At the age of 13 Nathan Gamble is already a veteran actor, having appeared in such films as “The Dark Knight” and “Marley & Me.” He’s currently starring in “Dolphin Tale”:
LCJ: Are you considering this your break-out role?
Nathan Gamble: I guess you could say that. This is the first movie in which I have the lead role, and the film is going worldwide so it’s definitely my break-out role.
LCJ: And the films you’ve been in have all had star-studded casts. You feel pretty fortunate?
NG: Oh yeah, especially with “Dolphin Tale.” If you had told me two years ago that I’d be working with Harry Connick (Jr.) and Morgan Freeman I would have told you that you were out of your mind.
LCJ: You were in “The Dark Knight”, which co-starred Morgan Freeman. Did you get a chance to meet him on the set of that movie or not until you worked together on “Dolphin Tale”?
NG: Not until “Dolphin Tale”, which is sort of weird.
LCJ: Was it intimidating to do scenes with Morgan Freeman since he’s such as big star?
NG: You know at first I thought it would be but when I was with him I found out that he’s such a relaxed and nice guy so I totally forgot about that when I was with him.
LCJ: You’re very believable in your role as Sawyer in “Dolphin Tale”. How did the audition process go?
NG: I was extraordinarily hard, actually. First I auditioned on tape and then Charles (Martin Smith) liked me enough to ask to come-up to Vancouver where he lives and then he asked me to fly to LA to meet the producers and then they asled me to fly to Florida to meet Winter (the dolphin). That was my final call-back, to audition with Winter to make sure that she approved of me.
LCJ: Did you have to be a real good swimmer to get the role?
NG: Ha, ha ha. I didn’t tell them this, but I have asthma, so I have a difficult time treading water for a long period of time. But after I got the role they brought in a trainer – I think they knew that I wasn’t a great swimmer, so I trained for 2-3 weeks before we started shooting and I started to get really good.
LCJ: Did you know going in that Winter the dolphin would actually be playing herself in the movie?
NG: I didn’t. I auditioned in July but I didn’t realize that Winter was actually going to be in the film until September. I had to idea we’d be working with her. I thought that maybe it could be all CGI, but then it turns out that we’re working not only with a dolphin but the real Winter.
LCJ: Growing-up did you watch movies like “Free Willy” or was that part of your preparation for this role?
NG: Actually the character of Sawyer is kinda learning everything as it happens so that was what I was trying to do, trying to know as little as possible because that’s what Sawyer was doing.
LCJ: This obviously wasn’t your first time working with animals since you were one of the boys in “Marley & Me”. How different was it working with a dolphin as opposed to a dog?
NG: You couldn’t just go up to Winter and say “How’s it going!” and pat her down. She had to get use to you, she had to like you and have a connection, a bonding. It’s definitely a lot harder acting with a dolphin because they’re very human-like. They have their own personalities, especially Winter. She had a few off days but most days she was great.
LCJ: Have you been back to the Clearwater Marine Hospital since the movie was completed?
NG: Yes. Two weeks ago they had a premiere of the movie in Florida and I got to see my buddy Winter again.
LCJ: You were in a few short-live comedy series called “Hank” with Kelsey Grammer. I’m a big fan of Kelsey. Is it tougher doing a sitcom or doing a film?
NG: Definitely a sitcom. Every single week you’re doing something different, learning new things. Plus, with drama there’s only a few things that you can change. But with comedy you can change everything. You’re doing a scene and then the writers can come up to you and say “let’s try it this way instead”.
LCJ: Did you bond with those guys while you were shooting the film?
NG: Morgan was only there for two weeks so I didn’t get to know him that well. But Harry, what a great guy. He is a fantastic person to work with and just a fantastic person. Once we started talking we became very good friends.
LCJ: Are you looking forward to other movies roles in which you work with animals?
NG: Definitely. I have sort of a farm at my house – chickens, rabbits, dogs, cats. I am truely an animal lover and love being around them.
LCJ: Do you have another big movie project coming-up?
NG: Right now I enjoying a nice break after “Dolphin Tale”, which was pretty intense. I recently did an episode of “NCIS:LA”. Nothing major coming-up right now, just taking it easy a little bit.
LCJ: Well you were terrific in “Dolphin Tale”. Best of luck and thanks for talking.
NG: Thanks, Jackson.