In a recent interview, famous actor Shia Labeouf revealed that he discovered God while preparing for an upcoming film.
Father Pio
In a lengthy interview, the 36-year-old actor sat down with Bishop Robert Barron. He spoke candidly about how he unexpectedly discovered faith while doing his job.
The film, which will be released on September 9, is a biopic of the charismatic and controversial Italian friar and saint Padre Pio.
The Transformers actor immersed himself in the life of the Capuchin friars to become acquainted with the character he will be playing. He also read the Bible for the first time.
But Shia soon realized that his studies and research were becoming more personal. “And it stops being a movie prep and starts being something beyond all of that,” he explained.
“I realize now that my God was using my ego to draw me to Him,” he continued.
Shia’s conversion occurred during a time when his “life was on fire.” “I was walking out of hell,” he explained. My life was a shambles, and I didn’t want to be an actor any longer.”
The actor admitted to hurting many people, which caused him shame and guilt. He even considered suicide to end his misery. “There was a gun on the table.” “I was leaving.”
“I didn’t want to be alive anymore when all of this happened,” he admitted. Shame like I’d never felt before—the kind of a shame that makes you forget how to breathe. You have no idea where to go.”
During that season, however, he received an offer to play Padre Pio.
And as he began reading the Bible, he felt God’s call to surrender and let go. “That’s really what the Gospel gave me,” he said. “If I had to sum it up in two words, it would be ‘let go.'”
“Seeing other people who have sinned beyond anything I could ever comprehend being found in Christ made me think, ‘Oh, that gives me hope.'”
“I started hearing experiences of other depraved people who had found their way in this,” he continued, “and it made me feel like I had permission.”
“I started hearing experiences of other depraved people who had found their way in this,” he went on, “and it made me feel like I had permission.”
The Gospel is a story of redemption, a message of hope for all sinners to be reconciled to their Loving and Almighty Father. Let us pray that Shia Labeouf will continue to know Christ and be a witness to His goodness.
