JoAnna Garcia Swisher Gets Honest About Former ‘Reba’ Co-Star Steve Howey
JoAnna Garcia Swisher Gets Honest About Seeing Former ‘Reba’ Co-Star Steve Howey in ‘Off Campus’ (Exclusive)
He portrays Phil Graham on the Amazon Prime drama.
Off Campus premiered on Amazon Prime Video in early May.
Actor Steve Howey plays Phil Graham, the dad of the lead character, Garrett.
Steve’s former Reba co-star JoAnna Garcia Swisher spoke out about his Off Campus role while promoting Sweet Magnolias season 5.
It seems like the entire world is watching Off Campus lately, including JoAnna Garcia Swisher, who has a surprising connection to it.
The hit Amazon Prime drama focuses on a group of college hockey players as they navigate love, friendships, and the messy parts of early adulthood. And while Off Campus centers on the younger generation, it also features a few adults, such as actor Steve Howey, who portrays Phil Graham, the abusive dad to the main character, Garrett (Belmont Cameli).
Given how Steve worked alongside JoAnna on the sitcom Reba for six seasons in the early 2000s (he played Van Montgomery, the love interest of JoAnna’s character Cheyenne Hart), Good Housekeeping asked the actress for her thoughts on her former co-star’s new role.
Steve Howey as Phil Graham in Off Campus.
Steve Howey and JoAnna Garcia Swisher in 2002.
Michael Caulfield Archive//Getty Images
“Oh my god, of course I watched it all!” she exclaimed over Zoom while promoting Sweet Magnolias season 5. “Steve is like family to me, and the first thing I thought was, ‘That is a dark character, and I don’t like to see him in something scary like that!’”
She also expressed pride about just how good Steve is in each project.
“I think he’s one of the most talented people I’ve ever worked with,” she added. “His innate comedic ability is so delicious, and just to be his partner in that for the amount of time that we were partners next to each other—I was so lucky for it. He made that time in my life so special, and he can be so funny, dark, and bizarre in the most delicious ways. I love to see his acting range, and I love that people get to see his range, too. But oh gosh—that was a very scary role!”
We’re glad these two keep up with each other!
