During a recent interview, Dennis Quaid opened up about his wife Laura Savoie’s initial unease with his portrayal of real-life serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson in the new true-crime series “Happy Face.” In the Paramount+ show, Quaid takes on the role of Jesperson, a truck driver who infamously murdered multiple women in the 1990s, earning the moniker “The Happy Face Killer” for the smiley face drawings he included in his letters to the media and authorities.
Quaid revealed that Savoie found his role unsettling after watching the show, admitting, “It was a little iffy there for a couple of hours afterwards because, you know, that’d be creepy for me, too.” Nonetheless, he added, “But she knows me.”
Quaid and Savoie, who have a significant age difference, tied the knot in June 2020 after getting engaged in October 2019. The actor attributes the success of their marriage to their shared Christian faith, emphasizing the importance of having God in their relationship.
Before marrying Savoie, Quaid had been married three times. He first wed P.J. Soles in 1978, followed by a marriage to Meg Ryan in 1991, with whom he shares a son named Jack. Despite their public image as a Hollywood power couple, Quaid and Ryan divorced in 2001. Quaid later married Kimberly Buffington in 2004, with whom he has twins, but they split in 2016 and finalized their divorce in 2018.
In the interview, Quaid also expressed pride in his son, Jack, who has followed in his parents’ footsteps by pursuing an acting career. Jack recently achieved success with his lead role in the action film “Novocaine,” which premiered at the top of the U.S. box office.
Quaid spoke highly of Jack’s accomplishments, stating that he couldn’t be happier for his son’s achievements and predicting a bright future ahead in the entertainment industry.
Dennis Quaid praised his son’s talent and determination, stating that Jack has declined any help in pursuing his Hollywood career, wanting to succeed on his own merits. Quaid commended Jack’s independent success and recounted offering to help him secure representation, but Jack insisted on doing it himself. Dennis Quaid also discussed his role as the “Happy Face Killer” in the show, “Happy Face,” which premieres on Paramount+ on March 20. The series is based on the true story of Keith Jesperson, the Happy Face Killer, from the perspective of his daughter, Melissa Moore. Quaid shared his reluctance to meet Jesperson in real life and how working with Moore provided insight into the killer’s character. He highlighted the complex relationship between Moore and her father, emphasizing her ongoing struggle to reconcile her love for him with his horrific crimes. Dennis Quaid praised Moore for her efforts to seek forgiveness and support victims’ families, acknowledging the challenges she faces in coming to terms with her father’s actions.
Dennis Quaid’s co-stars James Wolk and Tamera Tomakili joined Fox News Digital for an interview prior to the premiere of their show “Happy Face.” Wolk takes on the role of Moore’s husband Ben, while Tomakili plays Ivy, a producer on a talk show where Moore works as a makeup artist. The actors shared their experiences working with Quaid, praising his generosity, kindness, and professionalism on set.
Wolk expressed his admiration for Quaid, referring to him as a legend and a great actor. Tomakili recalled Quaid’s raw energy on set, creating a dynamic and engaging working environment. The duo also discussed the importance of the show not glorifying violence, emphasizing its focus on exploring the trauma and psychology of those affected by it.
“Happy Face” is set to premiere on March 20 on Paramount+, offering a unique perspective on the impact of violence.
