Comedian Rob Schneider Says His Faith Is ‘The Greatest Gift’

Published: February 9, 2024

Comedian Rob Schneider Says His Faith Is ‘The Greatest Gift’

By Movieguide® Contributor

Comedian and former SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE star Rob Schneider is opening up about his faith journey.

“I did—like many Christians do—stray,” Schneider said, explaining that he was a devout Christian as a teenager but left his faith.

He continued, “But there was a continuing pull back, knowing where I needed to be and to be home. And then [a] very, very strange confluence of things. I married a Catholic, and she was very patient with me, and she’s been the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Schneider shared his rediscovered faith in a series of social media posts in October 2023.

“As I am a new convert to Catholicism, I offer my apology for my lack of Christ’s forgiveness to my fellow man,” the comedian wrote. “It is forgiveness itself that is the gift that we give ourselves because it frees us as The Christ intends for all of us to be free. For His gift of ultimate and unlimited forgiveness is indeed the gift for all humanity. May God bless you and your families now and forever.”

Speaking of his newfound faith, Schneider said, “Jesus only lets you stray so much. At a certain point, He grabbed me again and hugged me.”

He also explained that he believes God wants everyone to find their way to Him.

“God could put His hand down and make everybody [love Him], but God wants us to come to Him of our own volition. That is the greatest gift,” he said.

Schneider has expressed a desire to channel his faith in his work.

“I don’t know if I’m going to do the same stuff I’ve done,” he shared. “I don’t know what I’m going to do moving forward…I just don’t know if I’d use the same words or foul language again. I think there’s a more eloquent way to express yourself than I have.”

He explained that his wife won’t allow his younger children, Miranda, 12, and Madeline, 8, to watch any of his movies.

“So, I said, ‘Well, I better start making some movies that they can see,’” Schneider said.

Movieguide® previously reported on Schneider’s faith and how it will influence his career going forward:

While he’s known for his roles in GROWN UPS and THE BENCHWARMERS, Rob Schneider has recently spoken up about his newfound faith in Jesus Christ.

Now, Schneider feels called to leave behind his old way of comedy, and he isn’t concerned about what people think.

“I know I can’t do the same stuff I used to do,” Schneider told the Christian Post. “Not because I have anything against what I did; I did what I did, and I felt fine about it at the time. I’m not going to judge myself. But I won’t do the same stuff I’ve done. I don’t know what I’m going to do…I want to come to it from a place of faith, a place of something good in my heart.”

He explained that his faith has impacted how he talks.

“I don’t know if I can tell dirty jokes anymore,” he added. “I don’t know if I can. I don’t know if I’m going to. I have an act I’m doing now; I don’t know if I’ll do it again next year. Just some of the bad words, I go, ‘Maybe I don’t want to say those words anymore.’ I don’t know. I also think it’s important to not only talk to the converted but to bring people in, and the best form is to show by example. People talk all the time; that doesn’t mean anything. So I hope that [by] me standing up for what I believe in — God, family, country — I’m OK with whatever comes my way, positive or negative. When you have faith, nothing can really rock you.”