The actor Paul Greene has become something of a Christmas tradition.
He’s starred in more than five Hallmark Christmas movies, and this year he’s taking his Christmas charms to the big screen with the holiday musical Buttons. The movie features a star-studded cast including Dick Van Dyke, Angela Lansbury, Jane Seymour and Abigail Spencer, with music by Sir Paul McCartney and narration from Robert Redford and Kate Winslet.
For Paul, joining the cast was a no-brainer.
“I think it’s going to be one of those films that people watch every Christmas,” Paul says. “It has that type of classic family tradition around it. It [has everything] you’d want from a Christmas musical, including Dick Van Dyke dancing at 93.”
Buttons tells the story of two orphaned children who encounter strangers who change their lives and help them find their true families. Paul plays a husband, who, along with his wife, is desperate for a child. His personal experience as a father—he has a 15-year-old son—helped him connect to the role.
“I use my son for work all the time to [connect] to the joy of being a parent or the fears of having troubles with your child,” Paul says.
He was also drawn to the project because portions of the proceeds will be donated to the Golden Hat Foundation. Co-created by actress Kate Winslet and Margret Ericsdottir, the organization works to change perceptions of children with autism by showcasing their abilities and talents. Paul, who raises money for ALS research, was impressed by the charitable component of the film.
“To know that they’re committed to using the medium of films for making a difference to others was a big draw for me,” Paul says. “I’m committed for my son [to have] a beautiful world he can live in. I feel like film and storytelling can be a part of that.”
For now, he’s looking forward to his family’s own Christmas traditions.
“I’m a big cook,” Paul says. “I love preparing the turkey and the stuffing. It’s all from scratch. Some of my favorite traditions were growing up was with my dad, and snowmobiling, and being in the snow because I grew up in northern Canada. Los Angeles is a bit different in terms of our Christmas traditions, but it’s always a lots of family, lots of food, and lots of music.”
Buttons is in theaters on December 8.
