David Henry gained fame in Hollywood through roles in shows like Wizards of Waverly Place and How I Met Your Mother. Now, he’s looking to focus more on projects that reflect his faith and honor God, who he feels saved him.
His latest endeavor is a six-part series called Searching for Beauty with David Henry, where he explores various aspects of Italian culture—such as architecture, food, art, and music—all while searching for beauty that points towards the divine. The series is available on EWTN+ and is promoted as the “first-ever adventure documentary” intended for a diverse audience. In it, Henry visits significant religious sites, including the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel.
Henry remarked that people in past centuries believed beauty in chapels, art, and sculptures could lead individuals to Christ. He expressed that they viewed beauty as a reflection of God, noting, “To take that away from society was to take God away from society,” in a conversation with Crosswalk Headlines.
As an enthusiast of art and architecture, he finds joy in exploring different cultures and mentioned that he learns alongside his viewers throughout the series.
Each year, millions from various faiths and none visit Italy’s historical religious sites and, as Henry notes, often return with testimonies reflecting biblical stories. “When they walk into these churches, their eyes immediately turn towards heaven. That detail was very intentional,” he explained, highlighting how religious artwork aims to create a divine experience.
Henry pointed out that, centuries ago, even though many were illiterate, they could understand biblical stories through religious images in churches and surrounding communities. He said, “They created a church that is a living Bible,” providing experiences that represent the narratives Jesus told.
He recounted a moment when he was on the roof of an Italian cathedral, observing intricately carved statues that seemed small from below. These details, including veins in the eyelids of the statues, were crafted for God alone, he remarked. “People knew some things were just for God,” he said, reflecting on the common understanding of that time.
Much of the construction of these churches spanned decades or even centuries, meaning builders often wouldn’t see the completion of their work. “They built it knowing they would be dead by the time it was finished,” he noted, understanding the significance these structures held for future generations.
Searching for Beauty is just one of the projects from his production company, Novo Inspire Studios, which aims to create more uplifting content. The second season of the series delves into Spain.
Henry’s rise to fame began in his teens with shows like That’s So Raven, Wizards of Waverly Place, and How I Met Your Mother. His journey to faith in Christ began in his early twenties.
Reflecting on his past, he said, “I was steeped in relativism and agnosticism. I had a great career and didn’t pay attention to my faith.” But he felt a sense of restlessness and realized he needed something more spiritual. “That was a big turning point in my life.” At 36, with three kids and eight years of marriage, he recalls his faith journey beginning around 2012, when he was about 21 or 22.
“Since then, my life has radically changed.”
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First publication date is January 14, 2026.
