When Josh Peck took the stage at Albert Taylor Hall on Friday night, the actor’s presentation for Emporia State started off with a simple question: can he do a jump split?
“I knew in my heart he was going to make the split,” said Miles Lockridge, senior social science education major and moderator for Peck’s presentation. Lockridge encouraged Peck to do an air split after the actor bantered with Lockridge about his position on the Emporia State cheer team.
During his presentation, Peck spoke about the reward of being a father, growing up as a child actor, getting his start in social media and podcasting, and keeping his cool around other major film stars.
Peck’s experiences allow him to speak both as an established star entering the rising social media space and as a rising film star entering major film productions.
“I’ve certainly struggled with imposter syndrome throughout much of my life. If you’re working at a certain level it’s a natural feeling. But as I’ve really committed myself to my craft, that means going back to acting classes,” said Peck on how he prepared for films like 2012’s Red Dawn and his most recent role in Oppenheimer. “That helps overcome that feeling that I don’t belong.”
Peck also spoke of his love for creating content on social media.
“I really loved creating without restraint,” Peck said in his interview with The Bulletin, going in-depth on his beginnings on social media. “It felt like I was getting in on something that was having a renaissance, something that was brand new.”
Peck also offered advice for students who want to work in the social media space.
“It’s exciting, there are no gatekeepers. You could post something tonight: it could be something that moves you, something that makes you laugh, anything in-between. It can find an audience. I would just say do it,” Peck said.
For more information on the actor’s work, struggles and journey, his book Happy People Are Annoying is available now.
