William H Macy says John O’Leary’s survival story isn’t a ‘miracle’

EXCLUSIVE – Some may call John O’Leary a miracle, but “Soul on Fire” actor William H. Macy said that word underplays the young man’s unimaginable story of survival.

When O’Leary was 9 years old, his entire body was burned in an accidental house fire that started while he was playing with matches and gasoline in his garage. He was not expected to survive, but after months of grueling recovery – and with the help of his family, compassionate medical staff and a famous friend – he not only survived, but continued to thrive.

The local celebrity who befriended him was the late Jack Buck, the legendary St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster who called games for 47 years. Buck heard about O’Leary’s story one night at dinner and decided to visit her in the hospital – an encounter that sparked a friendship that changed his life.

Macy stars as Buck in the new film about O’Leary’s story, “Soul on Fire,” from AFFIRM Films and director Sean McNamara. He was frank when asked if he believed O’Leary’s survival was a miracle.

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Joel Courtney, William H. Macy, James McCracken, John O’Leary, Stephanie Szostak, Sean McNamara and John Corbett attend Sony Picture’s AFFIRM Films “Soul on Fire” premiere on October 2, 2025, in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images for the premiere of SOUL ON FIRE)

“No, I don’t need miracles,” Macy told Fox News Digital after a few moments of reflection. “I’m threading a needle here. I find the world miraculous in itself. I don’t need any supernatural things. I find the world miraculous, the way it works. And I find human beings miraculous sometimes. I mean… This kid wasn’t supposed to live. He was burned over 95% of his body. He shouldn’t have survived the night.”

“When Jack Buck heard about this kid at that dinner and went over there and whispered in his ear, he was in an induced coma. And he whispered in his ear in his familiar voice that this kid knew somewhere in his brain, ‘You’re going to live. You’re going to make it. I don’t think it’s a miracle, but more the fact that he instilled faith in him,'” Macy said.

“There’s a quote, and I thought it was in Ecclesiastes, and I can’t find it. But the definition of faith that I really liked is that what happens, all the adversities that come your way, you already have what you need to maneuver them, to overcome them. You already have it. It’s in you,” he added.

Macy suggested that the word “miracle” is used somewhat “cheaply” these days because it downplays the efforts of O’Leary’s guards. In one particular scene from “Soul on Fire”, one of the hospital workers is credited with saving O’Leary’s life by keeping his hospital room clean and preventing the risk of infection to O’Leary’s vulnerable skin.

“And…so I think what the movie says is really wonderful, if I may,” Macy said. “That this kid had the will to survive this thing. I think it was a stroke of genius that they included, and it’s a true story, that the hero of this thing was the guy, the nurse, who kept the room clean, who kept it spotless. Because, as they say in the movie, ‘That’s what’s going to kill you.’ When you’re burned over 90% of your body, you’re just a horrible, life-ending infection waiting to happen. So he’s the hero and I, I don’t want to use that word – a miracle – because I think we use it a little cheaply these days. »

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William H. Macy and John O’Leary attend the premiere of Sony Pictures’ AFFIRM Films “Soul on Fire” on October 2, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images for the premiere of SOUL ON FIRE)

O’Leary now gives motivational speeches across the country, hoping to inspire and inspire his incredible story. Macy called him one of the most “amazing” people he had ever met.

“Well, he’s certainly, if not the most amazing guy I’ve ever met, he’s one of them,” Macy said. “What you see is what you get. He’s genuine. He came out of this whole experience with this lust for life, and he loves life, and he loves his life. And he appreciates every day… This guy always seems to be having a good time, and he lives with such gratitude. And he always finds the right thing in his day, and he’s as generous to everyone as I’ve ever seen.”

“I mean, for me, what sums it up is we were talking about publicity,” the actor continued. “‘How are we going to sell this thing?’ And John spoke up early on and he said, “Whoa, whoa, this movie isn’t about me.” This film is about the community that rallied together and with the accumulation of their will, love and expertise, they made it possible for this child to survive. And that’s what the film is about.'”

Macy also remembers meeting Joe Buck, who followed his father into sports broadcasting. Joe told Macy that although Jack Buck was often distant at home, he quietly helped countless people behind the scenes.

“He told me, in short, that his father was not warm and fuzzy around the house,” Macy said. “He was a bit of a distant father. And he knew that he was loved by his father and he knew that his father was really proud of him. But he worked a lot. He was away from home a lot, he was away a lot and when he was there, there was… I didn’t ask him if he gave a hug, if he was hugged when he was a kid, but I kind of filled that void myself – that he wasn’t demonstrative. And ever since this movie was released. entered production, people are coming out of thin air to say it. Jack Buck stories.”

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Macy plays the late Jack Buck, who was a commentator for the St. Louis Cardinals for 47 years. (Photos by Ali Overstreet/MLB via Getty Images)

“And he used his bully pulpit,” Macy continued. “He used his resources to show up very quietly in many different places and help people anonymously. The stories are legion. And I find that endlessly fascinating. And I had that in mind when I put this whole thing together, that it was easier for Jack to show love to almost perfect strangers than to his good friends. And I’ve known people like that. And maybe there’s a lot of that in me.”

When asked why audiences seem to be flocking to religious films these days, Macy said it’s because that’s what people want, before reflecting on how Hollywood culture has changed over the years.

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“I think religious films tell the stories they want to hear,” he said. “You know, there’s been quite a change in Hollywood, and I’m very proud to be a part of the Hollywood scene and to be an actor and to be in showbiz. About 10 or 15 years ago, Hollywood woke up one day and said, ‘Our movies don’t look like America and the people who make the movies don’t look like America.’ And if we want this industry to continue to grow, we have to solve this problem, and they have. change so quickly. »

“Soul on Fire” is in theaters now.

Fox News’ Kristine Parks contributed to this report.