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Actor Brian Jordan Alvarez, a native of Franklin County, is one of the main characters in the science-fiction, horror movie “M3GAN,” set to release worldwide in theaters tomorrow.

Readers who watch the popular television show “Will & Grace” will recognize Alvarez who has a recurring role as Estefan Gloria, the character Jack McFarland’s fiancé and later husband in all three seasons of the 2010s revival of the show.

While Alvarez has fond memories of growing up in Franklin County, he now lives in Los Angeles, California. His parents, Paul Jordan and Angela Jordan, reside in Franklin County.

Alvarez was gracious in taking the time from his busy schedule as an actor and writer to answer the following interview questions for local readers.

Q: Tell our readers about yourself and your connection to Franklin County.

A:  “I was raised mostly in Winchester (went to Broadview and then South Jr. High), then did high school in Sewanee at St. Andrews’-Sewanee, except for my senior year of high school, when I went to North Carolina School of the Arts for their acting conservatory program.

After that, I went to the University of Southern California for college. I was actually born in New York City, because my father’s company had a contract with the State of New York to operate the Roosevelt Island Tram in New York City.  When the contract was finished, we moved to Winchester because my parents liked Tims Ford Lake. I really enjoyed growing up here; I like nature and the water. I live in Los Angeles now most of the time.”

Q: When and how did you discover you liked acting and was there one thing in particular that drew you to that career?

A: “I think my sister liked it first, and I thought it was pretty cool. Originally I wanted to be an astronaut. I would still love to go to space! But when I did a talent show at Broadview Elementary when I was, I believe, 4 years old (before I had enrolled in school, but my sister was going to school there), I performed the song ‘Kokomo’ by the Beach Boys and found that I absolutely loved performing. I think that was the beginning. Then later, I did plays at Broadview like ‘Charlotte’s Web,’ where I played Wilbur. That was my first big break!”

Q: Tell our readers a little about the movie “M3GAN.”

A:  “’M3GAN’ will be released in theaters everywhere, worldwide, on Jan. 6. The movie is amazing. It’s about a robot doll that was created by an engineer named Gemma, played by the amazing Allison Williams. I play one of her fellow engineers who helps in the creation of the robot doll M3GAN, and in helping manage the situation as it progresses. I really love the role. My character’s name is Cole.”

Q: Was this a challenging role for you? 

A:  “Playing Cole, a robotics engineer, came naturally to me. My father is an engineer so I grew up hearing a lot about that side of things. I also enjoy playing intelligent characters, which I feel this is.”

Q: What other movies have you been a part of and what has been your favorite role so far in movies?

A:  “This is my biggest studio movie so far. I have done a lot of television; most notably I was a main character on the NBC show ‘Will & Grace,’ where I played Estefan Gloria, a brilliantly-written character who is a flight attendant. Being on that show was so fun, I can’t even explain it. And shooting M3GAN was also extremely fun. I love making movies and TV!”

Q: Who is your favorite actor as well as movie?

A: “I’d say my favorite actor is Tom Cruise. He’s such a classic American movie star. I’d like to emulate a lot of what he does while being myself and paving my own way. I’m impressed with everything he puts out. I also really like Michael Fassbender. I think my favorite movies are ‘Prometheus’ (by Ridley Scott), ‘All about My Mother’ (by Pedro Almodovar), and ‘Dirty Dancing’ (by Emile Ardolino).”

Q: Tell our readers what you loved about growing up in this area.

A: “I really liked the slow pace, the nature. I spent a lot of time in the woods and the lake as a kid. I liked growing up in the South. Tennessee has a rich culture. I also like that I know how to do the accent! A lot of people do bad or fake southern accents, but growing up in Winchester allows me to really know how to do the real thing.”

Q: What is a typical day like for you?

A: “I currently write as well as act, so in the mornings, I’m generally working on a TV show that I’m in the process of making with the network FX, and then I’ll hit the gym, then hang out with people in the evening. I travel a lot as well. It’s a great life, and I’m extremely grateful.”

Q: What have you got lined up for the future now that you have wrapped up “M3GAN?”

A: “I just shot a pilot called ‘English Teacher’ that I wrote and starred in for the network FX. We are currently finishing up the pilot, and then we will see if the studio picks the pilot up to a full series, which means we would shoot all of the episodes and it would air on FX, probably starting this coming fall. Fingers crossed! I want to give a shout-out to my mom and dad, Paul Jordan and Angela Jordan, as well as to Chelsea Stovall Hall, one of my childhood best friends. She’s a big part of why I’m funny!”

The Alvarez family

Brian, age 35, was born in New York City where he lived for almost six years. In 1991, when Brian was almost 4, his family moved to Winchester.

While Brian was at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee, he took a few classes in the Theater Department at Sewanee: The University of the South.  He also was involved in a few plays while he was taking classes there. In his senior year of high school, he decided to go to the North Carolina School of the Arts to make sure that acting was what he wanted to do. Brian graduated from The University of Southern California with a BFA in acting.

Mom Angela remembers that ever since Brian was very young he was always making movies with his friends and his sister, Catalina Jordan, now an assistant professor in the Department of Theater and Visual Arts at Fordham University in New York City. 

“He would make movies and would go to my office to edit the movies,” Angela said.

On Dec. 6, 2022, Brian invited his parents to the premier of “M3GAN” at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. His parents agree it was a unique experience.

Dad Paul said, “We were impressed with how real Brian’s acting was in this role, and it was an amazing experience to see him on the big screen.”

Paul and Angela say their son has worked very hard to get where he is today and they are very proud of him.

“Now, many times when we have been walking in the street in different cities, people have started recognizing Brian from his appearance on ‘Will and Grace’ and his TikTok characters that he releases almost every day,” Mom said.  “Also since I’m from Colombia, South America, Brian grew up completely bilingual.”

Alvarez has had multiple viral videos and made appearances on Australian TV due to his ability to do a convincing Australian accent. Beyond this, his videos bring daily comedy through his portrayal of characters he creates using various accents and face filters on Instagram and TikTok. His comedic style pokes fun at his own upbringing of the south, his experience of people in LA and of foreign-born relatives.

Follow Alvarez on Instagram @brianjordanalvarez. Also facebook.com/thebrianjordanalvarez.

About ‘M3GAN’

Gemma, an accomplished roboticist at a toy company, uses artificial intelligence to develop M3GAN (short for Model 3 Generative Android), a lifelike doll programmed to be a child’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally.

After unexpectedly gaining custody of her recently orphaned niece, Cady, when the child’s parents died in a car accident, Gemma enlists the help of the M3GAN prototype, a decision that has horrific consequences when the doll becomes self-aware and overprotective of Cady, leading her to kill everyone in her way.

The cast includes Allison Williams as Gemma, Violet McGraw as Cady, Gemma’s niece, Amie Donald as M3GAN, Jenna Davis as the voice of M3GAN, Ronny Chieng, Brian Jordan Alvarez as Cole, Jen Van Epps as Tess, Stephane Garneau-Monten as Kurt and Arlo Green as Ryan.

Find out more about the movie and watch the trailer at https://www.m3ganmovie.com.