SU junior Oakes Fegley approaches acting career with humility, ambition
Without knowing Syracuse University junior Oakes Fegley, one may not know that he starred in the 2019 film “The Fabelmans” or worked with Robert de Niro. Though Fegley’s used to being in front of the screen, he’s also interested in seeing what goes on behind the scenes. COURTESY OF EMILY SAEX
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While a typical weekend at the Delta Upsilon fraternity often involves hanging out with friends and blaring music. But then Syracuse University junior James Barker found his housemate, Oakes Fegley, sitting on his bed and reading a book instead.
Fegley was preparing for an audition by reading a book the character liked. Barker couldn’t believe one of his fraternity brothers was reading over the weekend but soon recognized Fegley’s drive.
“You don’t have to read the book. It might not even move the needle in terms of the interview,” Barker, an SU senior studying finance, said. “He wants to be at another level, even if it just separates him a little bit from his competitors.”
Fegley, an SU junior, has been an actor since he was a preteen. His first significant lead role was in 2016’s “Pete’s Dragon,” when Fegley, who was 11 when it was released, starred as Pete. During filming, Fegley interacted with the legendary Robert Redford and even performed his own stunts, like climbing trees.
Since then, he’s appeared in “The War with Grandpa” alongside Robert De Niro (who stars in “The Godfather Part II,” one of Fegley’s favorite films), and the Apple TV series “Dark Matter.”
Fegley is part of a family of actors; his parents met through acting and his older sister grew up doing theater. Fegley never had classical acting lessons but started auditioning for roles at a young age.
Though Fegley has worked with many Hollywood icons, he said talking with Nicole Kidman on the set of the 2019 film “The Goldfinch” is a moment he remembers fondly. He played a young Theodore Decker and described Kidman’s presence as “very normal.”
“It was really nice to see someone like that, such a legend and such an amazing actress like she is, to be able to just talk to her,” Fegley said. “What I realized is that they’re just real people. Everyone I’ve worked with is just another human being at the end of the day.”
Barker said the best word to describe Fegley is authentic. Fegley doesn’t brag about his acting career when he meets someone. People only know about his experience in the film industry if they know him well, Barker said.
Barker met Fegley in 2024 when Fegley joined DU. They bonded over their love of film and shared interest in directing. Barker said it seemed like Fegley already had experience in the industry based on how he was talking, but he didn’t realize Fegley was an actor until it came up later.
Fegley’s interests in film, beyond acting, led him to the Newhouse School of Public Communications, where he studies television, radio and film on the entertainment business track. While Oakes is usually in front of the camera, he’s also interested in behind the scenes, like producing. He’s intrigued by the ever-changing entertainment industry and how it functions.
Academics have always been a priority for Fegley. But Fegley took the fall semester off because of his commitment to “Dark Matter,” which was filmed in Chicago.
He’s taken time away from academics since middle school, so he knows how to to “flip that switch” between student and actor when needed, he said. Fegley said taking breaks from acting allows him to recalibrate, and when it’s time to work again, his passion and excitement levels are enhanced.
“He’s just a pretty driven person in general. He wants to succeed in life, and I think he found his calling in acting,” Daniel Bachara, an SU senior studying finance and a member of DU, said. “When he puts his mind to something, he goes to the fullest extent.”
Although Fegley doesn’t watch his own projects often, Barker remembers watching “Pete’s Dragon” with him. Barker said it’s “surreal” to watch a movie while sitting with the main actor. When watching “Dark Matter,” Bachara said sometimes he sees his friend on the screen, not the character he’s playing.
Barker and Bachara described Fegley as social, respectful and welcoming, similar adjectives Fegley used to describe Steven Spielberg. Fegley worked with Spielberg in the 2022 film “The Fabelmans.” Fegley said having a supporting role in “The Fabelmans” — Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical film — was a “dream come true.”
“Every one of his actors he treated with equal attention and equal respect across the board. He’s just a commanding presence of course” Fegley said. “He’s Steven Spielberg, but in a lot of ways I think he commands that presence also through the way he respects people.”
With the second season of “Dark Matter” on the way later this year, audiences will have the chance to see Fegley’s first recurring character.
“I think he’ll definitely be an A-list actor,” Bachara said. “I think he’s going to land a big role sometime soon, and I think that’s just going to set his career off.”
