For Hilary Swank, Ordinary Angels Was a Gift From Her Father

By The Backlot

@backlotfriends

Sharon steps out of a hair salon doorway, smiling as she holds up a pink fundraiser flyer advertising a 24-hour hair-a-thon.

Hilary Swank's father received a lung transplant. He died on October 1, 2021.

Five months later, Swank started filming Ordinary Angels, a true story about a hairdresser who rallies her community to save a young girl waiting for a liver transplant.

She described the role as "a gift from him."

The film took roughly 15 years to reach production. Dave Matthews heard the real story, optioned it, and spent years getting it made before Lionsgate came on board.

To capture the Louisville winter storm at the center of the story, the production chose Winnipeg. A real blizzard rolled in during filming.

People on Backlot are watching it.

Quick Facts

For Hilary Swank, Ordinary Angels Was a Gift From Her Father

DirectorJon Gunn

CastHilary Swank, Alan Ritchson, Tamala Jones, Nancy Travis

GenreDrama

Release2024-02-22

Runtime118 min

Rated7.7/10

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Hilary Swank's father was a lung transplant recipient. He died five months before she filmed Ordinary Angels. She called the role a gift from him. #OrdinaryAngels #Backlot

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Hilary Swank's father was a lung transplant recipient. He died in October 2021. Five months later she filmed Ordinary Angels. She called the role a gift from him. #OrdinaryAngels #Backlot