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Fr. Bud on the Michael Douglas Show
Fr. Bud and Raúl Julia on the set of ROMERO.
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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. 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.
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 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 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 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 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.
