Jack Quaid thrives on unconventional roles, showcasing his talent in the action-comedy film Novocaine, which premiered on March 26. The movie follows a bank employee on a mission to save his kidnapped girlfriend, navigating absurd challenges while lacking the sense of pain. Known for his relatable characters in The Boys and a diverse acting portfolio, Quaid embraces his quirky projects, blending humor with emotional depth. He also leads a comedy collective and remains grounded despite his family legacy in Hollywood.
Jack Quaid: The Actor Who Thrives on Quirkiness
Jack Quaid has made a name for himself by embracing eccentric projects that challenge the norm. With a hearty laugh, the 32-year-old American actor reflects on his delightfully bizarre career. This year, he captivated audiences in the horror thriller, Companion, before transforming into an unexpected action hero in the film Novocaine.
Novocaine: A Unique Blend of Comedy and Action
In theaters starting March 26, Novocaine is an action-comedy that follows a benign bank employee on a mission to rescue the love of his life after she is abducted during a robbery. This mission is complicated by his unique condition that prevents him from feeling any pain, adding a layer of difficulty to his already challenging quest.
This darkly humorous film, filled with blood and unpredictable twists, echoes the irreverent charm of The Boys, the popular superhero series on Prime Video that first launched Jack Quaid into the spotlight nearly six years ago. It seems the more outlandish the script, the more eager he is to dive in.
“Absolutely,” he chuckles. “I’ve become quite accustomed to taking part in these wildly imaginative projects. However, what truly matters to me is that there’s an emotional anchor to hold onto. For Novocaine, it was Nathan’s character and his bond with Sherry.” He continues, “Even though the film is filled with gore and absurdity, at its heart, it’s a romantic story about two people who find each other. That contrast is crucial; otherwise, it risks becoming chaos for chaos’s sake.”
Novocaine showcases a series of improbable scenarios that test its protagonist’s limits. From a hand in a fryer to a dislocated thumb, Nathan endures it all without flinching. “If I were to get punched, my head would move, but I wouldn’t react. Nathan simply doesn’t understand pain,” he explains, praising the exceptional work of the stunt teams. Jack Quaid experienced more action scenes on this set than ever before.
“This was a shoot filled with milestones for me. It’s the first time I played the lead role. I’ve often occupied the second position on the call sheet, but this was a new experience,” he remarks, emphasizing his commitment to rise to the occasion. Being the son of Hollywood icons Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid, he faced the added pressure of making a name for himself. He even considered changing his name but ultimately decided to keep it when he couldn’t find a suitable alternative. “People label me a nepo baby, and I completely accept that. I acknowledge that my upbringing was different from most,” he shared during a podcast last summer.
Jack recalls his early fascination with acting at the tender age of 12 or 13 during a school play audition. “I remember completely falling in love with acting and forming friendships that have lasted to this day. It was exhilarating to make people laugh for the first time on stage,” he reminisces.
Reflecting on an old class photo he posted on Instagram, he notes, “The kid in that picture is about to undergo a significant transformation in his life, though I didn’t realize it at the time. It’s wild to think about!” After graduating high school, Jack ventured from his comfortable life in Los Angeles to New York, where he enrolled at the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts at NYU.
While still a student, he landed a role as one of Jennifer Lawrence’s adversaries in the blockbuster, Hunger Games (2012), marking his cinematic debut. He followed this with roles in various short films, series like Vinyl, and big-budget films like Rampage: Total Destruction. His fame surged when Eric Kripke cast him in the zombie series Sea Oak alongside Glenn Close.
In The Boys, Quaid portrays Hughie Campbell, a character that resonates with audiences due to his relatability. “The lightness juxtaposed with the dark themes makes it compelling,” he explains, surprised by how grounded the experience has been. Recently, he showcased his versatility in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, voiced Clark Kent in the animated series My Adventures with Superman, and auditioned for James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film, though he didn’t land the role.
His colleagues admire his spontaneity, and audiences are enchanted by his boy-next-door charm. Jack remains unfazed by online opinions. “It would be nice to shield oneself from emotional pain, but as an actor, you need a strong backbone. You have to commit to this path,” he asserts.
Leading his own comedy collective named SASQUATCH!, Jack Quaid wields self-deprecation as his greatest tool. The promotional campaign for Novocaine even invited fans to hit a punching bag modeled after him. He also humorously addressed a viral tweet about how he managed to win over his co-star and girlfriend Claudia Doumit, attributing his success to simply “being a nice guy.” This approach, accompanied by his signature thumbs-up, embodies his legendary humor and kindness.
Don’t miss Novocaine (1h50), now in theaters with a rating suitable for ages 12 and up.
The Boys is available for viewing on Prime Video, with four seasons already released and a fifth and final season on the horizon.