Dennis Quaid revealed the significant role of faith in his marriage to Laura Savoie, emphasizing that their shared belief in God has strengthened their relationship. In an interview with Us Weekly, the 71-year-old actor shared insights about his life and work, particularly in relation to his upcoming film, I Can Only Imagine 2, which is set to premiere on February 20, 2024.
Quaid, who met Savoie in Las Vegas, described their union as a divine connection. “God is in our relationship. That [had] never even occurred to me before,” he stated. This perspective marks a shift for Quaid, who was previously married three times before meeting Savoie, now 32. He noted that their faith helps them navigate the challenges of their past experiences. “Otherwise you would wind up making the other person solve your problems, and we’re not equipped to do that,” he explained.
The actor, known for his roles in films like The Parent Trap, highlighted how their commitment to faith serves as a foundation for their relationship. He added, “There’s a lot of things that we have, the baggage coming in [to a relationship], and it’s stuff that you need an expert [to deal with] — and that would be God.”
Quaid’s faith journey has influenced both his personal life and career. He began exploring faith-based themes in 2011 with Soul Surfer and took on a challenging role in I Can Only Imagine in 2018 as Arthur Millard, the father of Bart Millard, the lead singer of the Christian band MercyMe. Quaid admitted that portraying an abusive character was difficult, especially given his own experiences as a father.
“I was uncomfortable playing that role,” Quaid said. “The way [Bart’s] father was, no matter the era, [was] very abusive, almost criminal.” The film chronicles Bart Millard’s journey to write the famous song “I Can Only Imagine,” stemming from his turbulent relationship with his father. Their story takes a turn when Arthur receives a terminal cancer diagnosis, prompting a path toward forgiveness.
In the sequel, Quaid reprises his role as Arthur, aiming to provide a sense of closure to the story. He emphasized that the new film feels more like a continuation than a traditional sequel. “The part of Arthur was very dear to me,” he remarked. “I just wanted to be a part of it in that sense.”
Quaid also mentioned the presence of Bart Millard on set during filming, which added a layer of authenticity to the portrayal of traumatic events from Millard’s childhood. “You know, he’s watching all these scenes on the monitor in the next room of pretty horrific scenes,” Quaid noted, expressing gratitude for Millard’s openness and honesty throughout the process.
Quaid has long been recognized for his ability to portray real-life figures, having played notable characters such as astronaut Gordon Cooper and former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. He expressed a preference for roles based on true stories, stating, “Real stories are pretty fantastic, because if they were fiction, you wouldn’t believe them.” He underscored the importance of representing individuals from their own perspectives, adding, “Nobody thinks of themselves as a villain or really as a hero.”
As the release date for I Can Only Imagine 2 approaches, Quaid continues to reflect on the significance of faith and redemption in his life and work. His journey, both personal and professional, illustrates the profound impact of belief on relationships and storytelling.
