How did you get the job on Passions?My manager asked if I wanted to audition for a soap. The first time I went in was February, and then they called me back in March. I tested in the beginning of April for Ethan. I didn’t think I was right for Ethan and I guess they didn’t either, so they asked me to come back for Hank. I was happy when I got the part—I had a long stretch before this where I didn’t work.
What was it like not starting when everyone else did—since Hank didn’t appear right away?It was kind of a drag. I felt like the outcast, because everyone had started and I was just sitting home. I would drive down here periodically but I couldn’t wait to start work.
What’s a typical day like for you at Passions?
A lot of stress trying to learn all the lines, making sure you know them well. If you don’t know them well, it screws up the scene, because instead of being "in the scene" you’re thinking about your lines.
What else have you done before coming to Passions?
I played MacGyver’s long lost son in the last episode of that series. After that, I had a small part in Encino Man. Then I did a series with Robert Urich in 1992, which didn’t last very long, called Crossroads. After that, I did two movies back to back—a TV movie called The Substitute, and My Father, The Hero. After that I did two pilots for Aaron Spelling that didn’t get picked up and then I did 90210. After 90210 everything came to a halt. For two and a half years, all I did was one day of work on a film.
How is working in soaps different from prime time and film?
In soaps you don’t have time to go for perfection. In a film, you do two pages a day, and in primetime, the most I’ve ever done is 12 pages. Here I do 30 to 50. Sometimes I walk away from scenes thinking I could have done it better, but there’s not enough time.
Do you hang out with anyone off the set?
Sure. I hang out with Galen (Luis), Travis (Ethan) and James (Sam). Dana Sparks (Grace) had a great party and that was fun. We all went and had a good time.
What do you do in your spare time?
I golf and hang out with my wife and kids. My son’s three and a half and my daughter’s two. That pretty much takes up all my time.
If you weren’t an actor what would you be?A golfer. Definitely.
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
Rich! I’d like to go back to movies and prime-time. The way I envision my career is that I’d like to be a movie actor. I don’t care about the famous part—it’s just the work.
What actors or actresses would you most like to work with?
I’d love to work with Gerard Depardieu again. He was a blast. And I’d like to work with Robert Urich again. He’s like a dad in my life, basically he and his wife adopted me and my family. And then obviously there are actors I’d love to work with who are the greats—like Marlon Brando.
Favorite movie?
I love the classic 80s movies, like Weird Science, The Breakfast Club, and Sixteen Candles.
Favorite televison show?
I don’t watch a lot of TV. I like Friends—I think that’s funny. I like the Discovery Channel. I’m fascinated by the world so I like to watch that kind of stuff.
If your life was made into a TV movie, who would you want to play you?
Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise—I just picked them because they’re studs! And they’re both good actors.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
A lover of life, a lover of sports cars, and a lover of my family. And golf, I have to throw that in.
If you had one wish what would it be?
I’d wish for everyone in the world to learn about psychology.
What are you most proud of?
That’s a tough question. I guess what I’m most proud of is taking responsibility for my own life and cleaning up my issues, so to speak, from my childhood. Obviously I’m proud of my family—my wife and kids….That’s a really hard question though!
Back to: Passions Interviews
This page has been visited. Since November 6, 2000.
Back to: Passions Central