Meet Shaun Johnston: The Man Who Brought Grandpa Jack to Life on Heartland
The Actor Fans Call Family
By the time Heartland reached its 10th season in 2016, fans had already come to rely on one thing: the calm, rugged presence of Grandpa Jack. Played by Shaun Johnston, Jack Bartlett was never flashy or loud—but he didn’t need to be. His quiet strength and dry wit grounded the entire series.
For many viewers, Shaun didn’t just play Jack, he was more than just a character—he made him feel like home. And now, after nearly two decades on the show, Shaun is opening up about the moments that meant the most—and the unexpected path that brought him there.
“Saying Goodbye to Paint Was One of the Hardest Scenes I’ve Ever Filmed”
Shaun doesn’t pause when asked about the most difficult scene of his career. It was Season 9, when Jack says goodbye to his longtime horse, Paint.
“I knew it was going to be emotional,” he said. “Normally, I make notes before filming. But for that one? I didn’t need to. I was living it.”
It wasn’t just acting—it was grief. Real, heavy, and raw. And fans felt it.
The moment still lingers for many fans as one of Heartland’s most unforgettable scenes. Not because it was loud or dramatic—but because it was honest—the grief on screen was heartbreakingly real.
“That Scene Will Always Stay With Me”
If he had to pick a favorite scene? That same goodbye.
“The goodbye to Paint.,” Shaun said. “Hands down, it’s that one.”
No awards. No big production. Just a man, his horse, and a goodbye that hit harder than most words ever could.
What He’d Tell His Younger Self
Looking back, Shaun laughs at how anxious he used to get every year waiting to hear if Heartland had been renewed.
“Every season I’d worry it might be our last,” he said. “But now? I realize we were doing something people needed. I should’ve trusted that.”
It’s a lesson Jack Bartlett himself might’ve taught: have faith in the long game.
Off the Ranch: Hockey, Music, and a Slower Pace
Away from the ranch, Shaun isn’t riding horses or fixing fences. He’s playing guitar. Skating in local hockey games. Enjoying life in a different rhythm.
“I’m not great on the guitar,” he admitted. “But I play well enough to make myself happy.”
That’s Jack energy, too—finding peace in the quiet, joy in the little things.
What Grandpa Jack Taught Him
Spending nearly 20 years in Jack Bartlett’s boots has a way of leaving a mark.
“The biggest thing I’ve taken away?” he smiled. “That I’m going to grow old gracefully.”
It wasn’t a lesson anyone set out to teach—but after all this time, it’s settled in like muscle memory.
If Heartland Ever Ends…
Nobody wants to talk about it. But Shaun’s thought about life after the ranch.
“I’d probably just watch more TV and play more hockey,” he joked. “Not a bad retirement plan.”
Even cowboys deserve a break.
Beyond Heartland: Sci-Fi Priests and Theatre Roots
Fans may be surprised by some of Shaun’s other roles—like Juan Carlos on Wynonna Earp, a mysterious priest with a sci-fi twist.
“The name was hilarious,” Shaun said. “They went with ‘Juan Carlos’ because apparently, I looked Latino enough.”
And before TV? It was the theatre. He still calls Fool for Love by Sam Shepard one of his all-time favorite roles.
Before the Ranch: A Banker and a Runway Model
Before Heartland, Shaun’s resume didn’t look like your typical actor’s. He worked at the Alberta Treasury Branch. Then came a stint as a fashion model in Toronto.
“I was 6’3” and fit a Hugo Boss suit right off the rack,” he laughed. “Next thing I knew, I was doing runway shows. Sixty bucks an hour. That was a fortune back then.”
Not your average journey to cowboy stardom.
Stage vs. Screen: What Feels Riskier?
Most assume live theatre is more intense. Shaun disagrees.
“You rehearse so much in theatre, you rarely mess up. On film, you only get a few takes—and if you miss it, you live with it. That’s pressure.”
It’s a thoughtful perspective from a man who takes the work seriously, even if he makes it look effortless.
That Night at Symon’s Valley Ranch
One of his more recent adventures? Performing live music and stories at a ranch concert in Alberta.
“I was nervous at first,” he admitted. “But the second I started playing, the audience made me feel like I belonged.”
Boots, a guitar, and a community that’s followed him for years—no script needed.
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