J.P. Manoux on Comedy, Career, and Voice Roles
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
No, not Christmas. Fan Expo is in full swing, a gathering where a spectrum of passions collides inside a massive convention full of energy and anticipation. This year, The Magazine sat down with J.P. Manoux, the talent behind Kuzco in The Emperor’s New School and familiar from Phil of the Future, to discuss his journey as an actor and what he has lined up next.
The Mag: So how did you get started and decide that this was the career for you?
J.P. Manoux: I always wanted to make people laugh, even as a kid. I kept the family entertained with impressions of famous figures. I did children’s theatre and, in high school, I riffed with funny assembly announcements in front of the whole school. A teacher suggested Northwestern University because its undergraduate theatre program was strong, and that’s where I discovered improv and sketch comedy as a force in my life.
I began with commercials, small guest spots on sitcoms, modest roles in big movies, larger parts in smaller films, and bit by bit the resume grew year after year into what it is now.
The Mag: If you had to pick a favorite project among films, TV shows, and commercials, which would you consider the top choice?
J.P. Manoux: Multi‑camera sitcoms hold a special place for me. Think of shows like Wizards of Waverly Place, Hannah Montana, or The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. When there’s an audience laughing, it feels like improv with cameras rolling. That connection—being heard, being seen, and sharing the moment with a live audience—has a magnetic pull for me.
The Mag: Who would you call a role model or inspiration?
J.P. Manoux: These days I’m chasing more dramatic and tense material, aiming for characters who are funny yet genuinely menacing. Christoph Waltz stands out for that blend. I’m drawn to projects that stretch me in that direction. Right now, I’m part of a comedy on CTV called Spun Out, and I’m fortunate to work with one of my idols, Dave Foley.
The Mag: And apart from Spun Out, what other projects are you working on?
J.P. Manoux: Besides Spun Out, I recently shot an episode for Nickelodeon’s The Thundermans, so keep an eye out there. There’s also a new show heading to streaming that’s titled Table 58, a story about high school students with a fresh premise and a style all its own.
The Mag: I’m already getting Phil of the Future vibes from that one sentence. Will you be playing a principal in it?
J.P. Manoux: I’m stepping in as a vice‑principal again, but this project is very different from Phil of the Future and has a distinct premise. The readers of The Magazine will likely enjoy watching this one unfold.
The Mag: Let’s switch to voice work. On The Emperor’s New School you voice Kuzco. How does voice acting appeal to you, and how does it differ from traditional on‑screen acting?
J.P. Manoux: Voice work often means recording your lines solo. You go in, run through the episode’s dialogue, and you rarely meet the other cast members during recording. Later, editing stitches it all together and animation brings it to life. It’s exciting to experiment with different takes and hear which ones are used, but you don’t always get to share the scene with your co‑stars until the finished episode lands in your hands, which is a total surprise and a thrill every time.
The Mag: What’s the weirdest, most memorable moment you’ve had on set lately?
J.P. Manoux: Not long ago on Spun Out, The Kids in the Hall—Dave Foley’s longtime sketch group—made a guest appearance on our show. I’ve long been a fan, so that reunion was incredibly meaningful and memorable for me.
The Mag: Any words of guidance for aspiring actors or people trying to break into the industry in general?
J.P. Manoux: Approach it with seriousness. Do your homework and treat acting as a real career with both artistic and business dimensions. There are two sides to the craft, and understanding both helps you stay grounded and persistent. Stay curious, stay hungry, and keep showing up ready to learn.
Thanks a lot for the thoughtful words, J.P.! Fans should look for his appearances on The Thundermans and Table 58 and watch for more from his ongoing work in television and animation.