The film Jesus Revolution, released in 2023, explores the profound “Jesus movement”of the 1960s and 1970s, a time when many young individuals gravitated towards Christian evangelicalism. While the film garnered a range of critical responses, it has resonated well with audiences, amassing an impressive $54 million in global box office earnings, according to Box Office Mojo. The narrative is inspired by the autobiography of Greg Laurie, the founder and pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, highlighting the pivotal role played by the cast in bringing this compelling story to life.
Directed by Jon Erwin and Brent McCorkle, Jesus Revolution tells the inspiring tale of a pastor from California collaborating with a hippie Christian to engage the youth with Christianity. Given its roots in true events, the film’s success hinged greatly on the strength of its casting. Initially, it was reported by Deadline in 2020 that comedian Jim Gaffigan would portray the pastor, but this role eventually transitioned to a different, well-known television star.
Kelsey Grammer as Chuck Smith
Date of Birth: February 21, 1955
Actor: Kelsey Grammer, widely recognized for his iconic role as Frasier Crane in the beloved NBC sitcoms Cheers and its spinoff Frasier, takes on the role of Chuck Smith in Jesus Revolution. With an impressive portfolio of over 130 acting credits, Grammer has also made a notable mark as Hank McCoy in X-Men: The Last Stand and as the voice of Sideshow Bob on The Simpsons.
Notable Movies & TV Shows:
| Title | Role |
| Cheers (1984-1993) | Frasier Crane |
| Frasier (1993-2004) | Frasier Crane |
| X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) | Hank McCoy |
Character: Pastor Chuck Smith leads Calvary Church in Southern California and feels a deep concern about the youth’s disinterest in faith. His encounter with drifter Lonnie Frisbee reinvigorates his mission to welcome young people into Christianity, particularly those embracing the hippie lifestyle.
Joel Courtney as Greg Laurie
Date of Birth: January 31, 1996
Actor: Joel Courtney gained recognition for his role as Joe Lamb in J.J. Abrams’ sci-fi film Super 8. He later starred in various independent films, featured in the CW series The Messengers, and appeared in Netflix’s The Kissing Booth series.
Notable Movies & TV Shows:
| Title | Role |
| Super 8 (2011) | Joe Lamb |
| The Kissing Booth (2018) | Lee Flynn |
| Players (2024) | Little |
Character: Greg Laurie embraces the counterculture of the 1970s, running away from home to join friends on journeys across the country. Following a harrowing incident involving drugs, Greg finds faith and purpose at Chuck and Lonnie’s church services, ultimately feeling called to become a pastor.
Jonathan Roumie as Lonnie Frisbee
Date of Birth: July 1, 1974
Actor: Known for his portrayal of Jesus in The Chosen, Jonathan Roumie embodies the role of hippie Lonnie Frisbee in Jesus Revolution. Roumie has made a mark in both on-screen performances and voice acting for video games such as Mafia II, Fallout 4, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4.
Notable Movies & TV Shows:
| Title | Role |
| Chicago Med (2020) | Christian Edwards |
| Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again (2022) | Sea hare |
| The Chosen (2019-present) | Jesus |
Anna Grace Barlow as Cathe Martin
Date of Birth: July 17, 1994
Actor: Anna Grace Barlow’s career spans primarily across television, with a notable role as Bethany Stevens in the anthology series Scream Queens. She has also guest-starred in several television shows, including Castle, Bones, and Supernatural.
Notable Movies & TV Shows:
| Title | Role |
| The Big Leap (2021) | Brittney Lovewell |
| Grey’s Anatomy (2022) | Charlotte Marsh |
| Big Sky (2022) | Natalie |
Character: Cathe Martin, navigating away from a life plagued with substance abuse, finds new purpose in the burgeoning Jesus movement. A moment of crisis involving her sister catalyzes her reconnection with Greg, as they both seek redemption through their newfound faith.
Julia Campbell as Kay Smith
Date of Birth: March 12, 1963
Actor: Julia Campbell has carved a versatile career since the 1980s, starting with a role in the soap opera Ryan’s Hope. Her guest appearances on renowned series like Seinfeld, Friends, and Justified have distinguished her. One of her most recognized roles was as Christie Masters in the film Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion.
Notable Movies & TV Shows:
| Title | Role |
| Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997) | Christie Masters |
| Kicking & Screaming (2005) | Janet Davidson |
| Justified (2013) | Eve Munro |
Character: Kay Smith, the supportive wife of Pastor Chuck, plays a crucial role in his ministry, providing encouragement while navigating her feelings about the influx of hippies seeking spiritual fulfillment in her home.
Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Charlene Laurie
Date of Birth: September 14, 1971
Actor: Kimberly Williams-Paisley made her cinematic debut portraying Annie Banks in Father of the Bride, opposite Steve Martin. Her extensive filmography includes roles in We Are Marshall and numerous Hallmark movies, alongside her participation in the miniseries The 10th Kingdom.
Notable Movies & TV Shows:
| Title | Role |
| Father of the Bride (1991) | Annie Banks |
| According to Jim (2001-2009) | Dana |
| We Are Marshall (2006) | Sandy is Polish |
Character: Charlene Laurie struggles with addiction and is depicted as a troubled single mother. Her character illustrates the challenges of neglecting her son, Greg, while grappling with her unfulfilled aspirations.
DeVon Franklin as Josiah
Date of Birth: April 13, 1978
Actor: DeVon Franklin, in addition to his acting career, is recognized as a producer and executive. His films often revolve around themes of faith, with credits including Woodlawn and Canal Street, and he has appeared in the series Kingdom Business.
Notable Movies & TV Shows:
| Title | Role |
| Woodlawn (2015) | Preacher |
| Canal Street (2018) | The Key Note |
| Kingdom Business (2022) | Renard Gray |
Character: In Jesus Revolution, Josiah is a journalist for Time magazine, tasked with covering the remarkable wave of religious fervor sweeping through Southern California. His skepticism transforms into admiration as he witnesses the impact of Chuck Smith and Lonnie Frisbee’s ministry, culminating in his article “The Jesus Movement,”which graced the cover of Time in 1971.
Charlie Morgan Patton as Connie Frisbee
Date of Birth Unknown
Actor: Beginning her career in 2008 with a guest role on iCarly, Charlie Morgan Patton has since appeared in various short films and independent projects. Notable films include 80 for Brady, featuring legends like Jane Fonda and Rita Moreno.
Notable Movies & TV Shows:
| Title | Role |
| Rutherford Falls (2022) | Amber |
| 80 for Brady (2023) | Sophie |
| Sitting in Bars with Cake (2023) | Alex |
Character: Married to Lonnie Frisbee, Connie supports him in his ministry but struggles with the challenges brought on by their growing prominence and the strain it instills in their relationship.
Nic Bishop as Dick Martin
Date of Birth: September 19, 1973
Actor: Nic Bishop transitioned from the UK to Australia, where he began his acting journey. In the US, he became known for his role as Peter Dunlop in Body of Proof and as Ryan McQuaid in Covert Affairs.
Notable Movies & TV Shows:
| Title | Role |
| Covert Affairs (2014) | Ryan McQuaid |
| Snowfall (2017-2018) | James Ballard |
| Truth Be Told (2019-2020) | Chuck Buhrman |
Character: Dick Martin, Cathe’s father, represents a conservative viewpoint, expressing disapproval of the modern hippie Christian movement and the relationship between his daughter and Greg.
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