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EXCLUSIVE: Daytime Emmy Silver Circle Inductee, Judy Blye Wilson, Reflects on Casting Josh Duhamel, Cameron Mathison and Billy Miller

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: JPI, ABC

Casting director extraordinaire, Judy Blye Wilson (All My Children, One Life to Live, Ryan’s Hope, and The Young and the Restless) is one of the 2025 Silver Circle Inductees. Judy will be honored along with Gold Circle honoree, Jane Elliot (Tracy, General Hospital) and other Silver Circle recipients including, Days of our Lives James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and The Young and the Restless Kate Linder (Esther Valentine) during Friday night’s 52nd annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

As outlined by NATAS (the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences), “The Gold and Silver Circle recognizes individuals who have made enduring contributions to daytime television. Each year’s inductees are celebrated for distinguished service, mentorship, leadership, and professional excellence over careers spanning 25 or 50 years. Judy’s inclusion among this year’s honorees reflects her lasting impact on the genre and the many actors whose careers she helped shape.”

Michael Fairman TV caught up with the multi-Emmy Award-winning casting director, to discuss receiving this latest accolade in her distinguished career, and to get some insight on her memories of kicking off the acting careers of the likes of: Sarah Michelle Gellar (ex-Kendall -1, AMC), Alicia Minshew (ex-Kendall-2, AMC), Melissa Claire Egan (ex-Annie, AMC), and of course, the leading men which included: Cameron Mathison (ex-Ryan, AMC, now Drew, GH), Josh Duhamel (ex-Leo, AMC), Michael B. Jordan (ex-Reggie-2, AMC) and the late Chadwick Boseman (ex-Reggie -1, AMC) and Billy Miller (ex-Richie, AMC, Billy, Y&R, Drew, GH) to name but a few.

Photo: AP

“It’s overwhelmingly, impressively wonderful. I am truly thrilled and very grateful,” shared Judy. Reflecting on her journey, it’s clearly All My Children that remains the high point of her career, “I spent the longest time there, and terms of years, I just got lucky. Certain people walked through my door at certain times and it was cosmic in a way, because it was right for them and it was right for us. I definitely had the most success in terms of people that went on to do very well for themselves at that show,” recalls Wilson.

Photo: Courtesy/JBlyeWilson

Judy worked in the daytime casting arena from 1981 through 2016, when she retired. She had the distinction of packing up her office at Andrita Studios in Los Angeles on the final day of All My Children in 2011 and quickly setting up shop at her new digs at The Young and the Restless in short order, which is how in-demand, Wilson has been for decades.

Photo: JBlyeWilson

Now, Judy shares what she recalls when she first met and auditioned several of soap’s all-time leading men originating from Pine Valley, U.S.A.!

CAMERON MATHISON

“He was just in town (in New York City) from Canada.  Cameron was thinking about taping a show in Canada that was an adventure-type show. When he came in and he tested, he got the role of Ryan, and that’s sort of how it happened. I kept him from doing his adventure show!” Wilson also remembers how green Mathison was at the start, “I knew that was going to be a stretch. I absolutely knew it. But, Cameron was smart then. He’s smart now too, but he had a lot to learn. They all do when they come in and learn about camera, and about angles and about lighting, stuff that you don’t even think about. I thought, ‘Well, the guy’s smart.’ So we gave it a run! I had all the faith in the world that he could pull it out, and he did.”

Photo: ABC

JOSH DUHAMEL

“Josh was working in the mailroom at a talent agency in Los Angeles, and we were trying to find this Leo du Pres character,” recalled Wilson. “I looked everywhere, like many searches that we all have to do. So, finally this guy from the agency says to me, “I have this really cute guy that I don’t even know if he can act or not, but he’s in the mailroom here working.’  Now, at this point I’m desperate. I’m saying, ‘Send him my way.’ Josh sent in a tape and I showed it to Jean Dadario-Burke, who was the producer of All My Children at the time. I said, ‘Listen! We got to get this guy here.’ Josh came and he just blew us all away. He has natural instincts and was so appealing. Josh is just an appealing person. We all fell in love with him, and you know that the rest is history.”

Photo: JPI

BILLY MILLER

“Billy was funny. He was naughty … the bad boy that everybody loves. He was sexy,” shared Judy.  “I felt like he truly was mine, because I did cast him as Richie on All My Children before he had his major success as Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless.  I was devastated when he passed. Billy was such a unique actor and a unique person. It was heartbreaking to lose him.”

CASTING ABOUT

While at Y&R, Judy Blye Wilson was also responsible for bringing the likes of Sally Kellerman (ex-Constance Bingham), Ray Wise (Ian Ward) and Ken Howard (George, the father to Avery and Phyllis) to the CBS soap during her tenure in Genoa City, Here, she opened up about what she thinks makes a good, lasting, revered, and successful casting director in the often unforgiving world of show business.

Photo: JBlyeWilson

“You have to like actors, and be interested in actors, and be interested in what they do, and what they’re trying to do. You have to give them the space and the freedom to do it, to audition. I did everything I could to make it a comfortable place for actors to do what they do and to hopefully do it best. It’s just that simple. If you understand the role, you understand what you’re looking for, and you allow the freedom for an actor to come in and do their best, and that’s what makes magic happen.”

The 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards can be be streamed live exclusively at watch.theemmys.tv and via The Emmys app on Friday night October 17th beginning at 7pm ET/4pm PT.

Now below, let us know what you think of some of Judy’s greatest finds, who have made an indelible and lasting impressions on the soaps, via the comment section below.

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The only one worth a dam was Billy Miller god bless his soul one of the best

I was blown away by the number of heartwarming tributes Billy received from people in his industry and his fans. He was so well loved and a special person according to those who knew him. He is so missed.

I had never heard of her until I read this and now I understand that she deserves an award but why on earth is ESTHER getting the same award??

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‘All My Children’ Episodes to Stream on Pluto TV Canada

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Starting on May 1, All My Children fans in Canada will be able to see classic episodes of the beloved former ABC soap opera when they stream on Pluto TV Canada. 

Pluto TV picked-up the All My Children Channel that the Nixon family has created in partnership with BEONDTV +. The show which aired for 41 years on ABC and ended on the network in 2011, had so many memorable storylines and characters; the least of which is the enduring run of Erica Kane played by soap icon, Susan Lucci.

As previously reported, starting with episodes from the year 1995, which was the 25th anniversary of the soap. Pluto TV Canada viewers will be able to catch 8 episodes on repeat per day. With the success of the venture, the Nixons are hopeful that they will bring viewers many more years of the show to come.

Photo: ABC

Sarah Nixon, producer, shared with Michael Fairman TV exclusively, “We are thrilled that Pluto TV has launched All My Children in Canada! Let’s hope the engagement from our incredibly loyal fans across the border will encourage ABC to bring it to the U.S.!  We share what Aggie (Agnes Nixon) always felt, that it is the enthusiasm and love from the fans that has kept this legacy beloved and relevant – to this day!”

In addition, 0ne week ago, during Susan Lucci’s visit to Los Angeles promoting her book La Lucci, she was joined by her former Pine Valley castmates, Rebecca Budig (ex-Greenlee, AMC, now Taylor, B&B) and Eva LaRue (ex-Maria, AMC) and the trio posed for a pic. At that time, LaRue shared via Instagram, “NEW All My Children channel streaming classic episodes 24/7 now on Pluto TV Canada! Fingers crossed to watch soon on Pluto US.”

That was also confirmed this week by TV Watercooler’s Jeevan Brar who took to X and expressed,The All My Children channel begins streaming this Friday, May 1 on Pluto TV Canada.

So, Canadian viewers, excited about Pluto TV’s All My Children channel? United States fans, hopeful from Sarah’s message that perhaps soon, we can see the beloved soap once again as well? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

 

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Mark Consuelos Mourns the Loss of His Father

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Saul Consuelos, the father of All My Children alum and Live with Kelly and Mark co-host, Mark Consuelos (ex0-Mateo, AMC), has died. During an emotional moment on this mornings, April 6 edition of the syndicated talk show, Mark shared, that his dad, “passed away peacefully” back on March 23 following a long illness.

His wife and co-host, Kelly Ripa (ex-Hayley, AMC) paid tribute to her her father-in-law expressing, he was, “the greatest person I’ve ever known. I can honestly say I will miss him every day for the rest of my life, as I know you will, as our children will. He really is so symbolic of everything you are.”

Kelly and Mark’s children, Joaquin, Michael and Lola Consuelos are said to be taking this extremely hard. Ripa added, “This is the first loss they’ve ever experienced in their lives. And I said, ‘By the time I was 8, I had no grandparents. You got to grow up (with grandparents). You got to have deep, meaningful conversations (with them).”

Photo: KRipaIG

In another moment, Mark reflected on his dad. “It’s funny, I used to make a joke about my dad … if you asked him what time it was, he would tell you how to build a watch. There were a lot of lectures, a lot of lectures and I learned so much. If he was fixing something in the house, he’d make me watch and do it. And I didn’t know at the time why he was doing that. But now at the house, I’m able to do at least half of the stuff that he did. I learned the most by just watching him.”

Mark added that Saul Consuelos came to the U.S. from Mexico in his early teens and served our county for decades, detailing, he “Ended up at Special Operations Command in Tampa. This young kid from Mexico just got his education from the navy. Was always going to school. Was brilliant. Got his Masters while I was a kid.  He loved his country so much, If you’re going to put a face to an immigrant, he would be the prime example of what this country promises people.”

In a very heart-tugging moment, Consuelos shared that now its important they be there for his mother, Camilla. “We gotta take care of mom. We’re trying to convince my mom to move to New York. She’s such a character, she’s stubborn. What do you think, a cooking segment here on Fridays with Camilla?”

Now below, watch the very touching and emotional moments as Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa mourn the loss of Saul Consuelos.

Let us know, what you thought of the remarks made by Kelly and Mark on the death of Mark’s father via he comment section.

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Sarah Michelle Gellar Visits ‘The View’ Where Hosts Sidestep Controversial ‘Buffy’ Reboot Axing, But Talk ‘All My Children’

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On yesterday’s March 17 episode of The View, All My Children alum, Sarah Michelle Gellar (ex-Kendall Hart), was the special guest. Since Monday, Gellar has been the subject of a hot-button issue since about the surprising turn of events that the highly-anticipated Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, in which she stars, and which was directed in the pilot by Oscar-winning director, Chloé Zhao, was no longer moving forward.

Gellar‘s appearance on the ABC morning talk show was devoid of any mention of Hulu cancelling its planned Buffy: New Sunnydale, in which Sarah was set to appear along with Ryan Kiera Armstrong. However, Gellar did discuss her new movie Ready or Not 2: Here I Come from Searchlight Pictures.

It should be noted that both Hulu and Searchlight Pictures are owned by The Walt Disney Company, while The View is produced by ABC News, which is also owned by The Walt Disney Company.

Courtesy/ABC

During the awkward interview, when it became clear the ‘Buffy’ reboot topic was off the table, The View co-host Sunny Hostin, talked about the “intense fight scenes” that have become a staple of her TV and film career starting with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Scream 2, and I Know What You Did Last Summer.

The ladies of The View also brought up Sarah’s beginnings on All My Children as Kendall Hart (1993-1995), showing a scene with her and her on-screen mother, the iconic Erica Kane, played by Susan Lucci. The discussion sprung out of another All My Children alum, Michael B. Jordan (ex-Reggie Montgomery) winning the Oscar this past Sunday for Best Actor for his role in Sinners. The View’s Joy Behar was quick to point out with Gellar, the All My Children alums that have gone on to great fame.

Photo: ABC

Previously on Monday, Gellar opened up to PEOPLE about being blindsided before while at the SXSW Film & TV Festival premiere for Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. “I got the call as we were stepping onto stage for the premiere of their own movie. And it’s also the weekend of Chloé going to the Oscars as a best director nominee for Hamnet. For them to call us on the Friday of what should have been Chloé’s victory lap for an incredible film, and my world premiere of something that I worked very hard for is… that says something.”

She went to say, “We had an executive on our show who was not only not a fan of the original, but was proud to constantly remind us that he had never seen the entirety of the series and how it wasn’t for him.” Deadline reports that “multiple sources” identified the executive as Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich.

“I loved the duality that we had with this new, younger slayer who was where Buffy was when the show started, and then we would pick up with where Buffy was now,” Gellar told People about the setup.  However, according also to Deadline “After the pilot was completed and delivered, according to multiple sources, Hulu’s main note was that it played too young, with some indicating that the streamer also felt the show was too “small.”’

In the rewrite, sources also told the outlet that the writers did not take big enough swings, so they set out to do a rewrite it again. The last revision was more adult, featuring a lot more of Gellar’s Buffy, and was described as a more of a streaming show than a network one. When all is said and done there is hope that another Buffy IP will be up and running within the next couple of years.

You can check out Sarah Michelle Gellar’s full segment on The View below. Now let us know, bummed there is no Buffy reboot? What do you think about how this high profile Hollywood saga was side-stepped on the morning show? Did you love Sarah as the original Kendall Hart on All My Children? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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