Morning Wire: Kelsey Grammer on Hollywood, Redemption, and Real Life

Episode Date: November 16, 2025
Hosted by: John Bickley and Georgia Howe

Episode Overview

In this weekend edition of Morning Wire, hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe sit down with the acclaimed actor Kelsey Grammer to discuss his new film, The Christmas Ring, the unique involvement of military veterans in the project, and how his Christian faith influences both his life and career choices. Grammer candidly reflects on redemption, the evolving landscape of Hollywood, and why authentic, faith-infused stories remain relevant and deeply resonant with audiences.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Christmas Ring: Honoring Veterans and Themes of Redemption

• Veterans on Set (02:21 – 03:13)

  • Kelsey Grammer shares how The Christmas Ring featured nearly 100 actual veterans and service members in a pivotal scene, commemorating their sacrifices and bringing authenticity to the story.
    • Quote:
      "They inhabited the film, at least in one of the big scenes, with some veterans and some active duty members as well, and retired and reservists. But it was just an opportunity to salute the troops." — Kelsey Grammer (02:37)
  • The film’s central plot is linked to a WWII D-Day drop, and its release near Veterans Day was significant to the filmmakers.

• Gary Sinise’s Involvement (03:15 – 03:20)

  • Gary Sinise and his foundation helped connect the production with veterans.
    • Grammer notes, “Gary and I are pretty good friends... I hope I helped, you know, facilitate some of that.”

• The Film’s Message (03:20 – 03:47)

  • Grammer describes the movie as telling a “nice story about redemption and love and forgiveness, about Jesus.”
    • Quote:
      "It's a nice story about, you know, redemption and love and forgiveness, about Jesus. So it's a nice movie." — Kelsey Grammer (03:40)

Faith and Role Selection in Hollywood

• Meaningful Roles and Divine Timing (04:13 – 05:39)

  • Grammer reflects on how he came to play in Jesus Revolution and how faith impacts his choices, often unconsciously.
    • Quote:
      "The night before I read the script for Jesus Revolution, I was...wondering what was next for me. And I said, you know, I just want to do something that means something, that has some meaning. And the next morning, that script came..." — Kelsey Grammer (04:13)
    • Grammer, while not overtly evangelistic, says he “would never deny Christ.”

• Portraying Messy, Real Lives (05:39 – 06:49)

  • The story of Jesus Revolution and The Christmas Ring are both rooted in real, often messy human experiences, which Grammer feels are central to the message of redemption.
    • Quote:
      "Well, that's what Jesus is for, you know, that's why he came along...the world was a mess...and God chose to send a baby to save the world...the beauty of a new life, of a redemptive life is such a gift." — Kelsey Grammer (05:54)

• Seeking Redemption in Stories (06:49 – 07:10)

  • Grammer appreciates narratives that embrace redemption—a recurring theme in both his personal life and professional work.

On Range, Complexity, and Authenticity in Acting

• Portraying Good and Evil (07:10 – 08:44)
  • Grammer discusses taking on a variety of roles, from morally upright to more sinister characters, stressing the importance of authenticity and inhabiting the full range of human experience.
    • Quote:
      "I'm supposed to, as an actor, play everything that comes to at me that, you know, is part of the human experience...We loan the truth of what we know about experience to the characters so that they sound authentic." — Kelsey Grammer (07:27)
    • He draws parallels even between superhero films and faith: “We just did another Avengers...I play Beast again...that's about faith...we’re saving each other...that’s the Jesus story, isn’t it?”

The Hollywood Landscape and Faith-Based Films

• Hollywood’s Shift Towards Faith Content (09:16 – 10:26)

  • Grammer observes that Hollywood is recognizing the demand for faith- and values-oriented stories, not just for artistic but also for commercial reasons.
    • Quote:
      "There’s...some diehards here, they’re sticklers for, you know, they just don't like religion...But there are others who are, and that's great...Most of the people in America actually still really like God, Jesus and all that sort of stuff." — Kelsey Grammer (09:29)

• Enduring American Values (09:29 – 10:26)

  • He notes the prevalence of “corny values” like community and aspiration, advocating for societal, not governmental, responsibility in upholding them.

Future Projects and Upcoming Roles

• Upcoming Work (10:47 – 11:55)
  • Grammer has a diverse slate ahead:
    • Next week: filming a shyster role in a “very negative” character.
    • Upcoming film: Turbulence—a wild hot air balloon adventure.
    • Another role: battling sharks (“I haven’t fought a shark before, so I’m gonna do that one”).
    • Forthcoming: Claws—involves a mountain lion on a rampage.
    • Quote:
      "Everything they throw at me, I'm going to take it on." — Kelsey Grammer (11:51)

Notable Quotes

• On never denying his faith:
  "I'm a believer and I don't go around proselytizing or speaking the born again lingo very well. But I would never deny Christ. I would never deny him."
  — Kelsey Grammer (04:38)

• On living out the Jesus story:
  "Let’s face it, you know, we're saving each other. We're fighting the good fight. It's against impossible odds, and triumph comes to them. You know, that's the Jesus story, isn’t it?"
  — Kelsey Grammer (08:26)

• On playing all kinds of roles:
  "We loan the truth of what we know about experience to the characters so that they sound authentic, that they seem real, that they seem like, oh, I believe that's possible."
  — Kelsey Grammer (07:36)

Memorable Moments and Timestamps

• Saluting veterans in film: (02:37 – 03:13)
• Divine timing in Jesus Revolution role: (04:13 – 04:45)
• Exploring redemption and messiness: (05:54 – 06:49)
• Hollywood’s changing attitude to faith: (09:29 – 10:26)
• Preview of Grammer’s eclectic upcoming projects: (10:47 – 11:55)

Tone and Atmosphere

The conversation is warm, earnest, and inviting, with a balance of serious reflection and lighthearted charm. Grammer comes across as humble yet passionate about his craft and beliefs, while the hosts offer thoughtful questions and genuine appreciation for his openness.

Useful for Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode provides deep insights into Kelsey Grammer’s philosophy of acting, his personal faith journey, the real-life inspiration behind his latest film, and the evolving space for redemptive, value-driven stories in American entertainment. The discussion goes beyond entertainment, offering reflections on authenticity, hope, and the continued relevance of faith and morality both onscreen and off.