Laughter erupts from the Briones family’s backyard. Seated around a table we find Jon Jon, Megan, Isa, and Teo Briones candidly chatting about their so-called “family secret”, their welcome as warm and pleasant as the winter morning. As we sit down with the family, we learn that their home in the Valley is a far cry from that of Jon Jon’s childhood in the Philippines. Who would have guessed that his audition for a new musical would lead to the life he has now with his family at his side.
It Started with Saigon
Jon Jon’s breakthrough into the world of acting came when he was cast in the original 1989 London production of the musical Miss Saigon, a powerful yet tragic love story that takes place during the Vietnam War. From starting as part of the musical’s ensemble to delivering award winning performances in the lead role of the Engineer, Miss Saigon allowed Jon Jon to refine his craft which eventually led to a stint on Broadway.
Not only did the musical open doors for Jon Jon’s career, it was how he met his wife, Megan Briones, an actress and singer who was playing the role of Ellen at the time.
“We actually met on stage,“ Megan recalls, “We met doing a show called Miss Saigon in Germany—in Stuttgart, Germany—and we met on the day that we got there and they were touring us around the stage.”
After the life changing 1994 German production of Miss Saigon, Jon Jon and Megan tied the knot and continued a love story of their own. After traveling the world for the touring productions of Miss Saigon, they eventually settled down in Los Angeles, California with their children, Isa and Teo.
A Shared Passion
Despite living in the entertainment capital of the world, Jon Jon and Megan did not expect their children to follow in their footsteps. But after being immersed in the world of show business at a young age, it’s no surprise the Briones siblings joined the industry as child stars.
“Oh no!” Megan immediately exclaims when asked if she and Jon Jon thought their whole family would end up in the business.
“We never thought of the kids being [actors or said] ‘Oh, they’re going to be actors’,” Jon Jon recounts as a grin slowly stretches across his face, “But the thing is, they didn’t get a chance [not to become actors]. We were always bringing them to the theater with us. They were watching. Isa saw Miss Saigon for the first time when she was a year—a year and a half.”
In fact, entering into the entertainment industry came naturally for the pair with the guidance and support of their parents, further strengthened by their mother’s background as a personal talent manager for children and teenagers.
The siblings have steadily forged a name for themselves in the industry and, time and time again, prove that the talent for acting and music is in their blood.
At the age of 22, Isa is currently filming Star Trek: Picard alongside Sir Patrick Stewart for CBS All Access. She completed a tour for Hamilton: An American Musical and has an Ovation Award under her belt for her 2018 performance in the musical Next to Normal. While 17-year-old Teo presently stars in the new Chucky TV series by USA Network and Syfy after co-starring with his father on Netflix’s Ratched.
“Being surrounded by a family that does what these guys do, it just sort of made the whole entrance into the business very natural because I was–and so was Isa—we were basically born into it.” Teo reflects. “I just have three amazing performers around me to just help me grow as an actor and as a person.“
“And we had great role models to look at and also a great support system behind us so it wasn’t as scary,“ Isa adds. ”There’s so many young actors starting out who don’t have that kind of family support. We are so lucky that we have that. That has helped us so much.”
The Secret to Success
With quality time, open communication, and unconditional support being mainstays in their household, it’s no wonder how close-knit the Briones family is. With all four members of the family thriving in multiple areas of the entertainment industry, it’s safe to say that they have found the keys to success.
“Every success is everyone else’s success,” Isa shares as her family nods in agreement. “There’s no difference in what is big enough to celebrate, what is exciting enough. It’s always all of us celebrating together.”
“And we always find a way to celebrate even the smallest of victories,” Jon Jon adds on.
But despite having his fair share of remarkable achievements including numerous awards and nominations for his portrayal of the Engineer in Miss Saigon and landing key roles in shows like Ratched, American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace, and American Horror Story: Apocolypse, Jon Jon remains humble, guided by the belief that “success is only temporary”.
“Consistency is, for me, the secret because when you have consistency your passion is consistent, your hard work is consistent,” Jon Jon shares as he reflects on his journey to becoming a professional actor, “Success is only temporary. Once you finish a show, that’s it! You need to move forward to the next one and you don’t know if that’s going to be a success. But the thing that’s going to be constant is your passion, is your hard work, and I think that’s carried me through my career.”
Learn more about the Briones family as they give Hiraya a peek into their family life and share how they navigate the entertainment industry together through their interview with Hiraya’s Editor In Chief Francis Arden in Los Angeles, California.
Credits:
Interview by: Francis Arden
Filmed & Edited by: Edward Harrington
Photography and Cover by: Evan Duning
Social Media:
● Website: https://www.brionestalent.com
● Instagram Accounts:
@jonjonbriones
@meganbriones
@isacamillebriones
@theteobriones
