Presented by American Public Television, HOLLYWOOD PRIEST will be broadcast on most PBS stations across the country this summer!!

To find out when and which station will be broadcasting near you, click this link to get an updated list of stations…


…or stream through PBS Passport starting on May 1!


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Support Hollywood Priest!

Please consider financially supporting the film so we can continue our publicity efforts, work with distributors, and do all of the things that will help bring Fr. Bud’s story to a larger audience. Thanks and God bless!

 
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Fr. Bud on the Michael Douglas Show

Fr. Bud on the Michael Douglas Show

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Fr. Bud and Raúl Julia on the set of ROMERO.

Fr. Bud and Raúl Julia on the set of ROMERO.

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Get in touch!

Hollywood Priest is is currently making the rounds of film festivals and will soon be available on virtual screening events. To stay updated on showings and other news on the film, feel free to reach out to us so that we can keep you informed.

 
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When Father Elwood “Bud” Kieser arrived in Los Angeles in 1957, he had no idea of the adventure that awaited him.  After being encouraged by the entertainment professionals attending his parish, Fr. Bud begins a forty-year career as a television and film producer.  In addition to the long-running series Insight and the 1989 film Romero, Fr. Bud also establishes the Humanitas Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in Hollywood.


Fr. Ellwood “Bud” Kieser and Jerry Lewis

Fr. Ellwood “Bud” Kieser and Jerry Lewis

Fr. Bud and Martin Sheen

Fr. Bud and Martin Sheen

Tinseltown, however, can be a precarious place to navigate under the best of circumstances, let alone for a priest in the 1960s when his church and the larger society are going through tremendous changes.

But when he falls in love with a nun, Fr. Bud Kieser has to make a choice as to what the direction and meaning of his life is going to be.

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This documentary features stories from the people who knew Fr. Bud best, including some of the biggest names of stage and screen.

 

Martin Sheen

Not only did he serve seven seasons as the President of the United States on The West Wing and trek down a Vietnamese river in Apocalypse Now, but Martin Sheen also holds the distinction of starring in the most Insight episodes - ten!

Bob Newhart

It is not a stutter, it’s a stammer. For decades, Bob Newhart has been entertaining audience with his deadpan style of humor on television shows such as The Bob Newhart Show and The Big Bang Theory as well as films as Elf and Horrible Bosses.

John Amos

In addition to roles in Good Times and Coming to America, John Amos worked with Fr. Bud to bring world attention to the African famine in the 1980s.

Tim Matheson

Before he joined the reprobates at Animal House, Tim starred in eight Insight episodes, including one where he portrayed Jesus Christ!

Catherine HicksStar of 7th Heaven and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Fr. Bud helped encourage Catherine to address the needs of the poor through her work.

Catherine Hicks

Star of 7th Heaven and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Fr. Bud helped encourage Catherine to address the needs of the poor through her work.

John Sacret Young

When John first won the Humanitas Prize in 1979, Fr. Bud and he began a decades long dialog about religion in the world. John went on to write the script for Fr. Bud’s first theatrical film, Romero.

Marion Ross

Long before she was known as Mrs. Cunningham in Happy Days, Marion starred in multiple Insight episodes.

Sr. Rose Pacatte, FSP

Sr. Rose, an accomplished author, is also one of the leading media critics for the National Catholic Reporter and St. Anthony’s Messenger.

Tom FontanaAfter winning the Humanitas Prize for his writing on St. Elsewhere, he and Fr. Bud collaborated on projects as well as outreach to writers.

Tom Fontana

After winning the Humanitas Prize for his writing on St. Elsewhere, he and Fr. Bud collaborated on projects as well as outreach to writers.

Lee Purcell

Two-time Emmy nominee actress and serves on the Board of SAG-AFTRA.

Fr. John Geaney, CSP

Fr. John spent his priesthood working in the communications ministry, working in the radio and documentary realms as well as with Catholic Relief Services.

Terry Sweeney

Terry was one of Fr. Bud’s main partners for decades in producing scripted and documentary content that brought Christian values to mainstream media. He was also one of Fr. Bud’s main confidants.

Margaret LoeschIf you grew up in the 70s and 80s, Margaret Loesch programmed your Saturday mornings.  She was also instrumental in expanding Insight’s reach in its later years.

Margaret Loesch

If you grew up in the 70s and 80s, Margaret Loesch programmed your Saturday mornings. She was also instrumental in expanding Insight’s reach in its later years.

Dan Horan, OFM

Fr. Dan is a professor at Chicago Theological Union and is a top scholar of Thomas Merton, the Catholic monk who served as one of the main inspirations for Fr. Bud.

Christine Avila

Christine has been a working actress in the industry for decades and starred in some of the later Insight episodes.

Vin DiBona

The creator of America’s Funniest Videos, Vin DiBona produced a documentary with Fr. Bud and worked behind the scenes for the Insight in the 1970s.

Ed Begley, Jr.

After his father starred in many of the early Insight episodes, Ed Begley, Jr. starred in many of its later episodes.

Jim McGinn

In addition to being a screenwriter for Lucille Ball, Jim wrote sixteen Insight episodes over the course of fourteen years.

Kathleen WrightKathleen Wright served as a researcher for Fr. Bud’s 1989 production of Romero and now serves as a script consultant.

Kathleen Wright

Kathleen Wright served as a researcher for Fr. Bud’s 1989 production of Romero and now serves as a script consultant.

Fr. Eric Andrews, CSP

Fr. Eric not only has served as the president of the company Fr. Bud started, Paulist Productions, but he now serves as president of the entire Paulist community.

 

Watch all of the episodes of Fr. Bud’s original series INSIGHT on YouTube!