EXCLUSIVE AND UNUSUAL INTERVIEW WITH ROBIN MATTSON

- Gina on SANTA BARBARA from 1985 to 1993 -

Today I’m presenting to you the interview that Robin Mattson has granted exclusively to Santa Barbara Blog. Typically cast in supporting, “villainess” roles, Mattson is best known for long runs on three American soap operas: General Hospital, Santa Barbara and All My Children. In her daytime debut as Hope Bauer on Guiding Light (1976–1977), she played her only heroine. She received a Soap Opera Digest Award and an Emmy Nomination for her first major role, as Heather Webber on General Hospital (1980–1983, 2004, 2012–present). During Ilene Kristen's absence from Ryan’s Hope, she played Delia Reid (1984).Replacing Linda Gibboney on Santa Barbara, she received additional Emmy Nominations for her role of Gina Blake DeMott Capwell Timmons Lockridge, a role which lasted from December 1985 through the final episode in January 1993. Gina's character became part of a popular comic duo, pairing Mattson with Emmy Winning Justin Deas who played her co-conspirator, Keith Timmons. By the end of the series, Mattson was involved with Lionel Lockridge, played by another Emmy Winner, Nicolas Coster. Following the end of the series, Mattson moved to New York to take on the role of Janet Green on All My Children (1994–2000). Over the next few years, Mattson took on several short term parts on the soaps: Sugar (Sheila Carter's sidekick) on The Bold and the Beautiful in 2003; Madame Cheri Love on As the World Turns (2007); and Lee Michaels on Days of our Lives (2010–2011). Mattson has returned to General Hospital on two occasions, first in 2004 for six months where she was reunited with her former Santa Barbara co-star Jed Allan. Her most recent return came about in April 2012.

In 2002 she also played Francine Landon on Law & Order.

 

Gina has had a great evolution during the show. And at every stage of her development there was a male friend who accompanied her: she becomes the comic soul of the show with Keith Timmons (Justin Deas), then Gina becomes even more surreal and fun along with Bunny (Joe Marinelli), and finally she becomes more adult alongside Lionel (Nicolas Coster). Which of these relationships was your favorite?

Gina and Keith - Justin Deas was an inspiration to work with and had such a knack for dry humor that I felt I gained development as an actress from working with him.

 

 

Gina has always been very protective of her original family: Brandon (Justin Gocke) is the love of her life, Hayley (Stacey Edwards) was her moral conscience and then Phyllis (Stella Stevens) was the ditzy mother. Can you tell us one specific anecdote of your relationship with one of them?

It was funny to be working with the mother of a good friend. Stella Stevens' son, Andrew Stevens, was a close friend of mine, via Kin Shriner.

 

 

 

Gina was probably addicted to marriage. She was married six times: once with Stockman DeMott (offscreen), twice with CC (Jed Allan), once with Mason (Lane Davies), once with Keith and once with Lionel. Can you describe your relationship with Jed Allan?

We were very good friends and I very much enjoyed his company on and off screen. There were times when he was there for me when I needed him most. I worked with him on SB as well as GH.

 

You acted with Robin Wright (Kelly). She was one of your victims during the storyline of the videotape. Can you make a Robin’s portrait for us, please?

Her portrayal of Kelly on SB launched her career.

 

In 1988 the Dobsons were fired. What effect did this have on the show?

It was a big loss. They were so creative and had such a great sense of whackiness for Gina and nothing was too over the top. It was not as fun after they left.

 

 

 

When they returned in 1991 why they did not rise to save the show?

I'm sure they tried but it wasn't up to them.

 

Patrick Mulcahey, Frank Salisbury, Lynda Myles, Courtney Simon: I think they was the soul of SB along with the Dobsons: do you ever met them?

Certainly I met them but it is discouraged for actors and writers to mingle because they do not want actors to try to influence writers in terms of storyline.

 

Last year, you've found Gina Gallego (Santana) on the set of Days. Would you like to share with us this little reunion?

It was such a sweet surprise. Having worked with her before gave us an instant sense of camaraderie. We easily slid into our roles as partners in crime.

 

Today, in 2012, what do you do?

 I'm back as Heather on GH.

 

This interview is designed primarily for the Italian public. In our country, “Santa Barbara” was very much loved and followed. You've never been in Italy? What do you know about our country?

I have visited Italy many times but it's never enough. You can't absorb that much - incredible art and amazing food no matter how many trips you make. From the culinary side of things, what the Italians create from nature is indescribable -- it beckons one to return.