Dennis Quaid Reflects on His Faith, Marriage, and Role as an Abusive Father in ‘I Can Only Imagine’
Dennis Quaid Discusses Marriage and Faith with Laura Savoie
Dennis Quaid has revealed that his marriage to Laura Savoie was guided by faith, a cornerstone that continues to reinforce their bond. In a recent interview with Us Weekly, Quaid discussed the spiritual dimension of their relationship while promoting his new film, I Can Only Imagine 2.
“God is in our relationship. That [had] never even occurred to me before,” said Quaid, 71. “I thought, ‘Well, I have a relationship with God, so did she,’ but to have God be the third entity in the relationship is kind of a new idea. But that’s really the way it is.”
Quaid, who met Savoie, 32, in Las Vegas and proposed in October 2019, emphasized that their shared faith is pivotal in maintaining a healthy dynamic. He noted, “Otherwise, you would wind up making the other person… You look to the other person to solve your problems, and we’re not equipped to do that.”
The actor, who has been married three times prior, underscored the importance of external support when navigating past challenges. “There’s a lot of baggage coming in [to a relationship], and it’s stuff that you need an expert [to deal with]—and that would be God,” Quaid explained. His previous marriages include unions with P.J. Soles, Meg Ryan, and Kimberly Buffington.
Quaid’s exploration of faith in both his personal and professional life began with his involvement in faith-based films, starting with Soul Surfer in 2011. He portrayed Arthur Millard in I Can Only Imagine, a role he found challenging due to its portrayal of an abusive father. “The way [Bart’s] father was… very abusive, almost criminal,” he said, reflecting on the character’s complexities and his own experience as a father.
The film narrates the real-life story of Bart Millard, who formed the Christian band MercyMe inspired by his troubled relationship with his father. Their dynamic eventually led to a journey of forgiveness following Arthur’s terminal cancer diagnosis.
Quaid reprises his role as Arthur in I Can Only Imagine 2, which lands in theaters on February 20. He expressed a desire to conclude the story authentically, offering audiences insights into the father-son relationship’s evolution. “The part of Arthur was very dear to me… I just wanted to be a part of it in that sense,” he shared.
In portraying Arthur, Quaid felt a protective instinct, recognizing the character’s genuine attempts to mend their relationship. “Rarely do I find that people can actually really fundamentally change… I think that can only happen with God’s help,” he stated.
Quaid acknowledged the unique challenge of having Bart present during filming, where he confronted painful memories. He appreciated the opportunity to engage honestly about the scenes. “He was very upfront and honest with me, which I really appreciated,” Quaid remarked.
As an actor well-versed in embodying real-life figures—from astronaut Gordon Cooper to rock musician Jerry Lee Lewis—Quaid finds authenticity paramount. “Real stories are pretty fantastic, because if they were fiction, you wouldn’t believe them,” he noted, emphasizing his commitment to portraying characters from their own perspectives.
I Can Only Imagine 2 opens in theaters on February 20.
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Jake Giles Netter
