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Jim Caviezel

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Jim Caviezel
Caviezel in 2013
Born
James Patrick Caviezel Jr.

(1968-09-26) September 26, 1968 (age 56)
Mount Vernon, Washington, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Washington
OccupationActor
Years active1991–present
Spouse
Kerri Browitt
​
(m. 1996)​
Children3

James Patrick Caviezel Jr.[1] (/kəˈviːzəl/ kə-VEE-zəl; born September 26, 1968) is an American actor. He played Jesus in The Passion of the Christ (2004), Tim Ballard in Sound of Freedom (2023), and starred as John Reese on the CBS series Person of Interest (2011–2016).[2] He played Slov in G.I. Jane (1997), Private Witt in The Thin Red Line (1998), Detective John Sullivan in Frequency (2000), Catch in Angel Eyes (2001), and Edmond Dantès in The Count of Monte Cristo (2002).[3]

Early life

Caviezel was born in Mount Vernon, Washington, the son of Margaret (née Lavery), a homemaker and former stage actress, and James Caviezel, a chiropractor.[4][5] He has a younger brother, Timothy, and three sisters, Ann, Amy, and Erin. He was raised in a tight-knit Catholic family in Conway, Washington.[6][7] His surname is Romansh. His father is of Swiss and Slovak descent, while his mother is Irish.[8][9]

Career

Caviezel began acting in plays in Seattle, Washington. He earned his Screen Actors Guild card with a minor role in the 1991 film My Own Private Idaho. He then moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. When he decided to move, "people thought I was out of my mind," he said.[10] He was offered a scholarship to study acting at New York's Juilliard School in 1993, but he turned it down to portray Warren Earp in the 1994 film Wyatt Earp.[11][12] He later appeared in episodes of Murder, She Wrote and The Wonder Years. After appearing in G.I. Jane (1997), he had a breakthrough performance in the 1998 Terrence Malick-directed World War II film The Thin Red Line. He played Black John, a Missouri bushwhacker, in Ride with the Devil (1999), an American Civil War film.[2]

Caviezel was originally cast to play Scott Summers / Cyclops in X-Men (2000), but dropped out because of a scheduling conflict with the film Frequency (2000). He starred in the mainstream films Pay It Forward (2000), Angel Eyes (2001), The Count of Monte Cristo (2002), and Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004). In 2000, he played the lead role in Madison, a film about hydroplane racing in Madison, Indiana. The film was completed in 2001, but did not appear in theaters until a limited release in 2005. In 2002, he played a pivotal role in the film I Am David.[13]

Caviezel at Comic-Con, July 2012

Caviezel portrayed Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson's 2004 The Passion of the Christ. During filming, he was struck by lightning, scourged by accident, dislocated his shoulder, and suffered from pneumonia and hypothermia.[14] Prior to filming, Gibson reportedly warned Caviezel that playing Jesus in his controversial film could hurt his career. In 2011, he stated that good roles had been hard to come by since, but this movie, in particular, the role of Jesus Christ was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Passion of the Christ went on to take in a box office of $612.1 million.[15][16]

Caviezel had leading roles in the 2006 films Unknown and Déjà Vu. He played Kainan in Outlander (2008) and provided the voice of Jesus on the 2007 New Testament audio dramatization The Word of Promise.[17][18] In 2008, he starred in Long Weekend.[19]

In 2009, Caviezel played French-Iranian journalist Freidoune Sahebjam in The Stoning of Soraya M., a drama set in 1986 Iran about the execution of a young mother. When asked about how his Catholic faith was affected by this story, he said, "You don't have to go any further than the gospels to figure out what the right thing to do is, whether you should be more concerned helping someone regardless of their religion or where they're from".[20] That same year, he reprised the role of Jesus in the latest installment of The Word of Promise.[21] Caviezel starred in The Prisoner, a remake of the British science fiction series with the same name, in November 2009.[22][23]

From 2011 to 2016, Caviezel starred in the CBS drama series Person of Interest as John Reese, a former CIA agent who now works for a mysterious billionaire as a vigilante. The show received the highest ratings in 15 years for a series pilot and consistently garnered over 10 million weekly viewers.[24] Caviezel was nominated for the People's Choice Award for Favorite Dramatic TV Actor in 2014[25] and again in 2016[26] for his work on Person of Interest.

Caviezel starred in the 2014 football film When the Game Stands Tall as De La Salle High School coach Bob Ladouceur, whose Concord, California, Spartans prep team had a 151-game winning streak from 1992 to 2003, an American sporting record.[27] He appeared in the 2013 film Escape Plan, playing a warden who maintains order in the world's most secret and secure prison.[28][29]

Caviezel narrated two documentaries in 2016 regarding Christianity. One was Liberating a Continent: John Paul II and the Fall of Communism and the other was The Face of Mercy. In an interview about the former film, he stated that John Paul II had crushed communism "with love".[30]

In 2017, Caviezel signed on as lead character of CBS's SEAL Team series.[31] However, Caviezel left the project due to creative differences before production began and was replaced by David Boreanaz.[32]

Caviezel portrayed the Apostle Luke in the film Paul, Apostle of Christ, which opened in theaters on March 23, 2018, to mixed reviews.[33][34]

In January 2018, Caviezel's agent announced that Caviezel had signed on with Gibson to reprise his role as Jesus in The Passion of the Christ sequel, entitled The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection.[35][36] In September 2020, Caviezel said, "Mel Gibson just sent me the third picture, the third draft. It's coming." He added, "It's going to be the biggest film in world history."[37]

In 2018, Caviezel signed on to portray Tim Ballard, a DHS Agent and an anti-human-trafficking activist, in the film Sound of Freedom, about the organization Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) and its mission to save children from sex trafficking and slavery. Ballard had specifically requested that Caviezel play him.[38] Caviezel stated, "This is the second most important film I have ever done since The Passion of the Christ. ... It's going to affect the saving of a lot of children and the changing of lives. It will also bring a lot of light into the darkness."[39] The film was theatrically released on July 3, 2023.

Caviezel starred in the 2020 political thriller film Infidel, produced by Dinesh D'Souza.[40]

Personal life

In 1996, Caviezel married Kerri Browitt, a high school English teacher. They have adopted three children from China.[41][30]

Out of respect for his wife, Caviezel requested that he wear a shirt and that Jennifer Lopez wear a top during a love scene in the film Angel Eyes,[42] and he refused to strip in a love scene with Ashley Judd in High Crimes.[43] He said, "I do love scenes—but not ones with gratuitous sex. I also don't do gratuitous violence. And it's not just about my wife, although that's important. It's sin, pure and simple. I mean, it's wrong."[44]

Religious beliefs

Caviezel is a devout Catholic. In a 2017 interview, Caviezel talked about the importance of his Catholic faith, the lasting impact that The Passion of the Christ has had on his life, and his special devotion to the Virgin Mary.[45][46] During the filming of The Passion of the Christ in Italy, he received daily counsel, confession, and Holy Communion from a local Catholic priest, with an interpreter.[47]

Political views

Caviezel is publicly against abortion.[30] In 2006, Caviezel was featured with actress Patricia Heaton and Missouri athletes Kurt Warner and Mike Sweeney in an advertisement opposing Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2, which allowed any form of embryonic stem cell research and therapy in Missouri that is otherwise legal under federal law. He began the advertisement by saying, "Le-bar nash be-neshak" (Aramaic for "You betray the Son of Man with a kiss"), a reference to Judas's betrayal of Jesus Christ and a phrase used in the Gospel According to St. Luke.[48][49] (In the advertisement, the line did not include a translation into English.) Caviezel closed the commercial with the line, "You know now. Don't do it. Vote no on 2." The advertisement was a response to a commercial featuring Michael J. Fox, who favored embryonic stem cell research.[50]

Support of QAnon

Beginning in 2021, Caviezel endorsed elements of the QAnon conspiracy theory,[51][52] first doing so during a remote appearance at the "Health and Freedom Conference"[53][54] at Rhema Bible Training College in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.[55] The appearance was to promote the film Sound of Freedom, centering on anti-human trafficking activist Tim Ballard. Ballard's activism has been alleged to correspond to the rise of QAnon, though he denies any connection to the movement.[56] Caviezel mentioned that Ballard was supposed to be appearing at the conference but was "saving victims of trafficking" who were victims of "adrenochroming", a fictional practice whose existence is suggested by QAnon adherents.[57] Caviezel suggested he had seen evidence of children being subjected to the practice.[58] The event included appearances by other QAnon promoters, such as L. Lin Wood[59] and Michael Flynn.[60] In October of the same year, Caviezel spoke in Las Vegas at the "For God & Country: Patriot Double Down" conference, where he mentioned the need to fight child sex trafficking, Satan and liberal values. He claimed that "the storm is upon us", a slogan associated with QAnon echoing the belief in a final battle against evil and repeated the battle cry of William Wallace in Braveheart, also urging the audience to "[send] Lucifer and his henchmen straight back to hell where they belong".[61]

After Sound of Freedom was released in 2023, Caviezel continued to promote QAnon during interviews and media appearances related to the film.[62] During a July 2023 appearance on The Charlie Kirk Show, Kirk asked Caviezel to address claims of his belief in QAnon. He claimed he was unaware of QAnon when the movie was filmed in 2018, and subsequently defended followers of QAnon, claiming that they were being persecuted and comparing them to the Christians in the New Testament. Caviezel also made more remarks about adrenochrome and claimed that "QAnon" does not exist, only "Q" and "anons" - a common talking point used by QAnon followers to deflect from their support for the movement.[63]

Filmography

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Film

Year Title[13] Role Notes
1991 My Own Private Idaho Airline Clerk
1992 Diggstown Billy Hargrove
1994 Wyatt Earp Warren Earp
1996 Ed Dizzy Anderson
The Rock FA-18 Pilot
1997 G.I. Jane "Slov" Slovnik
1998 The Thin Red Line Private Witt
1999 Ride with the Devil Black John
2000 Frequency John Sullivan
Pay It Forward Jerry
2001 Angel Eyes Steven "Catch" Lambert
Madison Jim McCormick
2002 The Count of Monte Cristo Edmond Dantès
High Crimes Tom Kubik
2003 I Am David Johannes CAMIE Award
2004 The Passion of the Christ Jesus Christ MovieGuide Grace Award[64]
The Final Cut Fletcher
Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius Bobby Jones
Highwaymen James "Rennie" Cray
2006 Unknown Jean Jacket
Déjà Vu Carroll Oerstadt
2008 Outlander Kainan
Long Weekend Peter
The Stoning of Soraya M. Freidoune Sahebjam
2011 Transit Nate
2013 Escape Plan Willard Hobbes
2013 Savannah Ward Allen
2014 When the Game Stands Tall Bob Ladouceur
2017 The Ballad of Lefty Brown Jimmy Bierce
2018 Paul, Apostle of Christ St. Luke
Running for Grace Doctor Reyes
Onyx, Kings of the Grail Narrator
2020 Infidel Doug Rawlings
2023 Sweetwater Sports Writer [65]
Sound of Freedom Tim Ballard
2025 The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection Jesus Christ Post-production; also co-producer

Television

Year Title[13] Role Notes
1992 The Wonder Years Bobby Riddle Episode: "Hero"
1995 Murder, She Wrote Darryl Harding Episode "Film Flam"
Children of the Dust Dexter Miniseries
2009 The Prisoner Michael / Six Miniseries
2011–2016 Person of Interest John Reese 103 episodes
Nominated – People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Dramatic Actor (2014, 2015)

Documentary

Year Title Role Notes
2015 Guadalupe: The Miracle and the Message Narrator
2016 Liberating a Continent: John Paul II and the Fall of Communism
The Face of Mercy
2018 John Paul II in Ireland: A Plea for Peace

References

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  3. ^ "Escape Plan". Metacritic. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  4. ^ "James Caviezel profile at". Filmreference.com. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
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  6. ^ "Jim Caviezel". About.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved June 22, 2010. One of five children, he grew up as part of a devout Roman Catholic family.
  7. ^ "James Caviezel (Film and TV actor)". Parade. Archived from the original on September 6, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  8. ^ "Passion loses realism with its blue-eyed Jesus (commentary)". The Virginian Pilot. highbeam.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012.
  9. ^ "I almost died on the cross – just like Jesus; My Irish mother called acting 'blarney' but..(News)". The People (London, England).[dead link]
  10. ^ "Jim Caviezel and Lennie James on 'The Prisoner', Nervousness and Working in Cramped Taxis". November 10, 2009.
  11. ^ Lee, Luaine (January 21, 1999). "Small-town Boy: Unknown Jim Caviezel Mostly Plays Himself In 'The Thin Red Line'". Chicago Tribune. Knight-Ridder/Tribune.
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  21. ^ Groves, Martha (November 16, 2009). "BELIEFS: Stars lined up for elaborate audio Bible: Michael York, Jason Alexander and many others gave voice to a 79-CD reading of Old and New Testaments". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
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  32. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 22, 2017). "David Boreanaz To Topline CBS' Navy SEAL Drama Pilot".
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  34. ^ Republican, Anne-Gerard Flynn | Special to The (March 21, 2019). "'Paul, Apostle of Christ' screening to include talk by film producer". masslive.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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  38. ^ Toone, Trent (June 4, 2018). "Actor Jim Caviezel set to play second most important role in O.U.R. story 'The Sound of Freedom'". Deseret News.
  39. ^ Trent Toone (June 4, 2018). "Actor Jim Caviezel set to play second most important role in O.U.R. story 'The Sound of Freedom'". Deseret News Entertainment. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
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  41. ^ Castranio, Mary Anne; Keiser, Gretchen (June 12, 2015), English track speakers, inspired by the Eucharist, say 'trust God', Archdiocese of Atlanta
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  44. ^ Robertson, Annabelle (February 20, 2004). ""Passion" Star Prepares All His Life for Role of a Lifetime". Crosswalk.com. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  45. ^ "Jim Caviezel on being Catholic". Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  46. ^ Christ Complex – Interview with actor Jim Caviezel – Gayle MacDonald; The Globe and Mail, December 27, 2002
  47. ^ Jarvis, Edward (2018). Sede Vacante: The Life and Legacy of Archbishop Thuc. Berkeley CA: The Apocryphile Press. ISBN 9781949643022. pp 13-14
  48. ^ "Response to Michael J. Fox ad". Youtube.com. October 24, 2006. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  49. ^ Jesus' words used vs. stem-cell initiative, The Washington Times, October 25, 2006. Accessed June 10, 2008.
  50. ^ "Michael J. Fox In Campaign Ad". CBS News. October 26, 2006. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
  51. ^ 'Passion of the Christ' star pushes false QAnon theory - CNN Video, April 19, 2021, retrieved May 6, 2021
  52. ^ "Star of Mel Gibson's 'Passion of the Christ' Pushes Unhinged QAnon Conspiracy at Conservative Conference". Complex. April 20, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  53. ^ "Actor Jim Caviezel appeared at a COVID conference", Twitter, April 17, 2021, retrieved April 17, 2021
  54. ^ "April 16th & 17th – Conference Itinerary", The ThriveTime Show, April 16, 2021, retrieved April 17, 2021
  55. ^ "Lineup for Freedom Conference", Tulsa Beacon, April 8, 2021, retrieved April 17, 2021
  56. ^ Citations:
  57. ^ Owen, Phil (April 17, 2021). "'Passion of the Christ' Star Jim Caviezel Pushes False QAnon Conspiracy at Right-Wing Conference (Video)". uk.movies.yahoo.com. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
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  59. ^ Roche, Darragh (April 17, 2021). "Lin Wood's QAnon gesture sends audience wild during Oklahoma conference". Newsweek. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  60. ^ Rosenberg, Matthew (February 6, 2021). "Pushing QAnon and Stolen Election Lies, Flynn Re-emerges". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  61. ^ Anglesey, Anders (October 25, 2021). "Jim Caviezel Emulates 'Braveheart' Speech to Cheering Crowd at QAnon Convention". Newsweek. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  62. ^ Cain, Sian (August 15, 2023). "Sound of Freedom director says Jim Caviezel's QAnon comments 'hurt my work'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  63. ^ Anglesey, Anders (July 12, 2023). "Jim Caviezel speaks out over "Sound of Freedom" QAnon allegations". Newsweek. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  64. ^ "MovieGuide Award Winners". WordPress. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  65. ^ Lang, Brent (October 11, 2022). "Briarcliff Entertainment Buys Sweetwater, Drama About Pioneering African American NBA Player (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
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