Paul Walter Hauser Says He’s Unashamed to Talk about Jesus in the Public Eye
Michael Foust
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By Michael Foust, Crosswalk.com
The Emmy-winning actor known for his roles in Black Bird and Inside Out 2 says he's never been shy about discussing his Christian faith and believes it's healthy for society when people are open about their deepest convictions.
Paul Walter Hauser earned acclaim for the lead role in Richard Jewell. He showcased his versatility in family-friendly titles such as Inside Out 2 (as Embarrassment) and Cruella (as Horace) before winning a Primetime Emmy for his performance in Black Bird.
In 2024, he and his wife opened up about their Christian faith in a series of videos for I Am Second, a non-profit that shares stories of faith from people in the spotlight.
Hauser voices his faith in the new Prime Video animated series, The Chosen Adventures, which is based on the live-action project The Chosen and follows a 9-year-old girl named Abby and her friend Joshua as they encounter Jesus in first-century Capernaum.
The Chosen Adventures launches Oct. 17.
Hauser noted that other figures in the public eye, such as athletes, "have felt more comfortable to profess a belief in God or to thank Jesus," but that actors and musicians are "kind of reticent."
"There is almost a weird, unhealthy fear of talking about faith," Hauser told Crosswalk Headlines, alluding to Hollywood. "[But] I just kind of have always talked about it. It's just been normal to me my whole life.
"Maybe it's that verse about, you know, not being ashamed of the gospel," he added, referencing Romans 1:16. "I was always more afraid to not speak up about God than to speak about God. Hopefully, whether you're Christian or Muslim or anything—I just hope people can own what it is they believe and find a healthy way to talk about it."
Hauser voices a sheep in The Chosen Adventures and says he was a fan of the live-action series even before he joined its sister project. The Chosen, he said, is exceptional across the board—from the sets to the music to the acting—and "doesn't feel like a schlocky, faith-based production, which we've all seen before."
"But I think the reason it's hitting globally, and it's sticking with people the way it is, is because they've found a way to humanize Jesus," Hauser told Crosswalk Headlines. "You know, He was both God and man. We talk about that duality all the time. And what does that mean? What does that look like? And I feel like this is the first time we've kind of seen that.
"And there's also things that they probably take from, like the Marvel universe, where you're trying to add some comedy and levity, sprinkle it in. I feel like The Chosen does that thoughtfully and finds ways to make characters very likable and redemptive."
The Chosen Adventures was produced by the same company, 5&2 Studios, that created the live-action series. Jonathan Roumie voices Jesus. Hauser's vision is for the animated series to help viewers strengthen or even begin a relationship with God.
"We cannot annoy God with our queries, complaints, anything," he said. "A parent who loves his children is going to invite the conversation. So I hope it just reminds people the phone is never on airplane mode with the Lord. You can go to God any time and talk about any old thing. You can't offend God. You can't surprise God. God has been there, done that. But what God does want is [us to] love your neighbor, love God. And part of loving someone is staying in contact and seeking them."
Photo Credit: ©Kevin Winter/Staff
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
