Meet Shaun Johnston — The Man Behind Heartland’s Beloved Grandpa Jack

If you’ve watched Heartland, you know Jack Bartlett — the no-nonsense grandfather who keeps the family grounded. Played by Canadian actor Shaun Johnston, he’s been there since the very beginning, holding down the ranch with a mix of grit, humor, and those rare soft moments that catch you off guard.

Now, well into the show’s 18th season, Johnston sat down to share stories from behind the scenes, talk about life off the ranch, and reflect on how Heartland has shaped him over the years.

Saying Goodbye to Paint

One episode stands out more than most: the one where Jack says farewell to his beloved horse, Paint.

“Usually, I overprepare. I’ll cover the script with notes. But for this one, I didn’t — I just showed up raw.”

The result was a quiet, deeply felt scene that fans still talk about.
“It was hard on everybody,” he admitted.

His Favorite Moment? That One.

Asked about standout episodes, Shaun doesn’t hesitate: “That one.”
The goodbye to Paint clearly left a mark — not just on him as an actor, but as a horseman and storyteller.

Advice to His Younger Self

If he could go back ten years, Johnston says he’d give himself one piece of advice: stop worrying so much.

“I always worried between seasons, hoping we’d get renewed. I love the show so much, and I’d always think, ‘I hope we get another one.’”

After nearly two decades on Heartland, he can laugh about it now — but the love for the show is still very real.

Life Off the Ranch

When he’s not filming, Johnston keeps things low-key — hockey and music.

“I play a ton of hockey,” he said with a grin. “And I strum the guitar whenever I can. I’m not great, but it makes me happy.”

What He’s Learned from Jack

“I'm gonna grow old gracefully,” Shaun said with a smile.
After so many seasons as Grandpa Jack, it’s a lesson that feels well earned.

When the Show Eventually Ends...

What’s next? He’s keeping it simple.

“I’d like to watch a lot of TV and play more hockey,” he joked.

After all these years filming in the foothills of Alberta, that kind of rest sounds well-deserved.

Beyond Heartland

Johnston hasn’t stayed still. He appeared in Wynonna Earp as a mysterious character named Juan Carlos —
“They named him that because I look so Latino,” he joked — and he’s returned to the stage, performing with Edmonton’s Shadow Theatre.

And yes, a few surprises: the silver hair and mustache? Part Hollywood magic.

“The ink comes out of my mustache every day and the wig comes off,” he said with a chuckle.

Before acting, Johnston’s life looked very different. He originally went to business school and even modeled on Toronto runways.
“I was 6’3” and could wear Hugo Boss right off the rack,” he said.
He also worked at a bank for a year — quite the résumé before Heartland came calling.

Stage vs. Screen

When asked about theater versus television, Johnston doesn’t hesitate.

“TV is riskier. You might get multiple takes, but if something doesn’t work, it’s recorded forever.”
“On stage, you don’t make mistakes when you’re well-rehearsed.”

His favorite stage role? Eddie in Fool for Love by Sam Shepard.

Playing for a Crowd

One of his more recent highlights: a concert on a ranch in Alberta.

“I was nervous going in, but the audience was so supportive, I felt like they just wanted me to enjoy it. After a minute, the nerves were gone — it was just fun.”

From runway model to ranch patriarch, Shaun Johnston’s journey has been anything but ordinary.
Through it all, his portrayal of Jack Bartlett has stayed true — steady, heartfelt, and deeply human.

So next time you watch Heartland, keep an eye on Jack. He might not say much, but thanks to Shaun Johnston, every word matters.