I met “Touched by an Angel”’s Roma Downey years ago when I was covering her good works on behalf of Operation Smile, the organization that has helped transform the lives of millions around the world by giving children something to smile about.
Turns out, she was my neighbor and we became great friends. She and her husband, TV titan Mark Burnett, the Emmy-winning creator of “The Voice” and hits like “Survivor,” got married almost a decade ago, just about the same time my husband, Barry, and I tied the knot.
Her popular “Touched by an Angel” television show had a good, long run and touched many in the process.
A few years back, I remember meeting Roma at her breathtaking ocean view home for “a cuppa”(after all, everything in the Burnett- Downey household is done over a proper tea).
She told me about what seemed like a wildly ambitious idea: to do a series on the life of Jesus. Not only did it happen on the History Channel, but it pulled in record viewers in the process. She talked about the challenges of making the project engaging and relevant for a new generation, and they succeeded.
Roma even took on the role of playing Jesus’ mother, Mary.
The life of Jesus was so successful that it was turned into a major motion picture, “Son of God,” which is now playing in theaters nationwide. After a grueling schedule of shooting, casting, writing and directing, where the series went, the film followed. Drawing record crowds during Oscar week says it all.
“We now know that many millions saw ‘Son of God’ this weekend and we are very encouraged by the overwhelming support for the film,” Roma said. “We poured our hearts and souls into this project.”
So what is it like working alongside your spouse? The talented couple said it actually brought them closer together. “This is a love story,” Roma explains. “It has been a deeply personal journey for us. The story of Jesus is our story. This is our faith.” Working with your husband or wife is no easy task, but they pulled it off brilliantly.
“To be able to do what we love to do, do what we believe in and to do it together, as a married couple, has been a blessing for us and great fun, too. We are best friends and we work well together.”
Roma acknowledges that both bring strengths to the table, but in different areas. “My husband is the hammer, “ she said, “and I am the heart!” And the heart and hammer paid off. “After all the hard work over many years, it is gratifying to learn that millions showed up this weekend to experience ‘Son of God,’ to be moved by the story of Jesus on the big screen, and to be inspired by it.”
The message is resonating around the world and here at home.
“While at church Sunday morning in Malibu, we met a man who shared that seeing ‘Son of God’ has helped inspire a new aliveness in him for the Gospels. What a blessing … we are delighted that our own community is coming out in big numbers to support the film.”
So what’s next? Hopefully, a little down time. “After so many months on the road, we are just loving being home together with our kids and our family.” God bless, Roma and Mark. You deserve it.