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Entertainment Tonight
June 28, 2000
On the set of DJE's new TV Movie "Faithful Travelers"
To David James Elliott, the unflappable Commander Harmon Rabb is just a character he plays on JAG. But the star tells ET how he used a personal tragedy to get through his new made-for-tv movie.
DJE: I was driving to work and I got a call that my father had a stroke. By the time I got to Toronto, he had already passed away.
ET: The news came as a shock to David, who had long been in involved in the development of the made-for-tv movie "Faithful Travelers". The story of a man who must come to grips after losing his father closely mirrored David's life, right down to the part about having a young daughter.
(DJE filming scenes with co-star Alicia Morton)
DJE: There were so many similarities. It just seemed like I had to do this piece. It was too close to home. I had to do it. He would have wanted me to go on. He was a hard working guy and he believed in work. And you know ...there's healing in that.
ET: While his character is going through a divorce, happily, that's one thing that David doesn't have to contend with in real life. His wife, actress Nanci Chambers, is co-producing the CBS TV Movie with him. And was a source of strength for him on the set.
NC: I was worried. I was worried about the scenes in the movie where his father passes away. I didn't know how it would go. I was there. I was right beside him. Waiting just to see if there were any moments or anything. But he came through like a professional.
ET: As for David, he has one wish for this labor of love that's become a fond tribute to his dad.
DJE: I hope he would have loved it. I'm talking to him a lot, so I believe he's helping me through this. I loved my dad.
ET: And David tells ET that he's dedicating
Faithful Travelers to the memory of his dad, Arnold.
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