Okies in the news: We

Is there an Oklahoma trait you feel fortunate to have?

Jimmie Tramel // Tulsa World Magazine Celebrities with Oklahoma ties are always in the news. While talking to a few recently about their newest projects, Tulsa World Magazine reporters asked them each the same question. Here are the responses:

“Just sort of an earthy, simple common sense from (my parents). I think Dad had it. We would call it Midwestern zen. We would always refer to it as that Midwestern zen, which is sort of the ability to be in that moment and understand the truth of that moment and be calm with that and accept and sort of take your next step based on the reality of just understanding where you are in the world and what’s going on and not deluding yourself, but also not diminishing yourself. It’s a kind of a — I think that sort of centered quality di erentiates me from a lot of people I work with and they always appreciate that quality, I think, in me when I’m working, whether in the old days in front of the camera or the last decades behind it. I really attribute that largely to my dad, but I also think it’s a cultural characteristic. There is a kind of hot temper I don’t really have, and Dad didn’t have it much either, but I know of that as well. I don’t draw a lot of lines in the sand.”

— Ron Howard, actor-director (born in Duncan)

“This is probably more of a farmer’s mentality than just pure Oklahoma, but something I learned from Dad is the cows need milking and the chickens need feeding. It doesn’t matter whether it’s 10 degrees outside or 75 degrees outside. You’ve got chores. You’ve got to do them.”

— Clint Howard, actor

(parents were Oklahomans)

Ron Howard and Clint Howard are brothers, but they feel like our brothers because they grew up in our television sets.

“I think we are all nice to people, by and large. If you think about Bill Hader and Kristin Chenoweth and Gary Busey, from what I am told, and my brother Mike Nelson, who is out there as a producer, I think what people say about us that we are easy to deal with and it’s important to us that we are kind and decent and that goes a long way. I’ll say we drive friendly.”

— Tim Blake Nelson, actor from Tulsa

COURTESY, CHUCK FOXEN, CIRCLE CINEMA

“Moving to Henryetta made my life. I learned the value of hard work and all the values that are so often attributed to small town life. You hear it said often, but it’s true. In a small town, a man or woman’s word is their contractual agreement.”

— Troy Aikman, pro football Hall of Famer, Super Bowl-winning quarterback from Henryetta

MIKE SIMONS,

TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE

“I have been to many places across the world and have met some amazing people, but, in my opinion, Oklahoma has a lot of very kind people. I think we lead with kindness for the most part. That is something I’m very proud of when I say I’m a proud Oklahoman.”

- Kristin Chenoweth, Broken Arrowborn actress and singer

Okies

IN THE news

Here’s what these Okies and other stars with Oklahoma ties have been up to lately:

It’s been an active year for Broken Arrow-born Kristin Chenoweth Kristin Chenoweth. The Tony and Emmy Award-winner was one of the stars of “Schmigadoon!,” the Apple+ limited series that was both an homage to, and satiric parody of, the sort of movie musicals popular in the 1940s and ‘50s.

Then, in October, she released her second holiday-themed album, “Happiness is... Christmas!,” which includes such holiday songs as “Christmas Time is Here,” “Merry Christmas, Darling,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” with lyrics by fellow Broken Arrow native Ralph Blane.

Chenoweth will be performing songs from the “Happiness is... Christmas!” album, along with other music of the season, at a special gala concert Dec. 13 at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

Oh yes, and she got engaged to musician Josh Bryant, whom she has dated since 2018.

MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD FILE Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond made her film acting debut in “Candy Coated Christmas,” which debuted Nov. 19 on the Discovery+ streaming service.

Thanks to her popular Food Network Show, “The Pioneer Woman,” Ree Drummond is no stranger to being in front of the camera. However, the Pawhuska resident tried something unusual this year, making her film acting debut in “Candy Coated Christmas,” which debuted Nov. 19 on the Discovery+ streaming service.

The movie is the story of a young woman who returns to her mother’s hometown of Peppermint Hollow after her plans to launch a business are derailed by circumstance. Drummond plays the owner of a local bakery who befriends the woman and introduces her around town.

The “Candy Coated Christmas” cast includes Molly McCook, Aaron O’Connell, Jae Suh Park and John McCook. The film was written by Alex Yonks, Joey Plager and Ellie Kanner, who also directed.

Trisha Yearwood published her fourth cookbook, “Trisha’s Kitchen: Easy Comfort Food for Friends and Family,” in August, and in November, the country singer and Food Network star was featured in “A White House Thanksgiving,” a holiday special about the Thanksgiving traditions and favorite recipes of President Joe Biden’s family that aired Nov. 20 on the Food Network.

Yearwood and first lady Jill Biden prepared some of those recipes, including the first lady’s Grandmom Jacobs’ Savory Stuffing and Trisha’s Thanksgiving Turkey Gravy. Behindthe-scene photos and recipes can be found at foodnetwork.com/whitehousethanksgiving. Tulsa actor Tim Blake Nelson starred in the title role of a new western (“Old Henry”) in 2021. Nelson played a widowed farmer with a secret and, if you get on his bad side, you really don’t want to know what that secret is. Actor and filmmaker Ron Howard was born in Duncan, Oklahoma. He and younger brother Clint Howard are the sons of Rance and Jean Howard, who were raised in Oklahoma. Ron and Clint partnered to write a book (“The Boys”) about their careers and

COURTESY, HONS the parents who guided them through the pitfalls of being a child actor. Troy Aikman, Aikman, a Pro Football Hall of Famer from Henryetta, announced that he is bringing Blake Shelton to Henryetta for a benefit concert. An inaugural Highway to Henryetta Festival is scheduled June 11 at Nichols Park and will benefit educational and community initiatives in the town.

“(Shelton) said yes in a matter of five minutes. I was blown away,” Aikman said. “It was one of those deals where I know Blake a little bit. I don’t claim to know him that well. I’ve always felt that Oklahoma was really important to him, and this proved it to me. I’m not sure if Blake has ever stepped foot in Henryetta, Oklahoma.”

COURTESY, HONS

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