Few shows in the world of television have captured audiences’ hearts as much as Hallmark’s. When calls the heart. However, behind the scenes, the cast faced a series of heartbreaking challenges and personal tragedies that tested their resilience and brought them closer together. From devastating losses to inspiring recoveries, these actors’ journeys are a testament to the human spirit and the power of community support.
One of the most recent tragedies to hit the WCTH family was the untimely passing of Jo Kinchella, a beloved makeup artist who worked on the series. Erin Krakow, one of the stars of the series, shared the painful news on social media, expressing the deep sadness felt by the cast and crew. “Sad news today. We have lost another dear member of the @wcth_tv family, Jo Kinchella,” she wrote. Kinchella was known for her warm spirit and incredible talent, leaving a lasting impact on those who knew her. The loss of such a close friend is a heavy burden for the actors, who have formed a close-knit family over the years.
Mamie Laverock suffered a near-fatal fall
In May 2024, Mamie Laverock, who plays recurring “WCTH” character Rosaleen Sullivan, was in a Winnipeg hospital for an undisclosed reason when she fell from a five-story balcony. According to a GoFundMe started by her family, Laverock was then taken to another hospital in Vancouver, where she underwent several extensive surgeries and remained in critical condition. Fortunately, she survived the fall and her family wrote: “She is in great pain and continues to not give up. We can only hold on to the miracles of each day and continue to thank everyone for their prayers and marvel at the miracles of its history. Our daughter loves her life, loves her family and fights hard every day.
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Three months after the “When Calls the Heart” actor’s horrific accident, Laverock’s family shared an uplifting video of his return home. As the doors to her ambulance opened, she was greeted by a handmade sign and resounding cheers. In October, she felt well enough to reunite with her classmates on the red carpet and wrote on Facebook: “At the end of every rainbow, there is a pot of gold.” Back to the warm light of the “When Calls The Heart” reunion. I love you.”
Jack Wagner lost his son to an overdose
In early June 2022, Jack Wagner and his wife, Kristina Wagner, experienced the most horrific loss a parent can experience. As reported by Today, their son Harrison Wagner was found dead in a parking lot. He was only 27 years old then. Six months later, it was revealed that the cause of death was an overdose of fentanyl and alprazolam, according to People. Following the tragedy, Jack and Kristina established a scholarship in Harrison’s honor to help other addicts. “We hope that Harrison’s memory will live on through this scholarship and help other young men get help for their addiction who otherwise would not be able to afford it,” it reads in their mission statement.
A year after Harrison’s death, Jack marked the anniversary by sharing a childhood photo of his son. “My youngest, so pure, so perfect. I love you Harrison, I miss you Harrison. My heart goes out to the parents who have lost a child. There are no words, so we mourn and celebrate Harrison Hale Wagner from 12/1/94 to 6/22/6,” he wrote on Instagram.
If you or someone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Paul Greene’s father died of ALS
Paul Greene came out openly about losing his father to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2013. Since then, he has dedicated his life to raising awareness about the disease. In 2016, the “When Calls the Heart” actor shared in an interview with Hallmark, “My father was such an incredible man, and throughout his suffering, he never really suffered. He never complained, never blamed God, never blamed anyone. … He was a hero to the end.
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After her father’s death, Greene formed Art for ALS and told Parade, “The main reason I’m doing this is to raise money to cure this disease.” My father died from it and I am committed to helping find a cure. One of his fundraising events was a live auction and he revealed: “Hallmark was very involved, as well as all the stars… It was a really lovely evening.” Greene managed to raise $100,000 at the time and he revealed on the Art for ALS website that his organization raised an additional $60,000 in 2018. “I believe ALS IS a curable disease, but it is under -funded! Let’s change this…together,” he urged fans.
Lori Loughlin went to prison after her college admissions scandal
Lori Loughlin was one of the main characters on “When Calls the Heart” for six seasons, but her career at Hallmark was cut short when she was arrested for using bribes to get her girls at the University of Southern California in 2019. After her arrest, Loughlin was dropped by Hallmark Channel, which announced (via NBC News), “We are no longer working with Lori Loughlin and have stopped development of all productions broadcast on Crown Media Family Network channels involving Lori. Loughlin, including Garage Sale Mysteries, an independent third-party production.
As the BBC reports, Loughlin was sentenced in 2020 to two months in prison and a $150,000 fine, as well as 100 hours of community service. “I made a terrible decision. I followed a plan to give my daughters an unfair advantage in the college admissions process and, in doing so, ignored my intuition and allowed myself to be sidetracked from my moral compass,” he said. -she declared. According to People, there was talk that Loughlin would reprise her role as Abby Stanton years after the scandal ended, but the network firmly stated, “Hallmark Media is not in talks with Lori Loughlin about reprising her role as Abby Stanton.” ‘Abigail in ‘When Calls the Heart.’
Viv Leacock mourned the death of her father
Tragically, Viv Leacock is another “When Calls the Heart” star who lost a beloved family member. In 2023, he posted several photos of his father on Instagram and wrote, “My father, Learie Lionel Leacock, passed away on June 1st. He arrived at 87 years old. It’s good to be able to say that he left peacefully, surrounded by love, and that he made peace with many lessons that he was still learning until his last breath. In his lengthy tribute, Leacock described how his father was larger than life and promised to carry on his legacy. The actor continued, “Our relationship was complex but full of love and mutual respect in the end…More than anything, I loved watching him tell a story. In those moments, nothing else didn’t matter. I love you, Dad.
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Two years before his father’s death, Leacock spoke about their complicated relationship on Instagram. He remembers his father wanting him to be a trader like him, but the ‘Legend of the Lost Locket’ star’s heart” has always been in the acting business. “He was a difficult teacher to please…what came so naturally to him, I couldn’t do and that frustrated him immensely,” Leacock said. It wasn’t until his daughter Vienna was cast in “WCTH” and he saw her in a scene that he finally understood his father’s wish that he follow in his footsteps. “Pass on know-how, feel like a good teacher. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again…I can’t thank everyone enough for this gift,” he said.