A Second Chance in Life with Mulligan Star Eric Close (Bonus)

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Hey, Naked Marriage podcast family, we are coming to you today with a super special episode. You might notice we're not in the marriage capital of the world, South Lake, Texas, in our studio doing this. We're coming live from home because today is a really special day, and we've got an incredible guest, Eric Close. And you're thinking, I know that guy. Of course you know that guy because he is a prolific actor, artist, director. You've seen him on both sides of the camera from some beloved TV shows and movies, and most recently, from the movie the Mulligan, which comes out today. And Ashley and I had the chance to watch this movie last night, and it is a powerful story. It's. Golf is part of it, and we live in the golf capital of the world here in Augusta, so we were pulled in by that. But really, golf is really just a part of it. Really, it's about so much more than that. And we're honored to have Eric joining us here today. So, Eric, welcome, welcome.

Thanks for having me, guys. It's great to be here and excited to talk about the Mulligan.

Awesome.

Let me tell you, when we were previewing this, which we were so excited about, one thing that just struck me was where this was filmed. I know we're in Augusta, and Augusta is beautiful. We were just talking about how, Eric, you had the opportunity to go to the Masters, and you know how beautiful it is there. But you guys were filming in North Georgia, correct?

Correct. We were in a little town called Toccoa, Georgia.

Yes.

And the vistas there are absolutely stunning, as you can see when you watch the movie trailer. And then when you see the movie, our cinematographer did an incredible job of capturing that. And the beauty of that area there is from the clubhouse and the first tee, you. You look out, and I believe you can see five different states all at the same time. Yeah, it's just. It's a beautiful course. Really well laid out. I had a great time. I mean, it's hard to beat the beauty of Augusta National. I mean, it's immaculate category.

I mean, that's. That's not even planet Earth technically. I guess the national is.

But yeah, of course the course in Georgia is called the Currahee Club. And it's just beautiful.

Oh, my gosh. The whole time I'm watching the movie, that's what I just kept on going. I'm like, we've lived in Georgia all these years. We have never seen quite that side. It's.

So, yeah, we've got to get to Tako. We've got friends that went to school there. And I want to dive into the movie. But first I've got a more of a personal question because you and your wife Carrie have been married since 1995. And in Hollywood years, that's the equivalent of like 500 years. Like, it's like, it's just rare that. And even before we jumped on, we're talking about how from early on you were helping lead pre marriage classes and all that. And I would love to hear just a little bit about your story, like how you two met and then specifically a little maybe nugget of marriage advice for what's been the foundation of the marriage and the story to that success over this past 27 years.

Well, there was a lot of factors that went into my wife and I Carrie meeting. One was I was a junior in college and I was traveling through Europe. I was studying there, actually. And on my spring break, I was going to Hungary and I met these two guys that were backpacking. We struck up a conversation and became friends. They were also exchange students. And years later, five years later, one of those guys invited me to his wedding in Dallas. He was marrying someone from law school, one of his colleagues. And so I promised the guy I would be there because he asked me to be a groomsman. Well, I was working on soap opera at the time and my schedule changed and I had to cancel. But I had been at church on Tuesday night and our pastor was talking about this small little scripture that says, let your yes be yes and your no be no. And so Saturday, the day of the wedding, which was March 7, I was living in Los Angeles. I woke up and I kept hearing that in my head, let your yes be yes and you know, be no. And I was like, I promised that guy I would be there. I have to be at that wedding. So my brothers drove me to lax. The last minute, I jumped on a flight, flew to Dallas, went to the wedding, and at the reception I met Carrie. And. And so we dated long distance for about a year and three months because she was still a senior at tcu. And I Was working, I was a working actor at the time. And then she eventually came out to LA to go to graduate school and, you know, the rest is history. But, you know, it was, you know, God, God wanted us to be together, but he definitely impressed it on my heart to follow my word and I'm glad I did.

That is, I'm so glad I asked that.

That is amazing.

And that verse, I mean, those are words to live by your. Yes, B.S.

And you know, absolutely. And yeah, that was, that was 30 years ago. We met March 7th. So here we are.

What have been some of the things you guys have done differently? Because, you know, not to kind of belabor the stereotype, but so many marriages kind of in the public eye, they don't last. And you guys are thriving and so what, what have you done different?

Well, I think one and is the key for us is putting God first in our, in our marriage, you know, and having that, you know, that bond of three. It's not just the two of us. It's, you know, a three stranded cord. I guess it will.

Yeah.

You know, we have great role models. Both my wife's parents and my parents been married well over 50 years. And so we had, of course, that support and just communication. I also think it's important you marry someone you really like. And so my wife and I are great. I think one of the problems today is I think people rush in so quick or they compromise. They think, oh, that person will change and. Or I can change them. I think you really need to. You know, it sounds weird, but, you know, Carrie and I both kind of had a list of what we were looking for, right. And these, these core values that were really important and we, we discussed them while we were dating and we, we tried to make sure that there were other things that didn't complicate the dating time, you know, and, and mess that all up. So we really got to know each other well. And, you know, there came a point where we just knew that we were meant to be together. And of course, look, it's never always easy. I mean, you have your challenges, especially when you have kids or you have financial issues or health issues or long distance. I think one of the things that's tough for Hollywood and for actors or people that are working a lot, you're gone a lot, you travel. I lived away from my family for three years. I lived in Nashville when I was doing the show Nashville, and, and my wife was with my kids in L. A so I had to spend a lot of time on airplanes you know, but you have to be intentional about that. But I will tell you, you know, Hollywood sometimes gets a bad rap because of what you see of, you know, the. Where the focus is. A lot of times it's the actors. You know, they're. You know, the relationships are breaking up all the time. But I've met so many people, especially on the crew side, that, you know, that's their job. And they. And they work really hard at it. And they've been married, you know, as long as Carrie and I've been married. So there are a lot of marriages that survive it. But it is hard in any industry. If you. If you are putting, like, my character in The Mulligan, Paul McAllister, he's putting his work before his marriage. He thinks he's doing the right thing, but he clearly is. Clearly is out of whack, right. And his priorities are kind of messed up. And, you know, it's interesting in this story, and what I love about the Mulligan is a lot of times we see these stories where people really have major hardship and they've made a mess of their life and, you know, addictions and all kinds of other things and affairs or whatever. This is not the case. This is a guy for, you know, for the most part, you'll see the movie and go, he's a pretty decent guy. He's. He's got a big ego. He's got a pride issue. He's cocky and, you know, and he's got a little bit of an anger management issue. But overall, he's a pretty good guy. But he's just. His priorities are out of whack, and it's destroying his marriage and the relationship with he and his son. So I think sometimes people can go, my life's pretty good. And then you have to think, well, everybody needs a mulligan at some point in their life.

Yeah, I love it, and I love the story. I love the honesty, because Paul McAllister feels so real the way that you played this character. Like, I think we've not only met folks like that, but all of us in our own lives have had moments where our priorities are out of whack. And we've all had moments where our anger got the best of us, and it was just so real. And there was one part in the movie where you were asked by the old pro who was just kind of the sage advice giver, and really just. I don't want to give too much away, but Pat Boone's character is really, really wonderful, and he's asking you about life and how you see yourself and how you're doing. And you deflected the conversation over and over, just back to work because that's where you felt like you were winning. And I think all of us have that tendency, I think maybe especially even men, not to make it a gender issue, but a lot of times as guys, we just find our identity in how things are going at work. And that alone is so shallow. And your character in the movie begin to discover that and come back to really what matters most. And it was a good reminder for me. I mean, I think it's one of these movies you watch and it's not just, oh man, I hope my brother in law sees that, or I hope my neighbor that's a jerk sees that. Every one of us needs to really think about our own priorities because it's so easy to get, to get those things out of whack. And when we get them out of whack, things start unraveling.

It's so true. And just for people who were like me, who did not know what the term mulligan meant, can you explain that for people? Because they may not know what we're talking about, right?

Not a golfer. And so she said, what's a mulligan?

What does this mean? I mean, I got it, obviously.

Can you explain it? But we've got an expert here with us, right?

We have.

Well, I don't know if I'm an expert, but I'll do my best. You know, it's. And so sometime in the history of golf, some guy hit a poor shot and he, he asked his friends, hey, can I get a, can I get a do over? And so his friends showed him a little grace and said, clearly there wasn't any money on the line. So they showed him, showed him a little grace and said, yeah, take another shot. Well, this guy's last name was mulligan, right? So somehow that became associated with this term of that if someone says take a mulligan, it's take another shot and don't count that stroke. Now we all know that in the rules of golf you don't get mulligans. I mean, you gotta play by the rules, which is important. But this, the great thing about the message of the mulligan and this, this second chance is God gives us a mulligan. And oftentimes more than once. And that there's this message of grace and forgiveness and mercy and hope in a mulligan. And so we take this concept that is just giving a guy an extra golf shot and turn it into something far more important in life. And, you know, a lot of times people look at their life and they think, boy, I've really made a mess in my life or my marriage or relationship with my kids or whatever the situation might be, and they think there's really no hope for me. And they just sort of live in that shame. And when they come to realize that there is grace and forgiveness and there are second chances, it's amazing what God can do with that. And people's lives have been miraculously transformed when they've accepted that, and then they get a second chance to do it over and get it right the next time. And I love that message because I know, including myself, I know plenty of people who've gotten second chances and turned things around. And that's a hopeful message.

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It is. And I, you know, I remember back to kind of that conversation that you had with the old pro. And just I remember when he was asking you how you see yourself. And again, you were kind of deflecting because you wanted to keep it surface level, and he was wanting to go deeper because he could see having lived and having had perspective on life. Like, man, I can help this guy because there's some deeper issues here. And I remember when he was talking to you about it, you know, that later on he ends up sharing, I won't give it too much away, but like a huge tragedy from his own life, and you kind of seeing, wow, and he's still here and he's able to even love God in the midst of all this and have perspective and even have hope. And it was, you know, it was this. You could tell your character was wrestling with so much of that. And I just, I love that this movie, it just, it's so real in that because I think all of us, like you said, we have stories that we could point to that are tragic. And with your character in particular, they show some scenes kind of where, you know, you're wrestling with that yourself with your character. And so how do you think in light of all that, that people will be able to relate?

Well, I think you just have to. I mean, if you're breathing air and you're alive on this planet, this side of heaven, you. You're going to need a mulligan at some point. Yeah, sure.

For sure.

Yeah.

And I think that, you know, the more that people are made aware of that and. And also I think it's when. When you're shown grace, it's like when. When Jesus, you know, they. All these people brought this woman and said, oh, she was caught in an adulterous affair. And the. And the Torah says that you got to stone her to death or whatever. And then he says, well, all right, whoever doesn't have sin in their life, you know, whoever's not flawed, whoever doesn't need a mulligan, go ahead and chuck the first stone. And everybody left. And then he looked at her and goes, you know, you're forgiven. Just go and don't do that anymore. And showed her some. Some real grace. And I mean, that. That kind of story happens time and time again throughout scriptures and then. And just in life, you know, like I just said, I. I met a guy the other day. Well, actually, I've known him for a long time that made some poor choices in his life and ended up in prison for 20 years and now is out and is a pastor and leading, you know, leading a church and had a. Got another chance. And that's a big one. That's a big mulligan. I know people who've been addicted to drugs and alcohol or their marriage was falling apart and. And they got that second opportunity to make it right. You know, it's interesting. We talk about work, and you look at Paul, and he's. And what he's doing is his company is important and he's employing all these people and creating opportunity. And that's great, but a lot of times people forget that. I have found, actually when you're more efficient with your time, you can actually be more successful and take some of that extra time you save when you're more efficient and pour it into your relationships. You know, it's like you can pour 100 hours a week into trying to save a company or build a company, but you can't take one hour to, you know, throw the ball in the front yard with your kid or go to their soccer game or take your wife on a date and go, you know, or go to a counseling session if you feel like things are struggling. You can't even Spare a couple hours a week for that. And it's, you know, it just happens where, you know, these. It's. Again, it's like priorities get out of whack. And it just takes sometimes that little reminder or a good knock over the head to realize it. And, you know, sadly, sometimes people do that. They're just repeating behavior they learned when they were growing up. And so you got to give people grace and just say, you know, I mean, like Paul, you know, in my story, in the Mulligan, he didn't have a great childhood. He didn't have a great example and a father. So he's. He's kind of flying blind. He's trying to figure it out. And when someone comes into your life, like Pat Boone's character, the old pro, to kind of show you a new way and show it's. Show you it's possible, then all of a sudden the light bulb goes off. And so a lot of times people's behavior comes. It's, you know, it's just sort of got them. They just don't know any better until someone. Until someone comes alongside them and shoulders with them and says, hey, you don't have to go this alone, you know, and that's why friendship is so important. You know, God works through. Through friendships and relationships in such a powerful way. When we walk with each other and support each other. And I value my relationships, my friendships so much because they've. They've been so invaluable in my. In my relate, in my walk, in my life. You know.

It'S so true. I mean, really, it's. It's what life is about is relationships. And I think we lose sight of that and we try to make it about other things. It's about how much money we make, or it's about all these other things. But listen, guys, I've done enough funerals as a pastor to tell you that when it gets to the end, like, all that matters is relationships. And that's really something that Jesus taught when he was asked what's most important, he essentially said, most important thing. Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. So sum it all up. Love God, love people. That's really it. And everything else is secondary to our relationships with God and with others. And, and I love the message of this movie, which in such a clear and compelling way, in such a real way. There's just. There's so much authenticity in the story about, you know, the objections that Paul had and the baggage that he had. And I think on some level all of us can relate to that. But on that, that grace and that love and that patience that God has for us as he just draws us in to say, listen, I know you, you've blown it. I know you've been through a lot. You've been wounded, you've been hurt. You've also wounded and hurt others. But come to me and let me be the one to bring healing and give you that second chance so that you can go back into your relationship in your life with that new perspective. And the way that story is told is so compelling. It's so entertaining.

I mean, I just thought there's even moments of humor.

Oh, yeah, I laughed. I mean, this movie is something. I think it's for everybody. It's not just the date. It's a great date night movie. Go with your spouse, but, you know, go with, go with your kids.

It's a family.

Yeah, go with your buddies. There's something for everyone. And this is one of those movies that the conversations you're gonna have afterwards I think can be some of the most meaningful post movie conversations you've ever had. A lot of movies, you walk out and you're like, oh, it was cool. You know that one scene where everything blew up and you know that scene where there was that crazy cgi and then you move on with your life. This movie, you're gonna be talking about things that not only entertained you in the film, but really challenge you to think about life priorities and perspective in a new way that could have a lasting impact.

It definitely does. I love, you know, just as a mom, as a parent, you know, your relationship, your character's relationship with his son is very broken. And, you know, it's. I don't wanna give too much away, but there comes this kind of point in the movie where you're kind of forced to fix it. You know, you have this opportunity in the midst of something really hard to work on this relationship. And there's some funny, like, it's like really hard and really heartfelt, but then there's some little funny scenes in the midst of it.

Oh, that humor.

Yeah. I mean, I just, I love how, you know, it's good. I think it's good to have that levity in the midst of all the hard stuff that you're trying to deal with. But how you both show working through that. It's some of the best scenes and I love that. And even with your wife in the movie as well, it is so real and I think so Many people can see that because whenever you're trying to work through healing and you don't really know what's going to happen because your character really. I think he's assuming that there can never be any kind of hope for that relationship, you know, and even when the old pro is talking to you, you're kind of like, I've blown this. There really are no mulligans in life. But, you know, it kind of shows in the movie the process of how, first of all, the truth, that it takes time, you know, that healing is a process, that it's not overnight, and poof, things are just better and everybody's, you know, peachy and has no issue anymore. But I think also just showing that there are. Even in the hard work it takes to heal relationships, there's these sweet moments along the way. And I love how the movie does that. And speaking of that, like, what are some of your favorite scenes from the movie? What are some of your. I know you can't give too much away.

Some of my favorite scenes. You know, one thing before I comment on that, I was going to say that one of the things that sometimes gets overlooked in this film, and I hope people really take note of it, is what's going on behind the scenes with Rebecca, with his wife and her prayer group, and the fact that it's been five years that they've been separated and she hasn't given up. And you know, Paul's son, he says, you know, mom, dad, the warranty on dad coming back is over. You know, it's expired. And she doesn't buy that. And she. And what I love about that is, I think sometimes people, they just throw in the towel so quickly, and she just. Instead of trying to do it on her own, she turns to her friends who are supporting her and praying with her and. And. And she hasn't given up.

And.

And look what happened. We live in this society where we want everything instantaneously. Everything's got to be immediate. And if it. And it's, you know, it's. It's a very selfish society. Everybody wants what they want and they're not willing to sacrifice. So there I find. I find Rebecca to be a hero. I mean, that she hasn't given up and, you know, what a great character that she's, you know, she's steady and she's strong and when. And when, you know, I don't want to give too much away either. But when that situation happens where Paul's forced to engage with his son, you know, his wife Is like, this is the way it's going to be. No arguments, you know, And I love it. She's. She's strong. And then, and then obviously Harriet, his second, you know, is secretary, works with. She's amazing and strong, too. He's, you know, surrounded by Paul, surrounded by these strong women that just haven't given up on him. They, they, they. They see his potential. He's. He's got potential. They haven't given up on him. But as far as some of my favorite scenes in the movie, I love the scene when Pat and I are driving in the. In the Maserati, in the convertible, one of the coolest cars I've ever driven in.

That was fun.

And Pat. Pat is so such a great guy to work with. I. We'. Friends and just an extraordinary man. Very authentic, genuine person. You know, he is what you see. And so I just love spending time with him and working with him. Great work ethic, tremendous actor and just got a heart of gold. So that was really fun. The golf scenes, obviously, being out on the golf course. I love golf. I've been playing for 30 years. It's one of my great passions in life, and I just absolutely love it. And so anytime I get a chance to be out there and playing golf. So those were some fun scenes. And I often tell this story at the end of the movie. We were on our last scene and we finally. They were trying to get me to hit this golf shot, and I was just playing so bad. I was just terrible. Finally we get it and we go up to the green and everybody gathers and we're hanging out, talking, and. And Pat's in his plus fours and his tam o' shanter hat, and he has this old hickory putter, this wooden putter, and he hits this putt and it goes like 35ft into the hole. And everybody, everybody cheers. And the director goes, that's a wrap. And, you know, and it was just a great way to cap the film, you know, that's amazing.

That is. That is the perfect way to. It is just so cool.

It's just perfect. We loved every minute of it. Eric, you did an outstanding job, as always. You're. This movie is going to live on. I just. I feel like this is going to be one that for years to come will be a treasure that folks will return to and always find great meaning. And so thank you for making it. Thanks for your work on it. Thanks for taking the time to share some of the heart behind it with us here.

Thank you. Appreciate you guys having me on and hopefully we can get a chance to do this again.

Before we sign off, though, let people know where they can see the Mulligan.

Yeah. So the Mulligan is going to be airing in theaters all across the country, over a thousand theaters nationwide. You can find out where it's playing, what theater near you and what time if you go to the Mulligan. So it's themulliganmovie.com theaters, plural. So it's the mulliganmovie.com theaters and you can type in your zip code and it'll show you movie theater and showtimes. And it's going to be April 18th and 19th, Monday, Tuesday.

Awesome.

And guys, again, we cannot recommend this movie enough. We're going to put that link that Eric just talked about in the show notes. So you got your phone out wherever you're listening to this, you could scroll down, click on that. It will take you right to where you can find out where it's playing, get your show tickets. This will be the most meaningful date night or family moving outing, family movie out and you guys have had in a long, long time. Eric, thank you again and all the best to you. All right.

You too. God bless you guys. Thanks. Take.