I can’t help but admire Jennifer Love Hewitt’s resilience and determination. Her journey from a young actress manifesting her dreams to a 45-year-old powerhouse who still has a place in Hollywood is truly inspiring. It’s fascinating to see how she’s managed to maintain her relevance and charisma through the years, all while staying grounded and humble.
Jennifer Love Hewitt is now prepared to discuss her mother. Over a decade has passed since the person who was the heart of her world succumbed to cancer. However, instead of letting her sorrow overwhelm her, she has used it as inspiration for two new endeavors that pay tribute to the remarkable impact her mother made.
It’s only when we lose our mothers or grow older that we truly understand the depth of who they are as individuals,” Hewitt says to EbMaster. “So, during this time, I’ve gained a new perspective on my mother – appreciating more deeply all she did for me, the hardships she faced in her life, and likely the struggles she had when I was young. Despite these challenges, she managed to create a magical childhood and a wonderful experience for me as her child.
In the upcoming book titled “Inheriting Magic,” publishing on December 10th, Hewitt provides an uncommon peek into her life with her partner, actor Brian Hallisay, and their trio of kids – Autumn, Atticus, and Aidan. This book includes unique, previously unshared personal photos, family dishes, imaginative party ideas, and techniques to effortlessly infuse a touch of childhood enchantment into everyday activities (a characteristic Hewitt attributes as being central to her upbringing).
Ever since they became parents in 2013, Hewitt and Hallisay have consistently chosen to shield their kids from public scrutiny. However, as this book project progressed and she delved deeper into it, they acknowledged that it would be challenging for her not to disclose this aspect of her life. Hallisay explains, “As much of her journey through grief overlapped with starting a family, it was an integral part of her experience.” In the book titled “Inheriting Magic,” their sons’ faces are visible online for the first time.
It’s truly an honor for me, for the first time, to share about my own family,” Hewitt says. “A lot of what has happened in my life has been written by others before. While most of it has been fantastic – I’ve been quite fortunate – some parts weren’t so good. So, we feel incredibly thankful that we had the chance to keep our privacy when we needed it. Now, with the opportunity to reveal who our family is, it feels truly authentic as it’s us revealing ourselves. We hope people enjoy getting to know us better.
The pair is eagerly anticipating that spectators will experience the same thrill from watching them collaborate in Lifetime’s “The Holiday Junkie” (airing on Dec 14), which also signifies Hewitt’s first directorial venture for a feature film. In this heartwarming tale, Andie (played by Hewitt) grapples with the loss of her mother Mimi and the prospect of spending her first Christmas alone. As she tackles running their decorating and planning service company on her own, an unexpected romance blossoms when she starts working on the home of a family who is away, catching the eye of the family’s attractive house manager, Mason (Hallisay). However, Mason harbors some hidden secrets of his own.
Lately, Hewitt has found an intriguing pattern on social media. When she shares a picture with Hallisay, some followers are often surprised to discover that they’re married, perhaps not realizing that he played her characters Riley’s estranged husband Kyle from “The Client List” or Maddie’s abusive ex-husband Doug from “9-1-1.” This is how they initially crossed paths and fell in love.
As a movie enthusiast, let me assure you all, he’s an outstanding chap and an exceptional performer. Rest assured, there’s no need for concern. I’m hopeful that Mason might just turn things around!
In an extensive conversation, Hewitt and Hallisay share insights into their collaboration on “9-1-1” and “The Holiday Junkie,” as well as their feelings about their eldest child showing a genuine passion for acting. Furthermore, Hewitt hints at an exciting twist in the upcoming two-part midseason premiere of “9-1-1” (airing Mar. 6), and discusses her role in the much-anticipated sequel of “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” produced by Sony Pictures.
Jennifer, how did you arrive at a place in your life where you felt like you were ready to talk about your mother again in such a public way?
Jennifer Love Hewitt: I believe the process of writing proved beneficial. Initially, it wasn’t a book in my mind, but rather a space where I could express my thoughts. At the time, I was breastfeeding our son Aidan and not getting much sleep due to early mornings. It was actually Brian who motivated me, saying “Continue! Even if you break down emotionally, keep going, as there’s something waiting to be released.” With his support, I managed to carry on with my writing.
It wasn’t until the initial sections of the book were committed to writing that I exclaimed, “Oh my God!” My immediate thoughts upon losing her were not just about missing her and figuring out how to move forward, but also the realization that all the magic I had experienced in life was now absent. That first Christmas with my beloved partner and our new baby girl brought a profound realization – it was now my duty to create magic, to shield our daughter from the pain I felt, thus giving birth to “Inheriting Magic.
Considering that your past two collaborations have involved playing partners in toxic and/or abusive relationships, it feels like a nice change of pace to see you playing characters at the center of a beautiful love story. How would you compare the experience of making this film to your past work? Do you think your on-screen chemistry has evolved the longer you’ve been together?
I agree! What’s amusing is that when Autumn first reacted, she said, “Oh, Mommy, Daddy will be nice to you this time,” which I found endearing. We truly enjoyed working on “9-1-1.” Doug is a fantastic character for him to portray, and Maddie just melts my heart. It was beneficial for us because we had to be so emotionally, physically, and mentally harsh. Therefore, being able to do that with someone you care about and trust allowed us to delve deeper into the characters of Doug and Maddie.
Brian Hallisay: No matter what kind of story we’re working on, whether it’s “9-1-1” or “The Holiday Junkie,” our shared goal is to deliver the finest performance possible. We’re both deeply invested in our work when we’re on set, and that journey was just as meaningful for each project.
This film is like a heartfelt message to my mom and our family, something we’ll cherish forever. I find it fascinating, considering our long-term marriage, that this project allowed us to spend workdays apart from our children. Essentially, our main task was to gaze into each other’s eyes and strive to rekindle romantic feelings. Every marriage should have such an experience. It would be wonderful if every couple who is married could produce a Christmas movie!
I was delighted to attend and lend my support as it wasn’t certain that I would be involved. In fact, there were times when my participation wasn’t a given.
Hewitt: Or that I was going to direct it. They both happened at the end.
Indeed, the reason is mainly due to scheduling concerns and time constraints as she needed to accommodate her break from “9-1-1.” We weren’t certain if this project would take place this year, but everything fell into place wonderfully. She has a deep affection for Christmas and Christmas movies, so it was more than just acting in one; she got the opportunity to direct one as well! Creating this unique world and narrating such a personal story made it feel truly special to be involved in this project.
There are plenty of Easter eggs for “9-1-1” fans in “The Holiday Junkie,” but I personally loved that you chose to repurpose Buck’s (Oliver Stark) loft as Andie’s apartment. Was that always the plan?
We only had 15 days for filming the movie, so we needed to work swiftly. At the time, I was wrapping up my role in “9-1-1,” with pre-production for the movie already underway. I wanted her character to have a loft apartment, and I excitedly said, “I know of an ideal scenario!” We had to negotiate and make adjustments to make it work, but we were certain that real 9-1-1 responders would recognize it as Buck’s apartment once they saw it.
On our first day of shooting at your place, I shared a brief video with Oliver, saying casually, “I’m just passing time here.” However, he never saw it. When we met again during the new season, I inquired, “Why didn’t you reply to my video?” He replied, “I didn’t see it!” Nevertheless, it was enjoyable to film there with a fresh perspective. Since I frequently shoot at that location, it felt familiar and adaptable, like saying, “Alright, I’m acquainted with this space, and we can create something here.” It’s an exceptional loft, indeed.
The Fox property is steeped in such a rich history, and it was beneficial for us to incorporate New York City’s bustling streets into our production.
Hewitt: Yes, it seems they claimed our movie was the very first one filmed both on a studio lot and in Los Angeles during Christmas time – quite an interesting fact.
Brian, Tim Minear gave you your first TV job on the short-lived Fox crime drama “The Inside,” and then he insisted on casting you to play Doug on “9-1-1.” Maddie and Doug’s relationship came to a bloody end in the Season 2 episode “Fight or Flight,” in which she stabs him to death in the snow after he finds and abducts her. What are some of your memories of shooting that pivotal episode together?
Autumn and Atticus, our children, were still young when we went with someone else to a small cabin in Big Bear. Unfortunately, Autumn fell ill there. Behind the scenes, we had some challenging circumstances to manage. It was extremely cold and quite demanding. However, it also provided a unique chance because in TV production, going to a location like that instead of shooting in LA demonstrated their commitment to telling this story accurately. The experience of being on the mountain, surrounded by snow, helped us immerse ourselves more deeply into the project. We ended up doing numerous takes running through the snow at high altitude, leaving us utterly exhausted.
Hewitt: It sounds terrible to say, but it was so fun.
As a devoted cinephile, I’ll never forget that chilling night on the series, it was the final scene of an episode if my memory serves me right. We halted our journey at a desolate roadside store, seemingly the only establishment for miles. A gas station stood there, ominous and solitary in the middle of nowhere. The atmosphere was eerie, with shady characters lurking about.
After the children left, we drove home at around 2:30 in the morning. His music selection was simply fantastic, and we exclaimed, “Wow, we actually did that!” For me, at least, it was a blast to watch him perform like that. I’d never seen him display such enthusiasm before. To be honest, Maddie’s performance style was unlike anything I had experienced previously. There were numerous instances where we both expressed, “I’m really proud of you. You’re putting in a lot of effort and making it happen.
For me, the most amusing incident took place in the snow. At first, they planned for me to eliminate him through a different method, but I can’t recall the specifics, instead I exclaimed, “I need to give it my absolute best!” They seemed puzzled, as if to say, “You know that’s your spouse you’re addressing?” Brian encouraged, “Go ahead! Proceed!” To which I responded, “Alright!” I have recordings of this exchange captured off-camera. Our crew was simply fantastic.
Returning to the topic of Tim, I was part of an episode on “The Inside” quite some time ago. At that point, we weren’t entirely sure where the “9-1-1” plot was headed. Upon his initial invitation, my role started with a voicemail message.
Hewitt: It was my first episode. They just had him do the voice.
It was truly amazing that he had faith in me and thought we could reach that destination together.
Suzy Diaz, in makeup, informed me that Doug wasn’t just the voice in the episode as I had assumed, but would also appear on-screen. I hadn’t realized we were going to meet Doug before. She casually mentioned, “Oh yeah, we’re meeting Doug,” which made me feel quite nervous. She added, “It’s going to be really intense.” When she revealed that my husband was Tim’s top choice for on-camera Doug, I was taken aback and asked, “Who?” She replied, “Your husband!” I exclaimed, “Really? He wants him on the show that badly?” Apart from our kids and me, he is his biggest fan.
It’s been enjoyable to reappear a few times in some dream sequences. The imaginative scene we had with Kenny [Choi, who portrays Howard “Chimney” Han, Maddie’s current husband] last season was particularly fun to act out.
Whenever something strange occurs on the program, the team often queries, “Could Doug be returning again?” I’d say, “Fellows, isn’t it a bit excessive to have him resurrect that many times?” And Tim usually retorts, “Why on earth did I off him so prematurely?!
You’ve both spoken separately about how you now consider Kenny a part of your family; he’s known as “Uncle Kenny” to your kids. How would you characterize your relationships with him in real life?
As a Movie Critic: What an absolute pleasure it has been working alongside such a remarkable individual. On my very first day on set, Tim asked me about Maddie’s storyline and I suggested that she should be with Chimney’s character. I just had this intuition that their lights would complement each other beautifully. When Brian joined the cast, it was Kenny who shared the news with me, confessing his newfound affection for Brian. It was heartwarming to see their bond grow and witness the kids’ affection for him, especially little Kenny, who we consider as one of our own.
Hallisay: He never misses a birthday party. He shows up —
Hewitt: And he goes hard at the birthday party.
Hallisay: Yeah, the Nerf gun games, he gets maybe a little too into it.
Hewitt: It’s wild!
However, the entire cast indeed spent the past weekend at our home, lending their support to her for the book release. It’s an outstanding bunch of individuals who are incredibly supportive of one another, making this journey enjoyable.
Every time I meet Angela Bassett, she always asks me about my husband and comments that his character is creepy. I agree with her because I find him that way too.
Maddie and Chimney are now expecting their second child, but the promo for the second half of Season 8 shows that Maddie will be drugged and abducted — presumably by a serial killer. Jennifer, is it true that you had a conversation with Tim to discuss the ground rules that Maddie and Chimney would establish going into her next pregnancy? How did you react when you read what he had in store for them?
We indeed had a discussion, as it was crucial for Tim during his second pregnancy to feel assured that Chimney would be well-cared-for and not left worrying about him again. I said, “Absolutely, I completely concur with all of that. However, I’d like to include one point in there, ‘It’s essential that we don’t view me as a flight risk once more.’
Reflecting on my personal experience, as I tackled the “Boston” episode during Season 6, I was in the midst of my own postpartum journey with our newborn at that time. It’s an incredibly challenging phase for any woman, navigating through the fog and learning to adjust to a new normal. The physical transformations and emotional upheavals women go through during pregnancy are truly remarkable, and emerging from it all is no small feat.
I wasn’t aware of what followed our discussion. All I can express about it is that it was incredibly entertaining from a narrative perspective, second only to “Fight or Flight,” and I don’t think anyone is prepared for it yet.
Hallisay: Yeah, they went for it.
I can’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie with you here, as I was in the same boat! I wasn’t prepared either, and let me tell you, it ramped up the intensity significantly. A part of my voice still being hoarse is a remnant from that experience. Jen Lynch and Brad Buecker did an outstanding job directing it; they truly excelled. This project is unlike anything I’ve ever tackled as a dispatcher, and it might just be one of the most challenging ordeals Maddie has faced, besides Doug.
Jennifer, you recently posted an emotional video about how your daughter, Autumn, got her SAG-AFTRA card at 10 years old — the same age you were when you got yours. She made a cameo as Maddie and Doug’s daughter in a “9-1-1” dream sequence, and she’s been bitten by the acting bug. How are you guys navigating those conversations about child acting at home?
Speaker: I believe we express our support during her discussion. We concur that it would be best if she holds off for a while. I find these charming aspects delightful. Neither me nor he desire her to become a full-time actress at this stage of her life.
Hallisay: And it’s not something that she’s actively pursuing now.
She enjoys herself with it. At the moment, it’s a private adventure since it involves us, so that’s the direction we’re taking currently. If it’s something she truly desires to pursue full-time when older, I’ll share all my knowledge with her and will undoubtedly be by her side as my mom was for me.
Although I had many difficult situations to navigate while acting as a child in Hollywood, my personal experience was quite different. I never felt alone; my mother was always by my side, watching over me. I knew this, and I always felt incredibly safe. There were times when her presence was irritating as a teenager, but looking back, I realize that it ensured my safety above all else. If roles were reversed today, I would want to protect her in the same way. But for now, we’re just having fun together.
Hallisay: She’s focused on being a kid. She had her English and math quiz today.
Additionally, it’s important to note that Jennifer’s childhood demeanor is worth considering. If you’ve ever watched videos of her at 9 and 10 years old, you’ll notice an extraordinary level of poise and confidence that is hard to believe for someone so young. I’ve never felt as confident as she was at that age, and I believe this early self-assuredness played a significant role in the path she took later on. It’s quite astonishing to witness, so I want to emphasize the importance of recognizing the factors that contributed to her success.
Indeed, I had a strong confidence in myself back then. If only I could still hold onto some of that belief now! Unfortunately, as one grows older, that self-assuredness seems to fade. I didn’t anticipate this change. However, if you had known me at age 10, you would have thought, “What a privilege it is for you to converse with me today!” I was simply ecstatic about it; it felt so unusual.
Jennifer, there’s been a lot of chatter about your potential involvement in the next “I Know What You Did Last Summer” sequel. What kind of relationship do you have with Julie James now, and if you do choose to return, how would you like to see that character evolve from the young woman we saw in those first two films?
Julie James holds a significant spot in my heart, forever. She was one of the major early goals I set for myself in life. I remember telling my mother that I wouldn’t take on a main role in a movie until I turned 18, as I desired to work adult hours and excel.
Initially, I didn’t intend to read for Julie James. Instead, I auditioned for Sarah Michelle Geller’s role. During the audition, the director expressed concerns about my performance and said, “There seems to be a problem. What’s going on? You don’t seem to be feeling it.” To which I responded, “I’m not her. I’m Julie.” He then asked me to step outside, read the script for the part again, and return for another try. That movie had a profound impact on my career because it made me realize that I could foresee events and make them happen. This ability, along with putting it out into the universe and being rewarded, was a valuable lesson for me in life. It has greatly assisted me in my nearly 36 years of acting experience.
It’s truly an esteemed privilege for me at the age of 45 to receive another invitation. Being considered in this manner is quite special, especially given the trend towards fresher, more dynamic talent. Yet, being asked to reprise my role is really exciting. We’re putting in a lot of effort to ensure everything runs smoothly. We’re almost there, folks! I assure you, a thrilling update is coming up, and it won’t disappoint.
I believe one reason we’ve paused a bit is because I don’t want the character to simply appear for a brief moment in the film as a remnant of the ’90s. Instead, I aim for her to return, have a purpose, participate substantially, and demonstrate her growth over the past 27 years. The most frightening aspect of the movie might be viewers seeing me at 45 when they last saw me at 21. A close-up with no filters could be enough to make that impact! I’m genuinely thrilled and deeply grateful for this opportunity, and I just hope everything aligns perfectly.
The only stipulation, for me, is that Julie can’t die.
Hewitt: That was my deal a long time ago. Julie doesn’t die! Never!
This interview has been edited and condensed.
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2024-12-09 23:48