Actor Alex Zuko joins Catholic Women Now to share his powerful reversion story, from a life-changing encounter with the Eucharist while volunteering in India to overcoming addiction through the Holy Spirit's guidance. Zuko opens up about starring as a grieving, alcoholic priest in the award-winning Catholic short film "A Great Day," a true story of confession, mercy, and sacramental healing that has reached over a million viewers worldwide. Julie Nelson and Chris Magruder dig into the on-set miracle tied to Our Lady of Guadalupe and preview Zuko's next role as one of Florida's first Catholic martyrs.
Actor Alex Zuko pulls up a chair at the coffee table to share how a five-month trip to India turned into a full Catholic reversion, and how that journey eventually led him to play a grieving priest in the award-winning short film "A Great Day." Julie Nelson and Chris Magruder talk with Alex about forgiveness, the sacraments, and the surprising miracle that saved one of the film's most powerful scenes.
From Munchkin to the Big Screen
Alex's acting career started in elementary school, playing a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz, and grew through high school theater into a degree from the University of Florida's School of Theatre and Dance, where he graduated with honors before building a career in commercials, student films, and independent features.
A Reversion Story from India
While extending a trip through China, Tibet, Nepal, and India by five months, Alex spent two weeks volunteering with the Missionaries of Charity — caring for handicapped children in the mornings and the destitute and dying in the afternoons. Daily Mass became part of his routine, and a visit to a former Catholic friend's Protestant service helped him realize what set the Catholic faith apart: the Real Presence in the Eucharist. That conviction sparked a ten-year journey back to the fullness of the faith, including a moment of profound healing from addiction during Eucharistic adoration.
Playing Father Zachary in "A Great Day"
In "A Great Day," Alex portrays a priest wrestling with grief and alcoholism who is called to anoint a dying man — the very man responsible for the death of his family. Inspired in part by a homily from Father Mike Schmitz recounting a story tied to St. Faustina, the film explores confession, the anointing of the sick, and the Eucharist as channels of God's mercy.
Preparing for the Role Through Real Loss
Alex shares how walking his aunt through her final days in a Philadelphia hospital — including her reception of confession, anointing of the sick, and Communion — became unexpected preparation for the role, deepening his understanding of a priest's ministry at the bedside.
A Marian Miracle on Set
One pivotal scene wasn't coming together, even after hours of on-set prayer. It wasn't until the production team added music derived from the star pattern on Our Lady of Guadalupe's tilma that the scene finally came alive — a detail Alex says still moves him every time he watches it.
"Only God's Grace Can Bloom Thorns Into Roses"
That closing line from the film sums up its message. Since release, "A Great Day" has been viewed more than a million times worldwide (including subtitled versions) and has prompted numerous priests to reach out to Alex about what it meant to them and their vocation.
What's Next: The Silent Song
Alex is currently filming The Silent Song with Mount Carmel Studios, portraying Father Luis Cancer, one of Florida's first Catholic martyrs, killed near Tampa Bay in 1549. The project was inspired by his bishop after a private screening of "A Great Day."
Watch & Learn More
Watch "A Great Day" on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch
Learn more, request a free screening, or find study guides at ourladyfilms.org: https://ourladyfilms.org/a-great-day/
Learn more about Mount Carmel Studios and upcoming projects at mountcarmelstudios.com: https://mountcarmelstudios.com/
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