Blue Bloods Star Will Estes: Early Career Roles Uncovered
Will Estes has spent much of his life in and out of the spotlight, and in recent years, he has firmly reestablished his name in the industry, adding more notable roles to his impressive record. Currently, Estes dedicates significant time to his work on “Blue Bloods,” where he collaborates with Tom Selleck, continuously honing his acting skills. So, what was Will up to before landing his iconic role on “Blue Bloods”? Let’s delve into his journey.
How exactly did Estes secure his role on “Blue Bloods”? It’s safe to say that “Blue Bloods” ranks among the greatest cop shows of all time. After 12 years on air, the show’s uniqueness lies in its characters, keeping viewers engaged over the years. By focusing on the Reagan family, “Blue Bloods” skillfully blends character drama with police procedural elements. Will Estes portrays Jamie Reagan, the youngest member of a long lineage of devoted NYPD officers. Since the show’s inception, Jamie’s character has undergone significant development. He begins his career as a rookie, rises through the ranks, saves lives daily, and even marries his dream woman. Estes’ portrayal has captivated audiences for over a decade, with Jamie evolving remarkably throughout the series.
Now, it’s no secret that Will Estes has been working steadily for a long time, much like his character Jamie. To understand more about Jamie Reagan’s acting abilities, let’s examine Estes’s professional background in detail. Estes admitted to CBS Watch that when he first read the “Blue Bloods” script, he was immediately drawn to it. However, he knew he needed to make a lasting impression on the producers to land the role of Jamie Reagan. He ensured his portrayal was so convincing that the producers would see him as Jamie even before offering him the part. Estes revealed he had four auditions for the role, although it felt like eleven. He also shared that he was nearly broke at the time, so when the producers took a chance on him, it significantly boosted his confidence.
Starting from the very beginning, Estes’s first acting role was in the film “The New Lassie.” Finding roles is challenging enough for seasoned actors, but opportunities for young actors are even more limited. Despite this, Will Estes found success early on when he earned the lead part on “The New Lassie.” After a few successful auditions with children’s talent agencies, Estes, who played the character of Will McCullough in 48 episodes over three years, was just 10 years old when the series debuted in 1989. “I’ve had dogs my whole life, and I think that may have been why I got the position,” Estes remarked to Smashing Interviews. He later discovered that several other kids auditioning were dog-phobic, making his familiarity with canine co-stars a significant advantage and the most obvious pick for the role.
Will Estes then went on to appear in a variety of popular television shows and movies, including “Baywatch,” “Harry and the Hendersons,” “Full House,” “It Had to Be You,” “Boy Meets World,” “Kirk,” “Diagnosis Murder,” “7th Heaven,” “Kelly Kelly,” “American Dreams,” and “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.” Following his success on “The New Lassie,” Estes co-starred with Matthew McConaughey in the 2000 film “U-571.” He also made an appearance in Christopher Nolan’s 2012 Batman movie, “The Dark Knight Rises.” Pretty impressive, right? Next up, he is featured alongside Jon Bon Jovi.
More than once, Will Estes has worked with some fantastic co-stars throughout his career, but one of them also happens to be a full-on rock star. The 2000 movie “U-571” tells the tale of American spies breaking into a Nazi submarine during World War II to decipher German codes for the Allies. In this film, Estes collaborated with actors and musicians such as Jon Bon Jovi, Bill Paxton, and Matthew McConaughey. The relationship between Estes and Bon Jovi continued beyond the film; Bon Jovi even produced a music video for the song “It’s My Life” shortly after the premiere of “U-571.”
A very interesting and random fact is that Estes once won the TV game show “Jeopardy!” Being a “Jeopardy!” champion is impressive in and of itself, as it shows that the contestants have a wealth of information stored up in their minds for instant recall. It’s remarkable to think that someone could know so much about so many different topics and use that knowledge so quickly. Truly, Estes is a man of many talents.
One of his favorite pastimes is construction. While everyone needs a hobby, Estes has a busy schedule between acting and advocacy, yet even he needs to unwind occasionally. Perhaps it’s not surprising that his favorite pastime is a full day’s work. More than 10 years ago, on a daytime talk show, he shyly confessed, “Construction’s been a little bit of a pastime of mine.” Estes is far from a casual enthusiast; he’s highly knowledgeable about tiling, construction, and other home improvement projects.
