By Colin McEwen

Record-Courier staff writer

Some children want to be firefighters. Others want to be archaeologists. Rootstown native Nate Hartley wanted to be a star of the silver screen -- and did it.

The 16-year-old co-stars with Owen Wilson in the new Paramount Pictures comedy, "Drillbit Taylor," which opened Friday.

Hartley plays a high school "geek" who with his friends, hires Drillbit (Wilson) to protect them from bullies.

He's been performing for years, but on a smaller stage.

When he was five-years-old, Hartley would perform magic tricks for his proud family -- that's also when he accepted his first acting gig starring as "Mr. Pig" in a Kent State University acting course for children with his now-19-year-old sister, Danielle.

His next acting job came a few years later at a small theater in Green, and he said the only reason he took the part was because he was allowed to have a three-minute slot to perform magic tricks.

The on-stage experience as a magician paid off, giving him the preparation and confidence needed.

"To be a good magician, you have to be a good performer," Hartley said.

He took his charisma along with him to Los Angeles in 2005 for a week-long intensive acting workshop, where through a series of networking, he was discovered.

Nate's parents, Rei and Michele, supported him in his life-altering decision to pursue a career in acting. His dad, Rei, owned Showtime Video in Ravenna and his mom, Michele, worked as a guidance counselor for

One month after coming home from the acting workshop, Hartley moved to Hollywood with his mom to pursue his dream.

"It's is crazy," he said. "I've been very lucky to achieve a goal I've had since childhood. ."

Before getting his major break in "Drillbit," Nate also appeared as a guest star on "The Bernie Mac Show" in 2005. He continued on his path to stardom in 2006, playing a role as Mitch the Snitch on the Nickelodeon series "Unfabulous" and acted opposite John Malkovich in the upcoming film "The Great Buck Howard."

He said one of the best experiences of his young career has been working with the actors and directors on the set of "Drillbit."

"It's like working with 360 degrees of creativity," he said. "Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen -- their jokes are so smart. They do have stupid jokes, but they're well constructed."

Last week, he flew into town for just 24 hours for the premiere of "Drillbit," giving him some time to visit with friends and family. In two days, he got two hours of sleep. Then it was back to California.

"They loved it," he said of his friends' reaction to the movie premiere. "They are obligated to love it -- if they didn't, I would punch them."

For the 16-year-old from Rootstown who doesn't drive, it's been the thrill ride of a lifetime, but he doesn't forget who helped him along the way.

"None of this would be possible without my parents," he said. "My mom move moved to California to support my dream. All families should be like mine, and support their children's dreams."