From the moment I first noticed Dan Payne in the Hallmark movie All Yours, I was enraptured with his talents, his looks, and the way in which he effortlessly and authentically interacted with his co-stars (especially the kids). In the past couple of years, Dan and I have had two intriguing interviews in which I have always learned a great deal about him as well as the entertainment industry as a whole. Recently, he agreed to yet another interview (this makes number three), and this is by far my favorite of our three as I have become even more acquainted and dazzled with the wonder that is Dan Payne.
RH: Since the last time we spoke, Hallmark audiences only saw you briefly in Christmas Getaway. While I know you’ve worked on many other shows, your Hallmark work is always special. Though brief, what was it like working on that film?
Christmas Getaway
DP: I love working for Hallmark! I think they have a fantastic product that delivers exactly what their amazing and supportive audience is looking for. Having said that, it was bittersweet to work on Christmas Getaway. I would have loved to be part of the whole film but I was grateful to be a part of the teaser. And I got the chance to meet and work with the beautiful and talented Bridget Regan!
You were also on Izombie this past season. What was it like working on that show and what did you enjoy about your role?
iZombie
The iZombie set had a brilliant tone that included a mix of lots of laughter with hard work. I truly enjoyed the subtle comedic elements that show allows. There was a lot of tongue in cheek on and off camera. They were very welcoming, which I think is an absolute necessity if you want to make people feel comfortable and “play.” And it was pretty cool to be the prime suspect of that whodunit.
You were a part of the finale of Once Upon A Time. What was special about being a part of this iconic show? I believe that episode was the directorial debut of Lana Parrilla. How did that make this episode even more special?
Once Upon A Time
I have to admit I was ecstatic to make it on that epic show before it ended! And I loved the character, Ivo. I got to play with the added element that he was blind. I was beyond grateful to have Lana there as she was a phenomenal actor’s director. She was brilliant at helping dig out little nuggets of gold in every scene. Such a blast! Lana is loved, not only by fans, but also the crew. She had all the support she could ask for and she was amazing. It was an honour to be directed by her in her debut.
Aliens Ate My Homework
I know you are also on Aliens Ate My Homework. What did you enjoy about that movie and what can you tell us about your character?
It started with the two fantastic producers, Roger {Lay Jr.} and Eric {Carnagey}. They set the tone and were fearless, relentless, and unstoppable forces. They made the set fun and family-like. They were there helping more than any other producers I’ve known. On top of that, I got to work with my very talented friend, Alex Zahara, who played a fellow alien crew member. My character is the loud-mouthed, crazy one who thinks he knows more than he does. It was such a ridiculously fun character to bring to life…and it made up for the five hours of make up every morning to transform into him physically.
The Payne kids enjoying Aliens Ate My Homework
I am proud of this movie and proud that, as a dad, I made another great film my kids can enjoy like Descendants.
Any other upcoming/current works you can tell us about?
Disney Descendants
I recently wrapped on Descendants 3: The Big Sleep. I don’t have to tell you how that experience was. The first two movies show you! It’s colourful, fantastical, grandiose and delivers the Disney magic on an even larger scale in this third installment. Happy that the “parent” made it back in this third one! Those lead kids are triple threat amazing talents – singing, dancing, acting. It was quite the spectacle to watch with Kenny Ortega at the helm once again. The choreography Jamal {Sims} brought to this movie is mind-blowing! Can’t wait for fans to see it.
I also finished a lead in a MoW called A Wife’s Revenge {Til Ex Do Us Part (?)} which should release soon. It was a pretty wild ride to shoot as well.
Does anyone else in your family have acting/filmmaking aspirations?
My kids haven’t asked to do any acting yet. And I really want to wait and see if it’s something they ask and want to do rather than be influenced. They know I love my job, so we’ll see! I will support them in whatever they choose; I just want it to be their choice! I do remember when I was younger that my brother and I had dreams of making action movies together. There’s still time!!!
Any updates on any potential writing/producing/directing projects you may want to do?
Devil In the Dark
I am currently working with two friends, Carey {Dickson} and Ben {Graham}, and we are looking to produce movies together. The dream there is to make movies we want to make/share stories we want to tell and do it with friends! So if there’s anyone out there who wants to write a check and be an executive producer – Let me know! Lol!
Carey and Ben are the gentlemen I made Devil in the Dark with and we hope to keep that success rolling.
If someone were to decide to make the story of your life, whom would you like to have play you? Is there anyone famous you’d love to play in a biopic?
That’s a really cool question! ….and I have no idea!!! I would be blown away to sit in an audition room and see what actors would bring. That would be a pretty surreal experience!!!
I have always and still want to do a remake of the Rockford Files and I would be honoured to be a part of James Garner’s biopic!!!
Are there any charities/causes you actively support or feel strongly about?
The Payne Family
BC Children’s Hospital has always had a place in my heart. My oldest fell ill five days after he was born during the craziest snowy winter I can remember in 2008. We spent a week there with our firstborn plugged into machines. It was scary. Not as scary as many, many other people have had to endure, but the way the staff helped and cared for us as a family was above and beyond and I’ll never forget it.
If you and your family were able to go anywhere on vacation for a week, where would you go and why?
I have always wanted to take my family to Thailand or the Maldives and stay in the resorts that have the individual mini villas on the water. They have little bridge walkways to get to them or you can take the outrigger canoe! I love tropical beaches and sand! But any week with my family on vacation anywhere sounds pretty awesome!
I believe the most distinctive professional characteristic about Dan is his incredible heterogeneity when it comes to portraying various characters. He is capable of playing the romantic lead with his tremendous athleticism and robust good looks as well as the demoniacal villain who is the very thing of which nightmares are composed. Additionally, he can be the beast–whether comedic or otherwise–as equally well as the rejected boyfriend or the awkward father. As a matter of fact, this does not even begin to comprise an encyclopedic list of his multitudinous gifts and capabilities. Indeed, Dan is one who can transform into any given character if granted the opportunity and guidance to succeed, and I am seriously convinced that there is practically nothing that Dan cannot accomplish on-screen with his dauntless style and attention to detail.
Without a doubt, this does not even begin to embrace the astounding person that Dan inherently is. Again and again, fellow actors and fans alike rhapsodize about their experiences with him as they call him one of the nicest fellows they have ever known and/or worked with is an unequivocal indication of just how much this man is cherished and appreciated on so many levels. Moreover, he still makes time with his family a priority in his life, and there is no uncertainty in anyone’s minds that his wife and children consistently come first in spite of his busy career.
If you have not had the opportunity to watch Dan in anything recently (or maybe if you just would enjoy reliving some of those extraordinary moments), I would invite you, dear readers, to visit Dan’s links below and consider following him where applicable (he is rather meticulous about responding to fans as his busy schedule permits). Hallmark audiences invariably enjoy and remark about Dan whenever he makes an appearance (I genuinely loved his recurring role on Good Witch season two, and I would love seeing him return to any of the shows currently available on that network). While his rugged physique and stalwart bearing may not be conventional in this business, Dan has formulated a career for himself that is extraordinarily distinct and pleasantly saturated with captivating, impressive characters that are some of the most remarkable in TV and film today. As Dan continues to pursue his dreams and goals in this sometimes antagonistic business, it is so refreshing to see a man like him who has made his way through benevolence, excellence, and fortitude. In my humble opinion, while Dan may not ever be considered a “household name” in the entertainment world, the fact that he remains a marketable, in-demand working actor with a stellar reputation, a list of credits brimming with engaging, unforgettable characters, and most importantly, a heart of gold that has made a positive impact in the lives of countless individuals worldwide is enough for me to declare Dan Payne a genuine success in his life and his career!
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I enjoy watching him on Hallmark productions
