Santa Barbara remains one of the most beloved American soap operas of all time — a series that blended melodrama, comedy, romance, family intrigue, and unforgettable characters into a daily ritual for fans around the globe. First airing on NBC in 1984, the show told the intertwined stories of powerful families in sunny Southern California and went on to win numerous awards during its long run.
At the heart of this world was Kelly
Capwell, portrayed by a then-young actress new to screens: Robin Wright.
Today a Hollywood icon, Wright reflects on her formative years on Santa
Barbara in a 1986 interview, offering insight into her early experiences
and how the show helped shape her career.
A Breakthrough at 18
Robin Wright landed the role of
Kelly Capwell when she was just 18, after several auditions. Being cast felt
like a dream — and a shock — for the young actress, who had no formal acting
training. Early on, she described working on the soap as “like getting paid tohave your acting lessons in public,” emphasizing the intensity and constant
demands of daytime television work.
Kelly Capwell was a central
figure on Santa Barbara, a privileged but passionate woman caught in the
complex world of family expectations and dramatic romantic twists. Wright’s
portrayal quickly won attention, leading to Daytime Emmy nominations and
a Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Heroine.
The Challenges Behind the
Scenes
In her interview, Wright also
shared candid reflections on the challenges of working on a long-running soap
opera. From shifting storylines to cast changes and intense shooting schedules,
she highlighted the hard—but educational—nature of the work. Parts of Santa
Barbara’s production were fast-paced and often unpredictable, which Wright
found sharpened her skills as an actor.
She also spoke about how Santa
Barbara helped her understand her own strengths — and limitations — as an
actress. The experience of performing dramatic scenes daily, under tight
deadlines, taught her the discipline and emotional range needed for later roles
on film and television.
From Daytime to Global Stardom
Although Santa Barbara was
just the beginning, it set the stage for a remarkable career. Soon after
leaving the soap in 1988, Wright transitioned to film and television roles that
would bring her international fame — such as Buttercup in The Princess Bride
and Jenny in Forrest Gump. Later she would captivate audiences worldwide with her portrayal of Claire
Underwood in House of Cards, earning Golden Globe and Emmy recognition.
Wright’s journey from daytime
television to award-winning Hollywood star stands as a testament to the
training ground that soap operas can provide. Without Santa Barbara, one
of the most compelling actresses of her generation might have taken a very
different path.
Why Santa Barbara Still
Matters
More than 40 years after its
debut, Santa Barbara continues to be celebrated by fans for its bold
storytelling, memorable characters, and emotional depth. Its legacy lives on
not only in reruns and nostalgia but through the careers it helped launch —
especially that of Robin Wright.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or
discovering the series for the first time, Santa Barbara offers a
fascinating glimpse into the heart of soap opera drama — and into the early
career of one of Hollywood’s most respected actors.
Here you can see a video interview that Robin Wright gave in mid 1986, just before leaving the show for shooting the movie "The Princess Bride" (1987).
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