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2023 – Paxton Mishkind

Paxton Mishkind plays the role of Johnny Abbott on The Young and the Restless. He has done short films including It’s Time, Deleted Scenes, and Mortimus, along with appearing in the Hollywood Christmas Parade. In addition to acting, Paxton is a musician, and does stand up comedy!

1. How did you get into acting?
I started acting in plays through a school program when I was 6 which was fun but then l attended a film camp when I was 8 and realized I really loved screen acting. After that I started taking acting classes with Deborah Lemen Acting Studios and took any opportunity to do local short films to get experience. It’s been great to have the chance to play different roles, especially Johnny on Y&R.

2. What inspired you to pursue music?
I’ve always loved music and thought eclectic guitar would be fun to learn. I started in the School of Rock performance program when I was 10 and through them have expanded to bass, drums and vocals as well. I love playing in all different sorts of bands but my current favorite is modern metal.

3. What is the process like being a part of The Hollywood Christmas Parade?
It was really fun to participate with the Stunt Kids Association of Hollywood which is a cool organization. BUT it was definitely tiring to flip for 3 miles! Everyone kept cheering so it was hard to stop because we wanted to make the parade fans happy. My hands were pretty sore for days!

4. How do you prepare for doing stand up comedy? What is it like getting up in front of an audience?
I absolutely love stand-up and watch a lot of it! I really wanted to try to perform so I attended a stand-up intensive with Mary Kennedy at Youth Acting Biz where I had the chance to write and try out my set. I keep a comedy notebook and I always write down things from my life that I think could be funny. Having the chance to perform at a couple of venues has been amazing — a little scary, but pretty cool. Making people laugh is one of my favorite things so it is worth the risk of trying my set if I can make someone laugh.

5. What was the audition process like for The Young and The Restless?
I had to submit a self tape and then performed a second tape with notes from the casting director. Ultimately, 3 of us kid actors were called in to do a chemistry read with Amelia Heinle (who plays my mom) in front of the head writer, producer and casting director. I was REALLY nervous but also had a great time. Amelia is amazing and made me feel a lot less nervous and luckily we clicked and I got the role.

6. How did you react when you found out you booked it?
My Mom and I were sitting outside when my manager called to tell us the good news. I think we both screamed and I was just so happy. It is such an incredible feeling! I’ll never forget that moment.

7. What is the best part getting to work with Judah? How did you work to play the part when you find out you’re brothers?
Judah is super nice and really easy to get along with. We got to know each other on set and during set school and at lunch which helped a lot but we have also hung out a few times off set doing stuff like playing video games and other fun things like going to Nights of the Jack together during Halloween. In the episode when I find out he is my brother, I just imagined what it would be like to get that news out of the blue, how hard that would be for someone my age — to “have your world flipped upside down” as Johnny says.

8. What do you enjoy most about working with Amelia Heinle and Jason Thompson?
I can’t express how incredibly lucky I am to get to work with both Ameilia and Jason. I actually wound up testing positive for covid for the taping of my second ever episode and I was sitting in my dressing room feeling so incredibly bummed and Amelia and Jason popped their (masked) heads in together and reassured me it had happened to everyone on the show and not worry, that it would be ok and they were excited to have me on the show. That just shows how kind and supportive they are. Ameilia is incredibly funny and always makes me laugh during blocking and Jason is amazing at making sure we have the scene down and always runs lines with me to make sure we connect authentically. They are just the best.

9. Is there anyone in the cast you hope to have scenes with?
I’ve only had one episode with Conner Floyd who plays Chase but he was so much fun to work with so I hope I get to do that again. He’s super down to earth and easy to talk to. He always takes the time to talk to me at Y&R events too. I’d also like to have scenes with Claire Grace (Hayley Erin) since she just found out who her parents are on the show too and is Johnny’s adoptive step-sister! Maybe Johnny has some good advice!

10. What has been your favorite episode to do so far?
I think as an actor, my favorite episode was probably the one when Johnny confronts Chelsea (Missy Claire Egan) in the park because it was a good challenge to show all that emotion. And Missy is INCREDIBLE to work with. But I also loved the episode when Johnny, Connor and Lucy (Lily Brooks O’Briant) are all at a “kids” table eating because who doesn’t love getting to eat burgers, tots, and onion rings on set! Judah, Lily and I had a lot of fun together AND great food.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
I guess maybe just some encouragement for other kid and teen actors. It can be hard to audition over and over again and sometimes get really close to booking but then you don’t get the role. But never give up and remember how fun it is to try on roles, experiment with characters and grow as an actor. Each time we get an audition, that is really great! Booking the role of Johnny on Y&R has been incredible and I’ve learned a ton from the experience. I feel so grateful to work with people who feel like family and to be a small part of such an iconic show.

Follow Paxton on social media:
Instagram

Image by Risa Scott