Actress Kristy Swanson has spent decades working in Hollywood, starring in many films and movies.
But in recent years, Swanson, 52, has turned her attention to more faith and family-friendly projects, including her latest TV show, “Sons of Thunder: Redemption.”
A Pure Flix drama about second chances, “Sons of Thunder: Redemption” focuses on Jacob, a former biker gang member who leaves prison a changed man. He goes on a journey to find his ex-fiancée, who works on a ranch and reconciles — all while fighting the demons he has desperately tried to leave behind.
“I have a big place in my heart for the character who I play … Linda,” she said. “She owns this ranch.”
Swanson’s character navigates potentially losing the ranch, among other heartbreaks, as she and fellow characters seek second chances and forgiveness.
“Sons of Thunder: Redemption” is the latest in Swanson’s long and sweeping career, which includes movies like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Another recent film — “Courting Mom and Dad” — is a faith-based movie about overcoming marital woes.
Listen to Swanson detail her journey into Hollywood and her latest faith-based content:
Swanson shared her journey into Hollywood more than four decades ago, noting how she went from an unsuspecting kid to a successful actress.
“I started when I was 9,” she said. “I just hit my 42 years of professional acting in December. It’s been a long career and it’s mind-boggling sometimes.”
She recalled growing up in California to parents who knew very little about Hollywood. Despite not knowing much about Tinseltown, she was drawn to feature films and movies. Swanson recalled thinking, “If those kids can act, why can’t I do it?” So, she started begging her parents to help her try her hand at it.
“I didn’t know what a celebrity was … I didn’t know what being a star was,” she said. “I didn’t know what money was. I just wanted to act and perform. That’s all I knew.”
Swanson continued, “[My parents] just didn’t know anything about Hollywood. They weren’t sure.”
But after she finally tried out and got some parts, her career quickly took off – and she never looked back. Swanson said her professional endeavors have always hinged on her passion for the arts.
“The whole reason to do it never changed. I never was like, ‘Oh, now I’m in Hollywood’… it was never for anything other than working and doing things that I’m proud of or feel good about,” she said. “I just was never like, ‘Oh, I have to be Marilyn Monroe or Grace Kelly. I have to have that career.’… I just wanted to be myself.”
Swanson, who is a Christian, has said she enjoys performing in roles she knows she can deliver well.
“Whether it’s faith-based, family-friendly, or anything else, I want to feel good about the job that I do on set,” she recently told Fox News.
Find out more about “Sons of Thunder: Redemption.”
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