MIke Charest Michael Charest Michael Charest
Mike Charest
Michael Charest - About Me
Actor/ Executive Producer/ Storyteller
Mike Charest is an actor and executive producer whose work is rooted in legacy, truth, and love. His journey into filmmaking did not begin with an industry roadmap, but with an extraordinary family story—one that would eventually inspire a feature film and redefine his creative purpose.
In 1956, Mike's wife, Judy Hunt, was just three months old when a tragic event occurred on the Shelby Street Bridge in Nashville. Judy's mother, Marguerite Schultz, overwhelmed by personal hardship, jumped from the bridge—approximately 90 feet into the Cumberland River—while holding her infant daughter. Miraculously, two men witnessed the jump: Jack Knox, an athlete from The Citadel, and Harold Hogue of the Nashville Bridge Company. Both men went in after them and brought mother and daughter safely to shore. Marguerite received the help she needed, and in the years that followed, she and Judy went on to have a wonderful relationship. The event was later documented in Nashville's historical archives as the only recorded miracle in the city's history.
Judy survived—and went on to live a remarkable life.
Raised in Nashville, she became deeply embedded in the city's legendary music scene. For a time she served as personal assistant to Waylon Jennings, and she also dated Johnny Rodriguez. Over the years she came to know—and quietly help—many of the greats: Mickey Newbury, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Ray Charles, John Prine, Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt, Shooter Jennings, Terry Jennings, George Jones, Randy Travis, and far more names than could ever fit on one page.
What set Judy apart wasn't a title or a job—it was who she was. She listened. When musicians talked about their troubles, their worries, the things they couldn't say to just anyone, Judy was there with a caring ear and a steady heart. That rare quality gave her an "in" with people the rest of the world only saw from a distance. They confided in her because she truly made them feel heard, and she earned her place among the legends not for what she could do for them, but for how she made them feel. In her own quiet way, she became part of Music City's cultural legacy.
In 2017, Judy found Harold Hogue on social media, living in Germantown, Tennessee. That year he came to visit Judy at the couple's home, where Dennis Ferrier of FOX 17 News covered their long-awaited meeting. That afternoon, Harold took Judy back more than 60 years, recounting what happened so she could finally understand. By then he was the last surviving rescuer, as Jack Knox had already passed away. Harold later received a Hero's Award in State Senator Jack Johnson's office in downtown Nashville for his lifesaving efforts, and Judy presented him with a pocket watch inscribed with the words: "Everyone needs a hero. Thanks for being mine."
One of the family's most enduring honors came through the release of the Johnny Cash commemorative U.S. postage stamp, officially issued on June 5, 2013. Behind the scenes, Mike Charest—alongside his father, Ernest Charest—played a pivotal role in making the stamp a reality. Through a worldwide petition effort, they helped rally the support that ultimately led to the stamp's approval and release.
Mike's efforts were formally recognized when Pastors Joanne Cash and Dr. Harry Yates honored him at the Ryman on Broadway in Nashville, acknowledging his behind-the-scenes work as "the postman" who helped deliver Johnny Cash's legacy to the world through the stamp.
Judy Hunt passed away on March 11, 2022.
Before her passing, Judy had begun writing her story in a notebook—one that was never found. Her death compelled Mike more than ever to get her story told and to preserve the legacy she had dreamed of sharing.
Mike initially began working on a book chronicling Judy's life and accomplishments alongside family members. Then, in 2023, he met Jack Hagar of Bright Morning Films to discuss producing a movie instead. The full story was shared in depth at the Hunt family home in Fairview, Tennessee, where Judy's brother Kirk Hunt and sister Laura Hunt recounted the events and legacy to Jack Hagar, his partner Mike G., Brandon, and Bryant. Those conversations became the emotional and historical foundation for everything that followed—ultimately leading Mike to executive produce her film, Miracle on Shelby Street (also known as Judy: The Christmas Miracle Baby of Nashville, 1956).
What began as discussions around a book evolved into a motion picture—one that would bring Judy's story to the screen.
Miracle on Shelby Street was produced by Mike Charest as a heartfelt tribute to his wife's life, survival, and lasting impact. The film marked Mike's official entry into filmmaking and ignited a passion that continues to drive his career.
The success of Miracle on Shelby Street led to additional projects, including the feature film Going Postal: The Revenge of the Postman, as Executive Producer and opened the door to new creative opportunities. Mike has since appeared on the cover of the Hollywood Times Magazine, received industry recognition for his work, and is currently developing his second horror feature, further expanding his range as a producer.
Mike Charest's work is defined by authenticity and purpose. His films are not created for spectacle alone—they are born from real lives, real miracles, and real love. Through cinema, Mike continues to honor the past while building a meaningful future, proving that the most powerful stories are the ones that truly happened.
Capturing moments: A glimpse into my journey
