Many actors get involved in the role they are playing to the point where they almost become that individual. There are also times when the role they are playing runs parallel to their life in a profound way.
That seems to be the case with Kelsey Grammer, who is playing the part of a pastor who has hippies come into the congregation. When he discussed the role with the news, he became emotional because of his own faith.
More than likely, you are familiar with 68-year-old Grammar because of his role on Cheers and, eventually, the spinoff, Frazier. He also has been involved in The Simpsons as the voice behind sideshow Bob.
His latest acting job was in the movie Jesus Revolution. It follows in American pastor Chuck Smith, who wanted his church to grow, so he included some hippies and rock ‘n roll advocates in the congregation.
Grammer spoke about this recently on Live with Kelly and Ryan:
Check this out! Kelsey Grammer on the Live with Kelly and Ryan show talking about the Jesus Revolution Movie! pic.twitter.com/iAGyP2n9Sp
— Greg Laurie (@greglaurie) February 16, 2023
He got emotional, saying that it was a good and uplifting movie and that his wife was also emotional when she watched it for the first time. He said: “It’s really uplifting. It’s a good movie […] My wife and I saw it together. She was just dissolved in tears and said, ‘It’s the best thing you’ve ever done.'”
He also gave an interview to USA Today, saying that his personal faith has also changed over the years.
In speaking about his faith, he said: “I’ve had hiccups. I’ve had some tragic times. I have wrestled with those and worked my way through them: sometimes rejecting faith, sometimes rejecting God even, in a period of being pretty angry about it, like, ‘Where were you?’ That kind of thing.”
“But I have come to terms with it and have found great peace in my faith and in Jesus. It’s not cavalier – Jesus made a difference in my life. That’s not anything I’ll apologize for.”
After his sister was raped and murdered in 1975, he struggled with substance abuse. He spoke to Vanity Fair in 2015 about having a difficult time forgiving Freddie Glenn when he was up for parole.
He said: “I accept that you actually live with remorse every day of your life, but I live with tragedy every day of mine. I accept your apology. I forgive you. However, I cannot give your release my endorsement. To give that a blessing would be a betrayal of my sister’s life.”
“I believe the gift of life and freedom he took from my sister precludes him from ever being allowed to enjoy that gift for himself. He took her future from her with no regard for her whatsoever. He assumed he had a right to do so. He assumed she was his property, and that the precious gift God gave her was his to take.”