Emmy Winner Paul Walter Hauser on Joining ‘Chosen’ Project, Says ‘I Love Jesus’

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Emmy-winning actor Paul Walter Hauser says his involvement in a new Chosen animated series is driven by his love for Jesus. Hauser won an Emmy for his role in the series Black Bird and starred in other well-known projects such as Richard Jewell (2019), Inside Out 2 (2024), and Cobra Kai (2019-2024). Last week, the studio behind The Chosen announced a new 14-episode animated series, The Chosen Adventures, which will include Hauser's voice. The series is set in biblical Capernaum and follows the story of two children who encounter Christ. Other voices include Yvonne Orji, Jordin Sparks, and the cast of The Chosen.

On social media, Hauser gently pushed back against criticism of his involvement in a Chosen project. One fan said he was now a "weird Christian actor."

"If I can calmly correct you," Hauser wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "I did The Chosen animated series because: 1) I love Jesus, 2) I thought the writing was good, 3) I enjoy watching The Chosen, 4) I act for money to provide for my family.

If I can calmly correct you-

I did The Chosen animated series because

1) I love Jesus
2) I thought the writing was good
3) I enjoy watching The Chosen
4) I act for money to provide for my family

I’m not making religious schlock idiocy like Left Behind 5. This’ll be good. https://t.co/D9VJKJUNgx

— Paul Walter Hauser (@PWHIsAWrestler) September 21, 2024

"I'm not making religious schlock idiocy like Left Behind 5," he added. "This'll be good."

Earlier this year, Hauser and his wife Amy opened up about their Christian faith in a series of videos for I Am Second. They say Jesus saved their marriage after Paul became dependent on alcohol and marijuana.

"I'm so grateful to be where I am now and also have the perspective that there's nothing more fun than spending time with your family," he said in the I Am Second video. 

He is involved in an accountability group with other men, he said.

"I think my relationship with God has only gotten better and more authentic," he said in the video. "I think I'm accountable in the economy of God where I acknowledge truth, and I show up, and I own my flaws, but then I also celebrate what God's doing in my life, and I walk in step with what I think He wants me to do, rather than just what I want to do.

"...The truth is that you are a loved child of God created on purpose," Hauser said. "He looks at you adoringly. …You were important enough for Him to sacrifice His own flesh and blood and spirit on Earth in the form of Jesus."

WATCH: Paul & Amy Hauser - Episode 4 - HOME AT LAST | I Am Second

Photo Credit: ©Kevin Winter/Staff

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. 

Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.