March 26, 2025 • 24 mins
Episode 135 - From Switzerland to Hollywood
In this episode of The Faith and Family Filmmakers podcast, host Matt Chastain interviews Debby Gerber, a Swiss-born actress who embarked on an unexpected journey to Hollywood. After moving to Los Angeles in 2009, Debby shares how studying at the prestigious Stella Adler Academy led her to a flourishing acting career in TV series and feature films. Sher vividly discusses her transition from secular Hollywood to the faith-based film industry, highlighting the cultural shifts she's observed and the fulfillment she finds in telling impactful stories. She also opens up about her Christian faith background, the struggles she faced in Hollywood, and her realization of God's plan for her life. This episode explores the evolving acceptance of faith-based films in Hollywood, shedding light on Debby's experiences and aspirations in this niche yet growing genre.
Highlights Include:
- Debby's Bio
- Moving to Los Angeles and Discovering Acting
- Faith and Family Background
- Transition to Faith-Based Films
- Hollywood's Shift Regarding Faith-Based Content
- Debby's Drive as an Artist
Bio:
Debby Gerber has built a dynamic acting career in the U.S. after moving from her native Switzerland. She studied at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting in Los Angeles, where she graduated from a two-year program. Her acting journey began with smaller roles in student and indie films, gradually evolving into appearances in TV series and major movies.
Debby has been featured in notable productions like Chuck Lorre’s Sitcom B Positive, Glee, NCIS, Teen Wolf, and Gangster Squad.
She had a supporting role in Hope for the Holidays, playing the younger version of Oscar-nominee and Golden Globe Winner Sally Kirkland’s Character.
She also just wrapped production as the female Lead in ‘Beyond Belief’, a faith-based coming of age movie featuring the band Petra as well as a supporting role in ‘Somewhere else’ alongside Cameron Arnett and Karen Abercrombie (War Room, The Forge). Both movies are hoping to have a theatrical release in 2025.
Debbie’s Links:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4282021/
https://debbygerber.com/
https://www.instagram.com/debbygerber/
https://www.facebook.com/debbyjgerber/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl2zKvMUBaLoPwmYhwuqHsw/videos
FAFF Association Online Meetups: https://faffassociation.com/#faff-meetings
Screenwriters Retreat - Mexico: https://www.faffassociation.com/writers-retreat
Jaclyn's Book - In the Beginning, Middle and End: A Screenwriter’s Observations of LIfe, Character, and God: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9R7XS9V
VIP Producers Mentorship Program https://www.faffassociation.com/vip-producers-mentorship
The Faith & Family Filmmakers podcast helps filmmakers who share a Christian worldview stay in touch, informed, and inspired. Releasing new episodes every week, we interview experts from varying fields of filmmaking; from screenwriters, actors, directors, and producers, to film scorers, talent agents, and distributors.
It is produced and hosted by Geoffrey Whitt and Jaclyn Whitt , and is brought to you by the Faith & Family Filmmakers Association
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Matt (00:00):
Okay, so welcome to another exciting episode, at least I hope it's an exciting episode of The Faith and Family Filmmakers podcast.
am, your humble host, Matt Chastain.
Very excited to have anotheractor on board acting as one of my favorite, uh, conversation topics.
So, today we have Debbie Gerber.
Uh, Debbie, thanks so muchfor, for joining us in the Faith of Family Filmmakers
Debbie (00:20):
Oh, thank you so much for having me.
I'm super honored to be here.
Matt (00:23):
Yes, ma'am.
Well, I, they don't wannahear too much of me.
They want to hear more of you.
However, there's a lot aboutyou that I kind of need to say.
so I'm, gonna give them yourbackground here a little bit.
you've built a dynamic actingcareer here in the US after, interestingly enough, moving here from your native country of Switzerland.
I'm gonna go more into that 'causeI hear no accent whatsoever,
Debbie (00:42):
will.
Matt (00:42):
wanna know.
When, oh, we will get, we'll getyou fired up and we'll hear this Switzerland accent coming out.
But you studied at Stella Adler in la.
Hard to find a betterbackground than that.
And so, uh, Debbie started with smallerroles in student indie films, gradually evolving into, you know, appearances and TV series and now feature films.
Uh, Debbie has been featured in notableproductions like Chuck, Lori Sitcom.
(01:04):
Be Positive.
Well, first of all, you sayChuck Lori than any sitcom he does is gonna be amazing.
So be positive Glee, NCIS.
Teen Wolf Gangster Squad.
Um, Debbie's had a supporting rolein hope for the holidays, playing the younger version of the Oscar dominated and the Golden Globe winner, uh, Sally Kirkland's character.
She also wrapped up production asthe Female Lead in Beyond Belief, which is a faith-based kind of coming age movie featuring the band Petra, which I loved as a kid.
(01:31):
Uh, I think I went to a Petra
Debbie (01:33):
Oh wow.
That's awesome.
So you will love this movie.
Matt (01:37):
I'm gonna go see the movie 'cause you're in it and Petra's in it.
Um, also, you had a supportingrole in somewhere else alongside, everybody's favorite, Cameron Anette and Karen Abercrombie.
So, uh, both movies are hopingto release theatrically in 2025.
So it'll be a big year for you.
Debbie,
Debbie (01:52):
Hopefully we're hoping for it.
But then again, you know, younever, you never know how things turn out, but yes, that's the goal that they're both gonna have a
Matt (01:59):
never know when a release is coming.
You can shoot a movie this year andit'll be four years before it gets out of
Debbie (02:04):
Very true.
Matt (02:05):
Well, okay.
Well, tell me about your background.
Let's, let's start off, when did you, uh,when did you come over from Switzerland?
Debbie (02:11):
Um, I moved to Los Angeles in 2009, which is crazy to me.
'cause now in July it'll be 16 years andI almost can't believe I'm saying that.
So it's been a long time.
Matt (02:22):
Time flies.
Debbie (02:23):
it does.
Especially when you're having fun.
Right.
Matt (02:25):
Right, right.
So were you already acting in Switzerland?
did you come over to LAto, to pursue acting?
Debbie (02:30):
No.
No, not at all.
Um, I never, never really had aninterest in acting whatsoever if, I mean, I watched movies obviously growing up, um, mostly American movies, but.
Not to the point where I was like,oh, I'm gonna be an actor again.
When you grow up in Switzerland,Hollywood, LA acting is very far removed for us.
Um, and there is not reallyan industry in Switzerland.
(02:54):
There is now, at least when I grew up,there wasn't really a film industry there.
It's getting a little bit better now,a little bit bigger now, but it's.
Not to a point where you could be afull-time working actor in Switzerland.
If you wanna act in Europe,you have to go to Germany or France or England, obviously.
Um, so growing up, thatwas never on my mind.
Um, I was actually on my pathto become a social worker.
(03:17):
Um, I did, yeah, did high school andthen I went to a college for three years and then, um, I had a place at university in Basel to get my bachelor's degree in social work.
But what happened was they put me ona one year waiting list, even though I was the valedictorian, um, because I was a year younger than everybody else.
(03:37):
I started school a year early.
So because social workand their program is very.
I wanna say rough, I guess they wereworried I was too young, which is silly 'cause I wasn't, I was ready to go.
but clearly that was a Godmove because that then totally, um, changed my life really.
It changed my, my journey.
Um, 'cause what happened was Iwas forced to take a year break and I did not know what to do.
(04:03):
So started working regular jobsand then the last six months is when I was like, you know what?
I've always kind of had afascination with the us.
Um, I'm just gonna go visit, takethose six months, travel a little bit, come back and then start my studies at the, at university.
And those six months turnedinto me taking English lessons in California, Los Angeles, um, at a school there in Westwood.
(04:28):
And then the last two monthswhen I finished that program was when I was like, huh.
What else can I do in la?
Well, people act here, so I waslike, I'm gonna do some something that scares me, which is standing in front of people and talking to them.
Like, for example, being on astage would absolutely terrify me.
So I was like, I'm gonna go do that.
I'm here just for fun.
(04:49):
So Googled acting classes in LosAngeles and the first thing that came up, I kid you not, was Stella Adler kind of looked at their website.
I was like, oh, that sounds cool.
Okay.
I signed up for two months, wentto school, and in that first week, my first teacher that I had, Tim McNeil, I blame him for everything.
(05:11):
He was like, Gerber, you're gonna stay.
And I was like, what do you meanI have a life in Switzerland?
He was like, no, you're good.
You should stay.
So that turned into.
The lead of the school at John Jack Rogersoffering me a scholarship for two years to finish school there, which after, you know, talking to my parents and all that, figuring things out, uh, we did that.
(05:32):
I graduated after two years andthen things just took their turn.
I just kind of got stuck herein LA doing this acting thing.
So 16 years later.
Matt (05:43):
You took a 16 year gap year
Debbie (05:45):
Yeah, basically to be continued also.
Matt (05:49):
but lemme get this story straight real quick.
you, you had a gap year.
You had had to kill some timebefore you could start your career.
So you decided to come to, come to la seewhat was going on in la You get there, you Google acting 'cause it scares you.
You end up in the, probably one ofthe most premier acting academies in the entire United States of America impress the right people.
(06:11):
And 16 years later, here we are.
Debbie (06:13):
pretty much it.
I should have said it like you said it.
'cause it's way quicker.
Matt (06:17):
That's a wild story though.
That's, that is amazing.
I.
Debbie (06:20):
But that's God, honestly, that is all God.
I mean, otherwise, again, I probablywould've stayed in Switzerland, would've become a social worker, so, which also would've been fine, obviously, but you
Matt (06:29):
Sure, and it's never too late.
You can always go back to Switzerland andbe a social worker and act on the side,
Debbie (06:35):
Don't tell that my mom, she is still hoping for that, but I don't think so.
I can play social workersnow on tv, but you
Matt (06:44):
Oh, you'd be amazing at this.
Writers directors write Debbie a roleas a social worker from Switzerland.
She'll nail it, but I bet your rangeis is obviously bigger than that.
So.
Well, um, tell me about yourfaith journey a little bit.
Did you grow up A Christian in
Debbie (06:58):
Yes, my dad is a pastor.
Um, so I did grow up, thankfully ina Christian family, which was very amazing and very, uh, it really was a beautiful way to grow up.
Um.
Then, funny enough, I will say a friendof my dad's who was American, he had a prophecy for me when I was 18, and he did say that God was calling me to go to California and specifically Los Angeles.
(07:21):
And then two years later is when I went.
So then it all started makingsense, but at 18 I was like, what are you talking about?
But
Matt (07:29):
But you're a PK so that this all.
Makes a lot more
Debbie (07:31):
Yes, definitely.
And I will say that prophecy, my dadwill now say was more so for him or for my parents, because hearing that for them made it so, so much easier to let me go rather than being like, you're crazy going to America, being an actor.
Like, no, you're staying here, you know?
But.
Hearing those words, knowing that thiswas and is God's plan for my life.
(07:54):
They were like, well, whoare we to stand in your way?
We're gonna support you with whatever,whatever we have, we will support.
And that is what they have donethis whole time and still are.
So I am insanely, insanely grateful.
But yeah, through this journey,obviously I, I've been a Christian my whole life, but that was not my.
Motivation to become an actor.
(08:15):
It was not to be doing faith-based film.
It's honestly not even something Iwas much aware of, that there is a niche so-called faith-based film.
It's just not something I was aware of.
Not until I. Now, maybelike four or five years ago.
And that is when I realized,um, 10 years into living here, where I was like, oh, wow.
I think I know now whyGod has called me here.
(08:38):
I, and I needed those 10 years toprepare me, you know, to really grow into who I am today, to be secure and steady and strong, frankly.
'cause its industry, aswe all know is not easy.
And really growing my faithand I only got baptized.
Two years ago now.
Even though, yes, I wasa pastor's daughter, but I always thought silly me growing up.
(08:59):
I was like, well, I am alreadya Christian, you know, I don't need to be baptized.
That was just my thinking.
Even though my parents werelike, you know, you should, and I was like, I'm good.
I'm a Christian.
I believe in Jesus.
Like why do I need to gounder the water for that?
Matt (09:11):
I mean, look, Jesus himself got baptized, so it's not a bad
Debbie (09:14):
And now done,
Matt (09:15):
Maybe not necessary for salvation, but a
Debbie (09:17):
You know?
Yeah.
Now I'm older and wiser, you know,and, um, obviously I made that decision very, very clearly two years ago.
I was like, oh my gosh, I've been silly.
Like, yes, I need to do that for myself.
I need to make that decision forme, not because I grew up that way.
So I did that two years ago,and, uh, honestly, it's been, especially the last two years, I feel like have been a huge blessing.
(09:38):
God has just opened doors in thisindustry for me that I could have never, never, ever done myself.
Matt (09:43):
That's beautiful.
Well, look, I mean, I, for one,thank Switzerland for exporting.
Some Christians over to themission field of Hollywood.
Debbie (09:51):
Amen.
Matt (09:52):
Right.
let's talk a little bit about that,because even though you are, you know, now getting your feet wet into kind the Christian movie genre or Christian film genre, um, you really came up in the secular genre, and so tell us from the inside, what is Hollywood really like?
is it as rough and tumble as, many say.
Debbie (10:09):
I unfortunately will say yes.
Yeah, I mean, yeah, not to go too muchinto all the details, but yeah, I have.
Worked and lived herefor, for 15 years now.
But specifically before I did thefaith-based whole journey, um, it was 10 years only working in Hollywood and I live in Mid-City, which is like 15 minutes from Hollywood Center.
(10:30):
so through those years, most definitelyI have experienced a lot of good and a whole lot of bad to the point where.
I was about to quit acting and that wasbefore I did faith-based film 'cause I just saw so, so much evil and so many bad things and so much cutting people in the back, you know, saying one thing and doing the other and people trying to get ahead.
(10:55):
Really climbing over deadbodies, that kind of thing.
You know, it was just really,really negative in many ways where I was like, why am I here?
Like why am I doing this?
I don't wanna have any part of this.
And it was even to the point where Ihad one of, I. My biggest things in my career happened to me where I, which sounds silly, but you know, I, had a, a bit on that Chuck Laurie sitcom Be Positive, which for a Swiss person, you know, who has an accent, getting a co-star or actually two co-stars on a major sitcom was a major feat.
(11:27):
But that experience ended up sonegative for me that I was like.
I don't wanna do this,
you know, because I just, yeah, I justrealized it really is all about the money.
It is all about success.
It is all about fame.
They don't care about the people involved.
And I firsthand felt it and saw it andheard what people behind the scenes would say about certain people, you know?
(11:51):
So that was.
Crushing and heartbreaking to, I was sotorn between feeling super grateful and happy about having this opportunity and then feeling completely crushed that it didn't in any way or form fulfill me.
You know?
And that's when I was like,I. What am I doing here?
I don't wanna do this.
And shortly after that is when I realized,oh, there is a whole other world with good content, where it is about the stories and it is about the people involved.
(12:21):
And one of those amazing experiencesactually, that made me realize that was when I did one of my first faith-based films, which was Deep Within by Scott Michael Brannan, who's now an amazing friend of mine, and I love him dearly.
That experience being part of thatfilm and how different that whole cast and crew was amongst each other, like literally starting the day in prayer and then actually one of our cast members had a bad situation happen while he was on set, and we took like two hours.
(12:50):
We all sat on the floorand prayed over him.
And to me, this whole weekshooting with them, it was such an amazing eyeopener that I was like.
This is what I wanna be a part of.
Not this whole Hollywood wannabe glitz andglam and whatnot, which it's really not.
So that is where kindof my journey started.
Matt (13:08):
Yeah.
So it's really, it sounds like it'sreally about the culture for you because a lot of people, like you say, we, you're drawn to, to Hollywood
Debbie (13:16):
Mm.
Matt (13:17):
of what we see on the screen.
Um, but I, I wonder, and tell me ifyou've, if you've seen this and we're, we're gonna get to the faith based genre in a minute, the happy stuff in a minute, but I want dig a little bit into that.
You hear a lot of times.
Actors and actresses will come fromsmall towns from the south, from from the Midwest, and they go to Hollywood and, experience what you do and then they're kind of faced with this, I guess it's not as fulfilling as they thought it would be.
(13:39):
So chasing the money and chasing thepower is the only kind of fulfillment that maybe they, they can get.
And so they have to keep climbing and inthat climb have to completely sacrifice.
Sacrifice their faith sacrifice,who they are, and that's maybe that's the metaphorical selling your soul to the devil, so to
Debbie (13:56):
Yep.
Very true.
And I will say, thankfully, God was alwayswith me and guided me and protected me in the sense that I have received certain offers that I know could have catapulted my career to somewhat of a next level.
And I knew, like I, Iwasn't even doubting it.
I knew I cannot do this role, I cannot
commit to, to something like this.
(14:16):
'cause it would be like selling your soul.
'cause once you do something likethat, it's gonna be out there forever.
And I, I, it would be embarrassing.
It's not something I wanna be known for.
Yes, I would've paid a lot of money.
Yes, I would've, you know, playedsome famous actor's girlfriend on some major picture movie, whatever.
But I'm like, is thatreally what I wanna do?
(14:37):
Is that really who I wanna represent?
You know, so it does go backto why do you do what you do?
Like, is it really becauseyou want money, success, fame?
Because in the end, frankly, thatis not gonna give you fulfillment.
It's just not.
I mean, ask most of the celebrities,most of the people that are known, they're not happy because of the fame that came with it.
(15:00):
They love the work that they do.
They're grateful to be working andget to plays some amazing roles.
But what comes with it?
Is not the fun part.
You know, it's not fun and glamorous andwhatever to be recognized everywhere you go, so be careful over what you wish for.
I would say.
Matt (15:17):
You might get it, no doubt.
Is it difficult to be a, uh, professingChristian in that culture or are they polite about that, but they just wouldn't wanna shove you into roles that would compromise you?
Or is there a discomfort at evenbeing a Christian, outspoken Christian in, in Hollywood?
I.
Debbie (15:34):
There definitely was years ago, I think now, and we can talk about that more later, obviously, because Christian films.
Are actually widely accepted now, Ithink by Hollywood and even now certain celebrities are doing faith-based film because it's almost like.
We're finally able to say who we areand what we believe, and it's not gonna, um, look bad on us or anything.
(15:58):
We're not gonna, our career is notgonna suffer, which is so crazy to even say, why would someone's career suffer because they're a Christian?
Like, it's so crazy to me.
But yes, years ago, if you are anactor and you would say you're a Christian, they will not hire you.
Like, for example, what's his name?
Neil McDonough.
He was, um, on the shift, right?
(16:19):
He's one of those examples, right, wherehe was like, I'm not doing any sex scenes.
I'm not kissing any other women.
I think that's amazing.
Hollywood canceled him.
Kevin Sorbo, you know, same thing.
Amazing actor.
Powerful actor, wonderful human being.
Never said a bad word or anything,but because he professed his faith, Hollywood canceled him.
I'm like.
Why?
(16:40):
Why is that?
You know?
So now I think Hollywood is finallyrealizing we're doing good content.
We're putting out stories thatpeople are actually yearning for.
People wanna hear those stories.
People are, especially after the pandemic,I think that the whole world has gone through so much heartbreak and damage and loss, that they're yearning for goodness.
(17:01):
They're yearning for positivity,for hope, for light, and.
The stories that we're telling isgiving them that and Hollywood.
Now, of course, they're thinkingmoney now, they're like, oh, these films are actually making money, so let's welcome them in.
I'm like, okay, if that'syour motivation, great.
But at least give us a, give us aplatform so that we can tell those stories that humanity really needs.
Matt (17:22):
So you're saying, I was gonna ask you about that.
How.
What caused this shift?
But you're saying that, do youthink it's just little by little?
There's a crack in thedam call Kevin Sorbo,
Debbie (17:30):
Hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Matt (17:31):
the major cracks.
Or Neil McDonough one ofthe cracks in the dam.
So, but as more and more actorsfinally come out and go, I'm going, I'm going to do a, faith-based or faith friendly content, the dam gets more and more cracked and, and now it just becomes a little more acceptable.
Is that it?
Or was there some other kind ofparadigm shift in Hollywood that has suddenly allowed real actors through Christian actors to, to pursue more faith-based content?
Debbie (17:52):
well, there was also the chosen, obviously that was, that had a huge impact on the whole world.
I literally feel like the whole worldeverywhere where you can screen the chosen, it had a such a big impact.
And then the Jesus revolutioncame out and people were so drawn to those stories and were like.
You know, their hearts were openingup and I, and I do think Hollywood realizing that or then uh, the sound of freedom obviously made like, what a billion dollars or whatever it was.
(18:19):
So I will say Hollywoodis money motivated.
Um, yes, they also wanna make goodmovies obviously, 'cause there's the Oscars and there are good movies out there that are not faith-based.
But in the end it still is about successand money and the success of the film.
So now that Hollywood is seeing thatsome of those faith-based films are actually having success in the sense that they're making money now, they're like, oh, let's invite those in and give them a platform so that frankly they can have a bite of the cake.
Matt (18:51):
That makes
Debbie (18:52):
But I'm like, okay, whatever.
If, yeah.
I'm like, if that isyour motivation, okay.
But at least we're having aplatform like Lionsgate, for example, um, now has a three year deal with Kingdom Story Company.
Right?
They're doing amazing films.
So that's when I'm like, you know,they, they are listening to us.
They are opening their doorsbecause next to the money, I do hope and belief that they're also seeing this content is needed.
(19:17):
Hopefully.
Matt (19:18):
Great stories are great stories.
You know, I, I don't thinkI, I need to do my home.
More, but I don't think that doingthe 10 Commandments was that bad for Charlton Heston's career.
Debbie (19:27):
Exactly Yeah.
Matt (19:28):
Great stories are great stories and I, and it's good to hear that that's where Hollywood's motivation is, is great stories and, and box office.
Not that, you know, obviously the loveof money is the root of all evil, but I think probably a lot of us in the faith-based world kind of had this, I. Maybe even too pessimistic of you of Hollywood, that they're more agenda driven than, than finance driven.
(19:49):
So I'd almost rather them just be financedriven so that if faith-based stories do well, then that opens their arms.
That's, that's probablygood news, I would say.
I wanna ask you one more question though,and this episode, and then we're gonna dive into the next episode into how Faith.
Based movies are now really kindof taking over Hollywood and, and your, your role in, a few of them.
But, you know, you talked about that itwasn't fulfilling for you to be not just in Hollywood, in amongst that culture.
(20:16):
So I wanna know what about actingfor you does give you that kind of fulfillment as an artist?
Debbie (20:23):
It has many aspects.
Actually.
Of course, part of it is receiving awonderful script with a moving incredible, beautiful story that you wanna tell, that you are blessed to be a part of.
Telling and diving into a character thatis in many ways or forms interesting, you know, that you yourself would wanna see on the screen portrayed.
(20:43):
Part of it is.
Telling that story and getting, its twopeople for people to watch and being able to move an audience if you can.
You know, be that with comedy or withdrama or fantasy, whatever it is.
But moving an audienceis such a powerful thing.
But then frankly, also, it's been.
(21:04):
The being on set part of it too.
That's why I, notice such a bigdifference, uh, whenever I'm on a so-called faith-based film set rather than a Hollywood set, the working together, literally the team effort, the family feeling that comes up when you're working on a faith-based film.
Not saying that doesn't happen ona non-faith based film, but I just.
(21:25):
Personally, it was a huge difference tome, um, being together with those people day in, day out, 12, 15 hours a day.
It is important who you'reworking with, you know, and.
That to me also became really important.
And in that sense, I'm almost feeling likenot, I'm not saying I'm a social worker on set, but I do feel like it tends to happen a lot that people end up coming to me and tell me their stories or like, I just sit there and listen to them.
(21:51):
You know?
It's not that I'm, I'm not apsychiatrist, I'm not a psychologist, but I just tend to end up listening to a lot of people and their
stories,
Matt (21:59):
can tend to be a little dramatic, so it's good to have a
social worker
Debbie (22:02):
know.
Matt (22:03):
who understands both acting and social work.
I. Get that
Debbie (22:06):
I just love people, I guess, and their stories,
Matt (22:08):
100 percent.
So Debbie, uh, thank you so muchfor joining us today on the Faith and Family Filmmakers Podcast.
We're gonna bring youback for another episode.
We're gonna dive intothe faith-based industry.
How, how exciting it is that,this, so-called genre, or you said niche genre, but it's book is growing into a much bigger genre.
is doing what it's doing.
And then I'm gonna kind of run someideas by you in terms of what about being a Christ follower actually helps us to become better actors.
(22:33):
So thank you so
Debbie (22:34):
Awesome.
Thank you so much.
Appreciate it.
Okay, so welcome to another exciting episode, at least I hope it's an exciting episode of The Faith and Family Filmmakers podcast.
am, your humble host, Matt Chastain.
Very excited to have anotheractor on board acting as one of my favorite, uh, conversation topics.
So, today we have Debbie Gerber.
Uh, Debbie, thanks so muchfor, for joining us in the Faith of Family Filmmakers
Debbie (00:20):
Oh, thank you so much for having me.
I'm super honored to be here.
Matt (00:23):
Yes, ma'am.
Well, I, they don't wannahear too much of me.
They want to hear more of you.
However, there's a lot aboutyou that I kind of need to say.
so I'm, gonna give them yourbackground here a little bit.
you've built a dynamic actingcareer here in the US after, interestingly enough, moving here from your native country of Switzerland.
I'm gonna go more into that 'causeI hear no accent whatsoever,
Debbie (00:42):
will.
Matt (00:42):
wanna know.
When, oh, we will get, we'll getyou fired up and we'll hear this Switzerland accent coming out.
But you studied at Stella Adler in la.
Hard to find a betterbackground than that.
And so, uh, Debbie started with smallerroles in student indie films, gradually evolving into, you know, appearances and TV series and now feature films.
Uh, Debbie has been featured in notableproductions like Chuck, Lori Sitcom.
(01:04):
Be Positive.
Well, first of all, you sayChuck Lori than any sitcom he does is gonna be amazing.
So be positive Glee, NCIS.
Teen Wolf Gangster Squad.
Um, Debbie's had a supporting rolein hope for the holidays, playing the younger version of the Oscar dominated and the Golden Globe winner, uh, Sally Kirkland's character.
She also wrapped up production asthe Female Lead in Beyond Belief, which is a faith-based kind of coming age movie featuring the band Petra, which I loved as a kid.
(01:31):
Uh, I think I went to a Petra
Debbie (01:33):
Oh wow.
That's awesome.
So you will love this movie.
Matt (01:37):
I'm gonna go see the movie 'cause you're in it and Petra's in it.
Um, also, you had a supportingrole in somewhere else alongside, everybody's favorite, Cameron Anette and Karen Abercrombie.
So, uh, both movies are hopingto release theatrically in 2025.
So it'll be a big year for you.
Debbie,
Debbie (01:52):
Hopefully we're hoping for it.
But then again, you know, younever, you never know how things turn out, but yes, that's the goal that they're both gonna have a
Matt (01:59):
never know when a release is coming.
You can shoot a movie this year andit'll be four years before it gets out of
Debbie (02:04):
Very true.
Matt (02:05):
Well, okay.
Well, tell me about your background.
Let's, let's start off, when did you, uh,when did you come over from Switzerland?
Debbie (02:11):
Um, I moved to Los Angeles in 2009, which is crazy to me.
'cause now in July it'll be 16 years andI almost can't believe I'm saying that.
So it's been a long time.
Matt (02:22):
Time flies.
Debbie (02:23):
it does.
Especially when you're having fun.
Right.
Matt (02:25):
Right, right.
So were you already acting in Switzerland?
did you come over to LAto, to pursue acting?
Debbie (02:30):
No.
No, not at all.
Um, I never, never really had aninterest in acting whatsoever if, I mean, I watched movies obviously growing up, um, mostly American movies, but.
Not to the point where I was like,oh, I'm gonna be an actor again.
When you grow up in Switzerland,Hollywood, LA acting is very far removed for us.
Um, and there is not reallyan industry in Switzerland.
(02:54):
There is now, at least when I grew up,there wasn't really a film industry there.
It's getting a little bit better now,a little bit bigger now, but it's.
Not to a point where you could be afull-time working actor in Switzerland.
If you wanna act in Europe,you have to go to Germany or France or England, obviously.
Um, so growing up, thatwas never on my mind.
Um, I was actually on my pathto become a social worker.
(03:17):
Um, I did, yeah, did high school andthen I went to a college for three years and then, um, I had a place at university in Basel to get my bachelor's degree in social work.
But what happened was they put me ona one year waiting list, even though I was the valedictorian, um, because I was a year younger than everybody else.
(03:37):
I started school a year early.
So because social workand their program is very.
I wanna say rough, I guess they wereworried I was too young, which is silly 'cause I wasn't, I was ready to go.
but clearly that was a Godmove because that then totally, um, changed my life really.
It changed my, my journey.
Um, 'cause what happened was Iwas forced to take a year break and I did not know what to do.
(04:03):
So started working regular jobsand then the last six months is when I was like, you know what?
I've always kind of had afascination with the us.
Um, I'm just gonna go visit, takethose six months, travel a little bit, come back and then start my studies at the, at university.
And those six months turnedinto me taking English lessons in California, Los Angeles, um, at a school there in Westwood.
(04:28):
And then the last two monthswhen I finished that program was when I was like, huh.
What else can I do in la?
Well, people act here, so I waslike, I'm gonna do some something that scares me, which is standing in front of people and talking to them.
Like, for example, being on astage would absolutely terrify me.
So I was like, I'm gonna go do that.
I'm here just for fun.
(04:49):
So Googled acting classes in LosAngeles and the first thing that came up, I kid you not, was Stella Adler kind of looked at their website.
I was like, oh, that sounds cool.
Okay.
I signed up for two months, wentto school, and in that first week, my first teacher that I had, Tim McNeil, I blame him for everything.
(05:11):
He was like, Gerber, you're gonna stay.
And I was like, what do you meanI have a life in Switzerland?
He was like, no, you're good.
You should stay.
So that turned into.
The lead of the school at John Jack Rogersoffering me a scholarship for two years to finish school there, which after, you know, talking to my parents and all that, figuring things out, uh, we did that.
(05:32):
I graduated after two years andthen things just took their turn.
I just kind of got stuck herein LA doing this acting thing.
So 16 years later.
Matt (05:43):
You took a 16 year gap year
Debbie (05:45):
Yeah, basically to be continued also.
Matt (05:49):
but lemme get this story straight real quick.
you, you had a gap year.
You had had to kill some timebefore you could start your career.
So you decided to come to, come to la seewhat was going on in la You get there, you Google acting 'cause it scares you.
You end up in the, probably one ofthe most premier acting academies in the entire United States of America impress the right people.
(06:11):
And 16 years later, here we are.
Debbie (06:13):
pretty much it.
I should have said it like you said it.
'cause it's way quicker.
Matt (06:17):
That's a wild story though.
That's, that is amazing.
I.
Debbie (06:20):
But that's God, honestly, that is all God.
I mean, otherwise, again, I probablywould've stayed in Switzerland, would've become a social worker, so, which also would've been fine, obviously, but you
Matt (06:29):
Sure, and it's never too late.
You can always go back to Switzerland andbe a social worker and act on the side,
Debbie (06:35):
Don't tell that my mom, she is still hoping for that, but I don't think so.
I can play social workersnow on tv, but you
Matt (06:44):
Oh, you'd be amazing at this.
Writers directors write Debbie a roleas a social worker from Switzerland.
She'll nail it, but I bet your rangeis is obviously bigger than that.
So.
Well, um, tell me about yourfaith journey a little bit.
Did you grow up A Christian in
Debbie (06:58):
Yes, my dad is a pastor.
Um, so I did grow up, thankfully ina Christian family, which was very amazing and very, uh, it really was a beautiful way to grow up.
Um.
Then, funny enough, I will say a friendof my dad's who was American, he had a prophecy for me when I was 18, and he did say that God was calling me to go to California and specifically Los Angeles.
(07:21):
And then two years later is when I went.
So then it all started makingsense, but at 18 I was like, what are you talking about?
But
Matt (07:29):
But you're a PK so that this all.
Makes a lot more
Debbie (07:31):
Yes, definitely.
And I will say that prophecy, my dadwill now say was more so for him or for my parents, because hearing that for them made it so, so much easier to let me go rather than being like, you're crazy going to America, being an actor.
Like, no, you're staying here, you know?
But.
Hearing those words, knowing that thiswas and is God's plan for my life.
(07:54):
They were like, well, whoare we to stand in your way?
We're gonna support you with whatever,whatever we have, we will support.
And that is what they have donethis whole time and still are.
So I am insanely, insanely grateful.
But yeah, through this journey,obviously I, I've been a Christian my whole life, but that was not my.
Motivation to become an actor.
(08:15):
It was not to be doing faith-based film.
It's honestly not even something Iwas much aware of, that there is a niche so-called faith-based film.
It's just not something I was aware of.
Not until I. Now, maybelike four or five years ago.
And that is when I realized,um, 10 years into living here, where I was like, oh, wow.
I think I know now whyGod has called me here.
(08:38):
I, and I needed those 10 years toprepare me, you know, to really grow into who I am today, to be secure and steady and strong, frankly.
'cause its industry, aswe all know is not easy.
And really growing my faithand I only got baptized.
Two years ago now.
Even though, yes, I wasa pastor's daughter, but I always thought silly me growing up.
(08:59):
I was like, well, I am alreadya Christian, you know, I don't need to be baptized.
That was just my thinking.
Even though my parents werelike, you know, you should, and I was like, I'm good.
I'm a Christian.
I believe in Jesus.
Like why do I need to gounder the water for that?
Matt (09:11):
I mean, look, Jesus himself got baptized, so it's not a bad
Debbie (09:14):
And now done,
Matt (09:15):
Maybe not necessary for salvation, but a
Debbie (09:17):
You know?
Yeah.
Now I'm older and wiser, you know,and, um, obviously I made that decision very, very clearly two years ago.
I was like, oh my gosh, I've been silly.
Like, yes, I need to do that for myself.
I need to make that decision forme, not because I grew up that way.
So I did that two years ago,and, uh, honestly, it's been, especially the last two years, I feel like have been a huge blessing.
(09:38):
God has just opened doors in thisindustry for me that I could have never, never, ever done myself.
Matt (09:43):
That's beautiful.
Well, look, I mean, I, for one,thank Switzerland for exporting.
Some Christians over to themission field of Hollywood.
Debbie (09:51):
Amen.
Matt (09:52):
Right.
let's talk a little bit about that,because even though you are, you know, now getting your feet wet into kind the Christian movie genre or Christian film genre, um, you really came up in the secular genre, and so tell us from the inside, what is Hollywood really like?
is it as rough and tumble as, many say.
Debbie (10:09):
I unfortunately will say yes.
Yeah, I mean, yeah, not to go too muchinto all the details, but yeah, I have.
Worked and lived herefor, for 15 years now.
But specifically before I did thefaith-based whole journey, um, it was 10 years only working in Hollywood and I live in Mid-City, which is like 15 minutes from Hollywood Center.
(10:30):
so through those years, most definitelyI have experienced a lot of good and a whole lot of bad to the point where.
I was about to quit acting and that wasbefore I did faith-based film 'cause I just saw so, so much evil and so many bad things and so much cutting people in the back, you know, saying one thing and doing the other and people trying to get ahead.
(10:55):
Really climbing over deadbodies, that kind of thing.
You know, it was just really,really negative in many ways where I was like, why am I here?
Like why am I doing this?
I don't wanna have any part of this.
And it was even to the point where Ihad one of, I. My biggest things in my career happened to me where I, which sounds silly, but you know, I, had a, a bit on that Chuck Laurie sitcom Be Positive, which for a Swiss person, you know, who has an accent, getting a co-star or actually two co-stars on a major sitcom was a major feat.
(11:27):
But that experience ended up sonegative for me that I was like.
I don't wanna do this,
you know, because I just, yeah, I justrealized it really is all about the money.
It is all about success.
It is all about fame.
They don't care about the people involved.
And I firsthand felt it and saw it andheard what people behind the scenes would say about certain people, you know?
(11:51):
So that was.
Crushing and heartbreaking to, I was sotorn between feeling super grateful and happy about having this opportunity and then feeling completely crushed that it didn't in any way or form fulfill me.
You know?
And that's when I was like,I. What am I doing here?
I don't wanna do this.
And shortly after that is when I realized,oh, there is a whole other world with good content, where it is about the stories and it is about the people involved.
(12:21):
And one of those amazing experiencesactually, that made me realize that was when I did one of my first faith-based films, which was Deep Within by Scott Michael Brannan, who's now an amazing friend of mine, and I love him dearly.
That experience being part of thatfilm and how different that whole cast and crew was amongst each other, like literally starting the day in prayer and then actually one of our cast members had a bad situation happen while he was on set, and we took like two hours.
(12:50):
We all sat on the floorand prayed over him.
And to me, this whole weekshooting with them, it was such an amazing eyeopener that I was like.
This is what I wanna be a part of.
Not this whole Hollywood wannabe glitz andglam and whatnot, which it's really not.
So that is where kindof my journey started.
Matt (13:08):
Yeah.
So it's really, it sounds like it'sreally about the culture for you because a lot of people, like you say, we, you're drawn to, to Hollywood
Debbie (13:16):
Mm.
Matt (13:17):
of what we see on the screen.
Um, but I, I wonder, and tell me ifyou've, if you've seen this and we're, we're gonna get to the faith based genre in a minute, the happy stuff in a minute, but I want dig a little bit into that.
You hear a lot of times.
Actors and actresses will come fromsmall towns from the south, from from the Midwest, and they go to Hollywood and, experience what you do and then they're kind of faced with this, I guess it's not as fulfilling as they thought it would be.
(13:39):
So chasing the money and chasing thepower is the only kind of fulfillment that maybe they, they can get.
And so they have to keep climbing and inthat climb have to completely sacrifice.
Sacrifice their faith sacrifice,who they are, and that's maybe that's the metaphorical selling your soul to the devil, so to
Debbie (13:56):
Yep.
Very true.
And I will say, thankfully, God was alwayswith me and guided me and protected me in the sense that I have received certain offers that I know could have catapulted my career to somewhat of a next level.
And I knew, like I, Iwasn't even doubting it.
I knew I cannot do this role, I cannot
commit to, to something like this.
(14:16):
'cause it would be like selling your soul.
'cause once you do something likethat, it's gonna be out there forever.
And I, I, it would be embarrassing.
It's not something I wanna be known for.
Yes, I would've paid a lot of money.
Yes, I would've, you know, playedsome famous actor's girlfriend on some major picture movie, whatever.
But I'm like, is thatreally what I wanna do?
(14:37):
Is that really who I wanna represent?
You know, so it does go backto why do you do what you do?
Like, is it really becauseyou want money, success, fame?
Because in the end, frankly, thatis not gonna give you fulfillment.
It's just not.
I mean, ask most of the celebrities,most of the people that are known, they're not happy because of the fame that came with it.
(15:00):
They love the work that they do.
They're grateful to be working andget to plays some amazing roles.
But what comes with it?
Is not the fun part.
You know, it's not fun and glamorous andwhatever to be recognized everywhere you go, so be careful over what you wish for.
I would say.
Matt (15:17):
You might get it, no doubt.
Is it difficult to be a, uh, professingChristian in that culture or are they polite about that, but they just wouldn't wanna shove you into roles that would compromise you?
Or is there a discomfort at evenbeing a Christian, outspoken Christian in, in Hollywood?
I.
Debbie (15:34):
There definitely was years ago, I think now, and we can talk about that more later, obviously, because Christian films.
Are actually widely accepted now, Ithink by Hollywood and even now certain celebrities are doing faith-based film because it's almost like.
We're finally able to say who we areand what we believe, and it's not gonna, um, look bad on us or anything.
(15:58):
We're not gonna, our career is notgonna suffer, which is so crazy to even say, why would someone's career suffer because they're a Christian?
Like, it's so crazy to me.
But yes, years ago, if you are anactor and you would say you're a Christian, they will not hire you.
Like, for example, what's his name?
Neil McDonough.
He was, um, on the shift, right?
(16:19):
He's one of those examples, right, wherehe was like, I'm not doing any sex scenes.
I'm not kissing any other women.
I think that's amazing.
Hollywood canceled him.
Kevin Sorbo, you know, same thing.
Amazing actor.
Powerful actor, wonderful human being.
Never said a bad word or anything,but because he professed his faith, Hollywood canceled him.
I'm like.
Why?
(16:40):
Why is that?
You know?
So now I think Hollywood is finallyrealizing we're doing good content.
We're putting out stories thatpeople are actually yearning for.
People wanna hear those stories.
People are, especially after the pandemic,I think that the whole world has gone through so much heartbreak and damage and loss, that they're yearning for goodness.
(17:01):
They're yearning for positivity,for hope, for light, and.
The stories that we're telling isgiving them that and Hollywood.
Now, of course, they're thinkingmoney now, they're like, oh, these films are actually making money, so let's welcome them in.
I'm like, okay, if that'syour motivation, great.
But at least give us a, give us aplatform so that we can tell those stories that humanity really needs.
Matt (17:22):
So you're saying, I was gonna ask you about that.
How.
What caused this shift?
But you're saying that, do youthink it's just little by little?
There's a crack in thedam call Kevin Sorbo,
Debbie (17:30):
Hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Matt (17:31):
the major cracks.
Or Neil McDonough one ofthe cracks in the dam.
So, but as more and more actorsfinally come out and go, I'm going, I'm going to do a, faith-based or faith friendly content, the dam gets more and more cracked and, and now it just becomes a little more acceptable.
Is that it?
Or was there some other kind ofparadigm shift in Hollywood that has suddenly allowed real actors through Christian actors to, to pursue more faith-based content?
Debbie (17:52):
well, there was also the chosen, obviously that was, that had a huge impact on the whole world.
I literally feel like the whole worldeverywhere where you can screen the chosen, it had a such a big impact.
And then the Jesus revolutioncame out and people were so drawn to those stories and were like.
You know, their hearts were openingup and I, and I do think Hollywood realizing that or then uh, the sound of freedom obviously made like, what a billion dollars or whatever it was.
(18:19):
So I will say Hollywoodis money motivated.
Um, yes, they also wanna make goodmovies obviously, 'cause there's the Oscars and there are good movies out there that are not faith-based.
But in the end it still is about successand money and the success of the film.
So now that Hollywood is seeing thatsome of those faith-based films are actually having success in the sense that they're making money now, they're like, oh, let's invite those in and give them a platform so that frankly they can have a bite of the cake.
Matt (18:51):
That makes
Debbie (18:52):
But I'm like, okay, whatever.
If, yeah.
I'm like, if that isyour motivation, okay.
But at least we're having aplatform like Lionsgate, for example, um, now has a three year deal with Kingdom Story Company.
Right?
They're doing amazing films.
So that's when I'm like, you know,they, they are listening to us.
They are opening their doorsbecause next to the money, I do hope and belief that they're also seeing this content is needed.
(19:17):
Hopefully.
Matt (19:18):
Great stories are great stories.
You know, I, I don't thinkI, I need to do my home.
More, but I don't think that doingthe 10 Commandments was that bad for Charlton Heston's career.
Debbie (19:27):
Exactly Yeah.
Matt (19:28):
Great stories are great stories and I, and it's good to hear that that's where Hollywood's motivation is, is great stories and, and box office.
Not that, you know, obviously the loveof money is the root of all evil, but I think probably a lot of us in the faith-based world kind of had this, I. Maybe even too pessimistic of you of Hollywood, that they're more agenda driven than, than finance driven.
(19:49):
So I'd almost rather them just be financedriven so that if faith-based stories do well, then that opens their arms.
That's, that's probablygood news, I would say.
I wanna ask you one more question though,and this episode, and then we're gonna dive into the next episode into how Faith.
Based movies are now really kindof taking over Hollywood and, and your, your role in, a few of them.
But, you know, you talked about that itwasn't fulfilling for you to be not just in Hollywood, in amongst that culture.
(20:16):
So I wanna know what about actingfor you does give you that kind of fulfillment as an artist?
Debbie (20:23):
It has many aspects.
Actually.
Of course, part of it is receiving awonderful script with a moving incredible, beautiful story that you wanna tell, that you are blessed to be a part of.
Telling and diving into a character thatis in many ways or forms interesting, you know, that you yourself would wanna see on the screen portrayed.
(20:43):
Part of it is.
Telling that story and getting, its twopeople for people to watch and being able to move an audience if you can.
You know, be that with comedy or withdrama or fantasy, whatever it is.
But moving an audienceis such a powerful thing.
But then frankly, also, it's been.
(21:04):
The being on set part of it too.
That's why I, notice such a bigdifference, uh, whenever I'm on a so-called faith-based film set rather than a Hollywood set, the working together, literally the team effort, the family feeling that comes up when you're working on a faith-based film.
Not saying that doesn't happen ona non-faith based film, but I just.
(21:25):
Personally, it was a huge difference tome, um, being together with those people day in, day out, 12, 15 hours a day.
It is important who you'reworking with, you know, and.
That to me also became really important.
And in that sense, I'm almost feeling likenot, I'm not saying I'm a social worker on set, but I do feel like it tends to happen a lot that people end up coming to me and tell me their stories or like, I just sit there and listen to them.
(21:51):
You know?
It's not that I'm, I'm not apsychiatrist, I'm not a psychologist, but I just tend to end up listening to a lot of people and their
stories,
Matt (21:59):
can tend to be a little dramatic, so it's good to have a
social worker
Debbie (22:02):
know.
Matt (22:03):
who understands both acting and social work.
I. Get that
Debbie (22:06):
I just love people, I guess, and their stories,
Matt (22:08):
100 percent.
So Debbie, uh, thank you so muchfor joining us today on the Faith and Family Filmmakers Podcast.
We're gonna bring youback for another episode.
We're gonna dive intothe faith-based industry.
How, how exciting it is that,this, so-called genre, or you said niche genre, but it's book is growing into a much bigger genre.
is doing what it's doing.
And then I'm gonna kind of run someideas by you in terms of what about being a Christ follower actually helps us to become better actors.
(22:33):
So thank you so
Debbie (22:34):
Awesome.
Thank you so much.
Appreciate it.
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