Go Away With … James Paxton

By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune and other outlets
July 9, 2024

James Paxton doesn’t remember visiting his dad – the late Bill Paxton – on the set of the 1996 blockbuster film “Twister.” At the time, he was barely a year old. But when he was asked to make an appearance in “Twisters” – in theaters July 19 – he immediately said yes. “I did this cameo for Dad,” Paxton said. “It was important for me to get to represent his memory and to do something fun as a little Easter egg for fans of his and the original [film]. Although, I just wish it was him making the appearance, you know?” Paxton said he shares an action-packed scene with Glen Powell, which made his cameo even more special. “I know my dad would be cheering everybody on in this sequel,” the Los Angeles-based actor said. “Especially Glen, who he worked with on [‘Red Wing’] early in Glen’s career.”

Additionally, Paxton is promoting his song “Count On Me” under the moniker Love, Pax. The accompanying music video incorporates never-before-seen Super 8 footage that his dad had made as a teenager. Paxton stays in touch with fans on Instagram (@thisisjamespaxton); as well as Facebook and X (@yojamespaxton). This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Q: You played a younger version of your father’s role in “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” Did you learn anything about yourself and your dad tackling that and “Twisters”?
A: This is a really good question – one that is a bit complicated for different reasons. It’s important to me that I establish myself as my own man and actor, but by the same token, it means the world to me to get to talk about my father and celebrate him in projects like “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” and “Twisters.” I know the projects he was most proud of for me are the ones he had nothing to do with. He was my best friend and always pushed me to be my own person. He would be so excited, especially for my upcoming Western “Last Train to Fortune” with Malcolm McDowell, directed by Adam Rifkin.

Q: Where did you film “Twisters”?
A: Right outside of Oklahoma City. There were challenges dealing with the literal wind machines and effects that they use to simulate a tornado. [But] it honestly just helped the performance, because it added such realism to play off of. I did get to explore the area a bit.

Q: In general, do you enjoy filming on location?
A: I enjoy shooting on location and getting to travel for roles for the simple pleasure that it’s fun to go places. I’ve been filming on location for extended periods, like when I shot “Eyewitness” in a small rural town in Ontario [Canada] that was supposed to be a little town in the Hudson River Valley.

Q: Do you have any upcoming trips planned?
A: This year has been kind of crazy with my work schedule changing up a lot on such short notice, so I don’t currently have any vacation trips planned on the calendar as of yet. However, I do want to make visiting both Italy and Japan a priority. I am really open to visiting just about anywhere. My travel is largely dictated by the cuisine and work opportunities.

Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: Martha’s Vineyard. There’s nothing like New England in the summertime. I spent a few summers in my teenage years renting a room on the island and working there doing different jobs at an ice cream shop and a fine-dining Italian restaurant. It’s my absolute favorite place on the planet besides my hometown of Ojai, California. And they filmed “Jaws” there!

Q: What was a trip you took as a child that stands out?
A: Going to spend part of the year in Amsterdam when I was seven years old was an incredible trip. I got to visit the Van Gogh Museum, [which] really inspired me. We stayed at a super cool old hotel called the De L’Europe and I used to sit in the bay window and watch the trams go by along the street below and I would draw them. I still am an active painter and drawer today and I think that trip holds a lot of influence on that for me.

Q: If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A: Going to Cornwall to visit my English family. My mum is from London, so we have a lot of family there and we started a new tradition after Dad passed to visit my cousins, grandmother and aunts and uncles for Christmas and New Year’s. When my sister and I were young, we also used to spend every Thanksgiving in Mexico on a fishing boat with some close family friends. Those are some of my fondest memories. I like going against traditional holiday customs – making Italian food and pasta on Thanksgiving as opposed to the turkey and all that.

Q: Do you speak any foreign languages?
A: Yes, I speak Spanish fluently.

Q: What are your favorite cities?
A: London and New York City are the best cities in my opinion. Toronto is right up there with them though. Amazing food in Toronto and it’s the most multicultural city in the world!

Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A: I must have some nice shirts, a couple watches and some good books.

Q: What is your best and/or worst vacation memory?
A: Worst vacation memory was a hellish experience leaving Madrid. The airport there is kind of insane and it was just unfortunately a weather thing. Long story. I ended up getting strip searched. My best vacation memory is a three-way tie between visiting Cape Cod with my family, London and staying at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. They were all about just being with my core family unit of my mother, dad and sister, Lydia.

© 2024 JAE-HA KIM
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