Catching Up With...Kevin G. Schmidt

(ex-Noah, Y&R, 2008-10, 2011-12).

- Devin Owens

Kevin Schmidt is one busy dude. When he’s not acting, writing, producing and directing, he’s focusing on making a difference in the world. The multitasker is introducing a line of natural skin care products, is the founder and CEO of Creative Organic Ventures, a company focused on sustainable food production, and sits on the board of SchoolGrown, which builds and operates aquaponic greenhouses for schools and communities. “I’m an artist to the core but I’ve had a lot of great mentors in my life who encouraged me to really look at the big picture,” he explains. “I want to do more for this planet than just acting.”

Although he started out in show biz at a young age (most notably as Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt’s on-screen son in Cheaper by the Dozen), Schmidt notes that he came into his own playing Nick and Sharon’s firstborn on Y&R. “I learned to trust myself,” he reflects. “You have to make as confident a choice as you can in a moment because you can’t waste time. You have to practice surrendering and letting go. That was the most wonderful thing that the soap really instilled in me. And obviously, being able to work with all these brilliant people. That’s a wonderful, creative environment.”