Rachel Gordon who plays Jactina 'Jazz' Curtis, the mother of Drew answers some questions exclusively for Home and Away Central. Rachel just finished filming her final guest role on Home and Away a few weeks ago but her character continues to air on Aussie screens and the UK viewers will soon her interesting character arrive in Summer Bay.

Full Name

Rachel Ann Gordon

 

How and when did you decide you wanted to do acting? Are you from an acting industry family background?
Acting is the only thing I ever seriously wanted to do. I have wanted to be an actress for as long as I can remember. No one in my family has an acting industry background. My mum is a nurse and my dad is in real estate. All my brothers and sisters were sensible enough to get a proper job!! 

 

You have had previous acting roles in All Saints, Blue Heelers and prior to Home and Away, a stint on Neighbours. What do you consider to being your ‘big break’?
My longest role to date was on Blue Heelers. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working on this show. I formed such close relationships with my co workers and learnt a lot about the craft of acting for camera. I loved playing Amy Fox. The best thing about doing a role on a long running TV series is you get to explore the complexities of the character in many different situations. I was very fortunate on this show to be working with fantastic writers who gave me such wonderful material.

 

Which other actors and actresses do you admire?
Oh my….Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Susan Sarandon, Julieanne Moore are some but there are so many fine fine actors out there who inspire me. 

 

If you could be in any other TV show/movie of your choice, what would it be?
The Sopranos….I LOVE it! I had to watch it for an accent I was doing in a play and I got addicted! Shame they don’t make it anymore!

 

Which celebrity would you choose to be stranded with on a desert island?
Al Gore! I’ve become a bit of a groupie since I saw his film An Inconvenient Truth. I have just been selected to be trained by him to become a presenter for The Climate Project. It is an initiative he is running with the Australian Conservation Foundation. I am VERY honored and excited! 

 

How long do you see yourself working on Home and Away? Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

I would love to work on Home and Away for as long as my role is relevant. I had SUCH a good time there. I don’t think I have ever laughed so hard in my life! Hopefully in five years time I will be continuing to do work that I love and exploring as many facets of the industry as I can. I am very interested in directing and producing also. Perhaps this is something that may develop over the next couple of years. 

 

What made you audition for Home and Away? Had you ever thought years ago, you would end up in ‘Summer Bay’?
I already had a relationship with Channel Seven in Australia because of my time on Blue Heelers. I knew it was a fantastic show so when I was asked to audition I jumped at the chance. My sister and her boyfriend were more excited than anyone. Home and Away is their favourite show. They tape it every night if they have to go out when it’s on!! 

 

Any funny/embarrassing moments happen on the Home and Away set for you yet?
Oh god! So many! I am constantly embarrassing myself on set. I am very clumsy and often find myself laughing hysterically for no reason! 

 

What are your person views on your character Jazz on Home and Away. Are there any similarities between the two of you?
At first Jazz looks like a real baddie but I think she has a very good heart and genuinely wanted to re establish her relationship with her son Drew. She has made bad decisions in her life and used her sexuality to get her things she wanted…which has got her in a lot of trouble! I think the fondness she has for Tony really took her by surprise. She genuinely feels for him but doesn’t have the tools to accept it or express herself to him properly. I think she is very funny too. I like playing her. She is a real character …not all good…not all bad. The grey areas are the best part of a character, I think.

 

Who in the cast are you closest to or hang out off set?
Jon Sivewright and I became good friends when we were doing all the Tony and Jazz stuff. He is a very funny man! It’s great to have someone you get on with when you have to do intimate scenes together. Also, Jesse Tovey and of course my gorgeous son played by Bobby Morely were beautiful. I love them. We were like a little family. 

 

If you weren’t on Home and Away, what do you think you would be doing?
At the moment I have been travelling quite a bit. I have been in New York for 2 weeks which was wonderful. I am in London at the moment visiting my brother which has been great too. I miss him when he is not in Australia! 

 

You acted opposite your real-life husband, Scott Johnson recently in Neighbours. Is this the first time you have worked with him and how was it?
We have worked together many times. We went to drama school at NIDA together…we auditioned on the same day! He is a brilliant actor and I LOVE working with him. I did find it hard when we had to do a kissing scene for Neighbours though. That was hysterical! 

 

You studied Psychology at Sydney University but had to put her studies on hold to work on Blue Heelers. Do you plan to continue your course at uni?
Yes….I would love to. One day! I would love to be a Jungian Psychologist when I am older. Carl Jung is the best. 

 

Do you have a message to your fans out there?
Thank you for all the support that you have given me! I am so grateful to do the job I do. I feel very lucky. Any message I would have is….. be kind to yourself and others and do what makes you happy. As Joseph Campbell says…”Follow your Bliss!”