Comments about ‘LDS-centric actor's new role may raise a few eyebrows’

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Published: Friday, Jan. 20 2006 12:00 a.m. MST

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bill

At the end of the interview...it said that he was going to do things that Kirby Hayborn doesn't do. Does that mean that he is going to start cussing and stuff? Or is he going to do worse things? It kind of worries me the way that he said it.

Dale Blotter

I'm disappointed that Mr. Heyborne feels a need to take on acting roles that are not consistent with the values espoused in his LDS centric roles. My teenage son who grew up watching Kirby in Singles Ward, RM and Best Two Years, spotted Mr Heyborne this week in a Miller Beer TV ad. Whether he wants to admit it, he has been a role model for LDS youth and it I wonder what message they are getting when they see someone seemingly drop their personal values to deliver a crass commercial message and advance their career. The world needs more movies and TV that represent good values and morals not more of the filth that is passed off as entertainment.

Mel in az

Wow! I just saw the same commercial. I told my children that no one can withstand the pressures of the media, Miley Cyrus etc. Whenever I watch the commentary that highlights the LDS movies like Single Ward, etc., I was struck by the crassness of the actors. Kirby I realized was always in character, always the good guy. Actors are the great pretenders. I boycott all movies made for the LDS audience. The actors make me sick.

LDS Family

I saw the Miller Lite comercial and couldn't believe my eyes! I was shocked to see Kirby doing a beer commercial. My children were very upset. It is so hard when they look up to someone like him only to be dissapointed again! I guess it is easy for some to give up their values when money talks. It is too bad!

Matt

The ad just ran on a national broadcast for the NBA finals. Yes, I was dis-heartened to see it, but actors are people too and we all learn by the decisions we make. We also all have ups and downs. We cannot judge a worthiness level. A lot of us...probably all of us....skimp on some level. I do see actors that are NOT mormon take on good roles at every turn. There may be skeletons in the closet for him, but a good example is Sean Astin.

oh brother

give me a break.

Gus

This article was from Jan 2006. Why is it showing up again on the site? Why am I making a comment for 2 year old news?

Re: Gus

Read the other comments, and you will find out why.

risk of actors

I have a similar problem with using non LDS actors for church films. You run the risk that at some point you see the actor supporting things running contrary to our values. The guy that played JS in Work and Glory played a pimp on CSI.

In Kirby's case, he is an LDS actor playing LDS roles at the start and then moving away from LDS values. Our kids and many of us can't separate actor from real guy.

What troubles me is there are so many good roles out there that don't require a compromise of values. Why the strange choice? Many of us make similar choices in not working for tobacco or beer companies. Why should actors be any different??

Geoff

I dunno... at first I had a problem with the Miller Lite commercials, but then I thought... hey what about athletes that work/compete on the Sabbath Day. I believe the Sabbath Day is just as important as the word of wisdom. If you're gonna call out Kirby, you might as well call out Steve Young (who still covers sports on Sundays).

questions

I too was shocked to see Kirby on the beer commercial, not because he is a Mormon, but because my impression of him personally was that he wouldn't do something like that. On the other hand, when I think about it, I'm just as guilty as he is. As a web designer at my full-time job, I will occasionally be asked to design a website for a company that is not in harmony with my beliefs (a sports bar, etc.) Are Kirby and I both guilty of not "avoiding the very appearance of evil?" Are we perpetuating sin throughout the world? Is he more responsible than I because he is such a recognizable figure? Should make for an interesting debate.

congrats

More power to you Kirby....you're a great actor and let's face it - when you've got that kind of talent, why waste it on a bunch of us who can't afford to give you what you really deserve.

another one bites the dust

Keep yer eyes open and you'll soon see him get deeper and deeper into the nightmare of hollywood...

He can HAVE it....

I too will not watch movies geared to a LDS audience.... I think they are stupid.

prc

a beer ad? shame on you kirby. get back to your roots and take a stand!

J-Town

He was recently on a beer commercial.....he's lame.

Fallen Angel

Another R.M. bites the dust!

Jessica

It is just a shame to see Kirby give up his values. It seems as if he is making excuses to go in the wrong direction. I was really disappointed to see him in the beer ad. Surely there has got to be other roles that he could play where he wouldn't compromise his values. And if there isn't, maybe he's in the wrong profession. What a poor example, especially to his children.

Trevor

Who cares. He has a job to do. Let him make his own choices. He has been a decent person so far no matter what commercials he's been in.

I'm a Kirby Fan

Hey Kirby is cool, Kirby is great, leave the guy alone. I'm LDS and I've seen all his LDS movies and I don't know if I have ever laughed so hard in my life. His non-LDS "questionable" roles everyone is discussing right now is absolutely none of our business, whatsoever. I think a lot of people are conveniently forgetting that judging other people is probably higher on the list of DON'Ts than smoking fake cigarettes, and growing your hair long. C'mon guys, your Christian, act like it.

GO KIRBY!!!!

Sarah

I have been a little disappointed by some of Brother Heybourne's acting choices, such as the beer ad, just like I have been for Rick Schroeder. But at the end of the day, it's their decision to make, and it's not our place to judge. It can be very difficult for an actor to find work in LA, and many times they have to take what they can get. I have a lot of respect for Corbin Allred, who has turned down many roles because of content, but at the same time, when he isn't doing LDS films these days, he's doing guest starring roles on tv shows. He's not getting the film roles I'm sure he'd love to have. We honestly can't say what we would do in their situation until we've been in it. We can say we wouldn't do it, but if it was a choice between feeding your children and cursing in a movie, we can't be positive what we'd do. Don't judge them too harshly, guys.

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