The Golden Globe winning actor Dennis Quaid has been in Hollywood long enough to know his fair share of ups and downs. Quaid first began garnering attention in the early 1980’s, and beside enjoying a generally successful career in front of the camera, he has also generated controversy off it with an acknowledged cocaine addiction in the 90’s as well as a high-profile divorce from Meg Ryan.
However, Quaid’s lowest point probably came in 2007 when his then week-old twins (from his third marriage with estate agent Kimberley Buffington) nearly died after a medication error. Quaid firmly believes that his twins only survived because of the prayers of people from around the world. In fact, it was while sitting with the twins by his side at home that he agreed to play Tom Hamilton, the real-life father of the world renowned professional surfer Bethany Hamilton in the upcoming movie ‘Soul Surfer’. It is a role that Quaid believes assisted him in finding faith in God again.
Hamilton made the news in 2003 when she lost an arm in a savage shark attack while surfing off Kauai’s North Shore. The attack left the then 13-year old with a severed arm, and resulted in her losing 60% of her blood. Although Hamilton survived the attack, doctors and loved ones believed she would never surf again. But through relying on her faith, strong water sense and community support, Hamilton proved them all wrong. Hamilton has since won 1st place in the NSSA National Championships and also claimed second place in the ASP 2009 World Junior Championships.
“I was watching the ‘Today Show’ and an update on Bethany was on. I had a dim memory of her story, but to see her and what an inspiration she was, I [had] tears streaming down my face with my 2-year olds next to me. Two days later they called and asked me to do it. It was a no brainer,” Quaid said.
“Of course I bring my own experiences as a father to this role. I really believe it was the prayers of people around the world that saved [my twins]. That was a real life-changing experience for me and brings me to this and what [the Hamiltons] went through.”
The winner of Pop Idols Carrie Underwood makes her film debut in ‘Soul Surfer’ as Bethany’s youth pastor. The movie will be released later this year in South African cinemas.