I honestly don’t remember when or where I first became aware of the delightfully enchanting Anne Marie DeLuise, but I know it is because of Hallmark that I first encountered her (and her husband’s) prowess. For some time, I have watched her works with interest, and whenever her husband, Peter DeLuise, directs a movie or a show, I know that it will be impeccably crafted. When I had the opportunity to meet them both in October of last year at the annual Hearties Family Reunion (and had the unexpected experience of being directed by Peter with Anne Marie as my off-camera “scene partner”–see that experience here), I was overjoyed to connect more fully with this dynamic couple. And now, in anticipation of tomorrow’s Hallmark premiere All Summer Long, I had the supreme honor and pleasure of interviewing Anne Marie herself. I invite all of my readers to luxuriate in the joy that is Anne Marie DeLuise!
Anne Marie DeLuise Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer
RH: I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to speak with you today, Anne Marie.
AMD: My pleasure, Ruth, and thank you for all your support over the years.
I guess I found you and Peter both through Hallmark.
We’ve been doing a fair bit of Hallmark lately.
Yes, I’ve noticed. And as a result of seeing you on Hallmark, it has made me look up some of your other works as well. I was looking through your credits, and I noticed a movie of yours that I had seen, Shock To the System.
Oh my gosh! That was a long time ago. Ron Oliver directed that one.
Photo Credit: Kyle Cassie
Yes, and I watched it because my good friend, Sebastian Spence, was in it. There were a lot of Vancouver people in that movie.
I love Sebastian. We both grew up in St. Johns, Newfoundland.
I don’t think I realized that. Cool! So the first thing I would like to ask you is–how did you get started in acting in film and television?
Well, as I was growing up, I didn’t really have any artistic role models. It was always sort of a secret dream of mine. I didn’t really think it was possible for me. I thought you had to live in a big city like New York or Los Angeles in order to be an actor. So my dream of being an actor was something I hadn’t told anyone.
I went to University, and I got a business degree in marketing. That was a five-year program because there was work experience involved in that. After that, I had a small business for a year with an old boyfriend. We had a retail store. Then we decided we wanted to travel, so we saved up money and got jobs for a year and a half. Then I traveled around the world, backpacking for eight months.
Oh my goodness!
Photo Credit: Kyle Cassie
So during all that time when I was working, there was an ad in the local paper for an audition for a play. I went, and I was terrified. But I said to the director, “I want to be a part of this. I will do anything. I’ll be an assistant…anything!” This was an all-amateur production. She auditioned me, and she gave me a small part. I think I had one or two lines. I lost sleep for three months over those lines. But through doing that play, I met a bunch of local, amateur actors. A lot of them were drama teachers. And because of meeting them, I joined up with the local amateur theater company and started doing other plays.
Then I found out that there was such a thing as “theater school.” And I was like, “You can go to school for theater in Canada??” After doing several plays, I got hooked and I sent letters to two theater schools in Toronto. These letters explained how I was going to be traveling out of the country, but I told them how I would love to audition early in January for their programs. They both accommodated me, so I auditioned for two schools in Toronto, and I got accepted into both of them. I chose Ryerson Theatre School because it had a conservatory-style of training. So I went there and started my career in Toronto. In fact, I actually lived in Toronto for about nine years.
So how did you make the move to Vancouver from Toronto?
Way back, I did an independent film in Toronto that screened at the Vancouver Film Festival. I had a friend who lived out there, and since I was a struggling working actor, I called her up and asked if I could crash on her couch for a couple nights. She agreed. So I came out here, and I thought that while I was here, I should get West Coast Representation as well since I only had an agent in Toronto at this point. So I met with a couple of agents here, and they both wanted to sign me. I chose one of them, and then I went back to Toronto.
With Patrick Duffy
Back then, the tax credits were different. They didn’t really have provincial tax credits, so the provinces weren’t competing so much. It’s much harder now to go to different provinces to work unless you’re a lead actor and they’re willing to forgo the tax credits. So back then, it was much more common for actors to be hired in one city or another and flown back and forth to work. So I started self-taping. And back then–oh my gosh, it was so long ago! Self-taping back then was done on VHS, and you would have to FedEx the physical VHS tape. It would take a day or two to get out there. It was a different time. I think that was the summer of ’98. I had come out for the film festival in the fall of ’97. Then I came out in ’98 just to spend a month, and it turned into most of the summer. It was just to audition and meet all the casting directors because my agent said, “You’ve got to be here. They need to meet you.” So I did, but I wasn’t having much luck.
First Wave
So I went back to Toronto, and in the following January, my agent called and said, “You have to tape for this movie. You’re gonna get it. You’re perfect for it.” Well, I had spent the whole night before at the hospital because one of my dearest friends had gone into labor early, and she nearly died. Her baby was in ICU. She was from South Africa, and I was there with her husband in the waiting room, and they had no other family in Toronto. So I had been up all night, and I said to my agent, “I can’t. I can’t do this. I’m exhausted.” My agent said, “Okay, it’s fine. Just leave it.” Then she called me back about an hour or two later and said, “You have to do this! You’re perfect for it!” I was like, “Okay, fine, I’ll do it.” I called a friend to be my reader, and I went down to the taping place to get it done. Then I booked that movie, and it was the biggest role I’d had at that point. It was for the movie Don’t Look Behind You. It starred Pam Dawber and Patrick Duffy, both who I had watched growing up. Patrick was on Dallas, and Pam was on Mork & Mindy. And it’s so funny because the opening credits of the Mork & Mindy show had a shot of Boulder, Colorado. And on this trip I just did with Jake {son}, that was one of the places that I wanted to go just because of the opening credits of Mork & Mindy. Just because I thought it looked so beautiful. And we did go to Denver and Boulder so I could see it. But anyway, we did the movie, and yes, they were both lovely.
First Wave with Sebastian
Then while I was here in Vancouver shooting that movie, I did a few more auditions and then went back to Toronto. Then my agent called and said that I had booked two more movies. So I went back out. And then I booked two more. Then I booked a guest spot on First Wave, which was Sebastian’s show. And then I booked Higher Ground, which was my first series regular lead role. That was with Joe Lando back in 1999. When I got that role, I moved to Vancouver because I knew I’d be here at least a year and possibly longer. The show only went one season, unfortunately. I packed everything up. My parents actually went to Toronto and put my car on the train and shipped it out for me because I was busy working.
Higher Ground
My first day on the set of Higher Ground, Peter DeLuise was my director. We were both single and fell head-over-heels pretty quickly.
I see! I was going to ask how you two met. Maybe I read something at some point because somehow I thought you two had met on set.
He was my boss, but he didn’t want to put me in an awkward position. He was so kind and generous that I ended up asking him out. He was quite a gentleman.
Oh, I love that! And your relationship is just so wonderful. From what I have seen of you two, it is so refreshing and amazing to see such an incredible relationship that you two have. Even when I met you last year when I toured the When Calls the Heart set, it was clear to see that Peter loves you so much. And you love him.
Higher Ground
We will have been together twenty years in a couple of weeks. We met on September 1st, and our first date was September 30th. It’s so funny. When we started dating, every time my mom would call, she would say, “How are you? How’s Peter?” And I’d say, “He’s amazing!” And that was music to my mom’s ears. And he’s still amazing.
How wonderful it is to see two people who have been together that long, especially in the film and TV world. And the fact that you are both in the world…sometimes that works, and sometimes it doesn’t.
Well, you know, we made a conscious choice to stay in Vancouver. That may have stunted the possibilities for us, but we knew we wanted to raise our child in Vancouver. And we also started out with a pretty strong rule that neither of us would be away for a long time. We chose not to do lengthy location shoots. We’re both in the industry, so we understand the long hours. I don’t complain about it. If I text Peter to ask what time he’s going to be home and he tells me he doesn’t know, I get it. I know why he doesn’t know. We both have this understanding, and that has never been an issue between us.
Photo by Kyle Cassie
I know one of your first big things was Stargate. I have not seen all of the episodes, but I’ve seen a few. I wasn’t even aware of the show until I started interacting with actors in Vancouver.
Yes, Stargate was a staple show that provided lots of employment here in Vancouver. Peter had just started directing on Stargate before I met him. Also, the producers and the showrunner on that show were Canadian, so there were very adamant about hiring local actors. A lot of American shows that would shoot up here were only hiring Americans and were very hesitant to hire locals for sizable roles. But these guys knew the talent pool that was here, and they decided to use a lot of Canadians.
I know this show is still very popular all these years after it’s ended. There is still so much buzz about this show, including conventions and wonderful fan conversations. And it’s great to hear how a new generation is even getting introduced to the show with their parents and their grandparents.
I did two episodes of Stargate, and both were two different characters. In one, I was the right-hand lieutenant to Rene Auberjonois. That was in season four. And the other one was in season ten right after Ben Browder had taken over for Richard Dean Anderson. I was the unrequited high school crush for him. We attended a high school reunion together, and then, of course, aliens came in and messed it up.
Stargate
I believe your first Hallmark work was the original Garage Sale Mystery.
I believe that is correct. Peter did direct the first five movies in the Garage Sale Mysteries series. And if I remember right, this was the first sort of mystery series for Hallmark.
They had done some one-off mysteries, but I believe this was the first one they did with the option of actually continuing the series. Hallmark was just switching over to Hallmark Movies & Mysteries at that point.
Oh, that’s right!
I truly adored Garage Sale Mystery. I love all the Hallmark mysteries. Before this, were you aware of the Hallmark network?
Not really. I had heard of Hallmark Hall of Fame movies. They were usually pretty big-budget movies with big names that would air on a major network. So I was familiar with the brand. But I think Garage Sale Mystery was close to the beginning of our awareness of the network.
And Hallmark has changed so much over the past few years. They are doing just incredible movies and series. In fact, you were a part of their first original series, Cedar Cove.
Cedar Cove
Yes, I did one episode of Cedar Cove. I played Andie MacDowell’s ex-husband’s new wife. And during that time, I did several Hallmarks in a row. In addition to those two, there was June In January, The Bridge Part 1 & 2, Murder She Baked: A Peach Cobbler Mystery…and, I also did When Calls the Heart.
And, of course, the Hearties remember you from that show.
Yes, my character was hated! {laughs}
Well, Aunt Caroline wasn’t trying to be mean. And after all, Hearties should have realized that everything would work out in the end. It always does.
Exactly. But shortly after that, I did take a break from acting for a few years and went into casting full-time. But recently, I have decided to return to acting. Just this year, my agent called me and asked if I would be willing to do a small principal role in a Hallmark movie they were going to be filming over in Victoria. It was just going to be one day on set and a couple of scenes. And that got the ball rolling again for me. That was what became The Last Bridesmaid with Rachel Boston. She is awesome. She’s so lovely, kind, and down-to-earth. She is just amazing.
Photo: Anne Marie DeLuise
Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter
Right after that, I did Christmas Town with Candace Cameron Bure. That will be out this year for the network’s Countdown to Christmas, not sure of the air date. That’s a lovely movie. In that one, I play Beth Broderick’s best friend. Her character is sort of the hub of the town; she owns the cafe in town where a lot of the activity happens. So I play her best friend.
Now I know why I haven’t seen you in a while, Anne Marie. I was wondering if you weren’t going to be acting anymore, but I’m glad to see that you are back.
You know, I love working in casting, but about the time I started doing it full-time, things got very busy very quickly. I found that my hours were getting longer and crazier, and I wasn’t able to spend as much time with Peter and Jake as I wanted to. It was taking up my evenings. I felt like I had no time for myself. So I figured it was time to take a real break. But now I’m back and ready to give acting another go. I’m at a different point in my life now. My identity is not all about acting. It’s one part of my life, and as long as I enjoy it, I will keep doing it. Maybe I’ve become a little pickier about the roles I do.
And I think that makes perfect sense, Anne Marie. I would expect that at your stage of life. Why take a role you’re not right for or that doesn’t make you happy? I think that as actors get older, they should be able to be a little choosier about the roles they take. Let the young people do the four or five auditions a day. That’s how they build their resume. But as actors get older, they should have already built that resume, so good on you.
All Summer Long
I agree. Once you turn fifty, which I did three years ago, I decided I wanted to be more intentional about how I spend my time. I don’t want to audition for something that I don’t want to play, and I want to work with good people who are going to give me a fun on-set experience.
So speaking of All Summer Long, you and Peter actually got to act in this movie together. I think that’s kind of cool because I don’t think that has happened often with you two.
This was only our third time doing something like this together.
What can you tell us about your characters?
Anne Marie DeLuise Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer
I play Julie, and Peter plays Roland. We’re husband and wife. They are the aunt and uncle to Tia, who is played by Autumn Reeser. Peter’s character is her blood uncle, and I’m the aunt by marriage. My character, Julie, inherits a vintage yacht, and Roland, Peter’s character, has been a restaurant manager for thirty years. My character is a baker. We decide we want to turn the yacht into a floating restaurant. It’s a sort of big business venture, and we’re taking a big chance. Tia is a licensed sailor captain, but she is working as a lawyer. She’s sort of not doing what her heart’s desire is. She comes to our boat, and without giving away too much, I think I can say that our captain has dropped out at the last minute. Tia volunteers to take the captain’s place and to do it for a short period of time. Brennan’s {Elliott} character is the chef we’ve hired, and it turns out that he and Tia are ex-boyfriend/girlfriend.
©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer
We got to work with an incredible boat. It has the same name in the movie. It’s called the Pacific Yellowfin. It was a research vessel in WWII from 1943, I think it was. It’s an incredible boat, and it’s been refurbished beautifully. The owner is part of this local conglomerate adventure tour. People charter this boat to go up the Georgia Strait up towards Desolation Sound, which is halfway between here and Alaska. The owner was a very interesting character. The boat was absolutely gorgeous. We filmed over in Gibsons, which I don’t know if you’ve ever been.
No, I haven’t.
©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer
It’s a forty-five-minute ferry ride from West Vancouver. So it’s close, but a little bit of a ride away. We were over there for a little over the first half of the shoot, filming in the marina and Gibsons and on the boat. I’m sure Peter could tell you about the challenges of filming in the boat. The access to get onto the boat was just one narrow fairway, so it was hard getting people on and off with all the equipment and the confined spaces.
But for me, it was a blast because I got to hang out with my husband! I got to play in scenes with him, and it felt really flirty and fun to be directed by him, which I love, but also to act opposite him.
the DeLuises
You know, I already knew I was gonna love this movie, but when I heard you both were acting in it, all of a sudden my excitement level rose even more! I mean, it’s got Brennan and Autumn, and Peter’s directing. Beth Grossbard as executive producer. I just adore Beth.
Me too. She is so lovely. She’s like the mama bear on set, making sure that everybody’s okay.
But back to this movie, I had such a connection to the location and the boat. I grew up in Newfoundland near the ocean, and it felt so familiar to me. It was also so sunny and beautiful in June. The weather was gorgeous and the movie looks fantastic.
The DeLuises
Oh, I have no doubt. I look for this to be the highlight of the Summer Nights movies for Hallmark. Each one gets better and better. I have no doubt it will be a well-received movie and a big one for the network.
It was so great and special to be a part of it. I think it has been something that Beth has been trying to do for a while. To find a way for both of us to act in a movie together. So she had this idea, and Hallmark approved it.
I think it’s great. And since this is your first Hallmark movie acting together, I can only hope for even more films for you two in the future.
The DeLuises
We would be very happy to do more.
So we have All Summer Long this weekend. Then Christmas Town this Christmas. Is there anything else coming up you can mention?
Right after I finished my Hallmark work, I did a guest star role on Supernatural.
Oh, Anne Marie, that is awesome!
It was amazing to get to be a part of Supernatural because this is their fifteenth season, their final season. I was in season one. The funny thing is that it’s a totally different character this time. But Andrew Airlie played my husband in season one, and he also got cast as my husband in this episode! {laughs} And then, of course, we worked together on Cedar Cove.
Brennan Elliott, Anne Marie DeLuise Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer
That is just too funny! I love Andrew. I will be publishing an interview with him very soon. So it sounds like we’ve got some great stuff coming up. Starting off this weekend.
That’s right. And I want to say that working with Brennan and Autumn was fantastic. I think they are both such strong actors and gorgeous. They were both open to improv-ing and playing and just so kind and lovely. I knew Brennan from before because Peter directed All Of My Heart. I generally try to visit Peter’s set when he’s directing. I try to visit at least once or twice. So I had met Brennan before, and I loved All Of My Heart. And there’s also so much comedy in this one. Sometimes it feels like comedy in these movies is going by the wayside, but thankfully I don’t think that’s true with this film. I love it when it’s a true romantic comedy.
I know exactly what you mean! And what you’re saying about Brennan and Autumn sounds exactly right. I already think highly of them both, but with yours and Peter’s endorsement, that just cements it for me. So thank you so much, Anne Marie, for taking the time to chat and tell us so much about you and your career. I can hardly wait for the movie!
My pleasure, Ruth. Thank you so much for your support, and I hope everyone tunes in and enjoys All Summer Long this weekend!
The DeLuises
I don’t know about you, but the fact that Anne Marie and Peter DeLuise are doing Hallmark movies TOGETHER is something that thrills me to the cockles of my heart! These two have such impressive careers already, but to witness their dedication to Hallmark both on and off the screen is a testament to them as professionals as well as human beings. These two consistently promote positivity and benevolence wherever they go, and they are committed to providing quality entertainment and storytelling no matter what project is their current focus. While I only spoke with Anne Marie (well, Peter did say “hi” in the background, which was sweet), these two are the perfect complements to each other, and Hallmark has definitely struck gold in the casting of these two together in All Summer Long.
But beyond that, chatting with Anne Marie was just like conversing with a beloved friend. I am consistently amazed at the wonderful people I get to meet in this business, and I am forever dumbstruck by the opportunities that come my way and the artists I get to feature on my website! Anne Marie is one whose proficiency in a wide variety of disciplines within the industry is practically legendary, and yet, she is as pragmatic and as pleasant beyond what one could imagine. She treats everyone she meets with genuine respect and heartfelt interest, and I am infinitely grateful to Hallmark for continuing to feature her exceptional expertise and brilliance on our TV screens.
I hope that everyone tunes to the Hallmark Channel tomorrow (August 24th) night for the premiere of All Summer Long (hopefully our Canadian neighbors will be able to see it soon as well). In addition to watching the movie tomorrow night, I invite everyone to visit all of Anne Marie’s links below and consider following her on your preferred social media platform. She is pretty good about supporting up-and-coming Vancouver talent as well as letting her fans know about her (and Peter’s) forthcoming works. I am ceaselessly inspired by this vibrant woman, and I hope to see her featured on Hallmark (and other networks) for many more years to come!
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