‘Degrassi’ star wins L.A. acting award

Updated Fri. Apr. 4 2008 3:38 PM ET

Tyrone Warner, CTV.ca

Jamie Johnson can add another statue to his mantelpiece after winning at this year’s Young Artist Awards, a long-running celebration of emerging talent.

Johnson won the award for “Best Performance in a Television Series, Leading Young Actor” for his work in the season six episodes “Here Comes Your Man” and “True Colors.”

Johnson plays “Peter Stone” on “Degrassi: The Next Generation.”

Johnson previously won a Young Artist Award in 2004 for his role in “More Than Meets the Eye: The Joan Brock Story,” followed by a nomination in 2005 for his performance in “Wild Card.” Johnson has also been nominated in 2006 and 2007 for his role in “Degrassi.”

The young actor was unable to attend Sunday’s ceremony, but if he had been there, he tells CTV.ca he knows exactly what he would have said in his acceptance speech.

“I would’ve thanked the producers of ‘Degrassi,’ my parents, the rest of my family, my agent, my girlfriends, my friends, and God,” says Johnson.

“There are hundreds of other actors out there, but I keep getting nominated, so I’m happy.”

“Degrassi: The Next Generation” is currently in its seventh season on CTV, airing Monday nights at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Johnson first appeared on “Degrassi” in 2005 as the principal’s troublesome son Peter, who has a knack for landing himself in hot water.

Peter gained a notorious reputation on the show after shooting a video of Manny (Cassie Steele) taking off her top, then attempted to black mail her with it. When she wouldn’t cave, he shared the clip with the entire school.

Regardless of whether the 18-year-old is nominated again next year, the actor is going to continue to take a simple approach to his craft.

“Being an actor is just being an actor; you touch people in different ways, no matter what you play,” says Johnson.

“I just want to keep acting.”