October 7, 2025 • 26 mins
Stage and screen legend, William H. Macy, joins us to talk about a powerful new film - in theaters this Friday 10/10 - "Soul on Fire". The movie is based on the true story of motivational author and speaker, John O'Leary, who survived near-fatal burns as a child, and went on to inspire millions.
William portrays Jack Buck, baseball announcer for the St. Louis Cardinals at the time of John's accident. Jack was instrumental in John's recovery and William nailed the part. He talks about the movie, of course, but we get to know William too. To our delight, he's a low-key, affable guy with a great deal of gratitude for his life and love for his family. Listen in to hear who inspired William to become the man his is today. ~ Delilah
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Hello, my friend, Hello, sweater weather. Sweater weather is here.
Even on days the sun makes an appearance, Mornings and
evenings are chilly, and I love it. There is something
so cozy, so calming about clutching a steaming mug of
hot tea. I've got mine right now, big eelo cinnamon tea. Mmmmm,
(00:30):
watching the miss whirl outside my window as I ponder
the task of the approaching day. October is truly the
calm before the storm. We've survived the transition back to school,
and we're enjoying a fairly steady rhythm of life right now.
I guess I say enjoy it while at lasts, because
(00:50):
the holidays gasper right around the corner. I hope you're
able to savor this beautiful month of quiet mornings and
beautiful blooming moms, taking some much needed me time and
making deposits into your energy reserves, because as soon as
November rolls around, you'll be making withdrawls. How about taking
(01:14):
in an inspiring movie on a quiet fall evening. I
have just the movie for you to watch. William H.
Macy is an Oscar and Golden Globe nominee, an Emmy
and Sagaborn witting actor and a writer in theater, film,
and television. His film career has been built on appearances
(01:37):
in small independent films, though he's also appeared in mainstream movies.
You probably know him for his Oscar nominated performance in Fargo,
or maybe as Frank Gallagher and Shameless, which ran from
twenty eleven through twenty twenty one, or any number of
fabulous screen and stage roles he's wowedest with over the year.
(02:01):
My family and I got to watch him in a
movie that will be hitting theaters nationwide on October tenth,
Soul on Fire. It's inspired by the best selling memoir
on Fire, The Seven Choices to Ignite a radically inspired
life by John O'Leary. John survived near fatal burns from
an accident that took place when he was only nine
(02:24):
years old. His family was given only a one percent
chance that he would live, Yet against all odds, he
did live, and he's gone on to inspire millions of people.
One of the men that gave John O'Leary inspiration when
he needed it most was Saint Louis Cardinal's legendary broadcaster
(02:48):
Jack Buck. Baseball was a central part of young John's
life and the cardinal's involvement provided hope and a path
to recovery. Buck, who John considered a hero, visited him
in the hospital quietly, without any fanfare, and he sent
(03:10):
him autographed baseballs with notes. The condition for receiving more
baseballs was to write a thank you letter. He had
lost his ability to write, but the motivation provided by
Buck and the ongoing connection to baseball helped John to
find the courage to survive and eventually thrive, and he
(03:33):
did learn to write again. Fact, he learned to play
the piano again. William H. Macy took on the role
of Jack Buck, the broadcaster in the film, delivering a
powerful and compelling performance. As soon as I've shared some
words of appreciation with today's podcast sponsor, we'll be talking
with William H. Macy about the film of John O'Leary's
(03:56):
life and the central character of Jack Buck in This
young Man's Miraculous Recovery. Have you been looking for a
milk replacement because you have dairy allergies or sensitivities. Well,
I found one that's absolutely amazing. It's Sherry's hazel Cream
(04:16):
made from Oregon hazelnuts. This plant based milk stands out
from the competitors because it's designed for cooking and baking.
It all started because Sherry, who could no longer tolerate
dairy products, wanted to make gravy, but not gravy that
tasted like coconut or oatmeal. So by enlisting the help
(04:38):
of her engineer husband and a friend that's a food scientist,
and through much trial and error, Sherry's Hazel Cream was born.
Because of a special roasting process. It's very neutral and
taste and works with a large variety of recipes. It
comes sealed in shelf stable, easy to use, pre measured
(04:59):
portion pods that you place into your blender, add varying
amounts of water to make milk cream or even condensed
milk for pies and other mouth watering desserts. It's delicious
and mashed potatoes and cakes, and creamy soups and even
casserole dishes. Visit Sherryeshazelcream dot com to learn more about
(05:24):
this product, to read Sherry's story, and to place your order.
It's at Sherry'shazelcream dot com c h e Ris hazel
Cream dot com. Use code love twenty four for ten
percent off your order. That's Sherries, Hazel Cream and Love
(05:45):
twenty four. Welcome to Love Someone Today, and mister Macy,
I am so thrilled to have you on the show here.
Before we started recording, my podcast producer and I have
been talking about you behind your back now since we
were given the opportunity to have this interview, and we
(06:08):
must have gone through one hundred different titles of movies
or TV shows or specials that we have enjoyed you
in forever. Like when did you start your career?
Speaker 2 (06:22):
I guess right out of high school, I did a
play and didn't fail, which was new for me. And
when I went to college, I kept doing plays. But
it really began when I went I dropped out of
traditional college and went to a hippie college up in
Vermont called Goddard College, which is no longer with us,
(06:45):
rest in peace. And it was a hippie college. No rules,
no regulations, no tests, no grades, no nothing. You had
to create your own fun. And there was a young
fellow there named David Mammont and he had graduated from
Goddard gone off to New York. Study was Sandy Meisner,
and he came back and he was teaching and David
(07:07):
taught me everything I know. He gave me my esthetic,
he taught me how to act. He was my mentor,
and he really kickstarted my career.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Well, thank you to him, and thank you to Goddard College.
How sad that it no longer exists. That's the kind
of college I needed, one where there was no rules
and no regulations because I tried. Oh man, did I
try a lot of people.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Half the people that went couldn't take it. They quit quickly.
They needed structure. They may have been hippies, they may
have been stoned to the gills, but they need structure.
And if you didn't find that structure, you didn't last
very long.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Yeah, because they didn't have the internal cues exactly. Well,
I was very blessed to have radio as my structure
because I have been doing radio for I think as
long as the care you play in Soul on Fire.
I mean I've been on the air fifty one years now,
and the movie we're going to talk about today, you
(08:09):
played the incredibly talented sports broadcaster Jack buck right, who's
most famous for his baseball broadcasting, but he started in football, right.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Yeah, I think so. He was an interesting guy. I
think that's the thing that more than anything, I was
fascinated by him. I talked to his son, Joe Buck,
who's also a magnificent sports announcer and still announcing to
this day, and I think Joe would be all right
(08:44):
with me saying this, that Jack was not a very
lumphy feeling father. He was distanced from his family. He
worked a whole lot, but these issues would come across
his desk, like this young boy who'd been burned, and
(09:05):
he gave one hundred percent to that. His altruism was
quietly done and seemingly unstoppable. And I found that an
interesting dichotomy, that.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
He couldn't be vulnerable to his own children, but he
could to complete strangers.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Yes, exactly, so I think.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
That I think that's a guy thing from that generation,
don't you?
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Oh? Totally absolutely. I wonder what my daughters think about me. Well,
I know they love me, and you know, because I'm
an actor, I was home a lot, probably more than
people wanted me to be home.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
But how many series? How many series have you been
in that lasted more than two or three years as.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
A regular one? Shameless was my first series that I
was a regular on. I did er and I was
what's called a recurring character, and I did the first
four years of that, but I would do anywhere from
five to eight episodes out of the twenty two that
they did. I was a guest star on a lot
of series, but no mostly indie films and theater and
(10:14):
some big films.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
So let's talk about this film, Soul on Fire, based
on the book on Fire, and the way you got
into that character. You nailed it.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Thanks thanks. His voice was different than mine. In post production,
we decided to do have me call a few games,
and so then I started to imitate him. But I
made the decision that the way I talk would be
just fine because he was a public figure and this
was a private story. They didn't really get out until
(10:51):
John wrote his book, and I felt obliged almost from
the beginning that I should do a lookalike, which is dicey.
He's a known character, and I thought if I looked
like Jack, it would help move the plot along. So
I did the ball cap and his signature hair, and
(11:11):
I'll tell you I was self conscious when I walked
on set and I saw Jack's wife and his son,
and I thought, oh God, I hope you understand I'm
doing this for the best of reasons. I don't. It
was just weird, and I could see in their eyes
it was weird for them.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
I bet, I bet, because you adopted his mannerisms, his gait.
It was very well done, very huh. I watched the
movie with my husband and our two children that are
still at home who are sixteen and nine, and then
three grandkids that were raising who are much younger, and
(11:55):
they were a little traumatized with the fire because you know,
I've gone over and over and over and over, we
don't play with fire, we don't play with matches. And
that was kind of funny, like when he came upon
the boys in the woods playing with matches, all five
of the kids in the room with us starts saying, Mom,
that's a really bad idea. Mom, that's a really bad idea.
(12:17):
What's going on here? So I just had him close
their eyes. When't that actual fire scene happened.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
I think kudos to Sean McNamara, who directed this thing.
He walked that line between it being horrifying and very
upsetting but not being a horror show as evidenced by
your kids. It was a brutal thing that happened to John,
and I think it was handled really well.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
It was handled very well, and boy did it open
up a lot of conversations afterwards. But I got to
tell you my favorite part, and I was bawling. I suspected,
just by some of the information and that the movie
folks had sent us that it was going to be emotional,
But when they recognized the janitor. See, I'm getting all
(13:09):
emotional right now.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
I know that was really really moving.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
That was so powerful. How many people in this world
contribute and give so much and their efforts are not recognized.
And when the janitor was recognized, they said, infections kill
most burn victims. That's what takes them out.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Yeah, that's what kills burn victims is infection. And that janitor,
this guy who was you know, lifelong employee of that hospital.
He kept the place spick and span.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
And the way they portrayed that because every time they
showed the young boy in his room listening to the
listening to you on the TV, the other you know,
on the radio, listening to the baseball game, the janitor
was always like kind of in the background, not a
key player, but always scrubbing, always scrubbing all wiping down
(14:11):
every little inch and I noticed that. Yeah, man, it
was well done. That scene made me cry more than
any other scene in the movie, just that that his
efforts and the love that he poured into his job,
which we just take for granted.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
I know, I know, and I love that the people
who keep the wheels on the bus, who are unsung.
It's a great story.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
It's a lovely movie. It's a lovely, hopeful, inspiring movie.
And boy do we need those right now?
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Really do? I think we really do. And it has
something to do with faith too, the power of faith.
And there's all different kinds of faith, whether you're religious
or not. But my character Jack Buck walks in and
the kids in a coma and he says to him,
(15:22):
you're going to survive. And I think that's a form
of faith. He was giving this kid faith in tomorrow.
And that's a powerful thing.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
It is a very powerful thing. There are so many
sweet things in there that tied faith. And the character
that John played, the father, Yeah, John Corbett, you have
John Corbett. Yeah, what a phenomenal actor, and just all
the little bits of wisdom he shared with his son.
(15:55):
But his line, I love you, you know, completely in toe
and there's nothing you can do about it. Yeah, what
a profound truth.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
Yeah, you know what else I'd left in the movie.
This is what killed me. When he met his wife
and everyone goes, how did you get her? What the
hell's going on? How did you get her? She's way
above your league, brother. I just love that. It's such
an obvious thing to say, but it just made you
love them both so much more. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
Oh, and when he told her, there was a great
line that's almost you almost have to rewind it and
listen again. But when she said, why didn't you ask
me out a year ago? You couldn't you tell I
was into you? I was. I thought you were wonderful.
Why didn't you ask me out? And he said, I
thought you would turn me down? And she said, don't
(16:49):
ever underestimate me again ever.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
Again.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
I love that. I love that.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
It was fun getting to hang out with John and
his family. We had dinner together a couple of times.
And boy, they're genuine. What you see is what you get.
They're genuine. They walk the walk and talk the talk.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
Well, it sure comes across in the movie. And the
young man who played the part, Yeah, did so brilliantly.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
Really did.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
I can't wait to watch it again.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
I feel like there's so many great messages and so
much great almost side stories, like you know, the father
dealing with his Parkinson's with so much grace. That could
be a movie into itself.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
You know what. Else was great And I think getting
back to Sean McNamara, he was not a saint. I
love that they put in there that he had his problems.
He'd survived this horrific fire and grown up with such obstacles,
but he could still be a jerk. Yeah, they'll make
(18:00):
the wrong decisions, and it was really nice. It just
made him so human.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
Yeah, that was nice that they didn't have him the
choir boy.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
I got to say, I read this script and it
was pretty instantaneous. I said, yeah, I'll be a part
of this. Let me in there. I want to do this,
and I'm so glad I did.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
Well. It was wonderful. You did a fabulous job. And
I'm not a sports fan at all, but man, do
I have respect for sports broadcasters and the energy they
put into every broadcast, every call they make, and people
don't realize they're entertainers. They're telling a story. They're weaving together.
(18:43):
You know they have to know the facts, but they're
weaving together. All the nuances live on the fly as
the broadcast is going on, and I respect that art
form so much.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
An indefatigable knowledge not only of the team, but of
the game. You know they're giving this commentary. They remember
everybody's saying, I couldn't do that. If you put a
gun to my head, I would fall apart.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
Stage and screen legend William H. Macy is with us
today sharing an inside scoop on his role as Jack
Buck in the film Soul on Fire. Before we get
back to the conversation, let me share some information about
this episode's generous sponsor. Everyone knows I'm a Laura Geller gal,
(19:29):
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become a gellergal today. Well, thank you for spending time
here with us today. I can't thank you enough. I
(21:01):
think the world of your talent. I don't know you personally,
but gosh, you seem like a hell of a nice guy,
and you are so gifted and so talented. And thank
you for all the years of entertainment you have provided
us with.
Speaker 2 (21:15):
Well, I'm blessed. I picked the right profession and I've
had so many people that have believed in me, and
it's been a glorious way to make a living. I'm
really proud to do what I do.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
So in the movie, he goes through a list of
the heroes who in your life are the unsung heroes?
One or two?
Speaker 2 (21:40):
Well and shows biz so Muslim have been sung.
Speaker 1 (21:43):
Who's the janitor that kept your room clean? Who's the
nurse that got you walking when you thought you couldn't
get up again?
Speaker 2 (21:52):
My buddy Stephen Schacter, whom I met at Goddard, We've
remained friends our whole life together. We did a lot
of things together. He taught me an enormous amount. We
were not We were a little bit opposites, do you
know what I mean? But he was smarter than me.
He was wiser than me, deeper, more practical than me.
(22:13):
He set me on the right course so many times.
I'll forever be In his debt, Dave Mammmett, as I mentioned,
he saw something. You know, my wife talks about this
a lot. Felicity talks about what kids need, what everybody
needs is to be seen. And Mammont was a guy
who saw me and it was powerful. And then well
(22:39):
I married really well, not unlike John. I was punching
above my weight class that day.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
And that's works out pretty well for you. How many
years I worked out pretty well.
Speaker 2 (22:51):
We've been married, we're going on thirty. We're going to
do something big in thirty. I think twenty eight is
coming up, which in Hollywood years, that's like a.
Speaker 1 (22:59):
Sense, that's like yeah, yeah, oh she's great.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
And who else. I had a good father, good father
and mother. My dad was one of the straightest guys
I've ever known, straight shooter man, never lied ever, not
even a little bit. It was bizarre. He believed in me.
I could tell it. And I miss him every day.
(23:26):
And my adoptive family really is Felicity's family. I know
them all and they're very kind. In other words, my
home is rich, and it's very very.
Speaker 1 (23:39):
Large, and very full of love, very full of love. Well,
thank you for sharing a little bit of it with us,
and God bless you and all you do. And I
can't wait to see your next project.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Thank you so much. Thanks for talking to me. This
has been great fun.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
Thank you, honey, God bless you.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
Bye bye bye bye.
Speaker 1 (23:58):
The John O'Leary, intertwined with his passion for baseball and
the support of Jack Buck, has become a powerful message
of hope, perseverance, and inspiring others. He's now a motivational
speaker who shares how he used his love for baseball
and Buck's encouragement to overcome his injuries and rebuild his life.
(24:21):
The film shows how courage, love and community can turn
tragedy into a life of impact. It's shot at real
locations in Saint Louis, including John's childhood home for a
ground viewing experience. It has an all star cast featuring
William H. Macy, John Corbett, Joel Courtney, Devon Franklin, Macy McClain,
(24:46):
and Stephanie Zostack. Soul on Fire will be in theaters
nationwide on October tenth, twenty twenty five. To learn more
and to find a theater near you, visit Soul on
firemovie dot com. Also find information on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok,
and YouTube at Soul on Fire Movie. After you've taken
(25:08):
the family to Soul on Fire, watch for William H.
Macy and the highly anticipated feature Train Dreams. You can
also keep tabs on him and all of his projects
on his Instagram account at William H. Macy. I hope
you take my advice. Rest up, savor the delicious flavors
of fall. Sip some spiced apple cider, some hot cocoa,
(25:34):
some pumpkin spice latte, while practicing gratitude and compassion for
yourself and others. It's a rough all world out there
right now. But as John O. Leary has shown us,
if we believe in ourselves, anything is possible. Love someone.
Start with yourself,
Hello, my friend, Hello, sweater weather. Sweater weather is here.
Even on days the sun makes an appearance, Mornings and
evenings are chilly, and I love it. There is something
so cozy, so calming about clutching a steaming mug of
hot tea. I've got mine right now, big eelo cinnamon tea. Mmmmm,
(00:30):
watching the miss whirl outside my window as I ponder
the task of the approaching day. October is truly the
calm before the storm. We've survived the transition back to school,
and we're enjoying a fairly steady rhythm of life right now.
I guess I say enjoy it while at lasts, because
(00:50):
the holidays gasper right around the corner. I hope you're
able to savor this beautiful month of quiet mornings and
beautiful blooming moms, taking some much needed me time and
making deposits into your energy reserves, because as soon as
November rolls around, you'll be making withdrawls. How about taking
(01:14):
in an inspiring movie on a quiet fall evening. I
have just the movie for you to watch. William H.
Macy is an Oscar and Golden Globe nominee, an Emmy
and Sagaborn witting actor and a writer in theater, film,
and television. His film career has been built on appearances
(01:37):
in small independent films, though he's also appeared in mainstream movies.
You probably know him for his Oscar nominated performance in Fargo,
or maybe as Frank Gallagher and Shameless, which ran from
twenty eleven through twenty twenty one, or any number of
fabulous screen and stage roles he's wowedest with over the year.
(02:01):
My family and I got to watch him in a
movie that will be hitting theaters nationwide on October tenth,
Soul on Fire. It's inspired by the best selling memoir
on Fire, The Seven Choices to Ignite a radically inspired
life by John O'Leary. John survived near fatal burns from
an accident that took place when he was only nine
(02:24):
years old. His family was given only a one percent
chance that he would live, Yet against all odds, he
did live, and he's gone on to inspire millions of people.
One of the men that gave John O'Leary inspiration when
he needed it most was Saint Louis Cardinal's legendary broadcaster
(02:48):
Jack Buck. Baseball was a central part of young John's
life and the cardinal's involvement provided hope and a path
to recovery. Buck, who John considered a hero, visited him
in the hospital quietly, without any fanfare, and he sent
(03:10):
him autographed baseballs with notes. The condition for receiving more
baseballs was to write a thank you letter. He had
lost his ability to write, but the motivation provided by
Buck and the ongoing connection to baseball helped John to
find the courage to survive and eventually thrive, and he
(03:33):
did learn to write again. Fact, he learned to play
the piano again. William H. Macy took on the role
of Jack Buck, the broadcaster in the film, delivering a
powerful and compelling performance. As soon as I've shared some
words of appreciation with today's podcast sponsor, we'll be talking
with William H. Macy about the film of John O'Leary's
(03:56):
life and the central character of Jack Buck in This
young Man's Miraculous Recovery. Have you been looking for a
milk replacement because you have dairy allergies or sensitivities. Well,
I found one that's absolutely amazing. It's Sherry's hazel Cream
(04:16):
made from Oregon hazelnuts. This plant based milk stands out
from the competitors because it's designed for cooking and baking.
It all started because Sherry, who could no longer tolerate
dairy products, wanted to make gravy, but not gravy that
tasted like coconut or oatmeal. So by enlisting the help
(04:38):
of her engineer husband and a friend that's a food scientist,
and through much trial and error, Sherry's Hazel Cream was born.
Because of a special roasting process. It's very neutral and
taste and works with a large variety of recipes. It
comes sealed in shelf stable, easy to use, pre measured
(04:59):
portion pods that you place into your blender, add varying
amounts of water to make milk cream or even condensed
milk for pies and other mouth watering desserts. It's delicious
and mashed potatoes and cakes, and creamy soups and even
casserole dishes. Visit Sherryeshazelcream dot com to learn more about
(05:24):
this product, to read Sherry's story, and to place your order.
It's at Sherry'shazelcream dot com c h e Ris hazel
Cream dot com. Use code love twenty four for ten
percent off your order. That's Sherries, Hazel Cream and Love
(05:45):
twenty four. Welcome to Love Someone Today, and mister Macy,
I am so thrilled to have you on the show here.
Before we started recording, my podcast producer and I have
been talking about you behind your back now since we
were given the opportunity to have this interview, and we
(06:08):
must have gone through one hundred different titles of movies
or TV shows or specials that we have enjoyed you
in forever. Like when did you start your career?
Speaker 2 (06:22):
I guess right out of high school, I did a
play and didn't fail, which was new for me. And
when I went to college, I kept doing plays. But
it really began when I went I dropped out of
traditional college and went to a hippie college up in
Vermont called Goddard College, which is no longer with us,
(06:45):
rest in peace. And it was a hippie college. No rules,
no regulations, no tests, no grades, no nothing. You had
to create your own fun. And there was a young
fellow there named David Mammont and he had graduated from
Goddard gone off to New York. Study was Sandy Meisner,
and he came back and he was teaching and David
(07:07):
taught me everything I know. He gave me my esthetic,
he taught me how to act. He was my mentor,
and he really kickstarted my career.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Well, thank you to him, and thank you to Goddard College.
How sad that it no longer exists. That's the kind
of college I needed, one where there was no rules
and no regulations because I tried. Oh man, did I
try a lot of people.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Half the people that went couldn't take it. They quit quickly.
They needed structure. They may have been hippies, they may
have been stoned to the gills, but they need structure.
And if you didn't find that structure, you didn't last
very long.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Yeah, because they didn't have the internal cues exactly. Well,
I was very blessed to have radio as my structure
because I have been doing radio for I think as
long as the care you play in Soul on Fire.
I mean I've been on the air fifty one years now,
and the movie we're going to talk about today, you
(08:09):
played the incredibly talented sports broadcaster Jack buck right, who's
most famous for his baseball broadcasting, but he started in football, right.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Yeah, I think so. He was an interesting guy. I
think that's the thing that more than anything, I was
fascinated by him. I talked to his son, Joe Buck,
who's also a magnificent sports announcer and still announcing to
this day, and I think Joe would be all right
(08:44):
with me saying this, that Jack was not a very
lumphy feeling father. He was distanced from his family. He
worked a whole lot, but these issues would come across
his desk, like this young boy who'd been burned, and
(09:05):
he gave one hundred percent to that. His altruism was
quietly done and seemingly unstoppable. And I found that an
interesting dichotomy, that.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
He couldn't be vulnerable to his own children, but he
could to complete strangers.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Yes, exactly, so I think.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
That I think that's a guy thing from that generation,
don't you?
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Oh? Totally absolutely. I wonder what my daughters think about me. Well,
I know they love me, and you know, because I'm
an actor, I was home a lot, probably more than
people wanted me to be home.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
But how many series? How many series have you been
in that lasted more than two or three years as.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
A regular one? Shameless was my first series that I
was a regular on. I did er and I was
what's called a recurring character, and I did the first
four years of that, but I would do anywhere from
five to eight episodes out of the twenty two that
they did. I was a guest star on a lot
of series, but no mostly indie films and theater and
(10:14):
some big films.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
So let's talk about this film, Soul on Fire, based
on the book on Fire, and the way you got
into that character. You nailed it.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Thanks thanks. His voice was different than mine. In post production,
we decided to do have me call a few games,
and so then I started to imitate him. But I
made the decision that the way I talk would be
just fine because he was a public figure and this
was a private story. They didn't really get out until
(10:51):
John wrote his book, and I felt obliged almost from
the beginning that I should do a lookalike, which is dicey.
He's a known character, and I thought if I looked
like Jack, it would help move the plot along. So
I did the ball cap and his signature hair, and
(11:11):
I'll tell you I was self conscious when I walked
on set and I saw Jack's wife and his son,
and I thought, oh God, I hope you understand I'm
doing this for the best of reasons. I don't. It
was just weird, and I could see in their eyes
it was weird for them.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
I bet, I bet, because you adopted his mannerisms, his gait.
It was very well done, very huh. I watched the
movie with my husband and our two children that are
still at home who are sixteen and nine, and then
three grandkids that were raising who are much younger, and
(11:55):
they were a little traumatized with the fire because you know,
I've gone over and over and over and over, we
don't play with fire, we don't play with matches. And
that was kind of funny, like when he came upon
the boys in the woods playing with matches, all five
of the kids in the room with us starts saying, Mom,
that's a really bad idea. Mom, that's a really bad idea.
(12:17):
What's going on here? So I just had him close
their eyes. When't that actual fire scene happened.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
I think kudos to Sean McNamara, who directed this thing.
He walked that line between it being horrifying and very
upsetting but not being a horror show as evidenced by
your kids. It was a brutal thing that happened to John,
and I think it was handled really well.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
It was handled very well, and boy did it open
up a lot of conversations afterwards. But I got to
tell you my favorite part, and I was bawling. I suspected,
just by some of the information and that the movie
folks had sent us that it was going to be emotional,
But when they recognized the janitor. See, I'm getting all
(13:09):
emotional right now.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
I know that was really really moving.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
That was so powerful. How many people in this world
contribute and give so much and their efforts are not recognized.
And when the janitor was recognized, they said, infections kill
most burn victims. That's what takes them out.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Yeah, that's what kills burn victims is infection. And that janitor,
this guy who was you know, lifelong employee of that hospital.
He kept the place spick and span.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
And the way they portrayed that because every time they
showed the young boy in his room listening to the
listening to you on the TV, the other you know,
on the radio, listening to the baseball game, the janitor
was always like kind of in the background, not a
key player, but always scrubbing, always scrubbing all wiping down
(14:11):
every little inch and I noticed that. Yeah, man, it
was well done. That scene made me cry more than
any other scene in the movie, just that that his
efforts and the love that he poured into his job,
which we just take for granted.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
I know, I know, and I love that the people
who keep the wheels on the bus, who are unsung.
It's a great story.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
It's a lovely movie. It's a lovely, hopeful, inspiring movie.
And boy do we need those right now?
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Really do? I think we really do. And it has
something to do with faith too, the power of faith.
And there's all different kinds of faith, whether you're religious
or not. But my character Jack Buck walks in and
the kids in a coma and he says to him,
(15:22):
you're going to survive. And I think that's a form
of faith. He was giving this kid faith in tomorrow.
And that's a powerful thing.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
It is a very powerful thing. There are so many
sweet things in there that tied faith. And the character
that John played, the father, Yeah, John Corbett, you have
John Corbett. Yeah, what a phenomenal actor, and just all
the little bits of wisdom he shared with his son.
(15:55):
But his line, I love you, you know, completely in toe
and there's nothing you can do about it. Yeah, what
a profound truth.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
Yeah, you know what else I'd left in the movie.
This is what killed me. When he met his wife
and everyone goes, how did you get her? What the
hell's going on? How did you get her? She's way
above your league, brother. I just love that. It's such
an obvious thing to say, but it just made you
love them both so much more. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
Oh, and when he told her, there was a great
line that's almost you almost have to rewind it and
listen again. But when she said, why didn't you ask
me out a year ago? You couldn't you tell I
was into you? I was. I thought you were wonderful.
Why didn't you ask me out? And he said, I
thought you would turn me down? And she said, don't
(16:49):
ever underestimate me again ever.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
Again.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
I love that. I love that.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
It was fun getting to hang out with John and
his family. We had dinner together a couple of times.
And boy, they're genuine. What you see is what you get.
They're genuine. They walk the walk and talk the talk.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
Well, it sure comes across in the movie. And the
young man who played the part, Yeah, did so brilliantly.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
Really did.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
I can't wait to watch it again.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
I feel like there's so many great messages and so
much great almost side stories, like you know, the father
dealing with his Parkinson's with so much grace. That could
be a movie into itself.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
You know what. Else was great And I think getting
back to Sean McNamara, he was not a saint. I
love that they put in there that he had his problems.
He'd survived this horrific fire and grown up with such obstacles,
but he could still be a jerk. Yeah, they'll make
(18:00):
the wrong decisions, and it was really nice. It just
made him so human.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
Yeah, that was nice that they didn't have him the
choir boy.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
I got to say, I read this script and it
was pretty instantaneous. I said, yeah, I'll be a part
of this. Let me in there. I want to do this,
and I'm so glad I did.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
Well. It was wonderful. You did a fabulous job. And
I'm not a sports fan at all, but man, do
I have respect for sports broadcasters and the energy they
put into every broadcast, every call they make, and people
don't realize they're entertainers. They're telling a story. They're weaving together.
(18:43):
You know they have to know the facts, but they're
weaving together. All the nuances live on the fly as
the broadcast is going on, and I respect that art
form so much.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
An indefatigable knowledge not only of the team, but of
the game. You know they're giving this commentary. They remember
everybody's saying, I couldn't do that. If you put a
gun to my head, I would fall apart.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
Stage and screen legend William H. Macy is with us
today sharing an inside scoop on his role as Jack
Buck in the film Soul on Fire. Before we get
back to the conversation, let me share some information about
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(19:29):
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become a gellergal today. Well, thank you for spending time
here with us today. I can't thank you enough. I
(21:01):
think the world of your talent. I don't know you personally,
but gosh, you seem like a hell of a nice guy,
and you are so gifted and so talented. And thank
you for all the years of entertainment you have provided
us with.
Speaker 2 (21:15):
Well, I'm blessed. I picked the right profession and I've
had so many people that have believed in me, and
it's been a glorious way to make a living. I'm
really proud to do what I do.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
So in the movie, he goes through a list of
the heroes who in your life are the unsung heroes?
One or two?
Speaker 2 (21:40):
Well and shows biz so Muslim have been sung.
Speaker 1 (21:43):
Who's the janitor that kept your room clean? Who's the
nurse that got you walking when you thought you couldn't
get up again?
Speaker 2 (21:52):
My buddy Stephen Schacter, whom I met at Goddard, We've
remained friends our whole life together. We did a lot
of things together. He taught me an enormous amount. We
were not We were a little bit opposites, do you
know what I mean? But he was smarter than me.
He was wiser than me, deeper, more practical than me.
(22:13):
He set me on the right course so many times.
I'll forever be In his debt, Dave Mammmett, as I mentioned,
he saw something. You know, my wife talks about this
a lot. Felicity talks about what kids need, what everybody
needs is to be seen. And Mammont was a guy
who saw me and it was powerful. And then well
(22:39):
I married really well, not unlike John. I was punching
above my weight class that day.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
And that's works out pretty well for you. How many
years I worked out pretty well.
Speaker 2 (22:51):
We've been married, we're going on thirty. We're going to
do something big in thirty. I think twenty eight is
coming up, which in Hollywood years, that's like a.
Speaker 1 (22:59):
Sense, that's like yeah, yeah, oh she's great.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
And who else. I had a good father, good father
and mother. My dad was one of the straightest guys
I've ever known, straight shooter man, never lied ever, not
even a little bit. It was bizarre. He believed in me.
I could tell it. And I miss him every day.
(23:26):
And my adoptive family really is Felicity's family. I know
them all and they're very kind. In other words, my
home is rich, and it's very very.
Speaker 1 (23:39):
Large, and very full of love, very full of love. Well,
thank you for sharing a little bit of it with us,
and God bless you and all you do. And I
can't wait to see your next project.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Thank you so much. Thanks for talking to me. This
has been great fun.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
Thank you, honey, God bless you.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
Bye bye bye bye.
Speaker 1 (23:58):
The John O'Leary, intertwined with his passion for baseball and
the support of Jack Buck, has become a powerful message
of hope, perseverance, and inspiring others. He's now a motivational
speaker who shares how he used his love for baseball
and Buck's encouragement to overcome his injuries and rebuild his life.
(24:21):
The film shows how courage, love and community can turn
tragedy into a life of impact. It's shot at real
locations in Saint Louis, including John's childhood home for a
ground viewing experience. It has an all star cast featuring
William H. Macy, John Corbett, Joel Courtney, Devon Franklin, Macy McClain,
(24:46):
and Stephanie Zostack. Soul on Fire will be in theaters
nationwide on October tenth, twenty twenty five. To learn more
and to find a theater near you, visit Soul on
firemovie dot com. Also find information on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok,
and YouTube at Soul on Fire Movie. After you've taken
(25:08):
the family to Soul on Fire, watch for William H.
Macy and the highly anticipated feature Train Dreams. You can
also keep tabs on him and all of his projects
on his Instagram account at William H. Macy. I hope
you take my advice. Rest up, savor the delicious flavors
of fall. Sip some spiced apple cider, some hot cocoa,
(25:34):
some pumpkin spice latte, while practicing gratitude and compassion for
yourself and others. It's a rough all world out there
right now. But as John O. Leary has shown us,
if we believe in ourselves, anything is possible. Love someone.
Start with yourself,
Host
Delilah
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