An exclusive interview with NEAL McDONOUGH talking about his very first Christmas film HOLIDAY TWIST, returning to comedy (Yes! Comedy!), faith, family, and what the future now holds for him.
You know him. And you love him. He is one of the most-recognized “villains” or “military heaveyweights” in film and television today. Be he “Malcolm Beck” in “Yellowstone”, ‘Lieutenant Lynn “Buck” Compton’ in the HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers, ‘General James Harding’ in “Project Blue Book”, ‘Robert Quarles’ in “Justified”, ‘General Eisenhower’ in FX’s “American Horror Stories” or hundreds of other performances, you know with NEAL McDONOUGH on board, be it live action or voicing animation and video games, you will get a memorable performance. But did you know he started his career doing sitcoms?
With HOLIDAY TWIST, not only does Neal return to his comedy roots, but he also now has a Christmas movie under his belt!
SYNOPSIS: “HOLIDAY TWIST centers on a high-powered female executive and Grinchy workaholic CEO, whose whole world comes crashing down because of unforeseen circumstances despite her self-perceived importance. With help from a Salvation Army Santa and a little holiday magic, the protagonist finally realizes the key to letting go of her painful past is the answer to becoming the twinkling light that both her community and her family need. It’s sure to inspire audiences to be resilient, forgiving, and transformative.”
Written and directed by Stephanie Garvin who makes her feature directorial debut, in addition to NEAL McDONOUGH, HOLIDAY TWIST stars Sean Astin, Caylee Cowan, Kelly Stables and Brian Thomas Smith, among others.
Gracious and grateful for every opportunity that presents itself, you can hear the joy in Neal’s voice as he talks about everything from soup to nuts, including:
- the experience of playing a comedic role after years of villainous characters
- making his first Christmas movie and working with writer/director Stephanie Garvin; the fun on set
- attributing his “incredible life and career” to his faith in God and sobriety
- his growth as an actor and now producer with his own production company
- how he chooses projects; scripts that challenge him and allow him to stretch as an artist
- balancing work and family; his true partnership and collaboration with his wife and his kids
- why he’s never had an onscreen kiss in any project
- his research into characters such as General Eisenhower in AHS and method acting techniques
- his upcoming film “The Last Rodeo”
- and more!
TAKE A LISTEN. . .
by debbie elias, 11/30/2023
HOLIDAY TWIST is in theatres now.
