Chillin’ with Matt Shively
By Chilled Magazine
The equally charming and funny Matt Shively is back to make us laugh as he plays Jimmy O’Neal in the second season of ABC’s hit comedy The Real O’Neals.
The eldest of the O’Neal children, Jimmy O’Neal seems to have it all. He’s the handsome, popular star of his high school wrestling team, and even though he isn’t the sharpest kid you know, once in a while he shows surprising insight. The series is a fresh take on a seemingly perfect family whose lives take an unexpected turn when surprising truths are revealed. The family stops pretending to be perfect and actually starts being real. This year Shively can also be seen as Oscar in the newly released film Summer of 8. The coming-of-age story where eight close friends soak up their last day of summer together on the beach before parting ways for college is now available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and VUDU.
Matt has vast experience across both the small and big screen. At age 18 he booked his first main role as Ryan Laserbeam on Nickelodeon’s True Jackson VP. The show’s seasoned writers attracted big guest stars including Kiki Palmer, Andy Richter and Greg Proops. The series molded Shively as an actor and made him discover that “working is the best acting class.”
Check out what Matt tells Chilled about his upcoming projects, his love of sushi, and his need of a home bar.
Tell us a bit about the projects you are working on.
We just wrapped up season 2 of The Real O’Neals. We now get to sit and wait patiently to find out if a season 3 is in our future. I have a small role the new Power Rangers movie so that’s super exciting.
With your busy schedule, what do you like to do with your down time?
I just bought a house in Oregon, so any chance I get I stay up there for as long as possible and do as much reading and writing as I can. When I’m back in L.A., I like to bowl (probably more than I should) and watch movies with friends.
When you go out to eat, where do you like to dine?
I like to eat pretty much anything. It’s one of my vices. However, if I’m the one choosing the meal, I usually always go with sushi. Used to hate it as a kid but something happened when I turned 23 and now I’m addicted.
What types of dishes do you usually order?
It’s sad because I usually do “all you can eat” at Midori. Which means I eat EVERY dish they have, but my go-to is simple: salmon sushi and yellowtail sushi.
Do you cook?
I love to cook. I throw on some Jazz and go to town. It’s extremely relaxing, and the pay off of knowing you made a beautiful meal is great.
What types of drinks do you order when out?
It all comes down to what my agenda is. If its just dinner I’ll order a beer (Stella of course), but when I go out to bars or clubs I like a few things. Lately I’ve just been having vodka on the rocks. I used to order vodka Red Bulls but I realized I wasn’t a 21-year-old club girl, so I should probably stop that. Every once in a while I like a High West Campfire Whiskey on the rocks.
Do you prepare drinks at home?
I don’t usually. When I do, I usually stick with beer or rosé wine.
Do you own a home bar?
I have enough alcohol, but no bar to store it.
What would your dream bar be like?
I would have one of everything. Campfire Whiskey, Tito’s Vodka, Don Julio 1942 tequila, and a keg of Stella.
What is your favorite cocktail?
I’ve recently become a huge fan of a Screwdriver.
Have you ever been a bartender?
Not by profession, but if you get me tipsy enough, I usually like to take over drink-making duties.
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