There are certain individuals that have been a part of the entertainment industry for so many decades that while their names may frequently escape some viewers’ minds, once a thorough investigation is completed, there is no doubt that the vast majority of people will have seen SOMETHING featuring this person’s talents. This is a perfectly accurate description of Willie Aames, who has been a part of television longer than he hasn’t, and I cannot thank Hallmark enough for bringing him back to our screens this Saturday (February 23rd) for what purports to be an entertaining film, Love On the Menu. Recently, I had the opportunity to catch up with Willie yet again, and I am happy to share our conversation in anticipation of tonight’s premiere!
RH: Willie, I’m so glad we are able to chat today. It’s been a while since we last chatted.
WA: Thank you for reaching out, Ruth. Yes, it has.
The last time we chatted was before your Christmas movie with Lori {Loughlin} came out a couple of years ago.
Isabella Giannulli, Willie Aames, Lori Loughlin Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs
Oh yeah, Every Christmas Has A Story.
When I saw you were doing another Hallmark movie, I decided it was time to set up another interview with you if possible.
I know it’s been a while since I’ve done a Hallmark movie.
Very true. Now, your wife, Winnie Hung, has shown up on a couple of Hallmark movies in the past couple years. I remember seeing her in The Perfect Bride with Kavan Smith and Pascale Hutton.
I think you’re right. I do remember both Winnie and me being in Dater’s Handbook with Meghan Markle. And Winnie was also in When Sparks Fly.
That’s right! It’s always a treat to see either of you in a Hallmark film.
with Winnie
I do have a script sitting over at Hallmark right now that I hope will eventually become one of their movies. It’s interesting because when I talk to other people like Kavan, he’s been in a similar position as me. What I mean is that the movie we did was from the script he had written that had been with Hallmark for quite some time. He told me it had been two or three years. And they just suddenly picked it up, which is what seems to happen with everybody at Hallmark.
I know exactly what you’re talking about. Kavan and I have chatted a few times over the past few years, and every time he has told me about his script. I kept wondering right along with him when it might be made into a movie. Of course, his relationship with Hallmark because of When Calls the Heart has probably helped him with this movie of his going forward more quickly than it might have otherwise.
It actually gives me hope to hear stories like Kavan’s. When you submit a script and you don’t hear anything back, after a while, it’s easy to give up. I’m good friends with Liz Yost, vice-president of development at Hallmark. I am sure that in time, she will give my script a read, but till then, it’s a waiting game.
So how did you get to do this role in Love On the Menu?
Joey Plager called me up–he’s one of the executive producers on the movie–and he said, “You know, I’ve got a part for you, but it’s really small. I’m not sure if you’d be even interested.” I said, “I’m good to do the part if you’re gonna just offer it to me.” After all, those kinds of roles are easy and fun, so I agreed to do the role. Joey likes working with me, and here’s hoping we get to keep working together more in the future. We’ll see what happens.
Then one of my other friends over at Hallmark hit me up the other day because they’re doing one of Hallmark’s mystery movies, so we’ll see if something happens from there. You never know in this business. I always say that I will believe it when I see it. {laughs}
Oh my goodness, isn’t that the way it is?
For me, if I’m not having fun anymore in my life, I’m not interested. I’ve been writing a lot and getting a great response from that. That’s really my focus at this point in my life.
I understand what you’re saying. You’ve paid your dues and have been in this business for so long, so your perspective makes perfect sense to me.
Willie with his dad
Another thing is that my mother passed away this past year, and it really changed my approach to everything. I have a sense that time is precious now. My mom was eighty-five when she passed, and I see that as my indicator that I have essentially thirty years left o this planet, and I don’t want to invest that time doing something that doesn’t bring me joy. And that’s literally how I have begun to approach everything I do. There are enough things that come to me throughout the years that are just offers and make it really easy and fun to go and have a good time. The rest of the time, I drive my boats and I write my scripts. And I have taken on this mindset that if it doesn’t bring joy into my house or into my life and my friends’ life, why would I do it? So if I am offered a part and they make it easy, I’m willing to go and do it. But I’m just not willing to wrestle parts away from people anymore, unless it’s something I’ve just gotta do.
When it comes to movies and shows, a guy my age is often limited to playing the father of the lead, and anything else they send my way is a bonus. In this upcoming movie, I’ve got a few great scenes. If I end up playing the mayor in a movie and I get to be in eight or nine scenes and get eight or nine days worth of work, I am lucky. So in this case, my idea is to go and be a part of the Hallmark family and have a great time working with everyone. But it’s not worth it to me to be overly competitive and go out and audition for all of these roles. Putting it succinctly, I would say that I really love doing the Hallmark movies that I do because when I do them, they treat me with respect and with a deference to my fifty years in the industry. I enjoy being on set!
Willie, I could tell just how much you enjoyed being on set from what you posted when you were there!
I really do, and you know what? It has nothing to do with the movie or the production. It has to do with the casting. I’m not worried about the size of the role. I think I may have four lines in this movie. But that’s not even an issue for me. The fact that I had a blast on set with the people and doing what I love…that’s the best part. In fact, the director, Ellie Kanner, was an old fan of mine. I actually looked her up, and she was a casting director for Sex & the City. She was great on this film. And she sent me a really nice note that said, “Gosh, would you really do this? I’m thrilled to have you!” And that is really the joy of working on something Hallmark. I chat with Gregory Harrison and Lori Loughlin and a lot of the regulars. It really does feel like family when you’re on a Hallmark set. It’s truly a pleasure. I enjoy the fact that I get to hang out with friends on set.
And that’s the way it’s supposed to be, Willie, and I’m glad you had that experience on this film. I know that Bill Abbott and Michelle Vicary want each set to be like that.
with Barbara and company
Barbara Niven was also in this film, and what was interesting is that Barbara and I had actually met before. When I got to set, we were doing a wardrobe fitting, and I said, “Hey, how are you doing?” to her. She was like, “Oh my gosh, I’ve always wanted to meet you!” And I was like, “Well, we’ve met before.” She said, “We have?” I said, “Yeah, actually you were on the set of My Two Dads back in 1989, and that was the first time that I met you.” That was a Michael Jacobs show, and he had created Charles In Charge. She went, “That was one of my first gigs!” And I said, “Yeah, I knew I had seen you somewhere. I had to think about it.” And she was like, “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you remember that!”
That’s really cool! I didn’t realize that either.
It’s funny. She and I are exactly the same height, so if Hallmark ever picks up my script, then I want her to play my wife. After all, she’s the right height. One of the things that is always a factor, no matter how much you don’t want to admit to it being a factor, is how tall you are. I know that is why I don’t always get some of these roles because a lot of the guys are six-foot-three, and it makes it difficult when you’re a guy who’s only five foot six. They can’t adjust. If the girl is six-foot-one and with heels she is six-foot-five and I’m supposed to play her dad, it’s not gonna happen.
I do know that can be an issue. For example, Brooke Shields is very tall, and she’s done some Hallmark, and finding a guy that is tall enough to play opposite her can be an issue.
You know, I’ve known Brooke since she was about twelve, and she was always tall. She was a fan of mine. She used to come over to Eight Is Enough when she was shooting Just You and Me Kid with George Burns. And I used to go down to the set and hang out, and George always gave me a hard time. I was actually cast on The Blue Lagoon. It was actually me and Diane Lane who were originally cast. Diane couldn’t get out of some commitment, and I couldn’t get out of Eight Is Enough. So they recast with Christopher Atkins and Brooke.
Now, speaking of height and Love On the Menu, being on that set was great. I looked around and everybody was the right height! At one point, I stood up in the middle of that whole thing and after they had thanked us for a good day’s work, I went, “I just want to thank you all for hiring people of proper height for this project!” Everybody on that film was short! The director was short. I was short. This was the set where the small people get recognized.
Unfortunately, there’s not the time in these movies to build you up unless you’re someone like Tom Cruise, who is also my height. With someone like him, they will build him up and have him stand on apple boxes or whatever. But in most productions, you could be the best guy in the room, and if you’re too small for the role, you are probably not going to get it. It’s just one of the facts of the business.
The cast for Love On the Menu is great! I love the fact that you are in it, Willie, but this cast is amazing, and I know a lot of them.
Willie Aames Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Allister Foster
I agree. You know, Autumn Reeser is very sweet, and it was great working with Kavan and Barbara and everyone. But you know what’s funny too? Kavan and Autumn both were trying to figure out who I was. And it just makes me laugh because I could see it. Liz Yost was talking to me, and they were both looking at me…there’s the ones that know and the ones that don’t. And the ones who don’t know were looking at me like, “Um, I should know you, but I don’t know you.” Until they hit IMDb or somebody tells them. And then you’re like, “Oh yeah!” But until then, there’s that barrier as they try to put it together.
While on set, everyone was like, “Mr. Aames, if you like, you can go sit in your trailer or you can go to the craft services for a break.” And I was looking at them going, “My entire gig is to sit down. I might as well just sit here, man.” {laughs} Then they’d be like, “Really?” And I was like, “Dude! You brought me in! I’m gonna be here for like five hours. My whole gig is sitting. It’s not like you’re wearing me out. It’ll be fine!” And they were still like, “Really? Are you cool with that?” And I was like, “I’m totally cool with that! If I go to my trailer, I’ll be sitting by myself. I don’t want to do that.”
Well, I hope this one does really well for everyone involved. Kavan is certainly one of my favorites and the fact that it premieres the day before When Calls the Heart is really cool too. And I know the fans who know you are looking forward to your being in another Hallmark movie.
I hope it does well for everyone too.
I know you mentioned the possibility of a mystery film with Hallmark. You haven’t done one of those yet. I think it would be great.
I hope it happens. Again, I’ll believe it when I see it, but there are so many mystery series coming out now so hopefully, it will happen. I’d love to be a part of one of them. It would be just awesome.
With Lilah Fitzgerald from Date My Dad
I know I was so sad that Date My Dad was not picked up for another season. I really enjoyed getting to see you in that show.
I had hoped that would happen too. It was a great show, and it would have been amazing to have been a series regular on that show if they did a season two. But as we know, these things happen.
So in addition to this movie, do you have anything else upcoming that you can mention?
Well, I’ve been down in LA a lot recently filming something for the Travel Channel. They came to me about doing this, and it is supposed to be out sometime in June, I believe. I can’t say much about it except that it has to do with supernatural occurrences. And of course, I do hope that Hallmark gets a chance to read my script and that can go forward.
I hope so too, Willie, and thank you again for chatting with me. It’s always nice to catch up with you.
Ruth, thank you for being so supportive and kind. I hope everyone enjoys Love On the Menu, and here’s to many more Hallmark projects in the future.
With Winnie
As always, chatting with someone like Willie is a fabulous education in television history as well as current entertainment trends, and I consider myself blessed to be able to chat with people like him who genuinely know the business inside out and yet continue to remain humble and patient while adhering to their principles and values. I believe that Willie’s years of service in this industry should afford him a certain degree of respect, and while I am grateful he doesn’t demand special privileges when employed on a project (I think of A-listers younger than he who DO that on a consistent basis), I think his perspective makes perfect sense. He has determined what is important in his life, and he makes those things and people the priorities in his life, and anything that comes his way in this business is an auspicious bonus. I realize that he may not always fit the mold of every Hallmark movie, but I am hopeful for him that as he continues to live his life with an attitude of gratitude that more work with Hallmark (and elsewhere) will come his way.
I hope that everyone tunes in today for Love On the Menu (premiering on the Hallmark Channel AND the W Network on the same date, 2/23!). Additionally, I suggest paying a visit to each of Willie’s links below in order to keep up with all of his projects and more. My fingers are crossed that Hallmark considers Willie’s script sometime in the near future as I have had a chance to peruse his writings, and I believe he could bring a fresh aspect to this incredible network’s films. However, until that moment, I plan to support each of Willie’s projects with as much aplomb and veneration as possible. It is an honor to watch and interact with someone of Willie’s caliber and talent, and I hope that many of the Hallmark fans will join in and do the same!
FOLLOW WILLIE
