Trivia

Touched by an angel’s cast were very close friends. Amongs them there was a strong friendship. The tv series has had a great success thanks to the excellent actors and screenwriters. The role of Andrew was offered to the actor John Dye by the producer Martha Williamson. John and Martha had already worked together in the show “Jack’s place” and between them a good friendship was born . When they called him for the part of the angel, John Dye was talking on a pay phone and eating a yogurt which went down the wrong way, because he was worried to be considered as “ the grim reaper”. So he decided to perform the role of the angel of death in the most compassionate, friendly and kind way as possible. Giving hope in the part of an angel through the Tv was a responsible task, a privilege and a gift. A lot of people wrote to him saying “you have changed my life”. The co-worker Roma Downey who performed the role of “Monica”, explained that many fans wrote saying, that when it was the time to go, they wanted an angel like Andrew. John Dye's skill was succeeding in taking the fear out of dying through using his acting ability and his sweet face. An episode that touched the actor deeply was, when at the airport a lady with two kids approached to ask him for an autograph. After a while she came back with her husband who was very ill. He grabbed his hand, thanking him. He told him that he wasn’t going to live till Christmas. He had seen an episode and it really helped his family get closer and helped him to become the best dad he could be for his boys. For John this was an unforgettable experience. John Dye supports a lot of charitable organizations that deal with death and dying. The part of Andrew has received a very good public response, and John appreciated this very much. While he was reading some literature for the hospice, he understood that dying was an active and not a passive process. With his role, he has tried to keep it this way, that life continues after death. Many years ago, John lost a dear friend, this sad experience convinced him that there is not an end. The success of the show “Touched by an angel” is due to the depth of the stories, and to the love of a benevolent God. John Dye’s favourite episodes were: “The violin lesson”,

“Fighting the good fight”, with Muhammad Ali, “Black like Monica” with Rosa Parks. Two people that John has always admired.

Another episode loved by John was “Strange fruit”. A very sad story about lynchings in the South. The actress Paula Jay Parker performed the role of the singer Billie Holiday. John remembers that she was remarkable, he had a strong crush for the gorgeous actress.

In the episode “Labor of love”, the co-star Roma Downey said that in the presence of the actress Priscilla Presley, John blushed in a delicious way.

The episode “My dinner with Andrew” got a resounding success, it earned the highest ratings in the show's history, ranking no. 3 for the week. The story told about a charity auction that raised money for research against cancer. The auction was won by doctor Kate Calder, and the award was a dinner with Andrew. This episode was inspired by John Dye’s real-life event. A charity for children, asked to John to take part in an auction. John sent a video-tape that was knocked down by a lady for $7.500. John was moved and scared. The producer Martha was pleasantly astonished by the story, so she decided to write an episode and it became “My dinner with Andrew”.

The real dinner with John and the winning bidder was great. It was a strange and appealing experience. When someone asked John to describe Andrew, he praised his qualities. The longer he got to hang out with this character, the more he liked him. He admired his compassion, strength and reserve. He made him a better man, or at least he hopes so. John Dye was so good in his role that sometimes people confused the reality with the fiction. When he travelled by plane to Salt Lake City’s studios, the seat beside him was always free. This was a positive side, the actor said jokingly, because he had more space for reading the sports newspaper. One extreme episode was, when despite the door of the plane already being closed, a lady wanted to get off, because she didn’t want to travel with the angel of death.

The actress Della Reese has loved the character of Tess very much. When at the airport, at the market or in the ladies’s restroom, she was stopped by people, their fond testimony was moving. Phrases such as “your show saved my life” “your show has re-united my family”. Della was overwhelmed with emotion. Della does believe in angels because she doesn’t see how she could possibly have arrived at where she is now if there had not been angels along the way. John said that once he heard Della say: When you need advice, suddenly it happens that a person says a phrase whose words you need to hear at that precise moment, then after five or fifteen years the event repeats itself again, this help certainly arrives from a higher source.

Roma Downey has loved the role of Monica very much. The actress takes care of many charities, especially about children. She’s commited to many peace services for her homecountry “Northern Ireland” She was chosen for the role of Monica for her exquisite irish accent. One of her favourite episodes was “The spirit of Liberty moon”. An episode about civil rights in China. Roma has been very happy to work in this show, a wonderful journey, which has permitted her to enter people’s hearts and to have a positive impact.

Valerie Bertinelli joined the cast for the last two years, in the role of the angel Gloria. For Valerie it was a great pleasure to play in the show. She has been welcomed with love by her co-workers. She was made to feel like a part of the family from day 1. When the show ended in 2003, all the cast joined in a party to celebrate nine gorgeous years. They thanked all the people that had helped to realize this great show. They thanked the audience for following them with faith and love over the years. Touched by an angel gave the viewers some immense, unique and unforgettable emotions.

During the shooting of the episode “Such a time as this” Salt Lake City has been touched by a tornado.	The caricature of Andrew, Monica, and Tess by Al Hirschfeld.

The episode “Jump” was directed by John Dye.	Roma Downey is one of the author of the episode "Two sides to every angel".

"Touched by an Angel's Trivia" were obtained by the following articles: "Cbs this morning 1999"; "John Dye Usa today article";"Saturday morning 1998";"Aol Chat-1999"; "Dead On 1997";"Interview In Kidsday"; "Larry King Live-1999"; "Touched by compassion-1999";"People article 1997"; "Ascent of an Angel-1998"; "Death takes a Holiday-2001";"The Hollywood Reporter".