The entertainment industry is no stranger to actors and celebrities whose careers have been cut short by addiction and substance abuse. It is, therefore, something to be excited about when someone comes out to seeks help, and begins the odious journey toward an addiction-free lifestyle. That action, not just serves as encouragement but also an example to younger folks looking to break free from substance addiction. Jason Mewes is a gifted American television and film actor, who also doubles as an internet radio host and film producer. He had played an iconic role in a film which has since gone on to become a mainstay. Jason, however, did not always have an easy and smooth life.
Who is Jason Mewes? Bio
Jason was born in Highlands, New Jersey on June 12, 1974. Jason never met his dad, and his mother was an ex-convict and a drug addict. He grew up in a working-class neighborhood and his full birth name is Jason Edward Mewes. Recollecting just how extreme the situation was with his mother, Jason relates that she used to check into hotels, collect their televisions which she sold for money. He also added that she would also steal mail as well.
Mewes was exposed to drugs at a very early age and through his mother’s condition made him averse to drugs, he would later find himself descending down the same slippery slope. However, from an early age as recounted by his best friend and later on filmmaker Kevin Smith, Jason had always been a fun-to-be-with and an easy-going guy.
Kevin Smith had Mewes make his film debut as Jay in the latter’s 1994 film Clerks. Mewes at the time was making a living off roofing. Even though the film was a low-budget movie, it turned out to be a huge success, and Mewes was frequently asked to star in the role in future productions.
Mewes has starred in a host of roles since, Mallrats (1995), Chasing Amy (1997), Dogma (1999), Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), and sequels of some of his previous films. Mewes and Kevin have a history of working closely together in films, the pair worked together in Scream 3, Bottoms Up, and Canadian TV series Degrassi: The Next Generation. Kevin and Mewes both host a weekly podcast called Jay & Silent Bob Get Old in which Mewes discusses his drug addiction issues.
Though Mewes enjoyed some level of success early in his career, he was also suffering from a drug addiction issue. He first started using heroin after high school after appearing on Mallrats. While on the set of Chasing Amy and Dogma, Mewes was under the influence. After being taken to rehab by Kevin, he sobered up but soon relapsed after devising a way to beat the urine tests.
His mother was diagnosed with AIDS and Jason Mewes moved in with her while trying to get clean. He was nabbed in 1999 for heroin possession in New Jersey. In 2001, he failed to make a court appearance, warrant of arrest followed. During this period, his pal, Kevin Smith had severally funded him to go to rehab and even taken him in. Mewes was evicted when he was caught using drugs again. He had also stolen Smith’s ATM card and charged $1,100 for heroin use. Kevin declined to give him a role in 2004’s Jersey Girl. He turned a corner when he woke up on Christmas morning of 2003 to see his couch on fire from a lit candle. He stayed clean for a few years, relapsed after surgery in 2009 but has been clean since 2010.
Wife – Jordan Monsanto
Jason Mewes is married to film producer, Jordan Monsanto. The couple co-produced ‘Jay & Silent Bob’s Super Groovy Cartoon Movie’ an animated movie in 2013. The couple was married on January 30, 2009. Mewes and Jordan welcomed their daughter, Logan Lee on April 1, 2015.
Other Facts
The weekly podcast Jay & Silent Bob Get Old was created specifically to help prevent Mewes from relapsing.
Mewes was a part of the video game Scarface: The World Is Yours providing voiceover for a character in the game.
Jason is a toy collector with his favorites being Spawn tows. He also has a liking for Techno Spawn and Dark Ages.
Appeared as Jay in the 2000 film, Scream 3.
There was a warrant for his arrest for a while in New Jersey before he decided to return in 2003.
After ditching his addiction between 2003 and 2004, Mewes spent a year attempting to revive his career.
Mewes has remained clean since June 28, 2010
