Faith, Fame, and Second Chances: A Conversation with Dennis Quaid and Pastor Greg Laurie
What drives a Hollywood legend to trade red carpets and fame for a deeper search for meaning? In this inspiring episode of The Greg Laurie Show, Pastor Greg Laurie sits down with acclaimed actor Dennis Quaid for an unfiltered and honest conversation about faith, fame, addiction, and personal transformation. From iconic roles in films like "The Big Easy" and "I Can Only Imagine," Dennis Quaid opens up about his unconventional spiritual journey—from his Baptist upbringing to exploring Eastern mysticism in India, and ultimately, a life-changing encounter with Jesus. The episode dives deep into the heart of Quaid’s story, revealing the turbulence behind the spotlight, his battles with addiction, and what finally brought him home to a living, personal faith. Highlights include: A behind-the-scenes look at the making of faith-based films in Hollywood, including surprising moments from "I Can Only Imagine" and "Soul Surfer" that shaped the genre and broke box-office expectations. Thoughtful reflections on the role of shame, forgiveness, and the persistent hope found in Christ—no matter your past. Honest advice for anyone chasing success, struggling with temptation, or searching for something real in a world of quick fixes. Woven throughout, Pastor Greg Laurie and Dennis Quaid share candid moments about life, lessons from legendary figures like Johnny Cash and Steve McQueen, and powerful truths for anyone standing at a crossroads. If you’ve ever wondered whether God can bring beauty from ashes—or if you’re just curious what happens when a Hollywood star dares to get real about faith—you won’t want to miss this conversation. Subscribe for more conversations like this, where faith meets life, and real stories lead to real hope. Want more from Greg Laurie? Visit: https://harvest.org/. Find Pastor Greg on social media: https://www.instagram.com/greglaurie/ https://x.com/greglaurie https://www.facebook.com/harvest.greglaurie Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us. -------- CHAPTERS: 00:07 Recording Johnny Cash at Home01:12 Dennis Quaid Learns Guitar from Johnny Cash03:36 Dylan’s Influence on The Beatles & Rock Legends05:44 Movie Roles Dennis Quaid Regrets Turning Down08:03 Not Getting Typecast: Dennis Quaid’s Career Philosophy09:56 Jesus, Shame, and Freedom: Spiritual Reflections11:30 Preparing for Doc Holliday: Physical & Emotional Toll13:53 Ronald Reagan: Insecurity & Triumphs16:17 Reagan’s Strategy with Gorbachev Explained17:10 Behind the Scenes with President Trump19:15 Staying at the White House: Clinton & Instant Coffee20:43 The Political Divide: Common Sense vs. Extremes22:03 Dennis Quaid’s "Seeker" Years & Spiritual Journey26:55 The Power of Jesus’ Red Letters28:22 "I Can Only Imagine": Shifting Faith Film Standards31:54 Standing Up for Faith in “Soul Surfer”33:31 Hollywood’s Spiritual Revolution35:57 Advice for Young Seekers: End of Shiny Roads38:44 God’s Redemption of Mistakes and Brokenness41:00 Favorite Artists: Elvis, Beatles, Eagles, Johnny Cash42:15 All-Time Favorite Movie: “Lawrence of Arabia”44:34 Steve McQueen’s Subtext and Acting Genius48:09 Steve McQueen’s Faith Story Revealed50:03 Dennis Quaid’s Cameos in Faith-Based Films Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.