At just 10 years old, Eric Wiltz is stepping onto the big screen for the first time. The young performer makes his film debut opposite Tank and Fantasia Barrino in Tyler Perry’s holiday release, The Gospel of Christmas, now streaming on Netflix.
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Wiltz plays Esau, the younger child of Isaac, portrayed by Tank, and Rebecca, played by Fantasia Barrino. In the story, the family relocates to New York City after Isaac assumes leadership of a church in financial trouble. Mason Douglas plays Esau’s older brother, Jacob.
Esau is nonverbal, but his mother views that difference as a unique strength. The character also possesses a remarkable gift: he can see the angels who inhabit the family’s new church.
During the film’s November 9 premiere, Wiltz discussed his role with CBS News Atlanta.
“My character’s name is Esau. Um, he’s the son of the pastor,” the young actor said.
Wiltz also spoke warmly about the opportunity to work with the movie’s accomplished cast and creative team.
“I look up to all the people I worked with and it was just so awesome working with all those amazing creators,” he said.
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After attending the premiere, Wiltz marked the occasion on Instagram by posting photos from the red carpet.
“My first movie premiere with me in the cast! Thank you @tylerperry for letting me be apart of this amazing movie!” he wrote.
Wiltz first drew widespread attention in September 2025, when a video of him performing “The Wizard and I” from Wicked went viral. His talent impressed Cynthia Erivo, who encouraged him to keep pursuing music and acting.
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Not long after the video took off, talent agencies began contacting his family. In an October 2026 interview with Carvd N Stone, Wiltz revealed that his first audition was for The Gospel of Christmas. Within weeks, he was traveling to Atlanta to begin filming.
“My dreams were actually going to happen,” he told the outlet after securing the part.
Once production wrapped, Wiltz added another major achievement to his young career, portraying a young Michael Jackson during the national tour of MJ the Musical, which ran from December 2025 through May 2026.