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.

My Exclusive Interview with LINDA ELIN HAMNER

 

 

 

It is a great pleasure for me introduce you this exclusive interview that Linda Hamner granted to the Santa Barbara Blog. Linda Hamner has been a writer her whole professional life: everything from a technical writer to a TV writer (SANTA BARBARA, GENERAL HOSPITAL, ANOTHER WORLD, AS THE WORLD TURNS, CAPITOL, TEXAS, RITUALS). In 1991 she won an Emmy for her work on the daytime serial SANTA BARBARA. She is also the co-author of LETTERS FROM CLEO AND TYRONE and the author of BOOBS OVER HOLLYWOOD. Enjoy her memories about our favourite show, characters, writers & co.

How do you came to the daytime show Santa Barbara?

I was on SB twice during the period you mentioned. I was hired initially by Bridget and Jerome Dobson in 1986. I left the show about a year later. In 1991-1992, I was re-hired by Executive Producer John Conboy. It was during this time, I won my Emmy for my work on Santa Barbara. Again, I stayed for about a year. During 1988 and 1991, I worked on other soaps, specifically GENERAL HOSPITAL. Sorry I can't be exactly sure of the dates, as all that paperwork is buried in boxes in my garage. I'm pretty sure those are the dates I worked on SANTA BARBARA

 

What can you told us about Bridget & Jerome Dobson (SB creators)?

Bridget & Jerome Dobson

Bridget and Jerome had a unique voice in soap operas. They brought a quirkiness and humor to their show. It was a pleasure working with them. When I first was hired by them, the outline writers met weekly in their lovely Bel Aire home. During those sessions, which included Bridget, Jerome, Chuck Pratt, Maura Penders, Frank Salisbury and myself, we would create outlines for each episode for a week of shows. These outlines defined the structure of each episode. These would be written as narrative descriptions of each scene. We would specify what set the scene was to play in, what characters were involved, the main thrust of the scene, and finally, the tag of the scene. Once these had been reviewed/revised by the Dobsons, they would be delivered to the scripters who would actually write the script, including the dialogue. I would have to say that it was certainly one of the most civilized writing experiences of my professional life.

We also worked out of the NBC Studios. If I remember correctly, we had meetings with the network there, but that part is fuzzy in my memory. I do remember very distinctly that Bridget and I shared the same taste in jewelry. I remember one time I was wearing a new necklace, and Bridget said, "I think I'd like to snatch that necklace off of Linda's neck." Which of course she didn't.

I was at the NBC Studios when the Dobsons were locked out. I remember police or security guards blocking the entrance to the studio. It was incomprehensible to me that the creators and the heart and soul of the show could be locked out of their own show. That was a very dark time.

Do you remember what caused the rupture between the Dobsons and the network?

I'm sorry but I'm unable to answer the questions about the lawsuit. I never knew the specifics. The person to ask would, of course, be the Dobsons. They're the only ones who really knew what they had to go through to get their show back. It was a difficult period for the writers, of course. We continued to work as we had contracts. I remember very little about the day the Dobsons were barred from the studio: I remember the policemen guarding the doors; I remember how horrified and stunned we all were with this event; I remember we had to get shows on the air. I was also there when they returned to the show. It was a very, very happy day for all of us who love "Santa Barbara."

Do you were in touch with the SB actors or it was forbidden?

I always kept my distance from the actors. In fact, we were encouraged to do that. Sure, we saw them in the studio, exchanged friendly greetings, etc. But if you got too close to an actor and that actor suddenly got a big storyline, other actors might think the new storyline was a result of the actor and the writer being friends. And that might or might not be true. In fact, on one soap that I wrote, there were colored lines painted on the floor. One color indicated where the actors could go; another color indicated where the writers could go, etc. I thought that was ridiculous. Just use common sense. Actors often had problems with storyline or dialogue and they either spoke to the producer or the headwriter. Those of us who wrote outlines or scripts were usually not involved in those conversations. I always thought the actors did a terrific job, and if they had complaints about scripts or storylines, they absolutely should speak up. After all, it is their faces on the screen, not the writers.

SB was accused of being almost totally focused on Cruz & Eden (mostly during Jill Farren Phelps tenure). Do you think that it was a deliberate and right choice?

Eden (Marcy Walker) & Cruz (A Martinez)

Cruz and Eden are indeed a super-couple. A. and Marcy were magic together. I had the pleasure of writing for them during both my stints at "Santa Barbara." I know Jill was very fond of A., so it doesn't surprise me that she wanted to focus on Cruz/Eden. For me, though, the balance was absolutely right when the show had Cruz/Eden, Mason/Julia and Keith/Gina. In each case, these were characters that we, the audience, wanted to be together. It became the responsibility of the writers to keep them apart so they didn't become complacent and boring. We loved Cruz and Eden because they were both such good people, who came from such different background: Cruz was a cop, and Eden was the Golden Girl who lived on the hill. There were bound to be problems and tensions as they came together. Mason and Julia were different. They were both professional people whose careers were important to them. They had an edge that fascinated us, but we knew, deep in our heart, that they belonged together. Often when I was writing them, I would say, "Poor Julia. Don't let your heart get broken again." And Keith and Gina... Crazy Keith and Gina... Both manipulative, up to all manner of mischief and skulduggery. What kept Gina from becoming a villain though was her absolute, unconditional love of her son, Brandon. Again, huge kudos to the Dobsons for creating unforgettable, unlikely couples. I swear I would have been happy writing those three couples for the rest of my life.

Did you found some differences between working on SB than on other soaps?

All the soaps I worked on (SANTA BARBARA, GENERAL HOSPITAL, ANOTHER WORLD, AS THE WORLD TURNS, CAPITOL) worked pretty much the same way.

The headwriters wrote long-term story and supervised all writing tasks. The breakdown/outline writers would meet weekly with the headwriters and plan the next week of shows. Typically. each breakdown writer was responsible for one episode. In a narrative format, they would structure the show, describe each scene (including the set, actions and time), and indicate the tag of the scene. This is a narrative outline for the episode. The headwriters and breakdown writers would meet with network executive and show producers. They would give notes (often quite extensive). The breakdown writers would then revise the breakdown and submit the headwriters. The headwriter would make any additional changes and then send them to the script writers, who would then actually write the script.

It's very much of a team effort. I enjoyed the structure of this process.

Did you ever have the chance to meet Robin Wright (Kelly Capwell) during your first stint on SB?

Kelly Capwell (Robin Wright)

Naturally I saw Robin frequently as her dressing room was next to the writers' room. She was always pleasant and professional. I remember she always brought her dog into work. I think he was three-legged. I immediately thought she was a person who cherished animals, as I do. Animals are my passion, too. I have a blind, deaf dog and we have a very close bond. What was outstanding about Robin was her stunning, natural beauty. She came into the studio every morning without an ounce of make-up and she looked flawless. I was thrilled to see the success she has had in film.

Minx Lockridge (Judith Anderson)

Patrick Mulcahey told me that Jerry Dobson told him that Dame Judith Anderson (Minx Lockridges) used forget her lines, so they put some signs on the set on which she could read her lines. But she could not see very well, so she could not read it. So when she forgot a line, Nic Coster tried to help her, for example saying: "Mother, you're trying to say that Augusta is acting like a dog in heat?"...

As writers we were instructed not to give her too much dialogue. I was rarely on the set, though, so I really don't know what went on there. Sorry I can't be of any help of this one. It doesn't surprise me that Nic Coster would help her out. He was always a favorite of everyone's! And, of course, the fans loved him. They were Nic's Chicks.

　

　

　

　

Jeremy Jackson arrested over stabbing allegations

According to TMZ former “Baywatch” and “Santa Barbara” star Jeremy Jackson has been arrested on suspicion of attacking a woman with a knife. At the tender age of six, Jeremy Jackson got his first taste of show business, booking his first successful commercial for Mattel. From this Jeremy exploded onto the commercial scene starring in dozens of national network ad campaigns including television and print. In addition to his commercial work in 1990 Jeremy dabbled in daytime television with a seven-episode run on the soap opera Santa Barbara, playing a young Derek Griffin in some flashbacks. Jackson is accused of stabbing an unidentified female when she allegedly tried to stop him taking her boyfriend’s car from outside her home in Los Angeles in August. Jackson, 34, left the scene after the alleged altercation, and police officers subsequently arrested him at a hotel. He has been hit with felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats. The 34 year old could face up to seven years in prison if convicted. The arrest is the latest legal trouble for the actor following a previous arrest earlier this year  when he was accused of attacking a man at a hotel in April.

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. 

A Martinez and Thaao Penghlis join DAYS OF OUR LIVES

A Martinez and Thaao Penghlis

According to Soap Opera Digest, A Martinez (ex-Cruz Castillo, SANTA BARBARA) has been cast in DAYS OF OUR LIVES in a new role (Eduardo) “that will have many connections in Salem”. Martinez received eight total Daytime Emmy Awards nominations for his work on Santa Barbara. His numerous other credits include General Hospital, One Life to Live, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Bay, Longmire and California Solo.  In other news, Thaao Penghlis (ex-Micah De Angelis, SANTA BARBARA) who has played Tony and Andre DiMera on and off since 1981, and was last seen in 2009, is back filming at the set. “It is an excited situation and Josh [Griffith] has imagined a wonderful character”, Martinez said. Josh Griffith was hired in February 2015 as co-head writer of Days of Our Lives, alongside re-hired former head, Dena Higley. Griffith began his writing career on Santa Barbara in 1988 and continued writing for the show until 1991 when he moved over to One Life to Live.

 

 

 

Frank Runyeon (ex Michael Donnelly) Makes a Heavenly Appearence on The Young & The Restless

Frank Runyeon, well known for his previous daytime roles as Steve Andropoulos on As The World Turns, Father Michael Donnelly on Santa Barbara, and Forrester Williams on All My Children, is set to appear on May 28 and June 2 to a Genoa City resident as an angel named Angel on The Young and the Restless, according to TV Insider. “I'm L.A.-based and, apparently, they [Jill Farren Phelps and Chuck Pratt jr] were looking for a guy who looks sort of Biblical and Chuck thought of me. I mean, who else is so stupid they'll walk around with a beard and long hair looking for a job in Hollywood? Me! I'm that stupid! And it's such an interesting thing to play an angel. I mean, how do you do that exactly? There are no rules, so I just sort of winged it. Hey, if Brian Frons could play God on “Santa Barbara”, I can certainly do this!”, Runyeon said.

Runyeon, who travels part of the year doing one-man shows in churches, is also writing a book entitled, Escape From Hollywood: An Actor's Unlikely Journey to Faith. A very similar path to Marcy Walker’s one.

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.

John O'Hurley joins DEVIOUS MAIDS

According to the Soap Opera Diget, John O’Hurley (ex Stephen Slade on SB) has joined the cast for season three of DEVIOUS MAIDS, which kicks off June 1. O’Hurley tweeted a photo of him on set with Susan Lucci (Genevieve on the show) and Rebecca Wisocky (Evelyn), along with the question, "What do you think of my leading ladies?”. We don’t know yet which role he will have on the show. Could he be Susan Lucci’s new love interest? After leaving Santa Barbara in 1991, the actor has worked nonstop in prime time until today. Seductive and secret character, Stephen Slade (briefly portrayed by actor Richard Hatch) arrives in Santa Barbara as a movie director. But he’s hiding a secret desire of revenge: along with Ethan Asher, Craig Hunt and Derek Griffin, he is one of the orphans in search of the truth about the death of their friend Cassandra, died as a child after having been adopted by the Capwells. In my opinion, that storyline, named “The four avenger orphans mystery”, was one of the worst occurred on the show. Its sole value was to show us a then-unknown Leonardo DiCaprio, who played young Mason Capwell in some flashbacks. 

My Exclusive Interview with FORRY SMITH

Forry Smith is a former professional athlete who was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1976 as a wide receiver. After a short stint with the Bills and the Seattle Seahawks, Forry returned to his hometown in Waterloo, Iowa, and began his second career as a high school English teacher and varsity football coach. After seven rewarding years in the teaching profession, he decided to make a career change. Lured to Hollywood with a passion for acting, Forry spent the next twenty years in pursuit of the often elusive dream. During that time, he booked dozens of guest-starring roles on nighttime television, countless commercials, a handful of major motion pictures, and in 1992 a two-year contract on Santa Barbara as Reese Walker. He fulfilled one of his dreams a short time later, writing and co-starring in his own movie Paparazzi… a film he was asked to write by Mel Gibson. Forry and Mel worked together on the film We Were Soldiers and experienced several run-ins with the paparazzi that inspired the film.

You came to Santa Barbara in March 1992 and you remaines with the show until its end. Can you tell us how you got there? Even the audition. All you can remember, please.

The producers had done a nationwide search for my character and couldn't find the right Reese Walker. When I came into the room, the head writer, Pamela Long, said I was exactly what she was looking for...

The Walkers

In the USA “Santa Barbara” always remained in the bottom of the rankings ratings. Together with Kim Zimmer, Sydney Penny and Eric Close you were part of the last-ditch effort to save the show.  Maybe they think that some new blood could be good for the show. Do You felt this kind of responsibility? Do you have some pressures? Which was the atmosphere around you?

SB revolved around two rich families and the producers thought bringing in a blue-collar family (not rich) would strengthen the audience. They were right. I never felt any pressure to save the show, and the Walker family became very popular with the fans. It's too bad NBC gave up on us when our show won the EMMY 4 out of the 8 years it was on the air. They were cheap!

Reese came to Santa Barbara and stealed (as a joke) the vintage car that Kelly has given to Cruz. Then slowly the Walker family came together. Despite being close friends, soon the rivalry between Cruz and Reese explodes. Reese was jealous of the relationship between Cruz and Jody. In reality, however, what about the relationships between you and A?

A and I were instant friends. We hung out together... loved rehearsing together. He's a great guy who is very talented and I will always cherish our friendship. I also continue to have a great relationship with all the members of my Santa Barbara family... Eric Close probably is the closest to me. I miss them all very much and wish them nothing but happiness.

Eric Close and Sydney Penny

Reese had two children: BJ (actually Cruz' daughter ) and Sawyer. BJ was the daddy's girl. Reese was always very protective of her. Instead, the relationship between Reese and Sawyer was much more conflicting. Both of them have a passion for boxing. Is box also your passion? Can you give us a professional and human portrait of Sydney Penny and Eric Close?

Boxing was NOT my passion. I was a professional football player (American football). Sawyer loved his father very much and was always competing with him (me) to show him (me) he was better. In real life, Eric and I don't compete over anything. We're very different and have tremendous respect for each other's talents. Sydney Penny loved horses...loved to ride. I'm sure she still does. She's very athletic and one of the sweetest women you'll ever meet. I LOVED working with her.

Kim Zimmer played your wife, Jodie. Reese was extremely jealous of her. And we can not blame him. Kim Zimmer seems to be a true force of nature. How was it working with her? 

I loved Kim. It was my first experience at doing daytime television, and she had already won a couple Emmy's as Best Actress on Guiding Light. She taught me so much. She IS a force of nature, but they hired me because I wasn't afraid to stand up to her! Kim and I had great chemistry together, but I was always very respectful of her real-life husband. The intimate scenes can be very awkward. I think you truly have to care about the person you're acting with to make it work. I love Kim and miss her very much. We were all very sad to see the show cancelled because we were all so close.

Kim Zimmer and Forry Smith

Jealousy erupted to the point of separating Reese and Jodie. So Reese has an affair with Andy Klein. But during the last episode of the soap, Jodie and Reese came back together. It seemed like a happy ending a bit 'rushed. If the soap had not been canceled, do you think that Pam Long would have break the couple Reese and Jodie?

Are you familiar with the expression "star-crossed lovers"? Reese and Jodie would have tried to get back together, but there would always be something in the way that would prevent it. I think they were a great couple, but it was always more fun to watch them struggle. In daytime television, when a couple finally gets together, it tends to get very boring. As an actor it's much more fun to play a character who is in conflict than a character who has an easy time.

In 2004 you wrote and co-starred in your own movie “Paparazzi”, a movie you was asked to write by Mel Gibson. How did you find yourself in the shoes of the writer? In the film you play Deputy Walker. Is it a tribute to SB or was a coincidence?

I was in a movie called "We Were Soldiers" with Mel, and we were filming near Atlanta, Georgia. Everywhere Mel went, the paparazzi were all over him to the point of him wanting to chase them away. I told him I would write a movie where the star gets to kill a few of them, and he laughed and thought it was a good idea. I named my character Deputy Walker as a tribute to my character on Santa Barbara. Several people noticed that I had done that! I thought no one would really notice.

In 1992 Paul Rauch was the executive producer of the show and Pam Long was the Head Writer. Which are your memories of them?

Paul Rauch was a very hard man to please at first. Every actor he hired had to prove himself for a few months before he would move on to the next actor. He yelled at me one day for having my hands in my pockets, and I yelled back at him. He never bothered me again. When the show ended, he confided in me that I was one of his favorites. Pam Long was a great writer. She knew exactly what every actor's strengths were, and she would write material that best suited those strengths. I would work with either of them again in a minute!

My Exclusive Interview with SUSAN MARIE SNYDER

She is most notably recognized for her role as Julie Kinney Wendall Snyder on CBS' soap As the World Turns. She portrayed the role from 1989 to 1995 and returned shortly twice in 1998 and 2002. Prior to joining the show, Susan had a starring role on another soap, NBC's Santa Barbara. She was the second actress to portray Laken Lockridge, from 1987 to 1988. Snyder has starred in two feature films, in 1986 she had a brief appearance in Ruthless People, which starred Danny DeVito and Bette Midler and she played the role of Mare in 1988 sequel Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers alongside Pamela Springsteen. She has retired from acting and legally changed her name to Suzenne Marie Seradwyn.

You came to SB in 1987. How did it happen to you?? Can you tell us about your audition? What they told you about the character of Laken?

Originally, I auditioned for the role of Laken (#1) in New York City, when SB was a brand new show.  I can remember working very hard on the audition; coached by a talented, actor friend of mine who, apparently, gave me some real bad direction because the casting director did not like my interpretation of the character. About two years later, I had moved out to LA and the part came up again only this time, they wanted a much different version of the Laken (#2) character.  There were about five ladies present for the call back.  I knew I had given the best audition I could give. Needless to say, I was absolutely thrilled to have gotten my first long-term, contract as a player on the soaps.

Julie Ronnie 

Laken back to SB after two year absence with a new face (yours), but especially with a new character: Julie Ronnie's Laken was just a teenager who could not rebel against her domineering mother, Augusta, she was too submissive and without malice . Your Laken was much more confident.  I remember a scene in which she swims completely naked in the pool of Ted Capwell to seduce him..  In summary, Laken changes and becomes a true bitch (with all due respect). Do you liked going into the shoes of a character like that?

I don’t think I ever saw Julie Ronnie’s portrayal of Laken, though, of course, I knew about the character’s history and radical personality shift.  I just played the character how she was written and I was directed. I justified everything she did in the name of love.  She believed Ted was her true love and nothing or no one was going to keep her away from him. I liked playing someone who was so different than me.  It was a challenge to make her real and sympathetic. 

Laken’s relationship with her father Lionel (Nicolas Coster) undergoes some tensions when he decides to marry Caroline (Lenore Kasdorf). Can you make a human and professional portrait of Nicolas Coster and Lenore Kasdorf?

Nicolas was always a charming character. At times, so sophisticated and other times like a big kid. I guess he was a lot like Lionel. One of his big loves wassailing and diving.  I was fortunate to have been a guest on his boat a couple times when it was at the marina near the Channel Islands in California. As for Laken’s relationship with him…I recall a scene I did once where Laken opened up to Ted about how her dad had been gone on his adventures for so much of her childhood that she never really knew when or if he was ever coming back…?  I can’t say that I had much of an opportunity to work with or get to know Lenore too well.  She did come to a party at my house with her sweet daughter who must’ve been 10 years old at that time.

Few years ago Chip Mayer (TJ) has died prematurely because of an illness. What do you remember about him? Can you tell us some anecdotes?

I was sorry to hear about Chip.  He was a very gregarious and talented guy. I enjoyed working with him.  I knew he struggled with addiction.  It’s a terrible challenge and strain on everyone coping with it and not uncommon amongst creative-types, as we all know. The strange thing is that he is the third of my male, co-stars who have died prematurely.  Michael David Morrison, (Caleb Snyder) and Michael Louden (Duke Kramer) from “As the World Turns” both died in their 30’s and now Chip.

Laken's return seemed to be a first attempt to bring the Lockridge family back to the show. But then after just eight months, they decided to delete your character and the project was aborted. Why? What happened?

I wish I had an answer for you but I don’t.  No one ever told me why she was written out.

You've acted mostly with Todd McKee (Ted) and Stacey Edwards (Hailey). Did youk now that Julia Roberts auditioned for the role of Hailey? Do you want to share with us your memories about the relationship with these actors?

SB Cast in 1987

I didn’t know that Julia Roberts had auditioned for Hailey! That doesn’t surprise me much.  She and I were signed with the same management agency, R.M.G., in the 80’s.  We were friends and auditioned for a lot of the same things. Todd was a very nice guy. Tall and pretty goofy when he wanted to be.  Easy and fun to work with although he almost drowned me during a scene at the winery when he pushed me under in a vat of grapes a little too long. Stacey was a very kind, sincere and talented young woman.  She was great to work and hang out with.  She used to come up to my place in the Hollywood Hills for our various “girl’s nights.”

Bridget and Jerome Dobson are the creators of “Santa Barbara”. Which are your memories of them? Shortly after your farewell, they were fired by NBC because they wanted to fire the then Head Writer. Do You remember having experienced internal tensions? 

I can’t say that I ever remember meeting Bridget and Jerome.  I remember hearing and reading about the internal conflicts and politics with the producers but everything was so “HUSH HUSH” and mainly rumors that I didn’t know what to believe.

Although you did not shoot many scenes with her, you were on “Santa Barbara” along with Robin Wright (Kelly Capwell). Which are your memories of her?

I didn’t have much contact with Robin. I remember she had a three-legged dog that she used to bring to work with her.  She went off to make “The Princess Bride” when we were on SB. I was so jealous because I had a huge crush on Carey Elwes at the time!

Can you describe a typical day on the set of Santa Barbara ?

I would enter through the gate of NBC Studios in Burbank in the morning or afternoon depending on my schedule. I’d be running my lines in my head as I went to get my hair done, running my lines as I went to get my make-up done.  Sometimes, I would work with the talent coach they would bring in occasionally. We would rehearse our scenes just a couple times on set, break for notes and the snack cart, (all the while running my lines) get a touch-up on my make-up and hair, (run my lines) and tape the scene. Get notes or not  (run my lines) tape the scene again (or not) and move on to the next one. 

What is your funniest memory related to SB?

I recall one day I was walking down Hollywood Blvd. and I overheard some young women talking and gesturing towards me. They were arguing and the one girl was emphatically insisting to her friend, “That is NOT Laken.  Laken is FAT!”  Well, the camera does add 10 lbs on you.

The worst memory?

I guess my worst memory was finding out I’d been written out of the show and no one would talk to me about it.

Is there any SB’s scene that for any reason has embarrassed you and you did not want to play?

I had to get over any shyness and inhibitions I had in order to play this role. On my very first day on the set, they had me naked, in a towel and soaking wet in a rainstorm.

Can you tell us now something more spicy: a few secrets about SB? 

I can’t say that I paid much attention to gossip on the set.  Nothing comes to mind.  Everyone was very focused.  We worked very hard to get the amount of work done in the short time we had to do it.

Snyder on ATWT

In 1989 you joined the ATWT cast as Julie. Laken and Julie: Who do you prefer? Which were the differences between SB and ATWT?

I would have to say that I preferred playing Julie. Laken had great potential but was just never given the opportunity to develop her character and storylines.  The producers wanted her “light and fluffy; “ a trust fund, party girl-type without a whole lot of substance.  I  did find ways to allow her insecurity show through when I was given the chance. Julie was the exact opposite. Deeply complex and an emotional train wreck. Raised by her alcoholic, single-mother, she grew up in poverty on the streets of Seattle, WA where she learned to use her looks and body to get what she wanted. Soap Opera Digest voted her “The Worst Mother in Daytime Televsion.”  She gave birth to three children but didn’t have custody of any of them. She was ambitious and manipulative but she was also sweet and vulnerable.

What are your professional plans for the future?

I enjoy creating my own music and dance videos  and hosting the occasional BlogTalkRadio show called, PureMotherLoveLive.

Jane Sibbett (Jane) & Snyder in 2014

This interview is designed primarily for the Italian public. In our country, “Santa Barbara” was very much loved and followed. What do you know about our country? Do You want to say something to the Italian public who loved you and our Laken Lockridge?

I’m very pleased and surprised to hear that our show was so popular with an Italian audience! I had no idea.  Thank you for watching! I spent only 24 hours in Rome on my return from a vacation through Greece and Egypt.  It was way too short of a visit to get a real feel for the country.  I went to the Coliseum, Fontana di Trevi, ate some delicious pasta and that was about it.  I have longed to return to visit Venice, Florence and the Amalfi Coast.  One day soon…