Jason Gadino is full of hot air – and it’s paying off.
The Memorial High School graduate recently won $15,000 on E Channel’s “Bank of Hollywood,” courtesy of some colorful party props and a dream.
A balloon artist by trade, Gadino has been working as a background actor in shows such as “Mercy” and “Law & Order,” sometimes playing a balloon artist.
With an aspiration to become the world’s most famous balloon guy, he auditioned last year for a reality show offering money for dreams, thinking he might win the $3,000 necessary to join the Screen Actors Guild.
The producers liked Gadino’s style but encouraged him to reflect on his dream and what he really would do if he could ask for anything.
“I only had about 36 hours,” said Gadino. “I asked everyone I knew what they thought I should do.”
Answers ranged from “Make the world’s tallest balloon” to “Open up a balloon school,” but none of those dreams were really his own.
“My passion for balloons has been renewed.” – Jason Gadino
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“I realized I would be doing exactly what I’m doing now,” said Gadino. “Only I’d be doing it for kids that really need it.”
He remembered the instances when his craft truly made a difference in the lives of children; randomly making a balloon for a table full of special needs children in a restaurant and the big hugs that followed, and bringing a hard-won smile to the face of a frustrated little girl while visiting a friend in the hospital.
He decided he would ask for the funds to bring his show to children’s hospitals nationwide.
A winning experience
Gadino, a Wallington resident who grew up in West New York, arrived on the set with his balloons and dream on hand.
“It was beyond stressful,” said Gadino. “But it was the most amazing thing, because it was so important for me.”
As he listened to the roars of approval and disapproval for the contestants before him, Gadino began to worry.
“They didn’t tell me there was going to be a studio audience,” he said. “I thought I’d get booed back to New Jersey with my tail between my legs.”
But he won the $15,000 and an opportunity to pursue his dream.
And the rewards have been even greater than he realized. “Having this experience under my belt has helped me turn the corner,” said Gadino. “My passion for balloons has been renewed.”
Paying it forward
Gadino intends to visit hospitals with his balloons as soon as he receives the money, which should be in about two months. He is currently planning his tour.
In the meantime, he has continued acting. While waiting in the holding areas of various shows, he has recently created more elaborate balloon designs. He has made a director’s chair and a scene slate out of balloons, and even a “Nurse Jackie” balloon which caught the attention of Edie Falco.
“It’s given me the opportunity to meet the directors,” said Gadino. “That kind of thing has been really exciting.”
Inflated
Last week, he talked about how his dream began.
“One of the first balloon experiences I had was actually in a parade down Bergenline Avenue,” said Gadino. Gadino’s father, who was a cop in West New York, led the parades down the avenue. “I remember waiting to see [my father] and they were selling the large helium caterpillar balloons,” he said.
Gadino didn’t make balloon art for a living, though. He taught computers for a while and did DJ’ing at parties.
He began his full time career as a balloon artist in 2001, shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks.
Self-taught from a book that he picked up in Toys R Us, Gadino’s library now includes over 300 balloon books. Admitting that he is standing on the shoulders of giants in the industry, Gadino is keeping with tradition in the industry by being generous with his own knowledge and experience.
“I have my own little protégé at the IHOP,” said Gadino, who makes weekly visits to two local pancake houses. “He’s about 10 years old. I show him a new balloon every week.”
Gadino also worked with another balloon- twister, Jay Akselrud, who has since moved to Israel and is now one of the best in that country.
Upon finding out about Gadino’s win on Bank of Hollywood, Akselrud suggested he bring his show to a children’s hospital in Israel as well.
As for the possibility of bringing his balloons back to West New York one day, “That would be fun,” said Gadino. For more information, go to: www.jayjaytheballoonguy.com or www.facebook.com/jasongadino.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.