He’s won three Daytime Emmys in the Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series three years in row in 2012, 2013 and 2014, and now Chandler Massey is going for gold for the second time in his career in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series which in a field where he is competing with two co-stars from Days of our Lives among others.
Massey has long been a stand out performer, giving nuanced and emotional portrayals in the angst-ridden life of Will Horton and the love of his life, Sonny Kiriakis (Freddie Smith).
Back in February of this year, DAYS fans learned that Chandler and Freddie had taped their last episodes, and since the NBC soap tapes more than 6 months ahead of air, that the two will still be on the air into the fall. That has made this moment of recognition for Massey all the more poignant.
Michael Fairman TV talked with Chandler to get his reaction to the news that he is once again a Daytime Emmy nominee, and here’s what he had to say about it all.
Photo: JPI
I thought it was great that you received another Emmy nomination. What do you think?
CHANDLER: Yeah. I thought it was pretty great too, actually. I was surprised. I wasn’t keeping up on when they were announcing the nominations. I was thrilled that Wally (Kurth) and Paul (Telfer) also got nominated too in the same category. So, hopefully, DAYS, has a decent shot to take it home.
What did you end up submitting that ultimately landed you the nomination?
CHANDLER: I went with some scenes that aired on December 16th of last year (I just looked that up), where Will basically breaks up with Sonny when Sonny comes to visit him in prison. I liked those because they were sort of subtle. I just found myself drawn in when I watched it, and it wasn’t big or dramatic, but it felt like two real people sharing their pain. So, that’s why I chose it.
Photo: JPI
I remember those. Those were heartbreaking because he had to get Sonny to let him go.
CHANDLER: Yes. He said he has a new prison boyfriend, and that he’s doing really well in prison, so he doesn’t want to be tied down. (Laughs)
You’ve had Freddie Smith as your scene partner for so much of your run on DAYS. What did he give you in those scenes that helped you, or even further enabled the performance that you gave?
CHANDLER: Freddie always gives everything. He is a consummate professional, so he really commits every time. I think it is more that we are just so comfortable with each other that we are not afraid, and that there is no hesitation between the two of us, so we just are able to do the work. We usually know we are there to listen to, and support each other. in the scenes.
Photo: NATAS
Was your entire submission from the prison scenes or did you include something else?
CHANDLER: It was just that. I know I could have included something else, but I like to keep it sort of short because I feel like as a judge, I know within a few minutes. It’s not that I get bored, but it really only takes a scene or two, and then, you’re like, “this is something special.” You can recognize it pretty quickly.
So, you have won three Daytime Emmys. This is your first nomination in a few years, right?
CHANDLER: Yeah, I didn’t get nominated the year before. I had a gap year… to my family’s great shame. (Laughs) They were not pleased with me.
Photo: JPI
This is your second nomination in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
CHANDLER: Yes. I was nominated in ‘Supporting’ for the first time when I came back to DAYS, and then submitted for “Lead” the next year, didn’t get nominated, and then went back to ‘Supporting’. I learned my place. I went back to ‘Supporting’ for this year. (Laughs)
It’s such a game though, right? .
CHANDLER: Yeah, you’ve got to be smart. I just thought, “What the heck?” Freddie and I were like, “Maybe there’s a shot that if we pick different categories, we can both get nominated,” but then, after that didn’t work, I said, “Screw that… going back to ‘Supporting”
Now, you’ve been through Emmy night before, and this is obviously going to be a virtual Emmy’s. Now, if they did a six-shot of all of the nominees, what would you wear? Would you be dressed up? Would you be casual? What would you see yourself doing?
CHANDLER: That’s a good question. I think maybe… I’ll do a little of both. I’ll go the middle ground. I’ll be in my finest bathrobe, a silk bathrobe so it’s casual but also still sort of fancy.
There you go. (Laughs) Is this nomination all the more special for you in that you are no longer working at DAYS?
CHANDLER: Oh, totally. Every year is special, but you know, I’m not on the show anymore, so it’s a nice reminder that the work that I did had an effect on people, and it won’t be forgotten for at least a few more hours.
Photo: JPI
I saw the fan outcry and show of support for you and Freddie, when viewers got wind that you were exiting the series. It was sad and heartwarming at the same time. The WilSon fans are so behind you guys.
CHANDLER: Yeah, if only they knew what horrible people that we were in real life, then they wouldn’t be this way, but thankfully… (Laughs) Yeah, it’s really nice, but it is sad. I started in 2009, and that was over 10 years ago, and nothing lasts forever. I had a really, really great run, and so did Freddie. I am very satisfied and don’t feel jipped, or like, I was entitled to anything more than I got.
Courtesy/NBC
Obviously, your co-nominees, Wally and Paul you worked with many times. What can you say about them?
CHANDLER: I think that both men deserve definitely to get second and third place. (Laughs) I have known Wally for a while now. I love him. I think his work is phenomenal. I think he is really, really underrated. Paul, I don’t know as well, but I think obviously his work speaks for himself. If only he were physically attractive, I think that would really, really help his career.
Photo: JPI
I know, it’s a shame.
CHANDLER: Unfortunately, he is kind of schleppy, you know? (Laughs)
Photo: JPI
Did Freddie reach out to you after you received the nomination?
CHANDLER: Oh yes, he sent a text congratulating me, and we talked about it. It was nice. I feel like our stories are so intertwined, the scenes we submit are mostly with each other. So, it’s really kind of a shared accolade.
So, will you be rooting for Chandler to cap off his career on DAYS with an Emmy win on June 26th during the virtual ceremony on CBS? What did you think of the nominated scenes he submitted? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
