Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Harding.
Hi Jeff, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in the Midwest (Iowa). As many might likely relate, I had a very accidental career path that led me from Geotechnical & Environmental Engineering to Banking & Real Estate Finance and eventually to Entrepreneur and Business Owner opening a full service electric and digital sign company that also provided various sports scoreboard and video board installations before retiring April 1, 2021.
About ten years after forming the sign company, August 2020, I was told “you have Cancer”. You can probably imagine it was difficult to think about and navigate the health system during Covid for a 5 hour surgery head and neck surgery followed up by 6 weeks of simultaneous chemotherapy and radiation to the head and neck, but I made it through and rang the bell on November 20, 2020. Needless to say, this was the moment that changed my life entirely – what I would call my “blessed moment”. I would have never gotten to do the things I have done since and have the same outlook on life if those three words had never been uttered to me. But they were and I decided I was not going to be robbed of retirement and while it may not look the way I had envisioned it, I realized life has never actually looked the way I had thought it would either – that’s the beauty of the journey. Having made the decision to retire, I sold my shares of the company and relocated to Savannah, GA.
About a month later, my grandfather passed away and we were making a trip back for his funeral and my wife found a listing for some background acting work. I applied and the next day got a call and email for more photos (and measurements) and was told there was work for me when I return. I was excited as I had always said that when I retire, I wanted to get back into Theater, having been involved in Theater and choir in my past. This is what I refer to as the start of my “second act” in life. Upon returning to Savannah, I proceeded to work on over a dozen or so films that were being made in Savannah over the next year or two.
In October 2023 I delivered my first lines in a film for the 48 Hour Film Project Savannah. I was now bitten by the Film bug. I began to take acting classes privately from locals like William Mark McCullough, Anthony Paderewski and Jeanmarie Collins and with Chad Darnell from Atlanta and Melanie Forchetti here in the Southeast. I was always a believer that if you have a passion for something, its never work. But I also believed that if you want to make something of yourself, don’t just show up, but show up and pay attention, there is a lot to learn. I used that theory as I did Background work on set to learn the terms and inner workings. I continued to use that theory as I began doing student films here locally. I utilize those opportunities to ask a lot of questions and retain that knowledge since most student films don’t pay, I considered the eduction my pay (along with my reels and film copies).
I am currently enjoying my acting journey and letting it lead me where it does (film, TV, theater and commercial work). I have continued on with sponsoring and participating in teams making films in 24, 48, 72 and 100 hours and just this April (22nd) 2025, I incorporated my own production company – Tall Glass of Lemonade Productions, LLC. I continue to do student films as I enjoy working with young creative minds completing their classes, MA and MFA degrees and also to add to my indirect education with current knowledge. I have done over two dozen student films in the last couple years. I am also working on a book about how I navigated my journey with cancer while maintaining a positive attitude, It will be called “C.A.N.S.W.E.R.S”. I am also developing short films ideas and co-writing some feature and TV series ideas. In my spare time I enjoy golf, theater and improvisational shows and swimming in my pool. I am also a very well rounded handyman so I love DIY home projects.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No it has not been smooth, but I have worked very hard to accept the wrinkles in life and use them to propel my journey. Let me explain.
Exactly 2 years (November 2022) to the day from initial surgery and treatment (2020), I was told “your cancer has returned”. It was a bit of a setback but again I maintained the same positive attitude as I had the first time around because honestly what could someone tell me that would be worse than what I heard in 2020. After testing, it appeared my cancer had metastasized to other areas in my body (abdomen, near my pancreas and ribs) so I began chemotherapy again. I was tolerating treatment pretty well and I was not going to let it define me but rather fuel me.
Then January 2024 came and the third time I heard “cancer”. This time it showed up in the form of 8 lesions in my brain. I had brain cancer! I proceeded to undergo a 65 minute gamma knife procedure to zap the lesions with a 60% chance they may come back in 6 months. I was strapped to a table by my head and was told I had a tolerance of 1mm of movement during the process or the machine will kick off and we have to restart again. It was the longest 65 minutes of my life lying that still. But again, I did it and drove 2.5 hours from Jacksonville to home afterward. My chemotherapy drugs were modified to ones that can penetrate the brain blood barrier (which options are limited and off label). I continue those treatments every 3 weeks during which time I write motivational and mental health posts to those I call my “Lemonhead” followers in hopes that maybe I can help just one other person with a struggle they are having currently. Its my cancer journey mantra – Crushin’ Lemons (making Lemonade).
I do believe that the real battle is not cancer, because that’s not a fair fight. You don’t win that fight! The real fight is the mental battle in my opinion. I really try to champion that message, because it’s something everyone can relate to no matter if they are dealing with a health challenge like me or not. It’s that second voice in our heads, that’s the enemy and thankfully, I have lost that voice in this whole process. I am also a firm believer in not knowing “how the watch is built”, but more on “what time is it.” Knowledge isn’t always power, sometimes it sparks that second voice to run wild which can also affect our mental positivity.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At this point, my life’s work is really passion bucket filling. Doing the things that creatively keep my brain and body moving, allow me to express myself through my intuitive writing, learning new skills, enhancing existing skills and being a student of life at the same time. Right now that is acting, writing, producing, directing and being a helper to others trying to achieve the same. I have always worked towards being the guy people go to for answers and I still endeavor information and knowledge with that goal in mind.
I am in the process of trying to form a core group of people who want to be creative, make films, tell stories and entertain and produce – hence my new company, Tall Glass of Lemonade, LLC.
I am most proud of my wife for helping me not get stuck in a pity party early on, helping me not give up early on and be my supporter and my rock. I am also very proud of my two daughters and son in laws and the fact that soon I will be a grandpa for the first time. I am proud of all that I have overcome and achieved in the face of adversity and the challenges that have afforded me the opportunity to use those experiences to help others in many ways.
What sets me apart from others? I would say commitment, work ethic, positivity and a winning attitude. Thats not meant to sound cocky but merely confident. Those things are dear to me and they have been my driving force almost all my life. Also, a willingness to be uncomfortable, fail and grow from my experiences and stay on a lifelong learning goal.
What are your plans for the future?
Since not much of my life has been in my plans, I no longer “plan” much for the future except to stay the creative course and passion bucket filling doing what I love. Hanging out at the intersection of “passion” and “purpose.” Letting life’s events unfold as they may but listening and being present in my journey – not trying to control it too much. My overall goal would be to find my tribe of people who share the same desire, personal characteristics and complimentary abilities to play every day in this fun world of film with the ultimate goal of telling stories.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jhardingactor.com
- Instagram: @jhardingactor
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/120953941093018
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jhardingactor
- Twitter: https://x.com/JHardingActor
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JHarding_Actor
