'Dolphin Tale' Star Nathan Gamble Says His Faith in Christ Shapes 'Bad Counselors' Role
The actor best known for starring in the "Dolphin Tale" films says a life-changing encounter with the gospel at age 19 transformed both his outlook on life and his eternal destiny.
Nathan Gamble became a familiar face to moviegoers at a young age with his portrayal of Sawyer in "Dolphin Tale" (2011) and "Dolphin Tale 2" (2014), two family films inspired by the true story of Winter, a rescued dolphin, who received a prosthetic tail. He also had a smaller role in the 2008 Oscar-winning film "The Dark Knight."
Although Gamble grew up in church and knew the Bible's stories from beginning to end, he now says his faith at the time was little more than "head knowledge."
Several years after those films, Gamble was living alone in the Los Angeles area and searching for his next acting opportunity when he befriended a group of young people attending California Coast Bible College in Ventura. Their authentic faith and love for Christ would soon lead to a conversation that placed him on a different path.
Gamble stars in the new family comedy "Bad Counselors" (PG-13), which follows two frat brothers who pose as Christian camp counselors to complete their court-ordered community service. It opens in theaters July 22.
"Most of my career, I was not a believer," Gamble told Crosswalk Headlines. "My parents were. They loved the Lord. My mom prayed for me all the time. I knew all the rhythms of being a Christian because they took me to church every Sunday. I got confirmed in our Lutheran church, and I got baptized as an infant. I knew the creed, and I did all the things, but it was all head."
Gamble describes his time as an 18- and 19-year-old living in Los Angeles as "rock bottom" emotionally and socially, saying he had no close friends and no real sense of community.
"I started interacting with the students [at the Bible college] and the other faculty members, and they were just so genuinely joyful, which I'd never experienced before," he said. "I had experienced happiness, but … this joyfulness that they had was something higher than I had experienced before. So then I said yes to going to the Bible college, not believing, and then two weeks into it, got saved.
"... They were broke college students, and yet they had this hope and this peace."
In some ways, Gamble's journey echoes the message of "Bad Counselors," a story about transformation and second chances.
"When we showed 'Bad Counselors' [at] colleges like USC and got their genuine feedback, it got like a 90 percent [approval rating] by people who aren't even believers – because the movie is so fun and it does gently poke fun and is self-deprecating."
In the end, the film's lead characters find redemption. He describes the film's message as a "seed" for the gospel.
"Bad Counselors" is one of several faith-inspired projects Gamble has in the works. He's also starring in "Miracle on the Precipice," a modern retelling of "Pilgrim's Progress" scheduled for release next year. He is also developing a series, "Bible College," inspired by his experience attending California Coast Bible College.
Gamble says he wants his future projects to promote hope, although he isn't limiting himself to explicitly faith-based films.
"I wouldn't put my name on something that is completely counter to His messaging, or you know, blaspheming it or degrading it," he said. "... I want to be on sets where I can just be a light."
Photo Credit: © Loem Entertainment
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published July 14, 2026.
