speak, Jesse is working in Italy and preparing for a well-earned six-week break. He’s planning a solo road trip across Europe. “Because… why not?” he laughs. “I’ve never had the time or chance to do it. It’s my own ‘Eat, Prey, Love’.”

His connection with Eva Longoria runs deep. After working with her as a director on ‘Flamin’ Hot’, this was the first time they shared the screen as actors. “On ‘Alexander’, she got to take off the director’s hat and just have fun. It was so seamless working together. She’s hilarious and has this beautiful way of elevating the material. Everyone around her becomes better.”

Jesse’s career has seen him move between indie productions and studio giants. Yet, visibility has never been the driving force—integrity has. “It could be a film about a slice of pizza—if the script’s strong and the people are good, I’m in. I’d love to do a Bourne-style film or series, keep working on family movies, and get into animation too. I’m also writing and developing projects, solo and with partners. Directing is on the horizon. I’ve always wanted to create opportunities for others while I’m creating my own.”

The topic of Latino representation in Hollywood remains a complex one, and Jesse doesn’t dodge it. “Sometimes it feels like nothing’s changed. But there’s also a big opportunity in all this disruption. Some people are already leading the way—we just need to build on that and become an army of leaders.”

As for the pressure to ‘represent’ with every role, he takes a grounded approach: “When I take a job, I ask myself if I’ll be able to look in the mirror and be good with that decision. If the story sits well with my soul, I go for it. Some people will feel seen, some won’t. I’m just one piece of the storytelling puzzle. But if I can help move things forward—even a little—I’m happy to do that.”

Jesse keeps his personal life offline, and his relationship with social media is… distant. “People have been kind, but I don’t post anything personal. I’m not really affected by that world. I don’t love that casting decisions are based on follower counts. I get it, but I prefer the idea of casting the best person for the job. How else do you create stars if you’re not willing to take a chance? Not everyone wants to post all day. Including me. There’s nothing wrong with a little mystery.”

In an industry built on instability and shifting tides, Jesse has found his own rhythm. “I’ve made peace with the unpredictability. I’ve had some big career moments—sometimes they lead somewhere, sometimes they don’t. I’ve got a lot of things outside the industry that fill my cup. I’m here for the long haul. And I remind myself: it’s meant to be fun. Anything can happen at any time.”

When asked which genres he’s yet to explore, his face lights up. “I’d love to do more horror. Sci-fi. Fantasy worlds. More uplifting, heartfelt stories. Think ‘Friday Night Lights’, ‘The Blind Side’, ‘Clash of the Titans’… and I want to direct them too. I’d also love to return to theatre. It’s been a while. Honestly, I feel like I’m just getting started—25 years in.”

Asked what it really means to be an actor in today’s America—beyond the glitz—his answer is refreshingly practical: “Actors can’t just act anymore. We have to be multi-hyphenates. Learn the whole ecosystem—editing, sound, colour grading. Even if you’re not good at it, you’ll understand how the pieces fit together. When everyone on a set understands what everyone else does, communication improves. That saves money. That’s smart filmmaking.”

Looking back, he has no regrets. “I’m proud of all my career choices. Some were more fun than others, but I learned something from every single one.”

And when it comes to fashion? He’s not just a fan—he’s hands-on. “Hell yeah. I’ve been growing my wardrobe, trying out new brands and styles. I’m still a T-shirt and jeans guy, but I like to spice it up. I keep clothes forever—too long, apparently. I bought a sewing machine at a yard sale last year and started altering my trousers. Learning stitches. I’ve got some meat on me—it’s hard to find flattering clothes sometimes. I’d love to design sustainable fashion for all body types, not just for models. And at prices that don’t bankrupt people. Reusing fabric, creating one-of-a-kind pieces—that’s storytelling too. So many ways to express ourselves. Just imagine the empire we could build if we all collaborated.”