Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
Speaking with PEOPLE, Castelblanco called McEntire “the best person on Earth.”
Reba McEntire is known for giving “very thoughtful gifts” to her co-stars, according to Pablo Castelblanco.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE at the Actors Rising event, hosted by The Actor Awards and Elle in Los Angeles on Feb. 26, Castelblanco shared the kinds of presents he’s received from the 70-year-old country music icon, who stars alongside him on NBC’s Happy’s Place.
“She gives amazing bottles of wine and beautiful, heartfelt notes,” Castelblanco said of McEntire’s personalized gifts.
He added, “Her notes are so lovely. She gives thoughtful presents not just for birthdays, but also for holidays or after conversations we’ve had—it’s really personal.”
Speaking fondly of his co-star, Castelblanco called her “[the] best person on Earth” and joked, “What are we doing? We should just keep telling everybody Reba’s the best.”
On Happy’s Place, Castelblanco plays Steve, the bar’s accountant, while McEntire portrays Bobbie, the woman who inherited the bar from her father.
Weeks before the Actors Rising event, NBC announced that the sitcom, now in its second season, would return for a third.
“When we got renewed, it was around my birthday. We celebrated the news together, and they gave me gifts I hadn’t even asked for—it was such a fun time,” Castelblanco recalled. “That really shows the kind of family we’ve become on the show. Everyone talks about their cast being like a family, but here, it really starts with Reba. She’s genuinely the kindest person.”
Castelblanco also described the Actors Rising event as “a celebration” of their show’s renewal.
“It’s like a warm hug at the end of your day,” he said. “That’s my favorite part of Happy’s Place—it gives you a moment to see the best in people, which we really need right now. I’m proud to be part of the show and excited that we’ll get to keep making it.”