We’ve been counting down the minutes until the season premiere of The Mentalist. (We’re not lying. It’s one of our favorite shows!) Tonight, it finally hits the small screen! We’ll be donning our button down vests a la Patrick Jane to celebrate. (OK, we won’t be going that far, but we are excited.) It will be great to catch Simon Baker solving crimes, but we’re also excited to catch the guest star…rising star in Hollywood Jeff Witzke.

Between his role on the hit show, his cameo in the upcoming George Clooney film Up In The Air and co-writing and co-starring in the web series pilot “House Husbands” (what a mouthful!)…Jeff is one busy guy. Luckily, he had some for an interview with the sisters! What is he up to next? What’s his favorite TV show? Catch our EXCLUSIVE with actor Jeff Witzke. And tune in to The Mentalist tonight at 10 PM EST/9PM C on CBS.

Jeff, thank you so much for answering our questions! We are honored to feature your interview on our site.

My pleasure!

First, what drew you to acting? How did you get your start?

I guess it all started with my childhood best friend, Jim Clor. We would make up stories and record them on cassette tapes (doing all the different voices and sometimes adding music and stuff), which lead us to start making video shorts, which lead to audition for plays in high school. I got cast as Fagin in “Oliver” my sophomore year — and I was hooked. So, I guess what drew me to it was the fun of it all. The chance to ‘play’ while doing a play."

You have a cameo in the upcoming comedy “Up In The Air.” Can you tell us about your character?

“I play the host of “GoalQuest” – the top motivational speaker convention in the world. I get to introduce George’s character as a keynote speaker… and then have some ‘words’ for him when he abruptly walks off stage.

Also, what was it like working on set with George Clooney and director Jason Reitman?

It was fantastic. George was everything I’d heard about him – down to earth, funny, nice… and of course darn good at what he does. I mean, he isn’t one of the top movie stars for nothing. It was a thrill to get to work with him.

And working with Jason – what can I say? It was like going home. You see, Jason and I go way back. I have been in all of his short films (In God We Trust, Gulp, Consent)… as well as all of his features (and quite honored to be). On top of that, the movie was produced by Daniel Dubiecki and the Director of Photography was Eric Steelberg, who made all the shorts and “Juno.” It was fun to have a chance to work with the old gang again.

We are loyal fans of The Mentalist. Congratulations on your role in the season premiere! How did it feel scoring a part on the popular show? (And working with Simon Baker- We just had to throw that in!)

It felt better than you can imagine to score that role. Especially because the character I play was written as a female realtor, 40-50’s and a blond, ‘cougar’ type. So I thought I didn’t have a chance at all at getting the part and was brought in as
‘another way to go.’ But low and behold I got it and got to work with Simon. He was so charming and humble.

What is your favorite role that you’ve played so far?

That’s a tough one. But I’d have to say a toss up between the Baby Model Agent on “Nip/Tuck” and the Kidnapper in “Thank You For Smoking.” Both ‘not so nice’ guys who do it with a smile.

We always like to ask a couple of random questions for fun. What’s your favorite TV show and why?

At the moment, I am OBSESSED with “Friday Night Lights.” I heard people liked it – but I had no idea how great it was. I just watched all three seasons on DVD (in about 2 weeks). The writing and acting is so amazing. The chemistry between Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton is just magical. I would have never thought it would be a show I’d like – and I love it. It’s so cool when you get pleasantly surprised with classy, top notch entertainment.

If you could star alongside any actor, who would you pick and why?

George Clooney. Oh wait… scratch that. Been there done that. LOL. I would say either Anthony Hopkins because he amazes me… or Dick Van Dyke, because he was my childhood hero.

What’s one thing people might be surprised to know about you?

Oh gosh. I don’t know. I’ve never finished a Sudoku puzzle. I’ve seen them. See people do them all the time. Had my 88 year old Grandmother explain to me how to do it, but feel so behind the curve. I’m too intimidated to even try.

So…what’s up next for Jeff Witzke? What are you currently working on?

I’ve finished co-writing, co-producing and co-staring in a web series pilot called “House Husbands.” It’s a comedy about three guys whose wives make more than they do and for different reasons they are stay at home husbands. It’s their daytime adventures with their new found freedom of not having a 9 to 5 job. I am really pleased with how the pilot turned out and excited about the possibilities of where
it can go.

About Jeff Witzke

Your browser may not support display of this image. If you ask Jeff Witzke’s mother, she will tell you her son started performing at the tender age of two, when he popped out of the fireplace, soot covered and with a big “Ta Da!” But, this native of Grosse Pointe, Michigan got his true start during his sophomore year of high school, when he was cast as the lead in the school play, the first of many to come.

Jeff’s creative efforts didn’t stop at the edge of the stage. He and his best friend spent countless hours making their own video shorts. Tucked away in their basements with a VCR and a camera – this resourceful duo made parodies of current events, dubbed over television shows with their own voices, and used every Star Wars figure, Fisher Price toy and sister’s Barbie dolls they could get their hands on to create outrageous stories that would entertain their friends and family.

One summer they expanded their artistic efforts and created a comedy-adventure spoof for the local cable station. A take off of Batman – they wrote, directed and starred in eight episodes of the adventures of “Moneyman,” Grosse Pointe’s first superhero.

Next, Jeff was off to college at Michigan State University, where he would graduate with honors. While there, he quickly became involved in “The Show,” a student run sitcom for the University’s television channel. This multi-camera comedy, shot in front of a live studio audience, went on to win several awards and by the end of his time at State – Jeff was co-producer, co-head writer and co-star of the series.

After moving to Los Angeles, it didn’t take long for this talented actor to catch the eye of the industry and quickly build his list of credits. Some of Jeff’s most memorable roles include the kidnapper in Jason Reitman’s film “Thank You For Smoking,” the uber-Hollywood baby talent agent in last season’s “Nip/Tuck,” and on stage as Brother Brightbee, in the eleven month Los Angeles run of the smash-hit “Book Of Liz,” by Amy and David Sedaris.

Currently, Jeff just celebrated the world premiere of Reitman’s newest film, “Up In The Air,” where he has a cameo opposite George Clooney. Jeff will also be in the season premiere of “The Mentalist” opposite Simon Baker, and he just finished co-writing and co-starring in the new web series pilot, “House Husbands.”