A fan favorite Hallmark star received a flood of love and support from colleagues and fans after a major recognition. Jonathan Bennett and his Hallmark projects recently received two 2026 GLAAD nominations. He could not contain his excitement, and neither could his fans or colleagues.
Jonathan Bennett Is Extremely Grateful for Creative Opportunities at Hallmark
On January 7, GLAAD announced the nominees for the 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. GLAAD is a non-profit organization focused on ensuring “fair, accurate, and inclusive represetation that rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance.”
Bennett’s Hallmark movie, “A Keller Christmas Vacation” was nominated, as was his series “Finding Mr. Christmas.”
In addition, Hallmark’s “The Christmas Baby,” starring Ali Liebert and Katherine Barrell, received a nomination.
Shortly after the nominations were announced, Bennett took to Instagram to celebrate. In the caption, he wrote, “We did it!!! Not 1 but 2 nominations for my projects with @hallmarkchannel is INCREDIBLE!”
Bennett continued, “Getting to share LGBTQ stories with a broad audience on Hallmark Channel is one of the biggest honors and responsibilities of my life.”
He added, “I’m feeling so grateful. Thank you!”
Fellow Hallmark stars Tyler Hynes and Will Kemp responded to Bennett’s post with celebratory emoji comments. “Three Wise Men” star Paul Campbell wrote, “Extraordinary! Well deserved.”
Sharon Lawrence, who starred in Hallmark’s “A Grand Ole Opry Christmas” and appeared in season two of “Finding Mr. Christmas,” commented with several crying emojis and wrote, “Look at you GOOOOO!!”
Brandon Routh, who co-starred in “A Keller Christmas Vacation” with Bennett, added a comment filled with positive emojis. Former Hallmark star Danica McKellar gushed, “Congrats, my friend!”
Hallmark Fans Were Thrilled for Jonathan Bennett
Bennett’s Hallmark colleagues weren’t the only people excited to learn of the two GLAAD nominations his projects received. Plenty of fans chimed in with their support, as well.
“Congrats. Well deserved. Great show. Amazng host,” a supporter wrote.
Someone else added, “Congrats!! That is so awesome!”
Another fan gushed, “Hoorayyyyyy! Best.news.ever!!”
“Win or lose you are a winner Jonathan and so is the show, congrats,” an additional response read.
Bennett’s husband, Jaymes Vaughan, was clearly quite proud, commenting, “THAT’S MY BABYYYYY!”
After the GLAAD nominations announcement, Bennett exclusively shared his thoughts with EntertainmentNow. He said the news of the two nominations was “amazing and humbling.”
Bennett noted that he’s proud of Hallmark for incorporating more LGBTQ-focused projects, despite criticism they receive at times.
The actor emphasized that the projects he does, like those that received GLAAD nominations, demonstrate that “love is for everybody.”
I don’t feel that lgbtq+ movies should be on Hallmark. I always thought of Hallmark as Christian movies. Love the sinner hate the sin and same sex is a sin! Many religions feel this way. To be rewarded for this is so disappointing. Hallmark I’m so sorry that you feel you have to honor this! I love everyone but don’t accept a sinful lifestyle.
Lee, I 1000% agree with you!!! I share the same exact sentiments. Thank you for speaking up like I am. More people need to speak up on this issue.
@HallmarkChannel, I DON’T want to see any LGBTQ programming on any of the Hallmark channels or the Hallmark+ app. I always thought the Hallmark channels were a good, wholesome, traditional channel until they started showing that type of programming. I’ve been SO disappointed and repulsed by it. I have to change the channel when those come on. @HallmarkChannel, PLEASE go back to airing Christian type programming that made Hallmark so wonderful. A majority of people feel the same way as I do. Here’s a wonderful solution: If the tiny amount of people want to watch LGBTQ programs, they can go watch those types of channels on Here, Logo, etc. and leave Hallmark for the rest of us that need a good, decent channel to watch!!! Thank you.
I am glad that hallmark has lgbtq+ programming. For the people that are concerned about Hallmark showing this type of programming and it is against their faith / beliefs, then there is the “Great American Family” network. That is why Candace and the CEO of the network started GAF. Of course, it’s ok for people to have different opinions concerning this subject for or against. It’s just that my opinion is for it and I shouldn’t have to be afraid to say that.
I pay to watch Hallmark+. I watch what I want and dont watch what I dont want to watch! Everyone has an opinion and that is mine for any network!