Hartland native, 13, finding success in Hollywood

Start

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Hartland native Brayden Eaton, 13, will appear in “Dinosaur Cove,” a feature film directed by Daniel Knudsen (“Sky Dog”), slated for release in the summer of 2021.

As the lead in the movie, Eaton plays Riley Harrison, who, while on vacation with his dad and still mourning the death of his mother, discovers living dinosaur eggs from a nearby research facility. Things go awry when Riley takes the eggs to care for them, and the head scientist of the research facility does everything in his power to get the eggs back for use in a diabolical plan.

“Dinosaur Cove” will be released to all major streaming channels, and can be followed on Facebook and Instagram: @dinosaurcovemovie.

Eaton attended Hartland Consolidated Schools until the fifth grade, when he started his acting career and online school became a better fit so he could work on auditions, films and shows.

His first professional acting role was in a movie titled “Traveler,” which was filmed in 2017, and is slated for release in 2022.

Eaton’s young look and shorter stature allow him to play roles much younger than his age, while still handling larger scripts.

“I love playing the roles of a younger boy, especially ones that face challenges, like my current film, which features a boy who is deaf and comes from a broken home,” Eaton said. “Anytime you can tell the story of someone who overcomes a great challenge, it is a honor and privilege to share that story.”

Currently, you can see Eaton in a supporting role as Josh in the 2020 Christmas film “Miracle on Christmas,” directed by Thomas Bonifield and filmed in Livingston County, which is streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can read about that movie by clicking here.

Before he turned professional, Eaton was part of the Prelude Theater Group in Hartland, and he held roles as Young Simba in “Lion King Jr.” and James in “James and the Giant Peach Jr.”

Inspired by the sitcoms and live action shows on the Disney Channel, Eaton decided when he was 5 that acting was what he wanted to do. His parents, Jason and Wendy Jo Eaton, made him wait to gauge his seriousness; he wore them down at age 10, his father said. It was then that he signed with Los Angeles-based Amsel, Eisenstadt, Frazier & Hinojosa Agency and Candu Management.

Inspirations include Keanu Reeves, Tom Cruise, and Dwayne “The Rock Johnson,” for what Eaton says is their incredible work ethic, commitment to excellence, and kindness and giving natures to those around them, especially their crews and fellow cast members. Keanu Reeves is his favorite because his humble and giving life off screen is a blueprint for Eaton himself.

Eaton — who also boasts talents as a hip hop dancer, skateboarder, beat boxer, guitar player, and novice fencer — plans on pursuing more film and television roles. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @braydeneatonofficial.

DON’T MISS A BEAT

Sign up for our weekly newsletter

We don’t spam!

Sharing is caring!

The Livingston Post is the only locally owned, all-digital information and opinion site in Livingston County, Mich. It was launched by award-winning journalists who were laid off from the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus by Gannett Co. Inc. in 2009.