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Leading Actors and Filmmakers
in Latter-day Saint Cinema

19 June 2002 - Below are quick and simple summary lists of the leading actors and filmmakers in the movies that make up the "LDS Cinema" (or "Mormon Cinema" genre). These are feature films shown in commercial theaters which are made by and about Latter-day Saints. The films in the lists below are listed chronologically by release date.

Most of the people in the lists below are Latter-day Saints, but not all are. "Other Side of Heaven" composer Kevin Kiner, for example, is Catholic. The movie's stars Christopher Gorham and Anne Hathaway are not Latter-day Saints either. Names are included because of the genre of the films, not the religious affiliation of the actor or filmmaker.

Note that Kieth Merrill's "The Testaments of One Fold and One Shepherd" is included, although, technically, it is not part of this genre. This is because, although it is a big-budget, 70mm feature film, it was not a commercial film: It is shown for free in Church visitor's centers. It is included here because the people and dates associated with it correspond to the "LDS Cinema" films.

A number of people have worked in an "above the line" capacity (as a lead or supporting actor, or in a key creative position behind the camera) on two films in the LDS Cinema genre: writer/directors Richard Dutcher and Kurt Hale; director/cinematographer Ryan Little; writer John E. Moyer; producer Dave Hunter; cinematographer Ken Glassing; composer Merrill B. Jenson and Sam Cardon; editors Michael Chaskes and Wynn Hougaard; and actors Michael Buster, Kirby Heyborne, Lincoln Hoppe, Matthew A. Brown, Tayva Patch and Will Swenson. But the most prolific headliners in LDS Cinema appear to be actors Jeremy Elliott with 3 lead roles ("Testaments", "Out of Step", "Charly") and Rick Macy with 1 lead role ("Testaments") and 2 supporting roles ("Brigham City", "Out of Step"). Perhaps there are more leading ladies available for these movies than leading men: of the 8 actors who have had lead or supporting roles in more than one LDS Cinema movie, only 1 (Tayva Patch) is a woman.


Update, 16 October 2002 - With a lead role in "The Work and the Story," Richard Dutcher should be listed with Jeremy Elliott and Rick Macy as one of the genre's most prolific headliners. Also, although neither Blair Treu's "Little Secrets" (2002) nor T.C. Christensen's "Bug Off!" (2001) were LDS-themed feature films, they were both directed by Latter-day Saints and they both featured Rick Macy in major supporting roles as the father of the lead characters.


Update, 26 June 2003 - Nobody who follows the genre closely needs to be reminded that Kirby Heyborne is on the fast track to becoming the leading leading man of LDS Cinema. Having appeared in the 4th billed role in "The Singles Ward," Heyborne was brought back by HaleStorm Entertainment to star in the lead role (also the title role) in "The R.M." (2003). Not only that, Heyborne also is the star of the upcoming Latter-day Saint-themed feature films "The Best Two Years of My Life" (already filmed) and "Saints and Soldiers" (already filmed), plus he has major supporting roles in "The Work and the Story" (already filmed) and in Gary Rogers' soon-to-be-released Book of Mormon film (as Nephi's older brother Sam). Heyborne is also slated to have the lead role in HaleStorm Entertainment's next movie, "The Home Teachers."

Meanwhile, Gary Rogers' Book of Mormon feature film is essentially finished now and will soon be released to theaters. This movie will mark the first time that an actress in an LDS Cinema film returns for a second round as lead actress. Jacque Gray, the lead actress in "God's Army" (although it was only a supporting role) is the lead actress in Rogers' Book of Mormon film. She plays Nephi's wife, in a part that is significantly expanded from the source material. Gray did appear as "Miss Brigham" (a beauty pageant winner) in "Brigham City," but her role there was little more than a cameo. She was only on screen for less than a minute and she spoke no lines. With the release of the Book of Mormon film, Gray will leap ahead of Tayva Patch (who had supporting roles in "Brigham City" and "Out of Step") to become the genre's most prominent actress.



The Directors

The Testaments (2000) Kieth Merrill
God's Army (2000) Richard Dutcher
Brigham City (2001) Richard Dutcher
The Other Side of Heaven (2001) Mitch Davis
The Singles Ward (2002) Kurt Hale
Out of Step (2002) Ryan Little
Jack Weyland's Charly (2002) Adam Anderegg
Handcart (2002) Kels Goodman
The R.M. (2003) Kurt Hale
Suddenly Unexpected (2003) Mark Potter
The Work and the Story (2003) Nathan Smith Jones
The Book of Mormon Movie, Vol. 1: The Journey (2003) Gary Rogers
Day of Defense (2003) Adam Lawson
Pride & Prejudice (2003) Andrew Black
The Home Teachers (2004) Kurt Hale
The Best Two Years (2004) Scott S. Anderson




Jeremy Elliott

Rick Macy

Matthew Brown

Richard Dutcher

Will Swenson

Michael Buster

Jaelan Petrie

Kirby Heyborne

Jerald Garner

Nathan Smith Jones

Noah Danby

Andrew Lenz

The Leading Men

The Testaments (2000) Rick Macy; Jeremy Elliott
God's Army (2000) Matthew A. Brown; Richard Dutcher
Brigham City (2001) Richard Dutcher
The Other Side of Heaven (2001) Christoher Gorham
The Singles Ward (2002) Will Swenson
Out of Step (2002) Jeremy Elliott; Michael Buster
Jack Weyland's Charly (2002) Jeremy Elliott
Handcart (2002) Jaelan Petrie
The R.M. (2003) Kirby Heyborne
Suddenly Unexpected (2003) Jerald Garner
The Work and the Story (2003) Nathan Smith Jones
The Book of Mormon Movie, Vol. 1: The Journey (2003) Noah Danby
Day of Defense (2003) Andrew Lenz
Pride & Prejudice (2003) Orlando Seale
The Home Teachers (2004) Michael Birkeland; Jeff Birk
The Best Two Years (2004) ; Kirby Heyborne




Joy Gardner

Jacque Gray

Carrie Morgan

Anne Hathaway

Connie Young

Alison Akin Clark

Heather Beers

Stephanie Albach

Britani Bateman

Junie Hoang

Jen Hoskins

Jan Broberg Felt

Michelle Wright

The Leading Ladies

The Testaments (2000) Joy Gardner (Joy Rogers)
God's Army (2000) Jacque Gray
Brigham City (2001) Carrie Morgan
The Other Side of Heaven (2001) Anne Hathaway
The Singles Ward (2002) Connie Young
Out of Step (2002) Alison Akin Clark
Jack Weyland's Charly (2002) Heather Beers
Handcart (2002) Stephanie Albach
The R.M. (2003) Britani Bateman
Suddenly Unexpected (2003) Junie Hoang
The Work and the Story (2003) Jennifer Hoskins
The Book of Mormon Movie, Vol. 1: The Journey (2003) Jan Broberg Felt
Day of Defense (2003) Michelle Wright
Pride & Prejudice (2003) Kam Heskin
The Home Teachers (2004) ??



The Supporting Actors

The Testaments (2000) Joseph Paur; Theo Coumbis; Al Harrington; Tomas Kofod; Will Swenson
God's Army (2000) DeSean Terry; Michael Buster; Luis Robledo; Jeff Kelly; John Pentecost; Doug Stewart
Brigham City (2001) Matthew A. Brown; Wilford Brimley; Jongiorgi Enos; Rick Macy; Frank Gerrish; Richard Clifford
The Other Side of Heaven (2001) Joe Folau; Nathaniel Lees; Whetu Fala; Alvin Fitisemanu
The Singles Ward (2002) Daryn Tufts; Kirby Heyborne; Michael Birkeland; Robert Swenson; Lincoln Hoppe; Tarance Edwards
Out of Step (2002) Peter Asle Holden; Rick Macy
Jack Weyland's Charly (2002) Adam Johnson; Gary Neilson; Randy King; Bernie Diamond
Handcart (2002) Christopher E. Kendrick; Joel Bishop; Scott Christopher; Lincoln Hoppe
The R.M. (2003) Will Swenson; Merrill Dodge; Michael Birkeland
Suddenly Unexpected (2003) Michael Judd; Robert Mock
The Work and the Story (2003) Eric Artell; Richard Dutcher; Kirby Heyborne; Dan Merkley; Christopher Miller
The Book of Mormon Movie, Vol. 1: The Journey (2003) Bryce Chamberlain; Mark Gollaher; Cragun Foulger; Kirby Heyborne; Michael Flynn
Day of Defense (2003) Brooks Utley; John Foss; Alan Groves; James Westwood; Bryce Chamberlain
Pride & Prejudice (2003) Ben Gourley; Henry Maguire; Hubbel Palmer
The Home Teachers (2004) ??



The Supporting Actresses

The Testaments (2000) Arianna Marsden; Heather Cannon; Mowava Pryor
God's Army (2000) Lynne Carr; Kelli Coleman
Brigham City (2001) Tayva Patch; Wendy Hoop
The Other Side of Heaven (2001) Miriama Smith
The Singles Ward (2002) Michelle Ainge; Gretchen Whalley; Sedra Santos
Out of Step (2002) Nicole White-Robledo; Tayva Patch; T. L. Forsberg
Jack Weyland's Charly (2002) Jackie Winterrose Fullmer; Diana Dunkley; Lisa McCammon
Handcart (2002) Shannon Skinner; Gretchen Condie
The R.M. (2003) Tracy Ann Evans; Maren Ord
Suddenly Unexpected (2003) Clara Susan Morey
The Work and the Story (2003)  
The Book of Mormon Movie, Vol. 1: The Journey (2003) Jacque Gray
Day of Defense (2003) Salina Starr; Lillith Fields
Pride & Prejudice (2003) Lucila Sola; Kelly Stables; Kara Holden; Amber Hamilton; Rainy Kerwin; Honor Bliss; Carmen Rasmusen
The Home Teachers (2004) ??



The Producers

The Testaments (2000) Kieth Merrill; Scott Swofford
God's Army (2000) Richard Dutcher
Brigham City (2001) Richard Dutcher
The Other Side of Heaven (2001) Gerald R. Molen; John Garbett
The Singles Ward (2002) Dave Hunter
Out of Step (2002) Cary Derbidge; Kenneth Marler
Jack Weyland's Charly (2002) Lance Williams; Micah Merrill
Handcart (2002) Kels Goodman; David Greenlaw Sapp
The R.M. (2003) Dave Hunter
Suddenly Unexpected (2003) Marjorie Potter
The Work and the Story (2003) Miriam Smith; Nathan Smith Jones
The Book of Mormon Movie, Vol. 1: The Journey (2003) Gary Rogers; David Hales; Bryce Fillmore
Day of Defense (2003) Andrew Lenz
Pride & Prejudice (2003) Jason Faller; Daniel Shanthakumar; Kynan Griffin
The Home Teachers (2004) Dave Hunter; Kurt Hale



The Writers

The Testaments (2000) Kieth Merrill
God's Army (2000) Richard Dutcher
Brigham City (2001) Richard Dutcher
The Other Side of Heaven (2001) John H. Groberg; Mitch Davis
The Singles Ward (2002) John E. Moyer; Kurt Hale
Out of Step (2002) Michael Buster; Willow Leigh Jones; Nikki Schmutz
Jack Weyland's Charly (2002) Jack Weyland; Janine Gilbert
Handcart (2002) Kels Goodman; Mark von Bowers
The R.M. (2003) John E. Moyer; Kurt Hale
Suddenly Unexpected (2003) Mark Potter
The Work and the Story (2003) Nathan Smith Jones
The Book of Mormon Movie, Vol. 1: The Journey (2003) Nephi; Gary Rogers; Craig Clyde
Day of Defense (2003) A. Melvin McDonald; Andrew Lenz
Pride & Prejudice (2003) Jane Austen; Anne K. Black; Jason Faller; Katherine Swigert
The Home Teachers (2004) John E. Moyer; Kurt Hale



The Cinematographers (Director of Photography)

The Testaments (2000) T.C. Christensen
God's Army (2000) Ken Glassing
Brigham City (2001) Ken Glassing
The Other Side of Heaven (2001) Brian J. Breheny
The Singles Ward (2002) Ryan Little
Out of Step (2002) Michael Worthen
Jack Weyland's Charly (2002) Bengt Jan Jonsson
Handcart (2002) Kels Goodman
The R.M. (2003) Ryan Little
Suddenly Unexpected (2003) Tucker T. Dansie
The Work and the Story (2003) Ben Hurst; Tristan Whitman; Jason Brunner
The Book of Mormon Movie, Vol. 1: The Journey (2003) Neal Brown
Day of Defense (2003) Clark Cooper
Pride & Prejudice (2003) Travis Cline
The Home Teachers (2004) Ryan Little



The Composers

The Testaments (2000) Merrill B. Jenson; Sam Cardon
God's Army (2000) Miriam Cutler
Brigham City (2001) Sam Cardon
The Other Side of Heaven (2001) Kevin Kiner
The Singles Ward (2002) Cody Hale
Out of Step (2002) Merrill B. Jenson
Jack Weyland's Charly (2002) Aaron Merrill
Handcart (2002) Eric M. Hanson
The R.M. (2003) Cody Hale
Suddenly Unexpected (2003) Brian Satterwhite
The Work and the Story (2003) Big Idea Music Productions
The Book of Mormon Movie, Vol. 1: The Journey (2003) Robert C. Bowden
Day of Defense (2003) Rick Reeve
Pride & Prejudice (2003) Ben Carson
The Home Teachers (2004) Cody Hale



The Film Editors

The Testaments (2000) Jerry Stayner
God's Army (2000) Michael Chaskes
Brigham City (2001) Michael Chaskes
The Other Side of Heaven (2001) Steven Ramirez
The Singles Ward (2002) Wynn Hougaard
Out of Step (2002) Wynn Hougaard
Jack Weyland's Charly (2002) Micah Merrill
Handcart (2002) Joel Petrie
The R.M. (2003) Wynn Hougaard
Suddenly Unexpected (2003) Marjorie Potter; Chris Haws
The Work and the Story (2003) Ron Ralston; Steve Hennessey; John Crossman
The Book of Mormon Movie, Vol. 1: The Journey (2003) David Hales; Ira Baker
Day of Defense (2003) Dean Stevens; Sean Young; Chad Wright
Pride & Prejudice (2003) Alexander Vance
The Home Teachers (2004) Wynn Hougaard



The Production Designers

The Testaments (2000) John Uibel; Richard L. Jamison
God's Army (2000) Heath Houseman
Brigham City (2001) Kee Miller
The Other Side of Heaven (2001) ??
The Singles Ward (2002) Bryan Stinson; Merrily Hunter
Out of Step (2002) Doug Ellis
Jack Weyland's Charly (2002) Kee Miller
Handcart (2002) Darin Andersen
The R.M. (2003) Doug Ellis
Suddenly Unexpected (2003) Casey Zaunbrecher
The Work and the Story (2003) ??
The Book of Mormon Movie, Vol. 1: The Journey (2003) Allen Lafferty
Day of Defense (2003) Cory Lorenzen
Pride & Prejudice (2003) Anne K. Black
The Home Teachers (2004) Doug Ellis



The Costume Designers

The Testaments (2000) Cathren Warner
God's Army (2000) Gwen Dutcher
Brigham City (2001) Camile Schroeder
The Other Side of Heaven (2001) ??
The Singles Ward (2002) Julie Hunter
Out of Step (2002) TL Forsberg
Jack Weyland's Charly (2002) Shari Ohman
Handcart (2002) Nancy Cannon
The R.M. (2003) Julia Cregor
Suddenly Unexpected (2003) Marjorie Potter
The Work and the Story (2003) ??
The Book of Mormon Movie, Vol. 1: The Journey (2003) Anne Rose
Day of Defense (2003) ??
Pride & Prejudice (2003) ??
The Home Teachers (2004) ??

Page created 19 June 2002. Last modified 6 July 2004.