“Homestead” star Bailey Chase says his family is “living our best life” in North Carolina after concerns about California’s planned COVID-19 school vaccine requirement helped drive them out of Los Angeles five years ago. The actor told Fox News Digital that the issue became “the final straw” for his family, as reported by Fox News.

Chase, 54, shares daughter Waverly, 12, and twins Maggie and Gauge, 10, with his wife, Amy. He said the family made its move during the upheaval surrounding the pandemic.

“That happened five years ago in the throes of COVID,” Chase said. “My wife and I picked up sticks with our three young children when they were mandating vaccines out there.”

Chase said the potential effect on his children’s education made the situation untenable. “They said they couldn't go back to school without it,” he continued. “And that was the final straw. And we've been in the mountains of North Carolina ever since living our best life.”

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In October 2021, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced plans for a COVID-19 vaccine requirement that he said would eventually cover all 6.7 million public and private schoolchildren in the state. The proposed mandate was repeatedly delayed and never took effect.

State health officials announced in February 2023 that they would not pursue or implement the requirement. That announcement came as California’s COVID-19 state of emergency was set to expire at the end of the month.

Chase and his family now live in Hendersonville, Amy’s hometown in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, about 25 miles south of Asheville. Amy had long imagined returning to the area where she was raised, while Chase also had North Carolina connections from attending Duke University on a football scholarship.

“Amy, being from the mountains of North Carolina, always had it in the back of her mind that she’d go back home one day,” Chase told Duke Alumni Magazine in January 2026. “We didn’t know how or when.”

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Away from filming, Chase said his schedule largely revolves around his children. He described himself as a soccer dad and said Waverly is involved in ballet and preparing for “The Nutcracker” in December, while basketball season is approaching.

“I love my job, and when I'm off filming, I'm 100% focused on that. But when I'm home, I'm home. There's no greater job than being a dad.”

The family’s new surroundings also offer conveniences and amenities that Chase said would have been unaffordable in Los Angeles. School, Amy’s parents, the grocery store, a golf course, and a soccer field are all about seven minutes away, while the family’s home has a sports court and pool.

Leaving Los Angeles came with professional consequences after Chase spent 21 years building his Hollywood career. He said he lost work because he was no longer local, including a major role on “Grey's Anatomy,” but found other opportunities.

“But what has happened is I've gotten new opportunities and different kind of jobs and some faith-based films and shows,” Chase said. The “Saving Grace” actor has also said the move helped him reconnect with his Christian faith after he “lost touch” with God during his years in Los Angeles.

“Moving back here, I've gotten reconnected to my faith,” Chase told “Crosswalk” in January. “Just started going to church recently. It took a few years, but I really like the church where we're going to here.”

Chase currently stars as former Green Beret Jeff Eriksson in Angel Studios’ postapocalyptic drama “Homestead,” whose second season premieres Nov. 3. The series follows survivors at a fortified Rocky Mountains compound after a nuclear attack on Los Angeles plunges the country into chaos.

The actor said working on the 2024 “Homestead” movie and its television continuation encouraged the cast to prepare for possible disasters. After filming, Chase added more weapons to his home, and after Hurricane Helene struck North Carolina’s mountains before season two, he acquired a new generator and other supplies.

Chase said people living outside major cities may have better odds during a severe disaster because they can hunt, fish, and find their own game. He also said “Homestead” reflects his focus on faith, family and community, making it a story that aligns closely with his personal values.

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