Actor Says Christians Can Influence Hollywood By Doing This

Published: September 6, 2024

Actor Says Christians Can Influence Hollywood By Doing This

By Movieguide® Contributor

Ted McGinley has had a varied career from HAPPY DAYS to MARRIED…WITH CHILDREN and the comedy series SHRINKING, but faith-based movies hold a special place for the veteran actor.

“I love that God has allowed me or put films like this in my life because it gives me balance,” McGinley told The Christian Post.

In more recent years, the 66-year-old has appeared in faith-based entertainment such as the movie GOD’S NOT DEAD: A LIGHT IN DARKNESS and the TV series THE BAXTERS. His latest movie is the Great American Pure Flix rom-com THE ENGAGEMENT PLAN.

McGinley shared the importance of platforms like PureFlix that offer family-friendly content.

“The great thing about these platforms is that you, as a parent, can say to the babysitter, ‘Anything on this channel is going to be OK while I’m gone,’” the father of two said.

“[T]here is a huge Christian audience out there waiting for product,” he said, adding that the only way to make Hollywood “care” is to show up and support faith-based and family-friendly content.

“[I]f they can figure out, ‘Hey, we can make money doing it,’ that’s even better, because then it’ll get better and better, and they’ll hire better people and better writers and better producers and directors. It’s good for the audience,” the California native said.

“It’s important when movies come out that are good, that you go support it and get people to support it, so that synergy keeps happening,” he added.

McGinley shared with CP about his relationship with God which draws him to faith-based projects.

“I’ve always felt that when I was completely alone in so many different situations, I was actually never alone because I had God there. That’s been my saving grace,” McGinley stated.

Although sometimes he admits that he is quiet about sharing his faith, taking roles in movies such as DO YOU BELIEVE?, where he plays a minister, made a way to be more open about his beliefs.

“[The gospel] means forgiveness. It means everlasting life. I believe it is the Way and it is the Truth,” he told Beliefnet. “When I say that in the film, that wasn’t…the script. I meant that. I believe it’s the Truth.”

In THE ENGAGEMENT PLAN, McGinley plays father to daughter Kayla who is caught in a love triangle between boyfriend Wade and ex-boyfriend Cam.

“I played that sort of quintessential father role who wants to make sure that his daughter is going to marry a man of great character and true moral values,” McGinley revealed.

Movieguide® recently reported about the Great American Family’s new release:

It stars Jack Schumacher, Ted McGinley, Mia Pollini, Judd Nelson, Eva LaRue, Emily Topper, Eric Lutz and Faith Ford.

“In THE ENGAGEMENT PLAN, Wade (Schumacher) has a plan for everything! Wade’s plan to propose to his girlfriend, Kayla (Pollini) may be the crowning achievement of plans. With a 3-carat diamond ring in tow and reservations booked at the Waldorf for his parents, Dash and Margot, (LaRue, Nelson) and Kayla’s parents, Ed and Mama Marilyn (McGinley, Ford), Wade marvels at the absolute perfection of his engagement plan,” the synopsis reads. “Until his plan hits a dead end on a dirt road, a country road.”

“Kayla changes the plan to have Wade meet at her family’s farm to help her mom and dad whose cow is expecting a calf any day. Dressed in business best, Wade — a fish out of water — has an unexpected — and definitely an unplanned encounter with a family who is not convinced he is right for Kayla. Then Wade meets her ex-boyfriend who tries to prove it.”