When the public relations people contacted me about having a chat with Ross Thomas – one of the stars of the upcoming release “Soul Surfer” – the last line in their note stated that Ross could talk about “”anything under the sun.” And they were right.

That characteristic was welcoming for this interviewer, but the studio may be a bit perturbed. Since we never really talked much about “Soul Surfer”. Which is fine by me, cause yours truly would rather learn more about the young actor. Plus, what part of ‘an interview with Ross Thomas’ don’t they get?

At least the chat started out with a question about the April 8th (my birthday – send cash) release, based on the true and inspiring story of Bethany Hamilton. Possibly better known as the talented surfer who had her left arm bit off by a shark in Hawaii over seven years ago, yet managed to get back on the board shortly thereafter.

Having screened the movie a month ago, the one element that stood out to me was how the on-screen family made-up of Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, AnnaSophia Robb, Ross Thomas and Chris Brochu looked like a genuine tight-knit clan. I asked Ross how that natural chemistry translated to the screen so well. Any tricks to the trade?

“I agree with you, definitely. We got a chance to spend some time together prior to filming in Hawaii, and I think right away, just being in that locale – a place like a Hawaii – clearly created a comfort level.”

He went onto say that all of them had so much fun learning to surf together and instances such as this helped to solidify the family bond, and that carried over to the shoot.

And that concludes the Soul Surfer portion of our program today. Now here’s a glimpse of Ross Thomas. Or as my friends put it, when asking me who I was speaking with today, “Who?”

Upon graduating from USC in 2005, the guy has been fortunate enough to have a “working” six years in the industry. From multiple appearances on network television products (CSI, Cold Case, General Hospital) to securing feature length roles in the American Pie franchise and select horror properties (seems to be the path all attractive young actors have to take these days); the guy has kept busy. And in my mind, that is the very definition of a success in Hollywood.

But the majority of us have some urge for fame. So I posed a scenario to the 29 year-old Ross if one day he wouldn’t mind be hounded by the TMZ camera crew and if being recognized ever weighs on his mind…

“No, I don’t think about that. I love telling stories, I love to perform and I love being a part of stories I’m passionate about. I feel very blessed and very thankful for the opportunities that I’ve had. And you’re right, I am a working actor and I have been able to sustain myself in this industry so far. And most importantly, this business gives me an opportunity to do other things that I love in my life.”

So what happens when things slow down. Does he get frustrated?

“It’s great when I’m working, I love being on set. I love the movie industry. But when it goes quiet, there’s crickets, and the phone stops ringing…Then I use those opportunities to do other things in my life.”

One of those other things is documentary filmmaking. Last year he completed work on his film titled Extraction: The Plundering of the Amarakaeri Reserve. Which documents how an indigenous tribe is having their land torn right out from under them, all in the name of finding more oil.

Although we only had time for a brief chat (mainly due to my modern-day journalism schedule), Ross seems sincere and fully aware that not many people receive the opportunities he‘s been fortunate enough to attain. That got us on the subject on how I come across an abundance of aspiring actors who read – or so they say – my column. With that said – and knowing everyone’s path is different – is there any advice he could share…

“You have to do it for the love it. If you’re not doing it for love, then it’s never going to work. Because it has to be in your heart, because you have to deal with the challenges and downtime. Do things with the time you do have, to create opportunities for yourself. It’s never just going to happen for you, you have to go out and chase it. So you have to create your own opportunities, that being, writing your own material and filming yourself if need be. The technology is there.”

Keep an eye an Ross Thomas. Perhaps in a couple years, my friends will not have to ask me who he is.

By Joe Belcastro