Ever wonder what happened to the coach who cried out in the rain? You know the scene. It’s the one where Grant Taylor, played by Alex Kendrick, finally hits his breaking point. If you grew up in a certain era of faith-based cinema, Facing the Giants wasn't just a movie; it was a cultural phenomenon that somehow turned a $100,000 budget into over $10 million at the box office. But here’s the thing about the facing the giants actors—most of them weren't actually professional actors. They were just regular people from Albany, Georgia, who happened to attend Sherwood Baptist Church.
It’s wild to think about now.
Most of these folks went back to their "day jobs" after the credits rolled. They weren't hunting for agents in Hollywood or trying to land a Marvel role. They were pastors, students, and local volunteers. That’s probably why the movie felt so authentic, even if some of the dialogue was a bit on the nose. Let’s get into the weeds of who these people actually are and what they’ve been up to since 2006.
Alex Kendrick: The Man Behind Coach Grant Taylor
Alex Kendrick didn't just play the lead. He wrote the script with his brother Stephen and directed the whole thing. Honestly, his career is the one that truly exploded. Before the movie, he was an associate pastor of media at Sherwood. Today? He’s basically the face of modern Christian filmmaking.
Think about Fireproof, Courageous, and War Room. Kendrick became the go-to guy for this specific genre. He didn't move to Los Angeles, though. He stayed in Georgia. He eventually helped form Kendrick Brothers Productions, stepping away from the direct church oversight to build a full-scale production house. His acting has always been serviceable—he’s got that "everyman" quality—but his real power is in the director's chair. He recently worked on The Forge (2024), showing that he isn't slowing down anytime soon. He’s managed to maintain a level of creative control that most Hollywood directors would kill for, mainly because his movies are so cheap to make and so profitable.
Shannen Fields and the Reality of Being Mrs. Taylor
Shannen Fields played Brooke Taylor, the wife struggling with infertility alongside her husband. Unlike many of the other facing the giants actors, Shannen actually leaned into the industry after the film’s success. She didn't just disappear back into the pews.
She’s stayed quite active in the indie film world. You might have seen her in projects like Suing the Devil or The Resident. She also became a public speaker. She often talks about the real-life parallels between her roles and her personal faith. It’s interesting—she’s one of the few cast members who transitioned from "church volunteer in a movie" to "working actress." She currently resides in Florida and continues to produce her own content, focusing on stories that reflect her values. She’s a great example of how a single breakout role in a niche market can create a lifelong career.
👉 See also: Kate Moss Family Guy: What Most People Get Wrong About That Cutaway
The Kids Who Played the Players
Remember David Childers? The skinny kicker who nails the game-winning field goal? He was played by James Blackwell. James wasn't some child star from a talent agency. He was a local kid. After the movie, he didn't really chase the limelight. He went to college, got married, and moved into a life far removed from the red carpets.
Then there’s the "Death Crawl" guy.
Brock Kelley, the character who carries a teammate on his back while blindfolded, was played by Jason McLeod. That scene is legendary in coaching circles. Seriously, I’ve seen high school football coaches play that clip on loop before big games. Jason did a bit more acting, appearing in The Grace Card in 2011, but he eventually transitioned into ministry and family life. It’s a recurring theme with this cast: the "fame" was a byproduct, not the goal.
The Unlikely Success of the Supporting Cast
Let’s talk about Bill Baer, who played the wealthy, antagonistic father, Larry Childers. He was actually a retired businessman in real life. His performance worked because he looked like every frustrated booster you’ve ever seen at a Friday night game. Baer passed away in 2014, but his role remains one of the most cited by fans because of the redemption arc his character goes through.
And then there’s Bailey Cave, who played David Childers. (Wait, let’s be precise: James Blackwell was the kicker, Bailey Cave was the backup). Actually, many people get the names of the students mixed up because the roster was filled with local high schoolers. Most of them are now in their late 30s, working in fields like insurance, teaching, and coaching. They are the ultimate "one-hit wonders" of the film world, and honestly, they seem pretty happy about it.
Why the Facing the Giants Actors Resonated So Deeply
Why do we still care about these people twenty years later?
✨ Don't miss: Blink-182 Mark Hoppus: What Most People Get Wrong About His 2026 Comeback
It’s because of the lack of polish. In 2026, we’re so used to AI-generated backgrounds and perfectly filtered influencers. The facing the giants actors had bad haircuts. They wore baggy 2000s-era polo shirts. They looked like people you’d meet at a grocery store in the South.
The movie was filmed using a high-definition camera that was brand new at the time—the Panasonic VariCam—but the soul of the film was the community. Since the actors were mostly members of Sherwood Baptist, they didn't have to "act" like they cared about the message. They actually did. That sincerity is hard to fake. Even critics who hated the movie's "preachy" tone had to admit that the performances felt earnest.
The Financial Ripple Effect
The success of this cast changed how Hollywood viewed faith-based audiences. Sony Pictures (under their Affirm Films label) saw the numbers and realized there was a massive, underserved market. This led to bigger budgets for subsequent Kendrick films. By the time War Room came out, the production quality had jumped ten-fold.
But the original "Giants" cast remains the sentimental favorite. They represent the "scrappy" phase of the industry.
Common Misconceptions About the Cast
- "They were all professional actors." Nope. Aside from a few exceptions, the vast majority were amateurs from Georgia.
- "They made millions from the movie." Not really. Since it was a church-led project, many participants volunteered or were paid modest stipends. The profits largely went back into the church’s ministry and future film projects.
- "Alex Kendrick quit being a pastor." He transitioned roles, but his identity is still firmly rooted in his ministry work rather than being a "Hollywood mogul."
How to Follow the Cast Today
If you’re looking to keep up with the facing the giants actors, social media is your best bet, though many lead very private lives.
- Alex and Stephen Kendrick: They run KendrickBrothers.com, where they post updates on new films and casting calls.
- Shannen Fields: She’s active on Instagram and Facebook, often sharing behind-the-scenes clips from her current indie projects.
- The "Players": You’ll occasionally see them pop up in "Where Are They Now" segments on Christian television networks like TBN or Daystar.
What You Can Learn from the "Giants" Story
The story of these actors is a masterclass in staying true to a niche. They didn't try to be something they weren't. If you’re a creator or someone looking to break into a specific industry, there’s a lot of value in that.
🔗 Read more: Why Grand Funk’s Bad Time is Secretly the Best Pop Song of the 1970s
First, leverage your community. The Kendrick brothers didn't have a Hollywood budget, so they used their church. They used the local high school football stadium. They used what they had.
Second, authenticity beats polish. You don't need the best actors in the world if the people you have actually believe in what they’re saying.
Third, success doesn't have to change your zip code. You can build a global brand from a small town in Georgia if your content resonates with a specific, passionate audience.
If you want to dive deeper into this world, the best move is to watch the 10th-anniversary documentary features often included on the Blu-ray releases. They show the actual casting tapes and the "making of" footage that explains just how improbable this whole journey was. You might also want to check out the book The Kendrick Brothers' Show Your Signs, which gives more context on their casting philosophy.
The legacy of the facing the giants actors isn't found in Oscars or Golden Globes. It’s found in the fact that two decades later, their faces are still recognizable to millions of people who found a bit of hope in a low-budget football story. That’s a rare kind of staying power.