TV actor Sam Jaeger, a Perrysburg native, returns to hometown

Actor Sam Jaeger will answer questions during his Way Library appearance.

Sam Jaeger, star of the NBC TV show Parenthood, will be coming back to his hometown of Perrysburg and speaking at Way Public Library at 7 p.m. May 29.

He will be showing his  3-year-old son Gus where he grew up and visiting his 96-year-old grandmother LaVada Graening. His aunt Faye Jaeger lined him up with the Way Library for the event. Since his parents, LeAnne and Charles Jaeger, moved South. he said, he doesn't visit Perrysburg as much as he would like.

"Way Library is where I used to read as a kid growing up two blocks away," Mr. Jaeger said. "Thankfully we have a break before we go back to season 5 [of Parenthood]."

The event at the library will be free and open to the public.

"We will be showing a few clips from things he has played in, and hopefully hear a few anecdotes, as well as offer a question-and-answer session," said Janel Haas, library director. She said she is very excited for the "famous Perryburg" graduate to visit. 

Joel Graham, the leading father in Parenthood, is played by Mr. Jaeger. He is a stay-at-home dad and loyal husband. In real life, Mr. Jaeger is excited to show his son where he used to sled and where he ran cross country and grew up as a kid.

Previously, Mr. Jaeger had roles in TV shows Law and Order, ER, CSI, The West Wing, NYPD Blue, Scrubs, That's Life, and Girls Club. 

"I had people at Perrysburg High School in my life in Perrysburg who believed in me and told me I could do anything I wanted too, and I foolishly believed them," Mr. Jaeger said. "Those relationships helped me endure a lot of rejection in this crazy business."

He also recently wrote, directed, and starred along with his wife Amber Jaeger in the film Take Me Home.

Mr. Jaeger, a 1995 Perrysburg High School graduate, said growing up in the Toledo suburb can be related to his current TV role.

"It is a good reflection because people [in the show] are trying to become better parents and brothers in a loving, messy family," he said. "I lived a block and a half away from four cousins and I had three siblings. The Jaeger home was a big, messy, happy family."

Contact Matt Thompson at: mthompson@theblade.com, 419-356-8786, or on Twitter at @mthompson25.