Former San Diego Family Cover Kid, Thom Nemer

We recently caught up with 12year old Thom Nemer, cover kid from the December 2019 issue of San Diego Family Magazine. Wow, has he been busy! After discovering acting through San Diego Junior Theatre at age 7, Thom has landed TV, film, commercial, print and theatrical roles. Most notably, Thom plays Alexander in the 2025 Disney+ movie “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip.”

While Thom’s life involves a certain amount of Hollywood glamour, he’s also just a regular, hard-working kid who attends public school in San Diego and expresses much gratitude to Disney for their support. Here’s what Thom had to share:

How did you get started with acting?

A talent scout from Tower Talent approached us and offered to take me in for a trial audition. We declined their offer initially. However, a year later, we unexpectedly bumped into them again. This time, I convinced my parents to let me participate.

What is your favorite thing about it?

I love acting because I get to pretend, be creative and play different characters. I meet lots of new people and get to know them during the process of filming. It’s really fun!

What’s it like being on a Disney show?

It’s an amazing experience to be a part of their community. I’ve always been a

fan of Disney shows and movies, and I never imagined that I would get to play such an iconic character and lead the show. It was a challenging journey filled with hard work, trust and dedication.

Can you describe a typical day of work?

I am picked up by a driver who takes me to the set. Once there, I get ready for makeup and wardrobe. I have a teacher on set who assists with my school studies. There’s a coach who works with me on my scenes for the day to help me memorize my lines and prepare for the scenes. It’s quite a juggling act.

Can you share the “inside scoop” on working with well-known actors? There were a ton of bloopers and takes where things went hilariously wrong! We were all having a great time, laughing, and even getting soaked in the flooded camper. Eva [Longoria] is incredibly funny, and her chemistry with Jesse [Garcia] is hilarious. I also had the pleasure of working with Cheech [Marin], who is my favorite Cars character [Ramone]. When I found out I would be working with him, I couldn’t believe it!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I hope to continue acting and pursue more projects. However, I also have a passion for science.

Do you have tips for other kids who wish to pursue acting?  If you genuinely want to try something, don’t hesitate. Acting is a fun and

enjoyable activity that allows you to pretend in a creative way. Remember, with dedication and hard work, your dreams can come true. v

Lisa Pawlak is an award-winning contributing writer residing in Encinitas with her family.