Actor David Henrie is speaking about faith as a new film about the life and presidency of Ronald Reagan hits theaters.
“I think the central message would be, does your life have purpose or not?” Henrie, who stars in the film, “Reagan,” as a young Reagan, said. “And be great at that, whatever that is. Don’t shortchange God.”
Henrie, a Catholic, spoke with Our Sunday Visitor about the movie ahead of its release in theaters nationwide on Aug. 30. The film, rated PG-13, follows Reagan’s rise to the presidency and his role in the downfall of the Soviet Union, as told by former KGB agent, Viktor Petrovich (Jon Voight). The two hour, 15 minute film also features the love story of Reagan (Dennis Quaid) and his wife, Nancy (Penelope Ann Miller), and a story of faith.
“A guiding principle in my life is only getting involved in projects that amplify truth, goodness and beauty,” Henrie said. “To me, there’s a lot about this film that can do that.”
Henrie rose to fame after starring in popular TV series such as “Wizards of Waverly Place” and “How I Met Your Mother.” Now, he shared why he wanted to be in the movie about the 40th president of the United States.
“Reagan was a person who should have never been president, and this film really goes behind the curtain and shows a story about a man overcoming the odds,” the 35-year-old actor said. “That’s what I liked about it.”
“It’s not a political film per se,” he added. “It’s just about a man who should have never gotten to where he did, and his faith really led the way.”
With his latest role, Henrie revealed that he discovered that Reagan grew up with an alcoholic father.
“That can be a very devastating thing and have long-term negative effects,” he said. “But Reagan used it almost as a superpower. … He was able to take that very tough situation and use it for good.”
A purpose from God
Throughout the film, many nods to faith appear, including a scene where Reagan’s mother tells him that God has a purpose for his life. Henrie added that God has a purpose for everyone’s life.
“I believe God has a purpose for my life,” he said. “I believe God has a purpose for everyone’s life.”
“It doesn’t have to be something big and grand, it can be something small and unseen,” he added. “But we’re all called to be great in that purpose, whatever that purpose is.”
Nearly 10 years ago, in previous interviews, Henrie revealed that he temporarily found himself in a more agnostic place. Today, he’s open about living out his Catholic faith and posts about it on social media.
“The thing that I think got me to question my lifestyle in the past was just seeing the fruitlessness of it,” he said. “It wasn’t providing any level of happiness that wasn’t just self-exhaustive.”
“Just seeing that fruitlessness and knowing that that is not going to make me happy,” he added. “I needed to find something else … that was the quest, that was the beginning of the journey for myself and led me home.”
Faith in action
In one video he posted to Instagram this summer, he promoted the “Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist” film — a documentary about the Eucharist, Jesus’ body, blood, soul and divinity present under the appearances of bread and wine.
“To me, it is everything and it’s central to my belief,” Henrie told Our Sunday Visitor of the Eucharist. “It’s why I go to church every Sunday.”
He also revealed some of his favorite saints. As an Italian, he said he grew up learning about St. Padre Pio. He listed St. Philomena (the middle name of one of his daughters) and St. Thomas Aquinas. He focused on Our Lady, and, in particular, Our Lady of Sorrows.
When he’s not acting, Henrie participates in Catholic ministries. He expressed his excitement in joining Cross Catholic Outreach — a nonprofit that works to provide food, water, housing, education, orphan support, medical care, microenterprise, disaster relief and the love of Christ to the poorest of the poor in over 30 countries — as an ambassador.
His decision came after he went with the group to the Dominican Republic last year and he and his family participated in their “Box of Joy” program, where they chose Christmas gifts to send to children in developing countries.
The through line
Going back to his role in “REAGAN,” Henrie encouraged both older and younger audiences to watch the film that features faith.
“From a lifeguard to a guy who tried to figure his life out and couldn’t get a job and then finally got a job calling ball games and — next thing you know — he’s an actor and the president of the Screen Actors Guild and then a governor and then a spokesperson for General Electric,” he described Reagan’s direction. “His career path is crazy, but the through line was his faith.”
