Actor, voice actor, and singer. Ramone Hamilton's got quite a toolkit for making it in the industry. At just 16 years old, this promising young talent has already booked a wide number of iconic roles, such as the leading voice of George in the Dreamworks Animated series "Captain Underpants," Coop in Disney Jr.’s "The Chicken Squad,” AJ in Nickelodeon's "Blaze and The Monster Machines,” and Crash Watkins in Ludacris’s animated Netflix series “Karma’s World.” He can also be heard as the voice of young Joe Gardner (whose older version of the character is played by Jamie Foxx) in Disney’s Academy Award-winning animated feature “Soul,” as Axl in Universal Pictures’ “The Grinch,” and most recently, in “Minions: The Rise of Gru.”

Creativity and artistry seem to run through his veins. Ramone is the nephew of jazz icon Chico Hamilton and the grandson of actor Bernie Hamilton, also known as Captain Dobey from the popular 1970s series “Starsky and Hutch.”

Recently, Ramone performed at the Coronet Theater with actress Megan Mullally, whom he met while working on an episode of the hit NBC comedy “Will & Grace.” He can also be seen in “Devious Maids,” “Hot in Cleveland,” and “Modern Family,” and heard in “Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure,” and Cartoon Network’s “Summer Camp Island.”

You're both an actor and a voice actor, and though the difference between the two may seem obvious at first glance, I'm sure that you as a professional have a deeper insight to share. How are the two different from each other in your opinion and why are some people suited for both or either and some aren't?

Voice acting is different because you’re going into a recording studio to record a project instead of being on set, whereas in theatrical acting you’re on-camera. That's the main difference. But in both you still need to have the same level of engagement. If someone does not like being on camera then voice acting would probably fill that creative void for them. But they’re very similar, at least when I do it. I put the same intention into voice acting that I would as if I were on camera. The other thing is that with voice acting you really need to be able to communicate your character’s emotion through your voice. I think a good actor can do both.

When did your career really start? How did you figure out you were going to be an actor?

My career really started when I booked the role for “The Epic Tales for Captain Underpants,” the show that I did on Netflix. That was the first voice-over role that I got, which laid the foundation for a lot of the other work that I would do. It was the first show I was a series regular on. The people behind that project really helped me. From an early age I’d always been performing and putting on costumes. I remember when Obama was elected, I was 3 years old. I put on a suit and was imitating him in front of the TV. I feel like I always gravitated towards performing.

Of the characters you've played so far, which one of them has represented the biggest learning experience for you?

The one I learned the most from was an independent movie directed by comedian Max Amini. The movie’s called “James the Second,” which hasn’t come out yet. I had originally booked a lead role opposite the main character, but at the last minute the director said he was going to go in a different direction. I was really disappointed. But the director and I had developed such a bond that he went ahead and wrote another character for me which was a bigger part than the initial role I’d auditioned for. That really showed me that you’re never out. Even if it didn’t go your way this time, if you just stay in it and stick with it, there will be a bright light at the end of the tunnel.

What is your favorite part of doing what you do?

Creating art that people can resonate with and that can inspire people. Especially kids, because I do so much animated work. Growing up I watched a lot of cartoons, which were very impactful on my life. They had a big effect on me. I consider it a very special privilege to know that the shows I work on can have the same effect on other kids.

How do you handle the needs of your life as a young man versus the demands of being a working professional already? What do you feel are the biggest pitfalls to avoid?

It’s all about trying to find a balance. Because I’ve been doing this for a while, you find out that there’s never really a true-true balance. It’s never going to be a 50/50. But you can try your hardest to find the balance. I’ve always gone to regular school instead of homeschooling, which is what a lot of young actors do. I like the interaction of regular school. I always make sure I maintain my grades and my school comes first. And professionally, when I’m not in school, I put everything into the craft. I put all my energy into my work. It’s definitely a challenge. I’ve missed out on stuff socially because of work, but I’ve also missed out on professional stuff as well. But because I love what I do, it’s not so bad.

What can you tell us about your experience working with Megan Mullally at the Coronet Theater?

It was a very fun experience. That was really great. It all started from the work that I did on “Will & Grace” on NBC. I did two episodes. In the first episode I was singing. And when she saw me singing she really related to me. When she was growing up she had done the same things. She could see herself in me. So she came to me and said she had a band, “Nancy and Beth,” and was performing at the Coronet Theatre as part of their national tour. She said she’d love to have me sing a song at the show. The whole experience was so great. Megan was so supportive. She even invited me and my family to her home to rehearse the song. We ended up choosing “Guest Who’s in Town” by Bobby Short, and she choreographed a dance to it. It was a blast! Ted Danson was in the audience that night, Tom Hanks’ wife, and the producers from Will & Grace. It was really cool.

Where do you see your career in the future? What sort of roles would you like to play? Do you have any other interests in the entertainment business you'd like to explore?

I see myself still acting. I would love to have a series regular role on a network show, like NBC, ABC, Netflix, Hulu. I also see myself directing and writing different projects for TV and film. In terms of roles, I would love to play a superhero. I love to box — it’s a hobby of mine. So I would love to play a boxer. I really just love positive roles that can help to inspire people. I also write and direct my own short films. And I want to go to USC film school for college.

Speaking of the future, what's up next for Ramone Hamilton? Any upcoming projects you'd like to plug or tease?

I’ve got my Christmas song, “Don’t Forget to Send a Christmas Card.” It’s on all streaming platforms. The music video is on my YouTube channel Ram One Productions. I wrote and directed the video. There’s also a new season of an animated show I work on called “Karma’s World” created by Ludacris. And I have an episode of a web series that I directed at my school Orange County School of the Arts called “Scam.”

Ramone Hamilton - More than a voice

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