There's no better stage in the world to talk about God than in Hollywood where everyone is watching and listening to you. However, many actors shy away from talking about their religion, being careful not to raise any eyebrows. This is why it makes us feel so happy to hear popular and respected actors talk so openly about their faith in God. Here are a few who do just that:
Mark Wahlberg
Known for his tough exterior and action-packed movies, Mark Wahlberg has a soft spot for the Lord Jesus Christ. In a Facebook video post back in 2016, he shared that he had a troubled childhood and the priests in his church helped him get through it. He also said that his faith is the "anchor that supports everything I do'' and that "my faith in God is what makes me a better man." For Wahlberg, his faith is the most important thing in his life.
Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington is undoubtedly one of the most respected actors around today. His father was a minister, which was why he met God at an early age. However, growing up, he lost his faith as he began asking questions about God. Later on, after reflecting, Washington's heart came back to the Lord and since then, he was proud to tell the world of his Christian faith. In an interview with CBN News, he said "I'm a God-fearing man who was raised right. I did a lot of wrong. But I got it together."
Chris Pratt
Chris Pratt may be the leaders of the Guardians of the Galaxy, but the leader of his heart is Jesus Christ. His Christian faith started way back when he was still living in Hawaii. He spoke about it on several occasions, including when he has talked about his premature son and received his Teen Choice Award.
In 2017, Pratt told People Babies, "It restored my faith in God, not that it needed to be restored, but it really redefined it. The baby was so beautiful to us, and I look back at the photos of him and it must have been jarring for other people to come in and see him, but to us he was so beautiful and perfect."
In 2017, when Pratt accepted the Choice Movie Actor: Sci-Fi Award in the Teen Choice Awards, he didn't forget to thank God as well. It was awesome to see him sharing that with all the young people watching too. Watch his speech here:
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Stephen Baldwin
It wasn't hard for Stephen Baldwin to be a famous actor in Hollywood. He was born into stardom along with the other popular Baldwin brothers. More than a decade ago, Baldwin ditched his old antics and came to the Lord. But since then, he wasn't being offered any major role. In his talk with Fox News, he said that his outspokenness about his religion might be the reason for his prolonged absence. "I just think that probably when somebody calls themselves born again and kind of goes out there in a pretty radically zealous way, professes their glee about that, it can creep people out. I have no regret about that, but I have chilled out a lot more because I'm a little more seasoned as a Christian believer."
Also in the same interview, he also mentioned how it was a struggle to choose the right roles he would play because he didn't want to play anything that goes against his faith.
Tom Hanks
Who doesn't love Tom Hanks? He is one of those actors who's always smiling and cheerful during interviews. But what many may not know is that Hanks and his family have gone through rough times in the past. In 2015, his wife Rita Wilson was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo a double mastectomy. At the same time, their son Chet was battling substance abuse. A source for Closer Weekly said that faith saved their family. The source also said that "She [Rita] gives total credit for her survival to her ever-increasing belief in God — and then second comes her doctors and then Tom!"
It's good to know that even people with fame and fortune go through the same troubles we do. But what's more comforting is knowing that God is what gives strength to us all, no matter our status, no matter what the problem.
