But we, SB fans, loved him as Channing Capwell jr. on Santa Barbara (1984-1985 and 1991). Killed in the very beginning of the first episode, although he appears only very episodically during flashbacks throughout the show, the memory of Channing Capwell Junior does not cease haunting at each turn the main members of the Capwell clan.
Robert Brian Wilson, who "left" acting in 1992, has grant an exclusive interview to Santa Barbara Blog, rembering his beginnings, the controversial slasher movie, Santa Barbara of course and sharing his current life with all of us. Enjoy!
Can you tell me
something about the young Robert Brian before his acting career?
I was born in Long Beach, California. As a
child I loved all types of sports. I played baseball, basketball, swimming!
When I was very young we moved to nearby Cerritos, California. It was there
that my parents had a swimming pool built for the family. Me and my sister and
two older brothers spent many days out at the pool! We all enjoyed playing and
competing. As a teenager I continued being very active athletically. I also
added soccer, and water skiing to my list of things to enjoy. Although, my
favorite sport in high school was football.
I had lots of fun growing up. Lots of great
friends in my neighborhood, always playing in the streets of our tracked homes!
I have wonderful parents and a great family. We
love and care for each other very much! I am very proud of my brothers and
sister. All of them very successful, and more importantly they are good, caring
people with great hearts! (You would like them)!
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| Robert Wilson as Billy on "Silent Night, Deadly Night" |
I was discovered by a talent manager from
Hollywood. I was in Palm Springs with my girlfriend (now my wife, Michelle)
enjoying a spring break from college. We had just finished dinner and we were
exiting the restaurant when this gentleman approached Michelle and I and asked
if I were a actor. I said no, I am not. He said, he would like to represent me
in Hollywood. I asked why he thought he could represent me?what was it? He said
he watched me all night, he had watched me interact with the waiter staff, he
and watched me interact with Michelle he even watched how I behaved when I paid
my bill. Needless to say, all of this made me very uncomfortable. I never had
any desire to do anything in Hollywood. I thought he might be a bit strange. As
our conversation ended he handed me a business card and asked that I call him
the following week.
Michelle and I discussed it further, she said I
should check it out. I said Hollywood? really? you think this guy might be
legitimate? And she said yeah I think so?
Go and meet with him! If he's a weirdo, walk out!
I made the appointment. And the following week
I was on my way to Hollywood. I entered his office and he was on the phone. One
phone to his ear and another one was ringing...he was legitimately doing
business. A very short hello and he handed me a script. He said go over it and
will read through it in a little while. And he continued on the phone. He asked
me on a couple of occasions if I was ready to read through it? And each time I
replied not just yet. About the fourth time he asked, and I was about to say no
again, was when he said oh come on man, let's just do it! I was very nervous, I
had never done anything like this before. We stood in the middle of his office
face-to-face each with a script in hand. We began reading through the script,
and as each moment passed I became more and more comfortable with simply
reading back and forth. When we finished he said good, you can read! I didn't
know exactly what to think of that? Then, he said let's do it again. This time
as we are reading through the script if you feel provoked in anyway to move, to
run, to shout, whatever? To act on it. Again, a bit confused I said ok. We
began reading through the script the second time. About half way into the
reading he "poked" at me as he was saying his lines. I didn't like
it, it kind of pissed me off. But, I
just continued reading and did nothing about it. We continued and then he poked
me again, this time I grabbed him about mid chest and began him moving in
backwards toward the wall as I was reading my lines! That's when he said
OK!OK!OK!stop!stop!stop! YEAH! He said you can do this!! I wasn't sure exactly what had just happened,
but he was happy! I said why? How do you
know? He said, he wanted to see if I would be honest in the moment. If I
would react or not? He said I was right on cue! He asked if I enjoyed it? At
the time I really didn't know what to think. It was the first time I've ever
experienced anything like it. I think I responded "yeah, that was
great"! The adrenaline rush from that moment was similar to that which I
used to experience playing sports! Then, he said seriously, this business, if
you are interested does require a solid commitment. He added, I'm ready to take
the next step if you are? I told him
thank you. And that I would need to
discuss this with my parents, and of coarse Michelle.
I guess it's pretty clear what happened next...
I said yes! He said fantastic! He then sent me to a photographer where I
established some head shots and a portfolio. I began acting classes, We put
together a resume. I then signed a
contract with theatrical agent. And, began my Hollywood experience.
 |
| Robert Wilson as Billy on "Silent Night, Deadly Night" |
Yes, I was 23 years old when the film came out.
There was quite a backlash from various groups of people who disagreed with the
movie. And let's be honest the film is truly intense horror. And then to top it
off it was our beloved Santa doing all of the killing. Lots of negativity
surrounding the movie. The film was removed from all theaters country-wide. It
was at that point I did an interview with one of our largest news magazines. In
that conversation I agreed with the films critics... that the film was too over
the top! Also, they started advertising the release of this film around
Christmas? Not Santa! Obviously, people were not ready at Holiday season to see
Santa running around sleighing and slashing the neighborhood. I think the
production would have been better served to release it around Halloween? With
all of that said and me being a young actor, for business reasons alone I
needed some separation. I wanted to work
again! And there was a big cloud hanging over this film at that time. That is
why I did not condone the film at that time.
Over 30 years have passed since the release of
the film. My view has changed. When you are a young actor you do your very best
to perform well in every opportunity. I auditioned for this film just as many
other actors did. I accomplished what I
set out to do, I landed he job! This is an "R"rated film. I think
that means mature audience only.?
Now I embrace the film. It's funny, it's
provocative and scary. It tells the story well. Confused Billy Chapman and the
sad story which became his life. Ha! Sympathy?
Last and certainly not least! The Horror fans!!
Wow, they are the absolute best film fans in the world! They love their films!
And now I very humbly cherish their support!
Then you moved from
Psycho Santa to Santa Barbara, I mean the NBC show. How “Santa Barbara” came to
you? It happened before SNDN, right? Do you remember something about your first
audition?
I made the movie in 1983. I believe, Santa Barbara was first broadcast
in 1985 or 86. I first read for
the part of the younger brother Ted Capwell. The producers decided I was too
old for that role. They asked me if I might be interested in reading for the
role of the older brother Channing Capwell. Although, they explained it came
with a cost. The cost being that Channing would be killed in the first episode
of Santa Barbara's existence. The story
line was "who killed Channing Jr.
Of course, as I have said before... I was looking for work! I took the
job. And it turned into many reappearing opportunities in flashback scenes!
Do you ever met the
creators and EP of the show, Bridget and Jerome Dobson? Any memories of them?
Yes. I received a final call back to read for
the role of Ted Capwell. It was on that day that I briefly met both of them. I
recall them being genuinely very kind!
 |
| Robert Wilson as Channing jr on "Santa Barbara" |
“Santa Barbara” opens
with the murderer of this hero of the modern America, during a reception given
in his honor in the Capwell mansion. The death of Channing
Junior marks the end of the dreams of glory of his father too. Do you remember
something from that day on the set? I mean, it was the first episode of a new
born show, can you remember the atmosphere around you and how you felt?
The set was beautiful. I had never seen a
daytime TV studio like it. The lighting and scenery was incredible. This was
NBC's brand new state of the art studio in Burbank. I felt a sense of
excitement being that it was the first episode of Santa Barbara. I recall
everyone being very much on point! In my opinion Santa Barbara's production
value was as good or better than any day -time show to this date. Not only the
cast but the crew were always most professional! Looking back it was truly an
honor to be a part of it.
All major characters
were suspected to be the killer. From then on it begins the major show
storyline: “Who shot Channing jr?”. But finally, it will turn to be that it is
Sophia, his own mother, the author of the fatal shot. It was a very well
written storyline with many exciting twists. The revelation was a very emotional scene . Did you happen to watch something at the time? Do you remember
something from that day on the set? I believe everyone was forbidden to reveal
something before it aired…
I'm sorry to say, at that time I wasn't very
involved in the day-to-day processes of the Santa Barbara production. A lot of
time had passed since the first episode. My guest appearances were not as
often. As always, I recall the production being as professional as ever.
One of the major
twists I was talking about it was that during investigations we found out that
Channing jr, the golden boy, had a secret homosexual relationship with Lindsay
Smith, a friend he seems to have met at the time of his law studies. Did you
know you played the first gay male character on daytime television? How do you
feel about that?
Wow, really? I wasn't aware. But great!
Do you have any
memories from the set, anecdotes with other actors?
No not really. Unfortunately, after the first
year, my involvement with Santa Barbara was minimal. Although, as I have
mentioned the cast and crew were always most professional.
Do you know that Robin
Wright debuted on SB as your younger sister, Kelly Capwell? Do you remember
her? Any memories?
Unfortunately, I didn't have any scenes with
her. Although, when she was working on other parts of the show while was around
she was always very kind and very professional.
 |
| Paul Burke (CC), Ava Lazar (Santana) and Robert Wilson (Channing jr) |
Yes, I recall being called back for scene in
the mirror. All of the lines spoken on my behalf were done off-stage. On some
occasions the would replay, or use my likeness in flash back scenes.
 |
| Robert Wilson on "Dynasty" (1988) |
I left the acting business to do the best by my
family. At the time, Michelle and I had
our two young sons. I wanted a job that offered me and my family more
consistency. Acting was no longer the most important thing in my life. Acting
can become a very selfish, ego driven endeavor. My main focus was and still is
my family. I would not sacrifice family for Hollywood. I created new avenues of
income. Michelle and I purchased a home in Burbank, Ca. This is where we had
our daughter. I am extremely proud of my family. My children's achievements are far too many
to mention. I never questioned my choice to leave Hollywood. The moment my
first child was born I knew that my life had changed. In that instant I became
acutely aware that my life was no longer about me. It was about my family.
Michelle and I doing our very best to provide, nurture and grow our children to
be the best they could be. Looking back...I have not one regret leaving
Hollywood when I did. I do not believe that my family would be where we are,
had I continued. Note; in the very near future my family will be raised, and
caring for themselves. At about that same time I will be retiring from my current
occupation. At that time, I plan then to make 100 percent return to Hollywood.
I cannot wait!
At the end of our
interview I have to thank you for your kindness and to tell that you were the
most beautiful boy I ever seen on screen. I really had a major crush on you
when I was 10 years old. What is beauty for you?
Beauty to me is more than just what pleases my
eyes. Beauty to me is what moves and touches my soul. With that said, I see beauty
all around me, from the grandest expressions through music and film, to the
simplest moments, like a beautiful day, or a kind and genuine gesture from one
person to another. People with good hearts are most beautiful!
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