KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: Donna Kelcemother of NFL stars Travis and Jason Kelceis embracing a new role – on the silver screen and her grandchildren are beyond excited.
The 72-year-old recently made her acting debut in not one but two Hallmark Channel holiday movies, “Christmas on Call” and “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.”
Donna Kelce attends the 2024 Glamor Women of the Year at Times Square EDITION Hotel on October 8, 2024 in New York City (TheStewartofNY/WireImage)
Donna Kelce reveals her grandchildren’s reactions to her acting debut
In an exclusive conversation with People bee Arrowhead Stadium during the Kansas City Chiefs’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday, November 29, Donna Kelce talked about her experiences as a new actress.
“It was so amazing,” Donna said, reflecting on her time on set.
“There were so many fantastic Hallmark movie veterans, and I loved learning from all of them.”
“Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story,” set in Kansas City, holds a special place in her heart. “It’s so fun for them to make the film in Kansas City for the first time and be in the stadium where I’ve been here for the last 11 years,” she said. “So it was just a lot of fun.”
Donna’s appearance on ‘Christmas on Call’ brought her grandchildren, Jason Kelce and… Kylie McDevitt Kelce’s three daughters, Wyatt, Elliotte and Bennett.
“(They) kept saying, ‘Play it, play it! We want to see DeeDee!’ So that was kind of fun,” she said with a smile.
The cast of ‘Holiday Touchdown’ shares sweet moments on set with Donna Kelce
‘Holiday Touchdown’ stars Donna Kelce as the manager of a barbecue restaurant, a character who provides sage advice to the film’s protagonists.
The story revolves around the blossoming romance between the Kansas City Chiefs director of fan engagement, played by Tyler Hynesand a die-hard fan, played by Hunter King.
King and Hynes couldn’t say enough good things about the Kelce matriarch’s presence on set. “She’s just so sweet,” King said. “Such a doll and it was as if a mother was there.”
Travis Kelce and mother Donna Kelce arrive at the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix’s ‘Quarterback’ at the TUDUM Theater on July 11, 2023 in Hollywood, California (Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)
Hynes agreed, adding that Donna brought a personal touch to the experience.
“She asked us to write her son Travis a note to put in his locker since we were filming in the actual stadium,” Hynes revealed. “I wrote the lyrics to ‘Friends in Low Places’ and said, ‘Never change.’”
King interjected, “I think I wrote something like, ‘Thank you for letting us steal your field and your mother.’”
The film features an impressive cast alongside Donna, King and Hynes.
Cameos include Jenna Bush HagerDiedrich Bader, Megyn Price, Richard Riehle, Christine Ebersole and Richard Christie. Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid also makes an appearance, accompanied by several Kansas City Chiefs players.
“Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” premieres November 30 at 8 PM ET/PT on Hallmark Channel.