Lucas Black on NCIS Was at the Height of His Hollywood Career When He Gave It All up for God
October 21, 2022

Actor Lucas Black on NCIS: New Orleans was enjoying plenty of success when God called him to leave Hollywood behind. He'd even starred in plenty of movies, including the popular Fast And The Furious franchise. But the Holy Spirit convicted him and the Christian celebrity made a bold decision to put his faith first!
Lucas spent most of his life acting, starring opposite Billy Bob Thornton at the young age of 14 in the 1996 Oscar-winning movie, Sling Blade. And by the time Lucas Black joined NCIS: New Orleans as one of the show's main characters, Special Agent Christopher LaSalle, he was at the height of a successful career.
RELATED: Facts of Life Actor Lisa Whelchel Chose Christian Morals Over Hollywood
But then Lucas discovered something better than fame and fortune -- Jesus!
Lucas Black Finds Success
Though Lucas Black grew up in a Christian home where he attended church every Sunday, he sort of drifted from his faith as he got older. But after falling in love and starting a family, he began to reevaluate the role of faith in his life.
Though his appearances in movies and on TV certainly provided a good life for his wife and children, there are things money can't buy. And after becoming a father, this actor began looking for something deeper than worldly success.
RELATED: Actor Neal McDonough Testimony: Staying True To Faith Lost Him Jobs In Hollywood
By the time Lucas Black and his wife welcomed their third child in 2015, he turned to the Bible. And that's when he felt God calling him in a different direction.
"That [2015] was when the Holy Spirit convicted me," Lucas recalled. "And really, my faith and my relationship with the Lord became a lot closer. That was when I was stepping into the fatherhood role. So I really wanted to point my kids in the right direction."
And as Lucas Black went deeper in his relationship with Christ, his time on NCIS: New Orleans became more of a burden than a blessing.
"[I knew] I was going to have to stand firm and stand strong in my beliefs if I was going to survive, and really keep my family held together," he said. "That was really when, you know, some people would say [I] rededicated my life to the Lord in 2015 – seeking Him and becoming serious about my relationship with Him."
Lucas knew God was calling him to reprioritize his life. And that meant it was time to make a tough choice -- one the world likely wouldn't understand.
Lucas Black On NCIS Leaves To Prioritize Faith And Family
Not only was his rigorous work schedule taking away from Lucas' time with God, but it was also taking away from his time with his wife and kids. And though many would be willing to sacrifice family time for a fat paycheck, Lucas couldn't ignore the convictions in his heart from his Heavenly Father.
And so, at the height of his Hollywood career, he made a big decision to step out in faith!
In 2019, Lucas Black appeared on NCIS: New Orleans for the last time. He decided to take a break from acting and step away from Hollywood.
"The show has been so good to me over the years exceeding my expectations and goals," he said. "But this job isn’t easy for me, there are a lot of priorities in my life that get sacrificed for me to be here but it’s time for me to focus on those priorities in my life."
Lucas realized it was time to prioritize spending time with family, as well as with his Heavenly Father.
WATCH: Lucas Black On Decision To Leave NCIS: New Orleans
God Reveals Next Steps For Christian Celebrity
After leaving NCIS, Lucas Black and his wife Maggie O’Brien prayed about what came next.
"We were praying what the next step was going to be,” Lucas explained. “We saw a huge culture shift here in America and for a long time, movies coming out of Hollywood and in entertainment undermined the fatherhood role.”
RELATED: Mark Wahlberg's Daily Schedule Includes Prayer And He Says His Faith Makes Him A Better Dad
God was faithful in answering Lucas' prayer. While at a homeschooling convention, Lucas Black met Pastor Eric Ludy. Pastor Ludy told Lucas about the script for a faith-based film called Legacy Peak.
Legacy Peak, a Pure Flix original movie, is about a man named Jason who is dating a woman who already has two children. Jason is hoping to win over the hearts of the kids belonging to the woman he intends to marry. He takes the kids on a "perfectly planned trip" which goes awry and sets them on an unexpected adventure where they are struggling to survive in the wilderness.
WATCH: Legacy Peak Movie Official Trailer
After reading the movie's script, both Lucas Black and his wife just knew this was God's answer to their prayers.
"I read it, my wife read it, and she comes to me with tears in her eyes and says, ‘I don't know why you wouldn't be a part of this project.’” he said. “It's one that really sheds a good light on fathers. It shows the need for a good earthly father. It shows how we can find our fulfillment and love from our Heavenly Father, and it really is one that's going to empower the nuclear family, and especially fathers out there.”
Both the script and the role of Jason spoke to Lucas' heart and his passion for being a good father.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 80s Movie Star Left Hollywood To Raise A Family But Now He’s Ready To Chase His Dream Again
"One aspect of this story that has changed my perspective is as a father, you want to be flexible with your kids. It doesn't have to be a certain way," he said. "For me personally I know I'm not in control, God's in control. I've got to trust Him that my kids, no matter how much I love them and teach them and discipline them, they're going to mess up. But I ultimately have to trust my heavenly Father that they're in His hands."
WATCH: Lucas Black Talks About Biblical Themes In Legacy Peak
While Lucas Black certainly deserves praise for his work in Hollywood and on NCIS: New Orleans, seeing him now use his gifts to honor God and follow the Father's will for him is truly inspiring!
LISTEN: Man Leaves $3,000 Tip in Scranton As Part of Tips For Jesus | Actor Shia LaBeouf Becomes Christian
h/t: Christian Post
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/NCIS New Orleans
Mel is the senior writer for GodUpdates, finding, writing and sharing Christian, uplifting, and health-related stories from around the world. Mel has a passion for writing and graduated with a degree in English from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. When she’s not researching and writing stories, Mel is very active in her church. You can usually find Mel playing board games with her husband and two young girls, giving someone a hug, or hunting down a good cup of coffee!
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Relax Because God Is Leading You - Your Daily Prayer - February 18
Let’s allow God to guard our hearts and minds giving us rest and peace. We don’t have to overanalyze every step anymore; we get to relax because God is always leading us.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Relax Because God Is Leading You - Your Daily Prayer - February 18
Let’s allow God to guard our hearts and minds giving us rest and peace. We don’t have to overanalyze every step anymore; we get to relax because God is always leading us.
Past Stories
- 98-Year-Old Great-Grandmother Has a Special Connection to Her Great-Granddaughter
- Mom Receives a Heartwarming Message From Best Friend After Son is Diagnosed With Autism
- Retired Army Medic Pays For Stranger's Breakfast and Leaves a Heartfelt Note
- Golden Retriever Saved by Lifeboat Crew After Running Into the Ocean After a Scare
- 10-Year-Old Boy is in Recovery After Being Struck by Plane Debris While Protecting Little Sister
- Car Accident on First Date Night Without Kids in a Year, Reminds Couple That God is in Control
- Teen Wasn't Given Much of a Chance to Live After Car Crash, But Now Celebrating Her 16th Birthday
- Girl Who Died Before the 6th Grade Still Inspires Others With Her Message of 'Love is Everywhere'
- Beloved Young College Student Remembered by Fellow Students After DC Plane Crash
- Stranger Jumps Into Frozen Pond in South Carolina to Save 3-Year-Old Girl
- Man Saves 83-Year-Old Father-in-Law With Parkinson's From the LA Fires in Pacific Palisades
- Woman Felt Like She Was in a Movie When Giving Birth in a Krispy Kreme Parking Lot
- Walmart Employee Coach Justin Helps Mom and Autistic Child During Meltdown
- Woman Who Found an Old Family Photo After LA Fires Makes a Special Connection
- Teenager Who Finds Money at Restaurant, Doesn't Think Twice About Returning it to Owner
- World War Two Veteran Starts Over at 104 After Losing Home in Palisades Fire
- Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards' Daughter Lola Was Baptized After a Very Difficult Time
- Her 91-Year-Old Grandmother Is Besties With Her Husband and the Relationship Is Beyond Cute
- New Jersey High School Basketball Star Keeps Playing Through Cancer Diagnosis
- Dad Whose Daughter Died After Transplant Gives Kidney to Another Little Girl
- Musician is Reunited With Letterman Jacket, 30 Years After Ordering It Back in High School
- Twin Brothers Both Pop the Question Just Days Apart, Without Planning to Do So
- Girl Scout Saves Her Dad's Life Just 11 Days After Learning CPR
- This 100 Year Old Kentucky Centenarian Works At Home Depot, Offering Great Tips For a Long Life
- Woman Married 82 Years Has a Very Special Disney-Themed 100th Birthday Party
- Man Discovers 46 Year Old Christmas Present in the Wall of His Childhood Home
- 4 Year Old Twin Girls Are Heroes After Finding Retired Police Officers Wallet
- Her Cat Was Missing For 7 Years, But She Finally Came Back Home
- Delta Held a Plane So a Daughter Could Have One Last Goodbye With Her Dying Mother
- Even Through Dementia One Special Phrase Kept a Grandmother Connected to Her Husband
- Mom, Dad, and 6-Year-Old Daughter Are Heroes After Rescuing Woman From Overturned Car
- Couple Receive the Biggest Surprise Blessing After Cervical Cancer Diagnosis
- Old English Sheepdog Who Appears to Have Special Powers, Receives an Award
- 49 Years Later Daughter is Reunited With Birth Mother and Other Family After Taking DNA Test
- 22 Family Members Surprise Grandparents With a Fun Family Sleepover
- Scared Doodle Rescued From Thin Frozen New Jersey Lake With Help From Neighbors Drone
- Woman Caught in a Riptide is Saved by Fisherman's Hook
- Couple Finds Lost Ring In a Snowy Wonderland During Engagement Photo Shoot
- Jimmy Carter, 39th President, Passes Away at 100, Leaving Behind a Legacy of Service
- Kimberly Williams-Paisley Talks About Getting Her Voice Back After Losing It Two Years Ago
- 90-Year-Old From Oklahoma Is Rewarded For Going Out of His Way to Help Others
- Husband Decorates His Neighbors' Homes For Wife Who Loves Christmas
- Couple Befriend Older Neighbor After Hearing Music Coming From His Apartment
- California Man Carpools With Adult Children On His Very Last Day of Work Before Retirement
- Family of Three Grows To Seven Overnight With Birth of Quadruplets
- The World's Oldest Dog Spike the Chihuahua Turns 25 Years Old
- Christmas Tree Planted Back in 1979 Inspires and Unites a Small English Village
- Dick Van Dyke Turns 99 After Evacuating From a Wildfire and Welcoming His Lost Cat Back Home
- Santa and Mrs.Claus Continue to Spread Christmas Magic Even With Santa's MS Diagnosis
- Little Girl Gets a Big Elf On the Shelf Surprise Honoring the Little Brother Who Passed Away
Top Music Videos

Anne Wilson Anne Wilson Captivates with Heartfelt 'My Jesus' Live Performance

Mac Powell Mac Powell 'I Love Jesus' Official Music Video

Passion Music Passion - The Lamb's Book of Life

Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin - It Is Well

toby mac TobyMac’ ‘God Did It’ Official Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.