Episode 33
Guest: Bailey Chase
Actor, Producer, Writer and Hendersonville Local
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Listen to Episode 33 on Spotify
Episode Summary
What brings a longtime Hollywood actor from Los Angeles to Hendersonville, North Carolina? For actor Bailey Chase, the move became one of the best decisions he and his family have made.
In Episode 33 of Living Local with Frisbee Real Estate, Ed sits down with Bailey to talk about nearly 30 years in the entertainment industry, his path from college football player to working actor, and why he ultimately chose to leave Los Angeles and make Hendersonville home.
Bailey is known for roles in Longmire, Homestead, Queen of the South, Criminal Minds, CSI, and numerous other film and television projects. He takes us behind the scenes of Longmire, including his experience playing Branch Connally, the show's loyal fan base, and why that role remains especially meaningful to him.
He also talks about his role in Angel Studios' Homestead, which began as a feature film and expanded into a multi-season series. Bailey shares some of the unusual circumstances surrounding the production during the Hollywood strike and how the project developed from a movie into an ongoing show.
Another project Bailey is developing is called Appalachia, which he wrote and plans to produce and star in. Inspired in part by his experience on Longmire, the project could eventually give Bailey the chance to step into a sheriff role of his own.
But this conversation goes well beyond acting. Bailey talks about being a husband and father, raising his family in Western North Carolina, and getting involved with Henderson County Heroes, an organization that supports local first responders in need. He also shares why creating work that encourages people and puts something positive into the world has become increasingly important to him.
Bailey's Hendersonville and WNC Favorites
Because this is Living Local, Ed also asks Bailey about some of the places his family enjoys around Hendersonville and Western North Carolina. Bailey mentions:
- Jeter Mountain Farm for apple picking and family outings
- Hearth & Harrow in Hendersonville
- Shine on Main Street
- Morning Social in Brevard for brunch
- Exploring the mountains and communities around Western North Carolina
It is a fun and personal conversation about Hollywood, Longmire, Homestead, family, faith, Hendersonville, and finding home in Western North Carolina.
As always, keep living local.
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Transcript
Transcript lightly edited for readability.
Ed: We're excited to have our special guest, Mr. Bailey Chase. Bailey is best known as an actor, but I'll let you introduce yourself and talk a little about what you've done.
Bailey: My wife Amy and I moved to Hendersonville about five years ago, at the tail end of COVID. I had spent about 21 years in Los Angeles. I can't take credit for the move. I really feel like it was divine intervention, and it has been one of the best things that ever happened in my life. My family is doing great here.
Most people know me as an actor, which is good, but I'd say my most important role is being a father and a husband. I take great pride in that. That was a big factor in moving our family here and leaving Hollywood behind.
Ed: Do people recognize you around here?
Bailey: They do. Most everybody is cool about it. Every once in a while someone doesn't respect boundaries, but usually people are great.
Ed: What do people usually recognize you from?
Bailey: Longmire is very popular around here. I'm also developing something called Appalachia, which is inspired in part by my experience on Longmire. If Appalachia takes off, I'll finally get to be the sheriff.
Ed: That's how I recognized you, from Longmire. Then I realized we'd seen you on Criminal Minds.
Bailey: I was a bad guy on Criminal Minds. Those can be fun roles. I was also on the original CSI pretty early in my career. I played Marty Mayron, "the Meat Machine," a professional hot dog eater. I had to eat a lot of hot dogs. After about two, I was using the spit bucket.
Ed: How long did Longmire run?
Bailey: Six seasons total, which is a successful run. My character, Branch Connally, was in the first three seasons. A&E canceled the show after season three, even though it had strong ratings. Netflix came in and saved it for three more seasons.
My first Instagram handle was "Branch Lives" as a joke about what happened on the show. Even today, I'd say about half of my fans are from Longmire.
Ed: I remember now that Branch ran against Walt for sheriff.
Bailey: Yes. I think I lost by about two votes. I loved a lot of things about that show. We filmed in Santa Fe, and my first daughter was born there. Waverly will always be a New Mexican. A lot of great things happened to me in Santa Fe.
The show was based on books and was fictionally set in Wyoming. We did fan events around Buffalo, Wyoming, and stayed near there on a ranch. For years I got to take my family out there. It was really special.
What I loved about Branch was that I got to play all the levels. Earlier in my career I often played guys who had everything together. Branch was a character who eventually fell apart. In the beginning, he is this polished alternative to Walt, with technology and money, and he operates in shades of gray. Over time, you see him put himself in harm's way for others. That was creatively rewarding.
Ed: After Longmire, what came next?
Bailey: I did a role on Queen of the South, which was my last job before COVID. Then everything stopped. That was humbling. Like a lot of families, we went through a difficult period.
That ultimately helped lead us to Hendersonville. It is harder to find some acting work while living here. I have lost out on some roles because I wasn't local to Los Angeles, but I've also gotten new opportunities, including faith-based films and shows.
I did a Western called Far Haven, and around that same time I got involved with Henderson County Heroes. It benefits local first responders in need. One of our early fundraisers was a private screening on Main Street, and the proceeds went to the foundation. We also do a golf tournament and other events.
Ed: Tell us about Appalachia.
Bailey: Appalachia is in development. I wrote it, and I plan to be a producer and star in it. That's a first for me. I've also been working with Angel Studios the last few years on Homestead.
Ed: You're in Homestead?
Bailey: Yes, I'm one of the leads. It started as a movie. During the Hollywood strike, independent productions could get waivers, and Angel had independent financing. Homestead had always been developed as a series, but because of the strike they pivoted and started with a movie, which was essentially the first two episodes.
Since then we've shot two full seasons, and we're planning on going back to Utah for season three. My character is Jeff Eriksson, based on a real person, Jeff Kirkham, who is a retired Green Beret and special operator.
The story is post-apocalyptic. A billionaire owns a large homestead outside Salt Lake City, and people flee there after disaster strikes. Neil McDonough was in the movie, Dawn Olivieri is part of the cast, and Charles Esten plays another major role in the series.
Ed: Before we started, you said you never acted in high school or college. How did you get started?
Bailey: I was born outside Chicago in Barrington, Illinois, and later moved to Naples, Florida. Eventually I went to a prep school in Jacksonville called Bolles. My roommate there was Chipper Jones. He was a good influence, and we pushed each other in sports.
I played baseball and football. Baseball was my first love, but Chipper was so much better than everybody else at baseball that I started focusing more on football. I played inside linebacker and was good enough to play Division I.
I wanted to go to Chapel Hill, but they didn't offer me. Georgia Tech recruited me heavily, and then Duke stepped up at the last minute. So I went to Duke.
I was a total jock through high school and college. Acting was more of a boyhood dream. I had this idea that after football and baseball I would someday become the next Clint Eastwood. The plan just accelerated when the NFL didn't come calling.
Ed: So you basically showed up in Los Angeles and started acting?
Bailey: That's actually pretty accurate. My degree was in psychology, and I use that all the time in acting. It helps me get curious about characters, figure out why they act the way they do, and avoid playing a one-dimensional bad guy.
Ed: Have you ever had a part where you sing?
Bailey: I did a movie called Country Roads Christmas. I sang on set, but they used a professional singer in the final movie. I thought I'd gotten pretty good for a few weeks there.
Ed: Have you done voiceover work?
Bailey: I have, and I really enjoy it. Animation is especially fun because you can get outside yourself and act crazy. I'd love to do more voice work because I can do some of it from home.
Ed: What's one of your favorite things you've been part of during your acting career?
Bailey: One of the coolest things about being an actor is hearing from fans about how a show affected them. That happened a lot with Longmire. People would tell me it was their dad's favorite show and that watching it together gave them something special during the end of his life.
For me, that's better than any trophy or award. I got into this business to spread joy. I want to create art that inspires people and puts a positive message into the world. Getting to work with Angel Studios and be part of projects that do that is a blessing.
Ed: I want to ask about Hendersonville. When someone comes to the area, what should they check out?
Bailey: People ask me how I ended up here because it can seem random, but my wife was born and raised here, at Pardee. That's how we got here. It's a great place to raise a family.
One of our favorite things to do is go to Jeter Mountain Farm for apple picking. They've done a great job out there. It's beautiful, and we always come home with a lot of donuts.
For restaurants, my wife's favorite, and one I really like too, is Hearth & Harrow on Seventh Avenue. If you go out to Brevard, one of our favorite brunch spots is Morning Social. And if you're doing the Main Street thing, I like Shine.
Ed: How will people know if Appalachia comes to fruition?
Bailey: I'll post about it. I'm easy to find online at Bailey Chase. I also post things related to Henderson County Heroes and local events.
Ed: If the project gets made, how long does it usually take before people can see something like that?
Bailey: It depends. A series can sometimes have about a six-month turnaround from shooting a pilot to streaming. Films usually take longer, often around a year. So if Appalachia moves forward, there is still a development and production process before anyone sees it.
Ed: Bailey Chase, thank you for taking the time. People can find you on Instagram and Facebook, and we'll have to have you back again.
Bailey: Thank you for having me.
Ed: Thank you all for watching and or listening. And as always, keep living local.