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Interview With Actor Cameron Bancroft, “The Wedding March”

By Ruth on June 25, 2016 in Interview, movie, television
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There was a point in my life not so long ago when I struggled to separate an actor from the role he played. In fact, I can remember intimating to my mother that I didn’t like the character “Will” in Cedar Cove, and I wasn’t sure if I liked the actor who played him either. In fact, when I found out that Will figured into the plot more principally in season three, I was a bit disgruntled at first. However, the reviewer within me compelled me to watch season three with an open mind. And I will admit once I made the decision that Cameron Bancroft was merely a masterful actor portraying the role, I realized what an adept actor he is. Furthermore, he has treated me with nothing but kindness from the moment of our initial contact, and that is always the key to winning me over. Since that time, I have been a fervent supporter of his talents, and I was elated to be able to interview him recently. We discussed all things Hallmark and more, including his upcoming film, The Wedding March. 

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What inspired you to become an actor? What kind of training have you received?

I was inspired to become an actor after my high school musical theatre and drama teachers encouraged me to pursue further training in the craft of acting. That is the short answer. The long answer is I had an accident that led me to have a significant concussion and joining the school productions helped me to find a new passion outside of sports where I could make strong connections with other people. I use sports analogies often when speaking about acting because playing on a team and learning your role in the shared pursuit of obtaining your goal is very similar to being a part of a cast. I love focused rehearsal. I love practicing. I love the excitement and challenge of performing and trusting your teammates/ cast mates to be there with you and give it your all. The camaraderie you get to experience every new job. Pretty cool.

I went to a great high school for drama in North Vancouver, Handsworth, and then I went to Cal Arts in Valencia, California for my BFA in Theatre. I have recently finished a Bachelors of Education from UBC. I have been taking courses for coaching sports for the last ten years and will always sign up for acting workshops as often as possible. So much to learn, so little time!

Mail Order Bride Cameron Bancroft, Daphne Zuniga

Mail Order Bride
Cameron Bancroft, Daphne Zuniga

What do you like about working for the Hallmark brand?

I am very grateful for my relationship with Hallmark. I was in a movie called Mail Order Bride with the wonderful Daphne Zuniga back in 2008, that coincidentally was written by Neal and Tippi Dobrofsky who also wrote, The Wedding March.

Cameron as Charles Ingalls

Cameron as Charles Ingalls

Hallmark picked up the six-hour miniseries remake of Little House on the Prairie, where I was Charles Ingalls and more recently, the first Garage Sale Mystery in that franchise. It seems to be doing alright without me. (laughs) And of course, Cedar Cove.

What was it like playing Olivia’s brother on Cedar Cove?  What was your experience like with that show? 

 I arrived first season of Cedar Cove, episode seven, during the Bachelor Auction. I had known Dylan {Neal}, Teryl {Rothery}, Tim {Timothy Weber}, and Sebastian {Spence} for many years, and Bruce {Boxleitner} had played my and Jennifer Garner’s Dad in a TV movie, Zoya, from 1975. I’m obviously a bit of a name dropper, sorry about that.
Cameron Bancroft as Will

Cameron Bancroft as Will

Anyway, Will Jeffers was an incredibly fun character to play because he was the black sheep brother to Andie MacDowell’s overachieving and loved judge Olivia Lockhart, which she played amazingly well. Off camera, she and I kept it very light and laughed a lot. If we were arguing in the scene, it was sibling arguments which are different than between two people in love. We had an unconditional love as family and therefore, it made the scenes we had together slightly lighter and more playful. We had fun, even if we were yelling at each other. I miss her and the rest of the cast very much.

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brennanKWIK KWOTE
Brennan Elliott, Co-Star Cedar Cove
“It is nice to not only meet a great actor who is a nice guy, but also a family man who has his priorities right. Truly a gentleman.”
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In your upcoming film, The Wedding March, what can you tell us about your character without spoiling the plot? 
TheWeddingMarch1
In The Wedding March, I am opposite the beautiful and funny Josie Bissett, who plays Olivia (cool coincidence of names), and we work together as a team in high-end real estate staging and sales. We are officially planning on becoming life partners by taking our vows when she runs into an old friend played by the immensely and multi-talented ( awesome musician and wicked golfer) Jack Wagner as Mick. When it comes to developing a loving relationship between two people, there are so many contributing factors that go for or against the relationship, and it’s such a major decision to take that plunge. My character Josh is fighting to live his ideal life. Loving relationship and financial security. Pretty good life objectives in my book. Tune in to see how he does! We had a blast making it. Lots of laughs and the entire cast was dedicated to making this movie something our audience will enjoy!
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judge olivia lockhartKWIK KWOTE
Andie MacDowell, Co-star Cedar Cove

“Cameron was very kind to me. He gave me 100% always. He is generous, funny, has great timing and is very handsome! It’s all in his eyes!”

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wedding-cameronAs you’ve played a wide variety of characters over your career, how do you approach getting into character, especially when it’s the “bad guy,” or the “other guy who doesn’t get the girl”?
I’m very grateful to have had the chance to play all types of characters from leading man hero to main villain or smaller character roles that allow you to stretch out of your comfort zone. I love reading scripts, novels, non-fiction and watching any kind of story screen. Listening, reading or watching a good story unfold is my Happy Place!!
My prerequisite is–can I act this role? The great acting teacher, Sanford Meisner, defines acting as “living truthfully under imaginary circumstances,” and that’s how I break it down and substitute my experience along with the character’s given circumstances in the script. Then it’s play time. Trust your director, listen to your fellow actors, know your lines and pass the ball ( like I said earlier, lots of sports analogies).
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cliff harting againKWIK KWOTE
Sebastian Spence, Co-star Cedar Cove
“Cam–as I call him–I couldn’t work with a nicer guy.  He always brings his smile and charm to work and is a consummate professional.  I have a tendency to go up against Cam for a lot of roles, but it’s never competitive in the sense of going head on.  If I don’t get the role, I wish him well, and I think he feels the same. I couldn’t ask for a better actor to be on set with. I count Cam as a friend first and foremost, and I really think he is truly a great guy.”
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Cameron Bancroft, Garage Sale Mystery

Cameron Bancroft,
Garage Sale Mystery

What was it like working on the first Garage Sale Mystery?  

Working on Garage Sale Mystery was a wonderful memory. I had the opportunity again to work with talented friends who have like-minded values. We work hard and treat each other with kindness and respect. It can be a stressful job, but if we look after each other it benefits us all, and we end up with something we can all be proud of. Garage Sale Mystery is a testament to Lori Loughlin’s talent, kindness and work ethic. She sets the bar, and that’s why they keep making them, and people keep enjoying watching them. Too bad the roof was so weak in the first one. Maybe I’d have been back for more, though they are doing just fine without me, no doubt.
What have you found is the secret to balancing your personal life with your professional life as an actor?
I met my wife on the movie Mystery Alaska, and we have been married for seventeen years. She is behind the camera and loves what she does as much as I do. We keep each other laughing and focused on our two children. We really like our jobs, but we love our family and the time we spend together!
I’ve been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with great organizations like:
Challenger Baseball and helping to bring long-term care for people with severe head injuries through Hind’s Feet , and have recently been a part of a play called Man Up for The Boys Club Network. The people I have met through my connection with these three initiatives have been the greatest gifts I have ever received. I’ve had a chance to listen to many of their stories and hear about the adversity that they have triumphed over and it has made me a more empathetic human being. I can always make time and do more for people!
Do you have any other upcoming works that you can mention?
I’m currently working on a TV movie called The Murderer Upstairs for Reel One Entertainment with an incredible cast. It’s an old school “movie of the week” suspense film.
Are there any characters you have not played yet that you hope to play one day?
I have always enjoyed movies that have a teacher help the underdog overcome their marginalizing circumstances. I love Stand and Deliver, Lean on Me, Freedom Writers and TV shows like Fame, The White Shadow, and Welcome Back Kotter. I would love to find something to combine my passion for learning, teaching and acting… Keep working towards it and it will happen, right?
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To be quite honest, as I reviewed Cameron’s responses, I was so fully enthralled with everything he said and his entire outlook on the world of acting and life in general. Moreover, every person who knows this guy has nothing but positive things to say, and in this business, that in itself is an anomaly. Furthermore, every time I interact with Cameron, he has treated me with utmost respect and courtesy. I don’t mention this to disparage any other actors, but Cameron tends to have an old-world charm that always makes me feel valued and special–almost like a scene out of a Victorian novel when gentlemen spoke to women in such a way that they were cherished like a priceless jewel. (Maybe that sounds really corny, but it is something that resonates with me.) Add to this the fact that Cameron is one who takes every role seriously, whether it is the smallest role in the cast or the lead role, and all with his signature humility,and I find myself captivated with him as a person and an actor. I thought I was a devoted fan of his before, but now, I sense that I am even more so. I would invite everyone to tune in on Saturday, June 25th to the Hallmark Channel to see Cameron starring in The Wedding March, as it will doubtlessly be a film to remember. Also, be sure to follow him via the links below lest you miss any of his upcoming (or check out his past) works.
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About the Author

RuthView all posts by Ruth
“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” — Franz Kafka Ruth is an inspirational entertainment journalist who instinctively sees the best in all and seeks to share universal beauty, love and positivity. She is an artist who leads with her heart and gives readers a glimpse of the best of this world through the masterful use of the written word. Ruth was born in Tacoma, Washington but now calls Yelm, Washington her home. She lives on five acres with her parents, a dog, two miniature goats, cats and a teenage daughter who is a dynamic visual artist herself. Ruth interviews fellow artists both inside and outside of the film/television industry. At the core of all she does is the strength of her faith.
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5 Comments

  1. Claire February 22, 2023 Reply

    Hi Ruth,
    I wanted to thank you for your Cameron Bancroft interview. I’ve been a big fan for ages. I teach English in a small school in France and got a photo + autograph of him a long time ago. I had to wait for 5 years to get it but I now display it in my classroom in order to encourage my pupils to believe in their dreams and stay patient ! I don’t know if you still have any contact with Cameron Bancroft but if so, I would be honored if you could mention this anecdote to him (I would have liked to attach a photo of my classroom but I can’t do it via the “contact us” section of the website). Thanks in advance. Love from France, Claire

  2. Adni A. October 5, 2016 Reply

    Hi Ruth, thank you for sharing this. I really, really appreciate it. I recently had a crush on Cameron after I saw him in Code Name: Eternity and I really have fallen in love with him (although he’s 2 years older than my dad. Is that normal? lol). Anyway, I’m so glad that I found your website and I’m sure will come back again!

    • Author
      Ruth October 6, 2016 Reply

      Adni, thx so much for stopping by. You don’t sound strange at all. Cameron is a great guy. Thx for the support.

  4. Linda Manns Linneman June 26, 2016 Reply

    He is definitely a great actor and nice to look at. I did not know he played Charles Ingalls on Little House. I am so glad you had the honor to do this interview. I am happier that you shared it with us. Thank you for sharing

    • Author
      Ruth June 26, 2016 Reply

      Linda, my pleasure. And just to clarify, this is a mini-series they did where he played Charles, not the old TV show. Sometimes it is confusing, but I really liked him in that!

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