Once We Were Spacemen Once We Were beJeweled with Jewel Staite | Episode 2
Nov 12, 2025
Jewel Staite, the Canadian actress celebrated for her role as Kaylee in Firefly, shares insights from her acting journey and family life. She discusses starting her career at five, the challenges of balancing school with acting, and her perspective on auditioning as a mother. Jewel reflects on her time in sci-fi versus procedural roles and her desire for a supportive set culture in Family Law. Plus, she reveals how her YouTube cooking channel came to life, combining her love for food and fun in the kitchen!
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Early Discovery And Child Acting Career
- Jewel Staite was discovered as a child actor around age five and booked commercials and TV movies early on.
- She cried on cue as a kid and kept working through childhood, which shaped her career and competence.
Youngest Cast Member On Firefly
- Jewel was the youngest cast member on Firefly at 19 and had a long history of professional work beforehand.
- Nathan and Alan recall her competence and knack that combined with experience made her stand out.
Prepare For The Hard Parts Deliberately
- Do prepare mentally for the hard parts of an acting career, not just the glamour.
- Do build strategies to preserve confidence and survive long stretches without work.