Where are they now: ROBERT BRIAN WILSON

Handsome and muscular actor Robert Brian Wilson was born in 1962 in Cerritos, California. Wilson made a solid and impressive film debut as tormented teenager Billy Chapman in the notorious and controversial sicko Santa seasonal slasher classic Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984).

But we, SB fans, loved him as Channing Capwell jr. on Santa Barbara (1984-1985 and 1991). Killed in the very beginning of the SB first episode and 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. "It was a difficult decision I had to make quickly," said Wilson. "I had tested for the role of Ted Capwell, which went to Todd McKee, and they asked me if I would be willing to play Channing even though it would be limited... very. I thought about it a bit and decided it was work and somebody had to do it. Since the character wasn't going to be too recognizable, they hope they could work me in later in another role."

Robert had regular recurring roles on the soap operas Search for Tomorrow (1986) and Generations (1990). Wilson did guest spots on TV shows as Dynasty (1988). Moreover, Robert can be seen in copious flashback footage as Billy in the delightfully twisted sequel Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 (1987).

Wilson quit acting in 1992. Today he’s 53 years old and, although he has remained completely out of the limelight ever since, he’s still managed to do very well for himself. He opened up an extremely lucrative trade show business, which has allowed him to purchase homes in New York and California. He also met the love of his life, who he married and fathered three children with. 

UPDATE: In 2016 Wilson reprised his acting career starring on the tv movie "The Wrong Roommate" with Eric Roberts and Vivica Fox. Are you curious to see Channing jr coming back from death?

Where are they now: WOLF MUSER

Wolf Muser was born on October 23, 1950 in Germany. He moved to the United States at early age where he graduated from college at the UCLA in Los Angeles, California, in 1968. Mr. Muser has an acting career which started in 1975 and in 1983 he appeared as Kurt Voightlander on CBS drama Capitol. Muser starred on SB from January 1985 to June 1985 as Dr. Marcello Armonti, stepson of Countess Armonti, who turns to be the real identity of Sophia Capwell. After leaving the show ,he had roles in TV series such as Matlock, MacGyver, Murder She Wrote, Walker Texas Ranger, The West Wing, Alias, Boston Legal, The Bold and the Beautiful and Desperate Housewives. Wolf Muser currently is 65 years old, still acting and lives in Los Angeles.

Where are they now? - SHERILYN WOLTER

 

Sherilyn Wolter was born on November 30, 1951 in Clarksburg, West Virginia, USA. When, at 20, Wolter decided to launch out herself in a career of actress, she quickly obtained a role in a TV show entitled B.J. and the Bears which lasted several seasons. Then in 1983 she was hired for General Hospital as Celia Quatermaine, until the day the producers of Santa Barbara call her. "One of the writers of the soap for which I worked had been just engaged for Santa Barbara. He recommended me for a role that he had especially written for me. My character names Elena Nikolas, explains the actress. To preserve her anonymity, she makes her called Eleanor Norris. She is in fact the illegitimate daughter of C.C. Capwell, and holds her real identity secret in order to be able to move with complete freedom in the family and to create dissension there. And she does not abstain from it !" When the role was proposed to her, Sherilyn Wolter was enthusiastic. "The proposal fell one cannot better. For three years, I had interpreted a finical character in another soap. By reading the scenario, I immediately knew that the role would be appropriate to me."

She just played the role from April to October 1987, but she was able to give a so great performance that she is rightly considered one of the best villain ever of SB. I still can remember how much I was shocked when Elena died in CC's arms, saying "Cruz killed me...dad".

After leaving the show, she also briefly replaced Hunter Tylo as Taylor Hayes in The Bold and the Beautiful in 1990, and appeared as George on Guiding Light in 1993. Wolter played a blinded artist in the 1989 film Eyewitness to Murder, Mitch's girlfriend in the first season of Baywatch (1990) and Justine Strickland in the 1992 miniseries Judith Krantz's Secrets. Then she has also made numerous guest appearances on several television series.

She left Hollywood in 1994, has never married, has no children and is currently residing in Hawaii selling sarongs in a shop there and writing a class to teach acting for non-actors.

 

 

Where are they now: KERRY SHERMAN

Kerry Sherman stayed only two seasons in Santa Barbara. However, she marked by her sensitivity and her talent the televiewers of the whole world. The death of her character, Amy Perkins, in the fire of a restaurant, upset the public as that of Mary DuVall who was played by Harley Kozak. Since her departure of Santa Barbara, in 1986, the actress Kerry Sherman preferred to do a break in her career, but not because of a lack of proposals : tender Amy in Santa Barbara wants to devote a maximum of time to the education of her two daughters, Erin and Kate.

"If you wish to have children, you must know that they completely upset your life", Kerry Sherman said. "Thanks to my daughters, I learned that I will perhaps never be a good actress, nor a personality, but I know that now I am someone very generous, very patient who give a lot of love. And my daughters return it to me. I like to know that they need me."

The actress had her first daughter, Erin, when her character, Amy Perkins, gave also, in Santa Barbara, birth to a baby. But the fiction did not join reality : Kerry Sherman did not marry the father of her daughter, Jack English, a camera operator. Five weeks after the childbirth, the courageous actress took again the way of the studios, in company of little Erin. "She accompanied me on the stage of Santa Barbara, because I nourished her with my breasts. That lasted for four months, then Jack stayed at home to care of her. He stopped working for one year to raise her." But when her companion returned to work, Kerry Sherman felt terribly guilty to give up her daughter to the however expert hands of a baby-sitter. "I phoned the house several times per day to take news of her. I never spent only one weekend without Erin. I took her along everywhere I went, to winter sports as in the restaurant !"

It is maybe this guilt feeling that pushed Kerry Sherman to give up her role of Amy Perkins and she finally left acting career two years later, in 1988.

Today she is a wonderful 62 years old woman and she is a Marriage and Family Therapist, working with clients who are struggling with mood disorders (including depression, anxiety, and Bipolar disorder), relationship problems, the after effects of child and adult sexual assault trauma, grief and loss, adjustment to work or school, divorce, stages of life and career changes.

Where are they now: ROBERT ALAN BROWNE

In July 1984 Robert Alan Browne originated John Perkins’ role in the daytime soap SANTA 

BARBARA. When his son Joe was accused of the murder of Channing Capwell Junior, John does not support Joe. He powerless attends his arrest, then his trial. Although Joe does not cease protesting his innocence, John inside of him, believes him guilty. Then when Joe was released, after five years of imprisonment, and that he decided to return in Santa Barbara, John didn’t even take the trouble of going with the other members of his family to welcome Joe. John firmly advised to him to leave the town and to rebuild his life elsewhere. After few months father and son were reunited, but John found the death in the spectacular earthquake which strikes Santa Barbara in November 1984. John dead in the middle of the casualties, with Marisa at his side. He was besides the only victim of this terrible shake. After leaving the show, Browne starred on movies like PSYCHO III (1986) and many tv show as T.J. HOOKER (1986), LA LAWYER (1986), MURDER SHE WROTE (1992) and COLUMBO (1991). Then he left acting in 1995. He came back to Hollywood in 2010 playing John Rexx on GOLF MILLIONS. 

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Ismael 'East' Carlo

Ismael 'East' Carlo was born in 1942 in Puerto Rico but he was raised in Spanish Harlem, New York. He started appearing in a couple of TV shows back in the seventies, like his debute role in Caribe in the lady killer episode. Nine years later he joined the cast of the newborn NBC’s Santa Barbara as Ruben Andrade, SB Mexican family’s patriarch.  Last member of the Andrade family to appear to the screen, Ruben is a straight man, who remains anchored in traditional values considered as exceeded by the new generation. He left that role in February 1985, after just six months from the beginning of the show. Ruben will disappear of the show with Kelly and Joe's wedding. As time goes by, the Capwells will forget him completely. And when his wife Rosa will come-back on the set in 1991 and will date Rafael Castillo, we will discover that she is not with her husband any more, without any reason given for it. After leaving SB, he starred on many shows, like Miami Vice, Baywatch, L.A. Law, Renegade, General Hospital, Prison Break and True Blood. He has been married two times with three children. East remains a familiar face amongst the Salsa scene and is recognized by his VJ appearances in many Southern California Puerto Rican day festivals.

Where are they now: JOE MARINELLI

Current Age: 56

Age at the SB time: 31

Survival threshold on the show: October 1988 – October 1990

Character’s Highlight:

he takes pleasure in regularly disguise himself as a woman. Following a mission where he had to dress as a woman, Bunny got to like beautiful dresses and clothes with glitter.

Character’s Farewell:

He left the town after his fiancé, Annie DiGirolamo, was arrested for having kidnapped him. Yes. True.

Joe Marinelli began his acting career in 1984, starring on the series CAGNEY & LACEY. Later he got his first big role as as the gangster transvestite Bunny Tagliatti on NBC’s soap opera SANTA BARBARA. He portrayed the role from 1988 to 1990. Following that success, he appeared as Pauly Hardman on the CBS soap GUIDING LIGHT in 1994. Following that, he was hired for the role of Joseph Sorel on ABC soap GENERAL HOSPITAL in 1999, and appeared for a few years as that character. Joe has had many guest-starring roles on syndicated night-time series, like E.R. (1997), JAG (2000), WEST WING (2002), HOUSE (2008), CASTLE (2009), DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (2011) and he has appeared in commercials and documentaries as well. Joe Marinelli has been awarded a prestigious Soap Opera Digest Award for Best Comic Performance in a Soap Opera (as Bunny Tagliatti). Today Joe Marinelli is 56 years old, lives in Los Angeles and he’s still acting.

BEN PIAZZA's Broken Dreams

Ben Piazza

He seemed destined for a bright future when he began opposite Gary Cooper in 1952, but something did not work.

                          

In the fifties, Ben Piazza (1933-1991) was considered as a possible rival to Marlon Brando. He made his debut in 1952 alongside a star of the caliber of Gary Cooper in THE HANGING TREE and this seemed to be the beginning of a long and indeed brilliant career, but something went wrong and the young actor while getting several successes on Broadway stage, he was never able to take off at all. In Hollywood after the initial enthusiasm they began to give him more and more secondary roles and his fame was never able to reach that of other actors of his generation as the fearless Steve Mcqueen or the most persuasive Robert Redford.

Piazza in the 50's

However, the television gave him substantial roles in soap operas such as DALLAS and DYNASTY which enabled him to become a familiar face not only in America. We SANTA BARBARA’s fans remember him mainly as Dr. Rawlings, director of the psychiatric hospital where Robin Wright’s Kelly was imprisoned after killing Dylan. The seemingly reassuring face of Dr. Rawlings soon turned out to be a mask that hides the criminally insane he really was. Piazza, which remained on SB from May until August 1986, however, gave his mark, creating one of the crazier doctors than ever. Man of many talents, Ben Piazza also wrote novels and theater pieces moderately successful. Married to actress Dolores Dorn from '67 to '79, the actor broke off the relationship when he fell in love with Wayne Tripp. This love story lasted until the death of Ben Piazza, which occurred due to AIDS in the early nineties.

Where are they now: MIRANDA WILSON

Current Age: 53

Age at the SB time: 29

Survival threshold on the show: February – July 1989

Character’s Highlight:

Sandra has visions of Eden sleeping with Cruz and begins to feel Eden’s “sensations” when she makes love with him.

Character’s Farewell:

this is without farewell or substantive reference to a possible departure from the town that Sandra suddenly disappears from the screen. She couldn’t have Cruz, so she briefly take his brother, Ric.

Miranda Wilson was born September 10, 1960 in Omaha, Nebraska. She began her acting career in 1984, playing Megan Hathaway Dimera on DAYS OF OUR LIVE. She was awarded as Outstanding Villainess in a Daytime Serial 1985. In 1986 she played Kate Wells on CAPITOL.  Before SB, she was known as Cheryl Ann Wilson. Miranda came to SANTA BARBARA in January 1989 as Sandra Mills, the psychic.  “I loved playing Sandra,” she said “and I loved working with the innovative production team. Especially directors who were really able to be present with the actors and let the camera "follow us around" sometimes. We still had blocking of the scenes but there always seemed to be a finger on the button to switch cameras in the case something more interesting came up than they had planned. It was exciting work.” But her SB experience didn’t last very much. In fact she left the show after just six months. “The excecutive at NBC in charge of daytime TV, changed.”she recall “The next executive, apparently, had no interest in a storyline about a psychic. I was told he didn't believe in psychics and was therefore stopping the storyline. As I said previously, it suited me just fine, at the time.”

After SB she felt in love. Got married. Had babies. Became deeply involved in natural healing, early childhood development and education. Ventured into the areas of quantum physics and the new science of healing. So we can say that Miranda Wilson turned into Sandra Mills. Follow Miranda on Twitter!

Namaste!

Where are they now: DANE WITHERSPOON

Dane Witherspoon is born December 27, 1957 in Denton, Texas.

After getting his acting degree from ACT, Dane went to Hollywood in 1980 where he landed small roles in THE WALTONS and EIGHT IS ENOUGH. In 1984, he made his soap opera debut as the original Joe Perkins on SANTA BARBARA. Three months later, Dane was replaced by Mark Arnold because the SB producers decided he wasn’t right for the role. Witherspoon met his ex-wife, actress Robin Wright, when they auditioned for their SANTA BARBARA roles. They were wed from 1986 to 1988.

This decision left fans bewildered, but Dane soon returned to daytime as Tyler McCandless on CAPITOL. He played this part from 1985 to 1986. Though he continued to work as an actor for a few more years (his last work as an actor was in the 1997 TV movie ASTEROID), Dane eventually retired from the profession and started making gourmet ice cream LIKS in Denver, Colorado.

Today Dane is 56 years old and has two sons with his second ex-wife, Tracy Shaffer.

UPDATE: Dane Witherspoon passed away March, 29 2014.

Where are they now: LINDA GIBBONEY

- Gina Blake #1 on SANTA BARBARA - 

Linda Gibboney began her acting career in 1973 on The Brady Bunch. In 1978 she starred as Julie on the movie Alien Zone, credited as Kathie Gibboney. But she is best known for her roles on soap operas and serials. These roles included Sybil Thorne on All My Children (1979–1981) and Jenny Deacon on Search for Tomorrow (1983–1984). Serial roles include Gina Blake on Santa Barbara (1984–1985):  she originated that role and she was able to play the Gina’s neurotic side and even her unintentional humor. She won a Soap Opera Digest Award for her role as Gina, but was replaced by Robin Mattson. The official reason is that Gibboney was tired to acting on a soap opera.

In 1989 she returns to the soap world as Jessica Gardner on Generations until 1991. In 1992 she starred on an episode of Married… with Children and her acting career ended with that very brief role. So what is she doing today?

Currently she is 61 years old and she is a college professor at UCLA (University California, Los Angeles). 

Where are they now: JAMES HEALY

- Derek Griffin on SANTA BARBARA (1990) -

James Healy grew up in both Ireland and Australia. He’s probably best known for playing Joan Collins' husband, Sean Rowan, on Dynasty in 1987/88 season. In January 1990 he came to Santa Barbara to play Derek Griffin: he appears first as a rich philanthropist businessman, before revealing his true face. Orphan since his birth, Derek turns out to share with the district attorney Ethan Asher, Craig Hunt and Stephen Slade the will to discover the identity of the murderer of Cassandra Benedict. That storyline called “The four orphans” was in my opinion one of the most boring stories of all time: I have never felt a real threat for the Capwells. By the way, Healy said about his characters:
“He really is a good person. There have been a lot of instances in his past that people have been bad to him. We are trying to make him likable, but his motives are pretty powerful - which give an edge to him. It will be like opening up a hornet's nest. One advantage of doing a show like this is that if you do get a good character, people like Sheri Anderson (the co-headwriter) will support you. Mr. John Conboy (the executive producer) has some great ideas. What confuses me is that Santa Barbara wins awards, but they don't have a large audience yet.” Healy represented Santa Barbara on Oprah Winfrey Show and was voted one of daytimes most popular actors. Then he left the show in July 1990. He rejoined Acapulco HEAT series in the re-occurring role of Strake. Currently he resides in Melbourne, Australia, where he returned in 1996 in order to care for his ailing father (now deceased). He continues to act write and produce films through his company Tri-Archer Film Productions. Ops, I almost forgot that, in true soap opera fashion, in February 1993 he was arrested with his sister and a friend in connection with the attempted murder of his sister's estranged husband. He allegedly forced his way into a Rosemead home with his sister and the friend and used a piece of glass to slash the throat of Jacob Benjamin Rivera. He was sentenced to several hours of community service. In the end he almost killed someone. Not Mason Capwell.

 

Where are they now: LOUISE SOREL

- Augusta Lockridge on SANTA BARBARA - 

 

Louise Sorel was born in New York Cityinto a theatrical family: her mother was actress and pianist Jeanne Sorel, and her father was producer Albert J. Cohen. Sorel's early career was on the stage; she spent several years on Broadway. She has made guest appearances on more than 50 prime time programs and television movies, making a notable guest appearance on Star Trek as Rayna Čapek. She made other guest appearances on such television programs as Bonanza,Daniel Boone, The Virginian, Route 66, The Big Valley, Vega$,Medical Center, Charlie's Angels, Hawaii Five-O, Knots Landing, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, among others. Her first daytime dramatic role was as eccentric, meddlesome Augusta Wainwright on the NBC daytime drama Santa Barbara. She appeared on Santa Barbara from 1984 to 1986, from 1988 to 1989, and finally from 1990 to 1991. Nicolas Coster and Louise Sorel were a vital part of the show when it premiered in 1984. Their chemistry together enhanced the characters' appeal. When Louise returned to resume her portrayal of the haughty Augusta in 1988 after departing in 1986, she made it clear that she felt a strong attachment to Augusta. “The reason why I left was because I felt that the character had lost its momentum and I was getting frustrated”, she explained. “I think that she sort of got lost a bit and I think I got anxious.” But in 1991 Sorel left again the show. “Augusta had become an alcoholic woman about who one spoke all the time, but who one never saw ! That was not very sympathetic. My role took again a little of consistency, but it was only temporary. It was wanted that Augusta falls in love with Dash Nichols, the rapist of her sister Julia. It did not have any sense since Augusta was very close to her sister and would not have acted like that.” Louise does not regret having gone away : “I am honest with myself thus with Augusta.”

In between stints, she also spent a year appearing as Judith Sanders on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, in 1987. She played villainess Vivian Alamain on the NBC daytime serial, Days of our Lives from 1992 until 2000. In 2000, shortly after being let go from Days of our Lives, Sorel briefly joined the cast of the Port Charles as fashion maven Donatella Stewart (a play on the names Donatella Versace and Martha Stewart). The role lasted for a month. In 2001, she had a brief role on another ABC soap opera All My Children as Judge Kay Campobello. She made a brief appearance on Passions as cannery worker Dort in 2004. In December 2009, she was invited to reprise her villanous role on Days of our Lives. But in June 2011, Sorel was let go from Days of Our Lives along with many other actors to make room for the return of supercouple John and Marlena and other characters. Her first husband was late comic actor Herb Edelman, who was perhaps best known for his role as Dorothy's husband Stan on The Golden Girls. Edelman and Sorel were married from 1964 to 1970. She met stage, film and television actor Ken Howard in 1972. They married the following year, but divorced in 1976. Neither marriage produced children. Today Louise Sorel is beautifully 72 years old. I hope to see you soon, Ms. Sorel. We all miss your class and irony.

 

 

Where are they now: TAWNY KITAEN

Tawny Kitaen became famous in the 1980s for appearing in several hard rock videos for the band Whitesnake, including the hit “Here I Go Again”. Kitaen was married to Whitesnake lead singer David Coverdale from 1989–1991. But Kitaen began her acting career in 1983 with a minor role in the television movie, Malibu. In 1984, she starred as the title character of the erotic-adventure movie The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik-Yak. She also co-starred in the movie Bachelor Party as the bride-to-be of a young Tom Hanks and was the star of the 1986 horror movie Witchboard. In the same year she joined the cast of the soap opera Capitol until 1987 as Meredith Ross. After her music-video appearances, Kitaen took on a number of television roles: first of all she came to SANTA BARBARA as Lisa DiNapoli, the former alcoholic sister of Celeste’s (Signy Coleman). She briefly portrayed the role from February to July 1989, except for a handful of episodes in which she was temporary replaced by none other than Téa Leoni (Deep Impact). After leaving SB she was co-host of America's Funniest People with Dave Coulier from 1992-4, and was a regular cast member on The New WKRP in Cincinnati from 1991-3. She guest-starred in the episode The Nose Job of the sitcom Seinfeld in 1991 and in Season 9 Episode 1 of Married... with Children called 'Shoeway to Heaven' in 1994. She had a recurring role as Deianira in three of the Hercules: The Legendary Journeys television movies in 1994, and then in the regular television series.

In 1997 her career suffered a setback. In 2006 she was arrested for drug possession, has been in and out of rehab programs, was part of The Surreal Life cast in 2006, and was one of the patients in Season 2 of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. Finally she returned to acting in 2011 in an episode of the TV series CSI. Today Tawny Kitaen is beautifully 51 years old, she has a strong presence on social networks, often interacting with her countless followers. In the video below you can see how she was in 1989 and how she is now in her everyday family life. For sure her children do not get bored.

 

 

Where are they now: MARGARET MICHAELS

Margaret Michaels came to SANTA BARBARA to replace Ava Lazar as Santana Andrade. She briefly portrayed the role from April to October 1985. Previously she has been hired as leading fashion model by rum Bacardi. Rid of the concern of earning her life, she then joined comedy lessons to fill her leisures, and also to learn how to become more natural in front of a camera. At these lessons, she met a young actor who advised her to leave New York, where she felt badly, to go to California to try her chance in Hollywood. He even gave her the address of one of his producer friends who could do something for her. “Thus I became in Los Angeles a production assistant. I was a little disappointed. But, very quickly, I was proposed small roles and it is thanks to one of these "breakdowns", like we say in this job, that one of the directors of Santa Barbara noticed me and hired me without any audition”. The small roles she speak about were on The Jeffersons (1982), Dynasty (1982) and Brian DePalma’s Scarface (1983).

In the late 1980s, Warner Bros. was looking for a Victoria Principal look-a-like to step into the role of Pamela Ewing on Dallas, after Victoria Principal had left the series. Late in 1988, Michaels appeared briefly in the first episode of the 11th season as Pamela Ewing, who had undergone plastic surgery after her near-fatal car accident. In the penultimate season 12, the producers of the series were looking for a Pam look-alike in order to give Bobby Ewing a chance to sort of say good bye to his former wife, as he never had the chance when Pamela had left abruptly back in 1987. Michaels was asked to return to the show, this time not as Pamela Ewing, but as a Pam Ewing look-a-like named Jeanne O'Brien. After her 4-episode stint on the show, Michaels' character Jeanne was written out.

From that moment on, Margaret Michaels left acting. She is devoted to the animal kingdom supporting Best Friends Animal Society sense 1979, and most recently the Onyx and Breezy Foundation. Since a continuation of the old Dallas, following a 20-year break, aired last year on TNT, I wonder if we’ll see Margaret Michaels in the coming seasons of the new Dallas.

 

 

Where are they now: MARISOL RODRIGUEZ

- Carmencita Castillo on SANTA BARBARA (1987/88) -

In 1987 Marisol Rodriguez graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in drama and she made her television acting debut as Carmencita Castillo on Santa Barbara in May 28, 1987. She played the younger sister of Cruz (A Martinez). Carmen came to town shortly after the presumed death of Eden (Marcy Walker) and she obtained from his brother to work in the detectives agency which he has just created. She was a close friend of Pearl (Robert Thaler) and for a certain period of Eleanor Norris (Sherilyn Wolter), before discovering that the woman had an evil mind. Without that any reason is never given, Carmen disappeared from the show a few days later Hayley’s death, feeling immediately responsible for that accident.  It was January 29, 1988. Shortly after leaving the show, Rodriguez starred on three TV series: Supercarrier as Donna,  CBS Summer Playhouse as Xochi Cordero (Tim and Daphne Reid acted as host during the first season, introducing each pilot. Viewers were also encouraged to call a 1-800 number at the end of each episode, to voice their preference. After the first season neither a host or 1-800 number were featured) and finally on ABC Afterschool Specials as Linda (it was the umbrella show name for various educational shows that were shown in the afternoon, occasionally. Each episode was produced by a separate company). In 1988 she left acting. Currently she is 47 years old, she lives in Florida and she works as Business Consultant at M. Rodriguez Consulting on Operations in Multi Unit Retail/Food Service. Previously she was District Manager at Starbucks Coffee Company.

 

Where are they now: JUDITH McCONNELL

- Sophia Armonti on SANTA BARBARA (1984-93) -

Judith McConnell was a former Miss Pennsylvania 1965, and competed in the 1966 Miss America pageant. She started her acting career in a 1967 episode of Judd, for the Defense. In the same year she starred in an episode of the TV series Star Trek. In 1968 she was Princess Marta on the cult series Get Smart. She later played short-term recurring roles on The Beverly Hillbillies in 1969 and Green Acres in 1970 and 1971. Her soap career includes several roles: Augusta McLeod on General Hospital (1973-75), Valerie Conway on As the world turns (1976-79), Miranda Bishop on Another World (1980-81), Eva Vasquez on One life to live (1983) and finally Sophia Wayne Capwell Armonti on Santa Barbara (1984-93). However, the role was originated by Rosemary Forsyth who remained on the show for a few weeks. At the time almost no one noticed the recast because Sophia was introduced disguised as a man, Dominic. So big dark sunglasses, a thick beard and mustache made ​​the recast less traumatic. The only striking difference: the height.

In fact, McConnell was much lower than Forsyth. “It was as grueling as it was fun” said the actress as she pointed out the physical discomforts her costume involved. “It took me two hours to get into makeup, and I would spend 10 to 12 hours a days, three to four days a week, on the set as Dominic”. The wig gave her migraine headaches and the beard was painful to remove. The bodysuit that gave her muscles was too warm and made her hitch. “I had to learn to walk differently and speak in a lower, gravely voice” said McConnell, who only had a day and a half's notice to prepare to the role.  “I just couldn't be the opposite of a woman as a man”, she said. “I had to learn to walk like a man (with my hips straight) and to run and stand like a guy. It took me a number of weeks to get it down”.

After the SB’s end, McConnell has guest-starred on numerous television series throughout the years and some films: Baywatch Nights (1995), Melrose Place (1998), Beverly Hills, 90210 (1999), JAG (2004), the NBC soap Passions (2007) and The Weather Man (2005) as Lauren, Nicolas Cage’s mother. In addition to the series listed above, McConnell recently appeared in a commercial for IKEA and for Christmas cards. Today Judith McConnell is 68 years old, she is not married and has a very beautiful daughter, Gwendolyn.

 

Where are they now: JULIA CAMPBELL

- Courtney Capwell on SANTA BARBARA (1986) -

Julia Campbell made ​​her debut on television with the soap opera Ryan's Hope (1984-85), in which she plays Katie Thompson. After leaving Ryan's Hope, Julia was contacted by Santa Barbara to audition for the role of Hayley. Although the show decided she was a little too old for that part, they later contacted her to test for Courtney Capwell. She screen tested with Robert Thaler, who played Pearl. Here is what Robert Thaler recently told me about her character: “Courtney was a character chosen at a series of auditions and they wanted my feedback so I chose the girl that played the part. I was quite new to all this soap stuff and tv, so I may have approached that relationship differently had I to do it all over again. I think it was around that time that the Dobson's via their producer took me out to lunch and wanted to know if I wanted to be a more prominent lead on the show. But I said no. There were too many lines to learn and I was underestimating my ability to do all of the work. I did not want to hold them back or slow down production. So then they never fully wrote for or developed that story line or the dual character thing.”

So in March 1986 Courtney, along with her sister Madeleine (Terry Davis), came to Santa Barbara to visit their rich family: the Capwells. A short time later, Madeleine was murdered and Courtney did everything possible so that Madeleine's husband, David Laurent, could be condemned for that crime. But Julia was able to disculpate David, having a crush on him. Curtain sets over the murder case  for a while: Courtney fell in love (unrequited) with Pearl, she helped him to help Kelly to escape from the psychiatric hospital and much more. As long as Pearl’s brother, Brian (Kyle Secor), presumed dead came to town. Brian was also aspiring writer as well as presumed dead, and reviewing the documents relating to the death of Madeleine, he came to the shocking truth: it was Courtney who murdered her own sister (in self-defense). Courtney disappeared from the town the following day, whereas any prosecution seems to have been launched against her.

 

Bernard White (1986)

It was December 18, 1986. After SB, her other television credits include Herman’s Head (1992), Murder, She wrote (1993), Seinfeld (1998), Friends (2000), Ally McBeal (2002), Two and a Half Men (2006), Desperate Housewives (2007), In Treatment (2008), The Shield (2008), Heroes (2009), House M.D. (2009), Dexter (2009), No Ordinary Family (2010), Drop Dead Diva (2012). Julia Campbell actually is 50 years old, she’s married to actor Jay Karnes and the couple have two children. She was previously married to actor Bernard White, who played the recurring role of Angel Ramirez on SB.