‘Happy’s Place’ star Pablo Castelblanco praises Reba McEntire’s heartfelt gestures

Reba McEntire isn’t just a country music legend—she’s a thoughtful gift-giver and a genuinely kind presence on set, according to her Happy’s Place costar Pablo Castelblanco.

Speaking with People at the Actors Rising event in Los Angeles on Feb. 26, Castelblanco, 36, who plays Steve, the accountant of the titular bar, opened up about the personalized presents he’s received from the 70-year-old actress over the years.

“Oh, she gives great bottles of wine, she gives really beautiful notes,” Castelblanco said of McEntire. 

“Her notes are just so lovely. And also very thoughtful gifts, not only on birthdays, but also when we’re wrapping or when we’re doing stuff like that, that have to do with the season or a conversation you’ve had.”

Castelblanco didn’t stop there, describing McEntire as “the best person on Earth.” “What are we doing? We should just keep telling everybody Reba’s the best,” he added with a laugh.

The gifts are just one example of the family-like environment the cast has built on set. Weeks before the Actors Rising event, NBC renewed Happy’s Place, currently in its second season, for a third. 

Castelblanco recalled celebrating the renewal around his birthday with presents and laughter, saying, “That’s the kind of family we’ve become. And such a cliché, everyone says that about their show, but really, God, I mean, it starts from the top. It starts from Reba being the kindest person there is.”

For Castelblanco, the sitcom offers more than work—it offers connection. “It’s such a hug at the end of your day,” he said. “That’s my favorite thing about Happy’s Place. It just feels like you get to have a moment where you find the best in humanity … that’s what we need right now. So I’m so proud of being part of the show and that we’re going to get to do more.”

On Happy’s Place, McEntire stars as Bobbie, the bar’s owner who inherited it from her father, while Castelblanco portrays Steve, the loyal accountant. 

Their chemistry on and off camera is a testament to the camaraderie McEntire fosters on set.