The Truth About The Guy Who Plays Jay In Jay And Silent Bob

Jason Mewes is taking the spotlight again in 2019 with Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, as well as his directorial debut, Madness in the Method. But it hasn't always been lighthearted fun in the life of this actor, filmmaker, and podcaster. His rise and fall and rise again is a remarkable story, and he was kind enough to tell us all about it.

While Mewes cracked audiences up with his drug-related antics in the movies of hometown friend Kevin Smith, he spent what should have been the best years of his career falling increasingly into addiction. Even as he shined on-screen, substance abuse was quietly causing damage in his life, endangering his safety and derailing his career.

Fortunately, Mewes was able to turn the tables on his addictions in the early 2000s, starting a process of sober living that he's continued to this day.

Despite this, Mewes was essentially living a straight-edge lifestyle when Smith first met him, free of booze, drugs, and even romance.

Things can change pretty fast when you're a teenager, though, and when the time came to shoot Clerks, Mewes had morphed into an enthusiastic drinker and pot smoker, and essentially played himself in the movie.

But while the scumbag lifestyle came off as funny on-screen, the real-life Mewes was on a dangerous path.

The success of Clerks left Mewes living a kind of dual life. He had a foot in the film industry, but wasn't making or saving a ton of money. When filming wrapped, he'd go back to working regular jobs. Keep watching the video to learn the truth about the guy who plays Jay in Jay and Silent Bob!

#JasonMewes #JayAndSilentBob #UntoldTruth

Youth and young Mewes-hood | 0:27
Beginning to use | 1:38
Risky business | 3:24
Striking back | 3:53
Rumors of my death... | 4:56
Jay and Silent Bob Get Old | 6:13
Keeping clean | 7:46
Directing and the future | 8:33