• Now 16, Joey recently graduated high school and is taking film courses at Glendale Community College. He plans to eventually transfer to a four-year university.
• He and his sister Elise, 14, have appeared in dozens of commercials and television shows.
Elise will appear on a Nickelodeon “Deadtime Stories” episode called “Grandpa’s Monster Movies.” It airs at 8 p.m. Thursday. Watch clip above.
Best known for repeat appearances on Showtime’s “Weeds,” Joey recently appeared on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” and on the Disney Channel in “Ant Farm” as Teen Zoltan.
Other credits include "Ghost Whisperer," "Private Practice," and "iCarly."
He also is in commercials for the California Milk Council, Apple, Jif Peanut Butter and McDonald’s. He is set to appear on CBS’ “Criminal Minds” next month.
Elise was just on Nickelodeon’s “Wendell & Vinnie” and is up for a lead role. She appeared on Fox’s “New Girl” and CBS’ “Rules of Engagement.”
Joey and Elise are the youngest of Rick and Tess Luthman’s seven children.
“They are doing great,” Tess said. “In fact, they help pay the bills.”
She noted that while most of the money Joey has earned goes into his college fund, some of the money is used for his acting classes.
“He is paying his own way,” she said.
For a time, Rick Luthman commuted between Dayton and California for his work as an investment adviser. Tess Luthman gave up her career as an architect to concentrate on her children’s careers.
She said the sacrifice is worth it.
“The kids are just so talented. They love it,” she said. “We support them. It is just like being a soccer mom.”
The successes have not come with out challenges.
“It is not for people who expect things to happen overnight,” Luthman said. “If you stick with it can be rewarding.”
Contact this columnist at arobinson@DaytonDailyNews.com or Twitter.com/DDNSmartMouth
About the Author
