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Talent on Tap – Don McLeod Portrays Charles Vallow in Doomsday Mom

In life, there are some stories so horrific and so unbelievable, they deserve special attention. Out of honour and justice for the victims, sometimes as a warning to the public and if there is something to be learned – a true-crime story can transition into a movie. In most crime stories there are victims, there’s suspects, there’re the criminals and there is the hero. When you’re making that film based on real people, you need talented actors that can portray those real characters, and it adds another level of professionalism and dedication to that role. Somebody has to be the bad guy/woman/ antagonist and someone has to be the good guy/woman/hero/protagonist. Life is stranger than fiction and you also need an incredibly compassionate director that can tell that story with truth, respect and dignity.

 

The Lifetime network is premiering the movie Doomsday Mom: The Lori Vallow Story on June 26 at 8/7 PT. It’s based on the true story of Lori Vallow, who gained national attention when her children, JJ and Tylee Vallow, were reported missing from their Idaho home in the fall of 2019. As investigators learned of Lori and her new husband Chad Daybell’s involvement in a doomsday-prepper group, a trail of mystery was revealed spanning five states and numerous questionable deaths, before the bodies of JJ and Tylee were found in the backyard of Chad’s home in June 2020. Casting for a project like this requires a delicate touch and BC’s own – actor Don McLeod (Blue Book, Frequency, Stake Out) shaved his head and grew a beard to portray the life of Charles Vallow, the ex-husband of Lori Vallow and father of their children JJ and Tylee. It also stars Lee Smith and Marc Blucas. Stephen Tolkin wrote the script and Bradley Walsh directed the film being distributed by Sony Pictures Television and produced by Lighthouse Pictures. 

 

Don plays Charles Vallow, who died following a shooting in Chandler in July of 2019. At the time, Chandler Police officials say Vallow was at the home to pick up his son, and later engaged in an argument with his ex-wife Lori Vallow and her husband. Vallow’s brother-in-law Alex Cox intervened on his sister’s behalf and got involved in a physical fight where Cox shot Charles Vallow. In addition to acting, Don co-wrote/created, produced and acts in a series – proof of concept with fellow actor and business partner Jesse Hutch in a production in development entitled Fox and Hunter. He’s the triple threat because he’s also been involved in the music industry as a singer, writer, producer, and coach for over 25 years and is currently recording a new Country album, co-produced with Jim Riley of Rascal Flatts and it’s being mixed by Grammy award winner Sean Neff. 

 

It was a natural transition when Don took up acting, writing and creating in the film industry 11 years ago. He has trained with many established acting coaches as well as stunt fighters, MMA, police and men in Special Forces. He says, “My life is a series of crazy stories. It’s only by the grace of God that I’m alive today.”

 

I couldn’t wait to talk to Don McLeod and he turned out to be the genuine article. Here’s how that went.

 

HNMAGDoomsday Mom is a very tragic story of bizarre but true events. It truly lends itself to being retold because there are so many details of the story that warrant further explanation. How much did you know about the case before saying yes to the project?”

DON “That’s an interesting story. I never knew anything about the case until I auditioned for the part. I started researching and when I started digging into who Charles and Lori Vallow were, I really wanted that challenge of playing a real person. In my opinion, he really cared for his family and ended up murdered. It touched my heart in a way that hasn’t been touched very often in a part. I thought it would be a great challenge to play a real person in a recent (2 years) news story. I did have to consider whether I should be doing it and risk a bad portrayal of a real person. It was a bit of pressure, but in my research I found that he was a likeable guy. I did some research pre-audition but once I was offered the part, I really dove in. I think its important to the actor that we really get the character, especially if we’re playing a real person. We need to do honour and justice to whatever their job is and whatever their role in society is. For me, it was a beautiful challenge and I really did enjoy it.”        

 

HNMAG “Is this the first true-crime story you’ve been involved in?”

DON “It’s the first real person I’ve ever played and I loved the challenge. As actors, we generally have to build a backstory, if it’s a fictitious character but this one had a backstory. It was important for me to pay attention to any and every nuance I could. Does he raise his voice? Does he raise his voice outwardly? Does his face go red? Does he tense up, there were so many things. I feel really blessed because there is a lot of footage of him talking to police about the issues he was having with his wife and how he still loved her. He didn’t want anything to go bad for her, he was worried for her.”

 

HNMAG “Were you ever concerned about any repercussions from defenders of the ex-wife and her new husband for playing her ex-husband?”

DON “In all honesty, a little bit but I feel like the writers, directors, cast and the team that put it together, did such a great job showing the character and the essence of who Charles was, I’m not too worried.”

 

HNMAG “Have you met anyone that’s involved in the story?”

DON “No. If the opportunity presented itself, it would’ve been great but at the same time, there was a lot of information online and I feel that I was able to grasp who Charles was from that and also from the script.”

 

HNMAG “In preparing for this role, did you learn much more about the case that wasn’t known by the public?”

DON “From what I understand, Charles was the first to die and the case came after.  My character was not involved in the court case, but if you do some research online you find out that he’d gone to the police… but they were unable to get involved, it’s pretty sad.”

 

 

HNMAG “After the filming, did you have any residual emotion attached to the character?”

DON “I didn’t fall into any depression but there were moments when I felt horrible for his friends and family. The production company gave me a photo to show me what he looked like. I grew my facial hair out and shaved my head to match his. Looking at the photo, my heart dropped – he’s no longer with us. Death is a heavy thing, especially when it’s awful and tragic. It did stick with me and I hope and pray that I did him justice.”

 

HNMAG “Since you’re single and have no kids, how would you have gotten into the character of a family man? Did you hang out with a lot of dad friends?”

DON “I’m from a very large family. I’ve got 11 nieces and nephews, 7 great nieces and nephews, I have kids everywhere. I love kids, they’re hilarious.”

 

HNMAG “I wanted to switch gears and ask you about your other production, Fox and Hunter with actor and co-writer, Jesse Hutch (Batwoman). Where does that stand?”

DON “There’s been inching’s (laughing) in a hurry up and wait industry. There’s been some great excitement around it and it’s been shopped around but nothing has solidified yet. We’re still hopeful but it takes so many teams and hundreds of people  working together to make something work.”

 

HNMAG “Would you say that this is still a business of relationships?”

DON “Oh yeah… 100 percent! Some people think it’s about the best talent but sometimes the best talent is not easy to get along with. That goes from cast to crew, I’ve seen it. Just be a good person (laughing), making a film is a bit of a miracle in a sense. People aren’t always going to agree, as we’ve seen in the last 2 years, so to get everyone to agree on a vision is a miracle. I think it’s important to remember that and to also have fun.”   

 

HNMAG “I had read the list of entertainers that you’ve worked with and they’re all incredible recording artists. Are they all local to BC?”

DON “I’ve worked with people from Canada and the US. I’ve definitely been blessed to have met these people, let alone get to work with them. Sometimes you feel blessed because they’re mega-known in the song-writing/producing world . Other times, its working with someone that’s never written a song before, but there’s so much you can learn from watching that innocence and them navigating their way through it to determine what they want to say and why they want to – observing how they put those wheels in motion. I think, if you come at anything with a sense of humility and a willingness to learn, you’ll keep learning. As soon as you think you’ve learned it all you’re done (laughing).”

 

HNMAG “Did you get into the music before the acting?”

DON “Oh yes. I’ve been in the music industry for 29 years. We won’t talk about it, but I used to write raps when I was a teenager (big laugh). Shhh, don’t tell anyone. I was in a serious car accident where I couldn’t walk and had to live with my parents. My little brother started teaching himself guitar and I started bugging him, saying it was a waste of time and musicians are silly. About 2-3 mths. later he comes home from high school and starts playing Brown Eyed Girl from Van Morrison. I had to swallow my pride because I loved it and I started teaching myself guitar while I was learning how to walk again. I then started writing songs about what I was going through and it became an outlet for sharing what I felt. It kept growing and growing – the next thing I know I’m singing on stage.”

 

HNMAG “Your brother plays guitar in your band now?”

DON “No, he’s the lead singer in his own band and he just put out a vinyl record about a month ago. He’s a very talented guy.”

 

HNMAG “I think we have time for a couple of fun questions.  If you could disguise yourself as anyone for the day, who would it be?”

DON “Ooh, that’s a fun one. I don’t even know… there’s a few people that pop into my mind right away (laughing). The first is Paul McCartney, because I love the Beatles and I figure it’ll get me into somewhere I shouldn’t be (laughing). The other 2 would be Jason Statham and Bruce Willis because I love their films. I’d be like, ‘hey, you wanna book me today?’ Then I’ll leave and return the next day but I won’t look the same. I’ll be like, suckers! (laughing) I love both of their films and I think we have similar vibes, so I’d love to be in any of their movies.”   

 

HNMAG “You’re stranded on an island and your cell phone is damaged. It will only display 1 phone number – whose number are you hoping pops up?”

DON “Wow, you are really good, these are great! I hope it goes to the people with helicopters that can get me out of there (big laugh). Come on FedEx, come pick me up (laughing). If there’s no salvation involved, anyone in my family would be amazing – my mom, my brothers or sister. Part of me wants to say Jesus (laughing), come on pick me up, get me outta here!” 

 

 

Donnie Mac is what Don goes by if you’re looking for his music. His grandmother wanted him to be a country western singer, so out of respect he uses Donnie on his album.  His album is due out soon and definitely worth a listen after getting a vibe for Don’s energy and passion. He’s the genuine article, a great human being and we are so lucky to have him and his contributions to music and film. He is dedicated, he’s funny and he’s multi-talented and loves to entertain people. 

 

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