Fundraiser to Help Jack Turnbull’s Family

Unfortunately due to preexisting conditions my Jack did not qualify for life insurance. He was so proud to be our breadwinner..As a small business owner times were often tough but he always managed to provide. He worked hard to support our family. But today, I found out that even with his death, Social security benefits will not be able to help me much in this immediate crisis. But We need support to keep our home, feed, clothe and educate our children. I’m a housewife and a mother of 3 children 3yrs old/ 5yrs old/ 13yrs old...PLEASE help me to give my children the stability their father would have wanted for them if Covid-19 had not suddenly snuffed out his light and life. My husband Jack is a wonderful man, a coach, a friend, a husband and a father of our kids..

PLEASE give what ever you can and share wide and far. No amount is too little. I will be FOREVER grateful to all of you and Thank you so much for your prayers, Kindness, generosity, caring and loving us. God bless you all and more blessings.

PLEASE read this beautifully crafted obituary that a group of casting, agents, managers,and friends worked on together for my Jack.

This is the OFFICIAL  JAN “ JACK “ TURNBULL OBITUARY..

The world seems a little less bright today, with the passing of a giant in the  Los Angeles entertainment industry who truly brightened lives, sharpened minds, encouraged souls and educated countless numbers of youth, young adults and adult actors throughout his time.

Covid-19 took the life of “The Actorsite” owner, teacher and family man, Jan “Jack” Turnbull after a devastating month long battle that ended on Sunday June 14th 2020.

Mr. Turnbull, fondly known to most as JP, was just 72 years young. He was born in Springfield, Missouri, found a love of film production and casting in Florida and later relocated to Los Angeles to form one the longest standing acting training programs for youth and adults in North Hollywood.  He was a big man with a loud voice, an infectious personality and someone that truly infused a sense of purpose and dedication into his work in creating educational opportunities for all ages.  He was also well known and held in high regard in the casting director showcasing business, both before and after the legal changes that impacted that side of the industry.  He believed in the success of each and every one of his clients and worked hard to keep his prices reasonable and infused his programs with tons of creativity and fun!  Karaoke and free pizza were often added incentives to break the ice and make families and nervous kids feel more included, more welcome, and exceptionally cherished.

Throughout his over 25 plus years in LA as a coach and teacher, over 100  of his clients found success as series regulars in television and leads in major motion pictures. Names such as Hailee Steinfeld (Dickinson), Skyler Gisondo (The Righteous Gemstones), Brittany Snow (Pitch Perfect), Sydney Sweeney (The Handmaid’s Tale), Jenna Boyd (Atypical), Cayden Boyd (Heathers), Paris Berelc (Alexa & Katie), Major Curda (Riverdale), Tiffany Espensen (Avengers), Dante Brown (Lethal Weapon), Danika Yarosh (The Greenhouse Academy), Jason Dolley (American Housewife), Charlie McDermott (The Middle), Hana Hayes ( Insidious),  Holly Taylor (The Americans), Cody Saintgnue (Teen Wolf),  Victoria Justice,  Kimberly Crandall, Sarah Ramos, Savannah Paige Rae, Kelsey Asbille, Francesca Capaldi, Robert Cartrini, Gloria Garayua, Jack Griffo, Leah Lewis, Veronica Dunne, Stefanie Scott, Kyanna Simone Simpson, Madison Pettis, Davis Cleveland, Jake Austin Walker, Kay Panabaker, Jillian Rose Reed, Scout Taylor-Compton, Jake Cherry, Amandla Stenberg, Jason Dolley, Shelby Young,  Aedin Mincks, Drew Seeley, Danielle Panabaker,  Bailey Madison, Caitlin Carmichael,  Piper Curda, Jake Short, Mike McGill, Mataaeo Mingo, Sean Ryan Fox, Aaron Refvem, Olivia Rose Keegan, Jillian Clare, Zachary Haven, Katelyn Pippy, Drake Johnston among many more all went through The Actorsite program or worked with Jack himself through the years.

Many others found success in life as writers, showrunners, lawyers, doctors, nurses, and members of the military.  He cherished and lauded each and every student success. Truly, they knew that he cared.  They knew he was in their corner.  He ended every verbal exchange with a “You Rock” and every email with “Super”.  To the industry as a whole he offered free newsletters filled with tidbits of interesting casting information, daily reminders that Hollywood was filled with competition and overall encouragement. 

Known for promoting the “Jack Turnbull Method”, his training included a comprehensive need for all skills: vocal elocution, improv, repetition, emotional study and the creation of great characters.

The Actorsite, which was founded in the early 1990s, had closed its doors and moved to a fully virtual studio long before the Coronavirus pandemic hit.  Jack was active in online training with students from around the country up until the time of his diagnosis and infection with Covid in early May 2020.   Jack was also a prominent member of the elite industry facebook group Talent Managers For Actors with over 145+ Talent Managers, Agents, Entertainment Attorneys, Acting Coaches, Working Actors and Headshot Photographers all dedicated to educating and guiding actors through the rough waters of show business.  TMFA Founders Wendy Alane Wright and Susan Ferris were grateful to have Jack conducting weekly, free coaching sessions in the TMFA to more 65,000 actors worldwide.

While life was shifting from brick and mortar to more of a virtual world in his business, life had also changed on a personal level for JP - He had become a devoted family man late in life, marrying his true love, Jessa,  almost 10 years ago this August and together they were busy raising 3 children.  Together as a team, they had also begun shooting actor’s headshots at very reasonable costs, something that Jack was known for in his early days in LA to help give actors their first real start in the industry. They had plans of travel, their own kids’ events and milestones.  He was a man of great loves and dreams.

He was fun loving, exuberant, full of energy, comical and quite the character.  There is not a person whose life he has touched who doesn’t remember a special moment, kind word, encouraging conversation, an opportunity to connect with other actors and his penchant for the Fist Bump!  Long before Covid-19 made it a reality- he had made it cool in his ongoing effort to teach actors especially kids about the need to protect Casting Directors from germs.

An online memorial is being planned by a diverse group of agents, casting and managers.  An educational and resource GoFundMe campaign will be established for his family.  Survived by wife Jessa, daughter Venise, (13), and two sons, John Robert, (5) and Zayne (3).  Sadly, the family said their goodbyes by Zoom as the Covid restrictions did not allow visitation into the hospital in his final moments.

A favorite quote of his known to most was, “Acting is a muscle - you gotta work it out!”  A favorite that he loved to quote himself, “Success is a  journey not a destination”. 

It was that welcoming, creative energy and “Super” mindset that made Mr. Jack, JP, Turnbull the friend, mentor, boss, teacher, coach, father and husband that was a welcome soul to so many and in his passing a true loss for generations of students, colleagues and friends.