In some ways, I could technically declare this my fourth interview with the amazing Ben Rosenbaum (all previous interviews will be linked below the article). After all, I did have the opportunity to meet him at the most recent Hearties Family Reunion, and he and Hrothgar Matthews kept me in stitches on that day. However, this particular interview is one that I believe Hearties are going to relish like never before. I am infinitely grateful that Ben was so amenable to again answer fan questions as well as a couple of introspective questions I tossed into the mix. And, as usual, Ben rose to the occasion in his indomitable, kindhearted manner, and I am more than honored to share his thought-provoking responses.
RH: What can you tease about Hickam for season five (without giving away any spoilers)?
BR: When I think about Season five, with all of the exciting and emotional stuff it has in store, Hickam is not the character that comes to mind to tease about. This season is a roller coaster. Expect big things this year!
Looking ahead to a potential season six for When Calls the Heart, what would be your hopes for Hickam? Love interest? Handyman business? Anything else?
Yeah! Let’s go season six! I don’t have any illusions about my role on the show, and I’m very happy to facilitate and support the main storylines as I have been doing. That said, I’d love any growth for Hickam on the show, whether it’s romantic, professional, or just fleshing out his character. It’s a big ensemble cast, so it can be hard to give every character that kind of time on screen, but I think Hickam is a sweet and funny guy with a lot of potential. I love seeing all of the different things #HickamsHearties come up on Twitter; they’re so creative and fun!
Christmas Inheritance
We had the joy of seeing you in Christmas Inheritance this past Christmas on Netflix. How did that role come about? What did you enjoy about that movie and your role? Any special filming moments?
Thank you for watching! And for spotting me. I really enjoyed working on that, and I can thank When Calls the Heart EP Brad Krevoy for getting me involved. He contacted me about it early last year. He sent the script over to me, and there were several parts that interested me.
Christmas inheritance
When we discussed it further, casting had already moved forward and the parts I’d been looking at were all cast (with great people; it all worked out as it should). So they actually wrote the role of Rick into the film for me! It was a blast. The whole cast was so fun to spend a weekend with.
with Hrothgar Matthews
As far as season five of When Calls the Heart goes, are there any special behind-the-scenes stories you can share?
Yes! Hrothgar (Ned Yost) and I always have a lot of fun together, and this year after he heard me say at the HFR {Hearties Family Reunion} that I can juggle, we took some clementines and apples from craft services and juggled together! We ended up with sticky hands because when you drop fruit it gets mushy and juicy, which is not ideal (we should’ve seen that coming of course, but you work with what you have!). Another When Calls the Heart cast member with juggling skills is Pascale {Hutton}; you should ask her about it!
At TCA’s January 2018 with Daniel Lissing and Paul Greene
You had the opportunity to attend the Hallmark TCA’s this year. Was that your first time? What did you think of the event?
The Hallmark TCAs happen twice a year, and they are always so much fun. I’ve been to both events a few times, and I always look forward to seeing all the other Hallmark actors and corporate staff because we have such a great time together. It feels like a reunion every time; there are always a lot of familiar and returning faces that I love to hang with.
NY Marathon
I know that you have mentioned running marathons in the past. Any dream marathons you’d like to run someday?
All of the big ones take place in great cities: New York, Chicago, London, Berlin, Tokyo, and Boston. So all of those, if I’m lucky! I’ve done New York and I’m signed up for Chicago this year (after deferring my entry from last year), and for the time being, Boston is probably off the table just because qualifying is so difficult. Assuming Chicago goes well and I can stay injury-free while training (harder every year, unfortunately) I’d love to tackle the three others outside the country.
Are there any causes or charities that you actively support and/or endorse either publicly or privately that you would like to share?
Yes, several! St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The National MS Society, The Humane Society, and The National Resources Defense Society. There are so many great causes and ways to help, it’s really important to just pick some to take action and give whatever time or money you can. Thanks for asking!
What did you enjoy the most about the most recent HFR?
HFR with #TeamClasse Aren Buchholz and Eva Bourne)
The opportunity to thank Hearties in person for their support. And getting to hear the stories from people about how impactful this show has been for them during good and bad times in their lives. This show has really brought a lot of people together, and nothing illustrates that better than HFR.
Any upcoming theater performances? (Fans are asking when you will come to this or that city, so it looks like they would like to see you on stage!)
This question brings joy to my heart! Unfortunately, I don’t have anything scheduled, but when I do I will announce it on Twitter and Instagram. The truth is that I moved from NY to LA to concentrate on film and TV (though I will always take advantage of stage opportunities when I can). I don’t like talking about upcoming or potential projects too much before they happen (just superstitious, I guess), but I’m hoping to have a few things to tell you about after this spring.
What actors/professionals in the business do you look up to as role models and/or mentors?
Lori Loughlin, Pascale Hutton, and Kavan Smith come to mind immediately. I could make A VERY long list of people I admire and think I want to emulate, but I name those three because I know them and get to see how expertly they’ve built and guided their careers while living very full and happy home lives with their families. They have found that balance that seems so difficult to achieve in life. And what I can say about all three is that they know themselves and have developed very strong internal compasses that point each of them in the right direction (the right direction for them). I admire that strong sense of self, and the bravery to go out and get what they want out of life.
If you could visit any time period in the past or future, what time period would you visit and why?
Oh wow, well I can say confidently that life doesn’t look better to me in the past. It looks like it was only harder, to be honest. So if I went back in time, it would be for a single experience, like seeing the West Coast of America when it was covered in pristine nature and trees as tall as skyscrapers, or to see an original performance of a Shakespeare play at the Globe Theatre in Elizabethan England. Something like that. I’d like to think things will only continue to get better as time goes on, so a trip to the future doesn’t sound too bad!
Do people ever recognize when you’re out and about?
Ha-ha, never! I’m not a famous or recognizable person by any standard. The closest I get to recognition is when I’m out with the actually famous members of our cast and people come up to them, and even then, I only mean that literally in terms of proximity, because people still don’t notice me at all!
Hickam as James Bond
Some of my most cherished and special interviews are when I get the opportunity to do subsequent interviews featuring actors with whom I have had the opportunity to develop a rapport and a professional level of mutual respect. Regarding Ben, in the time that I have known him, I cannot begin to recount just how much growth I have seen in him both professionally and personally (at least, the part of his personal life that he chooses to share with us. For the record, I NEVER pry into the personal lives of any actors, and they know that they have the freedom to share or not to share.). While Ben’s very first interview was an absolute wonder to me on many levels, as I have come to know the artist behind the social media account, I cannot even tell you how impressed I am. I think only someone of Ben’s caliber, pragmatism, reciprocity, not to mention his immeasurable humility, could take a character like Mike Hickam and transform him into such a lovable, memorable persona that sets the fans ablaze with admiration and warmth. I will never forget the way he greeted me at HFR and the remarkable deference he has shown me from day one. While he may be one who readily (and sometimes preferably on his part) fades into the background, Ben is not one to be underestimated in terms of giftedness, charm, or scruples.
However, this is only a mere pittance of the story. While I can state with a relative degree of certainty that the entire cast and crew of When Calls the Heart are amongst the most welcoming, familial group of individuals in the entire film community that exists today, Ben is one whose generosity is absolutely matchless. He doesn’t necessarily shout his accomplishments and ponderings from the rooftops like other young people in the business might be wont to do in order to inflate their importance within a cast. Instead, he places everyone else’s needs and desires ahead of his own. Moreover, there is no doubt in my mind that if he discovered that a simple act was essential or expedient for the comfort of a fellow co-worker or fan and it was in his power to complete this act of selflessness, he would accomplish it in such an unassuming way that no one would even trace it back to him. For him, the fact that he is able to contribute to the joy and satisfaction of a deserving fellow human being is enough of a reward for him, and I personally think that trait contributes to making him not only the entertainer that he is, but also to his indisputable humanitarianism.
Therefore, Hearties, I hope that everyone tunes into the Hallmark Channel on Sunday nights for the remainder of season five of When Calls the Heart, and it is my sincerest desire that everyone will watch for the glimpses we receive of this peerless character Ben has characterized in his gentle, sweet fashion. Additionally, if you are inclined, consider visiting the links below and following Ben where applicable. While Ben is decidedly one who would never do anything for the edification of his ego nor the attraction of unnecessary attention, I can state the following with a great deal of conviction and aplomb. It is the unadulterated cry of my heart that as Ben’s experience in film and TV continues to expand and as his talent undergoes the detailed sharpening initiated by himself that Ben’s career will proceed its ascent up the proverbial ladder of success, thus affording him the possibility to achieve those hidden dreams and goals that he may not even have voiced lest they be squashed before their time. Hearties crave nothing but triumph for this darling man, and I only hope that we will unite and encourage him in all his current and future endeavors.
FOLLOW BEN
Hearties Family Reunion Friday Interview With Cast Members of When Calls the Heart
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marathon runner on top of all the acting–amazing!
