Peter Lawson Jones discussed the film industry in general and the movie "A Man Called Otto" in particular Thursday at the Brilliant Branch of the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County. (Photo Ross Gallabrese)

BRILLIANT — Ask Peter Lawson Jones to tell you about the most difficult job he has held, and he will give you an honest answer — acting.

“Of all of the professions I have had in my life, being an actor is the toughest. It’s absolutely the toughest for the simple reason that there are no guarantees,” he explained. “There is so much subjectivity in getting a role. You can have a wonderful audition, and you can be uber-talented and not get the role and, oftentimes, have a career that goes nowhere.”

Jones was speaking at the Brilliant Branch of the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County Thursday afternoon before a showing of the 2023 film “A Man Called Otto.” He played the character Reuben in the movie, which starred Tom Hanks and was largely filmed in Pittsburgh.

“It’s a tough industry,” Jones continued. “I really support all of those who stay on the grind and work without any immediate reward, without any positive outcomes for years, until something, hopefully, breaks through.”

The presentation was part of the library’s participation in the Ohio Goes to the Movies series, a statewide film festival that is one of the signature events of America 250-Ohio and has been designed to showcase the roles Ohio and Ohioans have played in the film industry. It opened Feb. 11 in the Northern Ohio community of Milan with an event at which Jones was the master of ceremonies.

“Our system is showing a movie at each of its branches,” said Jenn Cesta, the library’s public relations coordinator. “This is a great way to celebrate. We’re excited to be a part of it.”

It’s an important project for many reasons, said Jones, who described himself as an ambassador of the project and an unpaid consultant.

“It’s significant for a couple of reasons. One, the movies have a way of bringing people together. These movies are being shown not just in theaters, but in places where people meet, in gathering spots. It’s a unique way to celebrate the semiquincentennial, America’s 250th,” he said.

“The other thing is there are so many Ohioans who have been involved in front of the camera and also behind — composers, directors, writers — there’s a certain degree of civic pride, of statewide pride, that’s generated by Ohio Goes to the Movies.”

Plus, he said, the program gets people out of their houses.

“People consume so many of their films at home, in isolation or semi-isolation, maybe with the other members of their families. It’s best to get people out in a communal way enjoying film, enjoying cinema,” he continued. “Hopefully, that will encourage people to return to the theaters, where movies are best experienced.”

In addition to the arts, Jones, who lives in the Cleveland area, has worked as a lawyer and politician. He served as a member of Shaker Heights City Council, in the state House of Representatives and as a Cuyahoga County commissioner. In 1994, he was the lieutenant governor candidate on the Democratic ticket that was headed by Rob Burch.

He was surprised to see someone he had served with in the state House — Eileen Krupinski — among the 25 people who had gathered for the showing. He said he had great memories of the work he did with Eileen and her late husband, Jerry Krupinski.

“When I was 10 years old, if you asked me what I wanted to do in life, I would have told you I wanted to be a professional baseball player,” Jones said. “That was America’s pastime and the game everybody played growing up. I wanted to be an actor, and I wanted to be a politician. It’s not like I had anybody in my family who played pro baseball, but my dad played in the Negro baseball leagues.”

His father played with the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League. He also served with Tuskegee Airmen, Jones said.

“I didn’t know any actors, and when I knew at 14 that I was headed to law school, I didn’t know any lawyers, I didn’t know any politicians, but those were the areas that fascinated me,” Jones said. “Sports, entertainment and politics — I’ve done two out of three, which is not a bad batting average.”

He added he started acting in college and while he was in law school and then didn’t act for 30 years or so. Along the way, he has written three plays and had numerous roles on stage and in movies. He has the lead role in the new film “The Last Shop on Walnut.”

“I’ve had speaking roles and scenes in three Academy Award winners and two Emmy Award winners. I could not imagine any of this when I started out acting. I just wanted to do a little theater work and some voice-over work,” he explained. “That was all I anticipated doing. One thing led to another, and it’s been so much fun.”

The Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County has scheduled at least seven more films as part of the program, with the next presentation set for April 17, when the Tiltonsville Branch will host “The Shawshank Redemption.” On April 19, “The Deer Hunter” will be shown at the Schiappa Branch, with “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” set for May 9 at the Dillonvale-Mount Pleasant Branch.

“Dog Man” will be shown June 3 as part of Wednesdays in Wintersville, with “Unstoppable” scheduled for July 13 at the Main Branch. “The Ice Pirates” — which stars the late Robert Urich, a Toronto native — is scheduled to be shown Aug. 13 at the Toronto Branch, with “The Rescuers” scheduled for Sept. 19 at Historic Fort Steuben.

In Harrison County, meanwhile, “Mutiny on the Bounty” will be shown March 28 at the Puskarich Public Library in Cadiz, and in Carroll County, “The Avengers” will be shown May 31 at the Carroll County District Library in Carrollton.

Scheduled showings in Belmont County include “Lady and the Tramp” May 23 at the Barnesville State Theater, “Unstoppable” at the Veterans Memorial Recreation Center in Martins Ferry on July 24 and “The Battle Cry of Peace” at the Underground Railroad Museum-Morristown Plaza on Sept. 11.