Kelsey Grammer Reflects on Playing Pastor Chuck Smith: ‘Preparing for [This Role] All My Life’
By Movieguide® Contributor
As FRAISER star Kelsey Grammer prepares for the release of JESUS REVOLUTION, he reflected on what it means for him to take on the role of pastor Chuck Smith in the movie.
A lifelong Christian, the actor drew on his own faith as inspiration for the role.
Check out Movieguide®’s interview with Grammer below:
“It strikes me, you know, I probably have been preparing for [this role] all my life, honestly,” Grammer shared with Fox News in another interview. “It was a pretty seamless transition into playing Chuck.”
He continued, “I’m kind of a Bible guy. I’ve been reading the Bible all my life. I turn to it for prayer, for reflection, for information, and I just always have. It’s just always been sort of at my fingertips throughout my life, ever since I was a boy. So I have a relationship with the Word of God, as they call it, that it was probably akin to what Chuck Smith’s relationship was with it.”
Grammer also drew on his own memories of the real-life events that inspired JESUS REVOLUTION.
“I lived it. I lived in that same time,” Grammer explained. “I lived throughout that period in the ’70s and stuff and what he accomplished. I saw on some of the faces that I met in my life. I didn’t know it was, you know, his footsteps, but I was walking alongside him in many things. When this role came along, it was just…slipping into a nice suit.”
The actor then shared what he hopes audiences take away from the movie.
“There might be something to it, might be something to this movement that happened then, and maybe it’s worthwhile to think about…the way we’re positioned in terms of faith and society,” Grammer said. “A great society can embrace a great faith, and probably enhance both. That’s what I’d like to see happen.”
Grammer also discussed JESUS REVOLUTION and his role in the movie in an exclusive Movieguide® interview.
The actor talked about the great influence Smith had on people, sharing that many would approach him with “this light in their eyes that was a reflection of Chuck.”
Grammer also praised Smith for exploring different ways to get people involved in the church — something he found encouraging.
“I actually grew up in the church and [Smith’s legacy] showed me that we can get outside the four walls of the church and talk to people about our faith,” the actor shared.
Grammer then spoke about his own views of faith today.
“The idea that you love your enemy as yourself — there’s only one guy that ever preached that and that’s Jesus,” the actor explained. “And there’s only one guy saying it today and that’s still Jesus. It’s amazing; we are surrounded by contrary information and the only one, single clarion call is still from Jesus Christ.”
Grammer also mentioned the reactions that JESUS REVOLUTION is already getting among audiences.
The reaction is obviously very, very positive and loving and beautiful,” he shared. “It’s been great. I’m deeply proud of this moment in my life and this opportunity.”
Movieguide®’s review for JESUS REVOLUTIONS reads:
JESUS REVOLUTION is incredibly well made and captivating. It has many scenes with jeopardy and inspiring, well-written presentations of Jesus Christ’s Gospel. MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution because the movie accurately depicts the drug scene from an impartial viewpoint that might attract younger children. The movie also shows Greg Laurie’s mother’s constant drunkenness and philandering. The immoral behavior is part of the true stories in JESUS REVOLUTION, which, to an amazing degree, have been made into an exciting, cohesive, uplifting movie.
- Content: +2Share:
- Content: +1