Dennis Quaid Opens Up About Wife’s Reaction to His Serial Killer Portrayal in ‘Happy Face’

Dennis Quaid recently disclosed that his wife, Laura Savoie, expressed discomfort regarding his portrayal of notorious serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson in the new true-crime drama series titled ‘Happy Face.’

In the Paramount+ production, Quaid, aged 70, takes on the role of Jesperson, who was a Canadian-American truck driver responsible for the murders of at least eight women during the early 1990s. Jesperson earned the moniker ‘The Happy Face Killer’ due to the smiley face drawings he included in letters sent to media outlets and law enforcement.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Quaid reflected on Savoie’s reaction after watching his performance in the series.

“It was a little iffy there for a couple of hours afterwards because, you know, that’d be creepy for me, too,” he acknowledged. 

Quaid reassured that Savoie understands him as a person, despite the eerie nature of his character.

Marriage Highlights Faith and Connection

The couple, with Savoie being 39 years younger than Quaid, got engaged in October 2019 and exchanged vows in June 2020. Quaid attributed their harmonious relationship to their mutual Christian faith, emphasizing its importance in maintaining their bond.

“God is in our relationship,” he asserted. “I think that’s the real secret of it. Having God in your relationship is essential, I think.”

Reflecting on Past Relationships

Before marrying Savoie, Quaid experienced three previous marriages. He initially wed his ‘Our Winning Season’ co-star P.J. Soles in 1978, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1983. Quaid later fell in love with Meg Ryan, whom he met while co-starring in 1987’s ‘Innerspace.’ Their marriage in 1991 produced a son, Jack, but ended in separation in 2000, culminating in divorce a year later.

Quaid’s third marriage was to Kimberly Buffington in 2004, with whom he shares twins, Thomas and Zoe. They separated in 2016, finalizing their divorce in 2018.

A Proud Father

In a recent conversation with Fox News Digital, Quaid expressed admiration for his son, Jack, who has chosen to follow in his parents’ footsteps in the entertainment industry. Jack made his debut in the blockbuster ‘The Hunger Games’ in 2012 and later became known for his role in the Amazon Prime superhero series ‘The Boys.’

In 2023, Jack landed a lead role in the action film ‘Novocaine,’ which premiered last weekend and achieved the number one spot at the U.S. box office. Quaid shared his pride over his son’s success, stating, “The guy is on a trajectory to go way past both me and his mother, I think. I hope so. And I think he will. He’s such a great guy.”

Insights into ‘Happy Face’

Quaid’s upcoming project, set to premiere on March 20 on Paramount+, titled ‘Happy Face,’ dives into the real-life events surrounding the case of the Happy Face Killer. The series offers a unique perspective, told through the lens of Jesperson’s daughter, Melissa Moore.

The show is adapted from Moore’s 2009 autobiography ‘Shattered Silence,’ co-authored with M. Bridget Cook, alongside her 2018 podcast ‘Happy Face.’ The narrative follows Moore, portrayed by Annaleigh Ashford, as she grapples with her identity and the repercussions of her father’s horrific actions, including the wrongful conviction of an innocent man.

Understanding the Character of Jesperson

Quaid revealed that he opted not to meet Jesperson, who is currently serving a life sentence in an Oregon prison, citing that he did not wish to engage with him in any manner. He stated, “Usually I like to — if I play a real life person — I like to meet them. But this guy, I didn’t want to meet him. He’s in a hole in prison in Portland, where he should be. And I really didn’t want to give him any kind of entertainment or feelings of excitement or whatever.”

Instead, Quaid drew a deeper understanding of his character by working closely with Moore, who provides her unique insights into the disturbing reality of being the child of a serial killer.

A Complex Relationship

Quaid articulated the intricate relationship between Moore and her father, highlighting her struggle to reconcile the love for her parent with the atrocities he committed. “They had a very loving, sweet, affectionate relationship as a kid that she remembers. He was a truck driver but then at the age of 15, she finds out her father’s a serial killer. So how do you reconcile that in your brain? I mean, it doesn’t fit?”

He elaborated, noting that Moore spent much of her life attempting to rectify a wrong that is simply unfixable in her mind. This was encapsulated in her deep-seated love for him, even in light of his heinous actions.

Co-Stars Weigh In

‘Happy Face’ also stars James Wolk and Tamera Tomakili, who shared their experiences collaborating with Quaid. Wolk described Quaid as a generous and kind actor, while Tomakili appreciated the energy he brought to the set, stating that it inspired for a dynamic and engaging working environment.

Both co-stars expressed their hopes that the audience takes away the emphasis on trauma and the psychological impact of violence as portrayed in the series. They reiterated that the show does not glorify the acts of violence but instead illustrates the profound effects on the victims and their families.

The Impact of ‘Happy Face’

‘Happy Face’ is designed to show the human experience behind crime and trauma. The series focuses on the realities of those affected rather than dramatizing the violent acts themselves. With its premiere approaching, viewers anticipate a thought-provoking exploration of a dark chapter in true crime history.

As ‘Happy Face’ gets ready to grace screens soon, viewers can expect a gripping narrative that dives deep not only into the chilling storyline but also into the intricacies of familial bonds and the struggle for redemption amidst horror.