In an entertainment industry often driven by hype and algorithms, Monty Hobbs stands apart with a mission that blends legacy, storytelling, and community impact. He’s not just creating shows—he’s cultivating culture. As co-founder of Just Do GOOD Entertainment, Hobbs has built a portfolio that champions faith-rooted narratives, civic pride, and a sense of Americana rarely seen in modern content.
His shows air on UP Faith & Family and stream on over two dozen platforms. His collaborations range from iconic names like Erik Estrada and Valerie Smaldone to brand powerhouses like Restaurant Depot and the historic Balabushka Cue Company. His recent productions include Finding Kindness, Divine Renovation, and the upcoming series Air Angels, each designed to spotlight the overlooked kindness, courage, and legacy embedded in everyday lives.
From Roseboro Hustle to Hollywood Vision
Monty Hobbs’ journey didn’t start in a studio—it started in a smoke-filled pool room. At 17, he opened A Player’s Corner in Roseboro, North Carolina. That pool hall wasn’t just a business—it was a classroom in character. It taught him how to read people, tell stories, and navigate tension with strategy.
“You learn fast in a pool hall,” says Hobbs. “It teaches you about risk, rhythm, and redemption. Those lessons? I just swapped the cue stick for a camera.”
This blue-collar grit is the lifeblood of Hobbs’ work. His shows don’t just entertain—they uplift. With kindness as the core value and redemption as a recurring theme, Hobbs creates content that resonates with middle America and leaves a cultural footprint.
Floral Park ,New York
Cueing Up Cultural Relevance
In a bold move that connects cinema history with product storytelling, Hobbs is now the creative engine behind Balabushka’s 40th Anniversary campaign. The Balabushka cue—made famous by the film The Color of Money starring Paul Newman and Tom Cruise—is being reintroduced to modern audiences with a strategic blend of nostalgia and new media.
Partnering with Peggy Mallen, the CEO who keeps the George Balabushka legacy alive, Hobbs is producing a limited-edition cue stick, a feature-length documentary, and branded activations under the campaign banner “Balabushka’s 40th: The Color of Money Legacy.” Valerie Smaldone is producing alongside Hobbs, ensuring the campaign strikes a balance between reverence and relevance.
“This is bigger than a stick of wood,” Hobbs explains. “Balabushka is a symbol of precision, of hustle, of history. We’re using it to bridge generations.”
With rising media interest, daily website traffic in the hundreds, and a targeted social campaign launching in July, Balabushka is being positioned as more than a cue company—it’s a cultural brand.
Monty Hobbs, Valerie, Erik Estrada at KTLA
When Faith Meets Format
Though his work appears on faith-oriented platforms, Hobbs is clear: he’s not preaching. He’s storytelling. “It’s not about religion,” he says. “It’s about second chances. It’s about grace. It’s about the kind of good we still believe in.”
That ethos drives Finding Kindness, his award-winning series that spotlights acts of generosity across the U.S. Season one premieres July 11th on UP Faith & Family, with plans for a second season to begin filming in January 2026. An in-person premiere in Philadelphia is already on the books for April.
Meanwhile, Air Angels begins filming in Wilmington this July. The show honors civilian pilots and rescue volunteers, with a red-carpet Veterans Day premiere scheduled for November. Hobbs is also in development on The Color of Kindness, a documentary rooted in both cue culture and cinematic legacy.
Industry Experience With a Personal Edge
Before producing for national platforms, Hobbs spent time in the trenches—literally behind the stars. He served as a photo double and stand-in for actors like Russell Crowe and Nick Offerman, getting a front-row seat to how major productions operate. Those formative experiences provided him with a comprehensive understanding of film mechanics, timing, and performance.
“It taught me how to study a scene, how to understand presence,” says Hobbs. “But more than that, it showed me that storytelling isn’t just scale—it’s heart.”
He also developed a strong bond with Erik Estrada, who now hosts Divine Renovation, and met Burt Reynolds shortly before his passing—an encounter Hobbs recalls as a full-circle moment.
Monty Hobbs
Awards and Recognition
In the last two years, Hobbs’ work has garnered:
- Silver Telly for Finding Kindness
- Silver Telly for Divine Renovation Season 1
- Bronze Telly for Divine Renovation Season 2
- Impact Docs Award for community storytelling
- Davey Award for branded content excellence
- Golden Giraffe Award for The Thursday Night Club
- Dove Foundation seal of approval
- Los Angeles Film Award for Inspirational Film
- Official Selections at Rome Prisma, Oniros, and NY International Film Awards
- Finalist at the Tatras International Film Festival
His children’s book, Officer Erik and the Very Special Dad, reflects the same message found in his film work: fatherhood, redemption, and the everyday hero.
Civic Service and Cultural Roots
Beyond the screen, Hobbs serves on the Board of Directors for the New Hanover County Parks Conservancy and is under consideration for the Cape Fear Museum advisory board. His commitment to his hometown roots remains a central pillar of his mission.
Just Do GOOD Entertainment—founded with Valerie Smaldone and Ray Oneglia—has also collaborated with major corporate partners like Restaurant Depot and O&G Industries to support community-focused narratives.
Real Stories in an AI World
With AI saturating the creative space, Hobbs is betting on what machines can’t replicate: lived experience.
“Authenticity doesn’t come from code,” he says. “Our content is built on real people and real places. We’re not here to compete with AI. We’re here to remind people of the human side of storytelling.”
That human-first strategy has positioned Hobbs as a sought-after partner for brands and nonprofits looking for impact over impressions.
Looking Ahead
From red carpets to rescue missions, Hobbs is keeping pace with a production calendar full of heart. He plans to premiere The Color of Kindness in October, coinciding with The Color of Money‘s 40th anniversary, while continuing his push toward national syndication and philanthropic brand-building.
“Everything I do goes back to one question: Will it matter 20 years from now?” Hobbs says. “That’s how legacy is built.”
For more information, visit justdogoodent.com or follow @MontyHobbs on Instagram and Facebook.
