Craig T. Nelson discusses Hollywood and home in return to Spokane

A recent trip home for actor Craig T. Nelson started with a call from the Spokane Indians, asking one of America's favorite TV dads to throw out the first pitch on Father's Day.

So, the 79-year-old worked with a trainer to make sure he could throw a strike.

"60 feet, four inches. First of all, it's hard to see," laughed Nelson, the Spokane native. "But yeah, I was really lucky. I think it put it in there for a strike. So that was great. Made me feel good."

But making others feel good is something he's been doing his whole career, whether as Hayden Fox in Coach, a role he won an Emmy for as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, or as the voice of Mr. Incredible in The Incredibles movies, a role that fell in his lap after he decided he wanted to do an animated film.

"And I said, 'Oh, man. Yeah. This is, I want to do this.' But it was very fortunate," recalled Nelson.

The actor, whose breakthrough came in Poltergeist more than 40 years ago, is still working today, dabbling in different roles and also writing a book.

"It's a historical fiction," explained Nelson. "So I'm writing that and I'm staying busy."

Nelson calls it "stunning" to see his work over the years affect people of all different ages.

"You don't realize the effect that you have on people and how if you've made them laugh or if you've touched them in some way that's meaningful, that's what you're really trying to do," he said.

And despite his success in Hollywood, this 1962 graduate of Lewis & Clark High School has never forgotten his roots.

"Growing up here was what you would say idyllic for me," said Nelson. "You have the same friends. It was the neighborhood. We had all the parks to play in, to do our thing. It was a great place to grow up."

And for Nelson, Spokane will always be home.

"So many memories here," Nelson said.

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