Hollywood Actor Calls Playing an Everyday Hero in This Movie ‘A Blessing’

Published: October 7, 2025

By India McCarty

For DeVon Franklin, his role in biopic SOUL ON FIRE allowed him to shine a light on some everyday heroes.

“Nurses and doctors are unsung heroes so often, and for me to be able to play this role, to be able to highlight them, I thought was truly an opportunity and an honor,” Franklin told Church Leaders.

SOUL ON FIRE tells the incredible true story of John O’Leary, who suffered third-degree burns all over his body at just 9 years old. Doctors gave him a zero-percent chance of survival, but O’Leary made a miraculous recovery. Franklin plays O’Leary’s nurse, Roy, who helps him regain the ability to walk.

“It’s almost like Nurse Roy is a modern-day angel who comes into this kid’s life to help him do something that others don’t think is possible,” the actor shared.

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For Franklin, SOUL ON FIRE’s message is all about compassion.

“When you talk about a soul on fire, the thing about the movie that ignites the soul to be on fire is compassion,” he explained. “When John got burned as a 9-year-old kid, 100% of his body, it required those around him to be compassionate, and it was that compassion that ultimately led to the care that he received that was instrumental in his recovery,”

Franklin continued, “When you see this movie, you see all these different people who have different ideas, but they come together around one central idea, which is, what is the most good we can do? I do believe that we need a movie like this at this time.”

In an interview with the Los Angeles Sentinel, Franklin shared how his own life experiences shaped his performance, saying, “Everything I’ve gone through has made me a better storyteller. Playing Nurse Roy, someone who truly saved a life, gave me the opportunity to bring my personal experiences — loss, faith, perseverance — into the performance. It’s all part of who I am.”

While speaking to Rolling Out, the actor called working on SOUL ON FIRE “a blessing.”

“This is an inspirational, motivational film you can watch with your entire family,” he explained, adding, “It was truly a blessing to play Nurse Roy in SOUL ON FIRE. I did a lot of research, spent time with nurses in burn units, and read books about burn victims. I wanted authenticity and care.”

Franklin continued, “Nurses are unsung heroes. Everyone looks at doctors, and while they are vital, nurses provide incredible care and sacrifice. I wanted to honor that.”

Through his work in SOUL ON FIRE, Franklin spotlights the incredible work our healthcare professionals do, as well as sharing an inspirational message of compassion for others.

The movie debuts in theaters on Oct. 10.

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