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DAYS Eric Martsolf On His First Daytime Emmy Nomination, Playing Brady's Addiction, Eileen Davidson – Daytime Emmy Spotlight Interview

Courtesy/NBC

One of the races to watch that is to close to call at this year’s upcoming 41st annual Daytime Emmy Awards is that of the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series!  And for Days of our Lives stalwart Eric Martsolf, after years in daytime, he has finally been recognized by his peers for his performance. Eric earned himself his first ever Daytime Emmy nod for his take-no-prisoners scenes of a drug-addicted Brady Black confronted by those that care about him in what becomes a failed intervention!

DAYS fans know that throughout 2013 Emmy calendar season Martsolf was paired with Eileen Davidson, and as Brady and Kristen they were the spark that ignited the show. Through Kristen’s duplicitous schemes that backfired, and Brady an unknowing victim in love with his woman, ultimately it caused the man to relapse into addiction.  Thanks Kristen!

On-Air On-Soaps chatted with Eric to get his thoughts on when he learned he was an Emmy nominee, why he chose the scenes that won him a shot at the gold, working with Eileen Davidson, the challenges of playing a drug addict and much more!  What we can say is this: it was some much fun to celebrate this acknowledgment with Eric. And in this conversation, not only will you get some insight, but have some good laughs along the way.  And now Daytime Emmy nominee Mr. Martsolf!

So what happened when you found you were actually a Daytime Emmy nominee for the first time in your career?

Courtesy/NBC

ERIC:  I forgot the nominations were coming out quite honestly.  I found out I think how everybody found out: when I got out of the shower butt naked and wet and looked down at my phone and realized it was going nuts! (Laughs)  I had all these texts messages and all these tweets.  I am like, “What is happening? What could possibly be happening at 5:30 in the morning? And sure enough, that is when I found out.  I saw all these “Congratulations Eric!”   I then put two and two together.

Did your mouth drop?

ERIC:  Everything dropped!  (Laughs)

So, the towel dropped?

ERIC:  Well, you know when you’re after 40, everything drops!  And that’s a shame (laughs), but of course my mouth dropped!  But, I had a couple of unsuspecting birdies in my ear a couple of weeks prior.  I got a text from some respected people in the form of: Crystal Chappell who sent me a “Congratulations on my reel”, which I thought was interesting.  Then Judi Evans (Adrienne, DAYS) came up to me atypically and took me in the corner and said, “You’ve got a real shot this year.”   I was surprised by it.  A lot of people had come up to me and told me they were very happy with what they had seen, and that led me to believe I might have a shot.

You submitted the very emotional intervention scenes where Brady is confronted by Daniel (Shawn Christian), Nicole (Arianne Zucker) and Eric (Greg Vaughan) at the Kiriakis mansion over his drug use and the downhill spiral his life has taken.  Tell me about those scenes and why you chose them for your Emmy submission?

Courtesy/NBC

ERIC:  They are approaching him about the drugs and Daniel eventually is grabbing the coke out of Brady’s pocket, and then it’s Brady essentially choosing this vile of cocaine over everything else including his loved ones. And as much as I wanted to submit whatever scene I had with Eileen Davidson (Kristen) because that was the bulk of my good times in 2013, when it came down to it, these scenes were just too intriguing to watch that guy become so far off the edge that he would choose this substance over his friends and family.  It was powerful and it was a long time coming. I felt something. There was something in my gut that said this is creepy, interesting, and weird all at the same time.  I have never really been given this chance to have a storyline like this.  This was a hard serious subject for a guy like me to take on who spent most of his time laughing and walking around on stage having a really great time. 

This was the most heavy-hitting dramatic story you have played!  How was it been for you diving into the mind of an addict and playing the beats of it?  It must take its toll on you.

ERIC:  I spent the last 12 months portraying an addict.  It’s been hard on me, and it’s been tough on my family, because coming out of that at home is kind of rough after you spent nine hours at the studio be ostracized and playing this guy who couldn’t give a crap about the world.

Courtesy/NBC

Did you feel, or know at the time you taped your Emmy nominated scenes, that it was very special?  Did you have that transcendent moment that actors always hope to attain with their performances?

ERIC:  No, I wasn’t sure.  I literally went upstairs at the DAYS production offices and grabbed about 18 DVD’s and watched them all, one after the other, and that one just stuck out.  Quite honestly, we shoot at such a pace, I don’t have the time to evaluate whether I nailed it or not.  All I know is I am putting something out there on tape and it’s going into American television sets months later.   So no, I did not have a transcendent moment.  I just saw these scenes and thought that people would respond to it.

Eileen Davidson was so gracious to be a part of our Soap Nation Live with Michael Fairman Daytime Emmy Special broadcast earlier this month.  Now first of all, I had trouble hearing what she said … (Laughs)

ERIC:  Was she surfing?  (Laughs)

Courtesy/EMartsolf

No! She was driving, but she eventually pulled over to the side of the road when we got around to talking about you!  I mentioned to her how this was a long time coming for you.  She raved about you and related how excited she was for you, and that you earned a nomination.  I think we all feel that. 

ERIC:  I don’t know what to say, but thank you … that made my day, my week, my month that comment right there   So, let me try to assimilate the feeling:  When my doctor told me my wife and I were having twins, I always thought that is something that happened to other people.  I felt like that was a select club.  And I am like, “What do you mean, me?  No, that’s other people.”  Same thing with the Emmy: I have just gone through my soap career graciously.  But I have never had a loud trumpet as far as media was concerned.  I just thought Emmys happened to other people …like … Peter Bergman (Jack, Y&R) … Christian LeBlanc (Michael, Y&R)… Billy Miller (Ex-Billy, Y&R)… Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH)… guys like that! (Laughs)  Those guys win Emmys! But a couple weeks ago I realized, “No.  This club is open for business, and maybe I deserve to be a part of this group after all.”

NATAS has been striving with some voting changes and the reels being voted on online, to try to make the Emmy competition as fair as possible.  One would hope that good works shines through, and it’s not the same ole, same ole, or the usual suspects that always get in.   And in your case, it proves someone new can enter the field!

Courtesy/NBC

ERIC:  The work is really all I have.  This is not an excuse, but being the father of twin boys I don’t have a lot of free time to venture out in Hollywood and rub a lot of elbows, and meet up with the other cast members and go to a lot of red carpets.  I have to pick and choose the events I attend very carefully, and so I haven’t publicized myself as much as I would like to in almost the last decade.  But as a result, I have to let this four minute clip be the one thing that propels me to the next step.

What did Eileen Davidson say to you when you finally saw each other face-to-face after you both landed nominations?

ERIC:  We worked together the other day and the director was very funny and he said, “Quiet on the set.  We have two Emmy nominees on set here!” (Laughs)  Eileen is a lovely woman.  She ripped out probably the best I have to offer in this soap genre, and you probably are as good as your co-star.  She may not have been in my reel, but she was a big part of it.  Eileen is very gracious.  I understand why the soaps are throwing their hooks out at her.  If I was a producer, I would want her too.

Playing an addict is no easy feat!  I assume you did your research?

Courtesy/NBC

ERIC: I sure did.  I was very trendy and I got on You Tube! I typed in “cocaine behavior” and I think the other word I used was “crazy”.  I wanted to see how these people were.   I spent hours to the point where my wife was walking in to the room going, “What are you watching?”  And I go, “Oh, my God. You have to look at this!”  I would try to emulate these people and their little ticks like moving their tongue around their mouth to search for that little morsel of cocaine that may be stuck inside their incisors.  It was the little things like that I was hoping the power of high definition television would catch.  I was also fearful of making it look to big.  I didn’t want to make it a parody.  That’s always been my crux as well.  I come from the theater and I tend to go bigger than smaller. I wanted this to be subtle, but then again translate.  But yes, I did do my research, but no, I did not go out and do coke in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles! But you know what I did?  I free-based Diet Coke!  And it worked really well! (Laughs)  It’s just like cocaine if you drink twelve of them in a row. It’s like being on the white powder! (Laughs)

What did you wife say after you got nominated?  Did she say something along the lines of, “Thank God you scored this nomination after all you put me through learning to play a drug addict?” (Laughs)

Photo Credit: Splash

ERIC: I played a joke with her in the kitchen because at 5:30 in the morning she was making sandwiches for the boys.  I go, “God, Twitter is weird!”  She goes, “What are you talking about?”  I go, “Look what these people are saying!”  Of course, I already knew. She finally caught on and got this look in her eye, and gave me a huge hug, and she started to tear up.  She said to me, “Are you happy?” I said, “Yes, are you?” She says, “Yes, but I’m petrified.” I said, “Why are you petrified?”  She says, “Where the hell am I going to get a dress?”   It was very funny and cute.   Now everyone at work was like, “Congratulations Eric!  Now whip out your wallet and go get your wife a dress!” (Laughs) I mean, I am excited!  I think I get car service if I am a nominee and that’s huge for me, and you get a plus one!

Do you know the other gents that are nominated in your category? Scott Clifton (Liam, B&B), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli, GH), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante, GH), and Steve Burton (Dylan Y&R)?

ERIC: I know Scott. He is a nice guy.  I know Bradford Anderson who is also a ridiculously nice guy   I don’t know Dominic Zamprogna and Steve Burton that well. However, I do know these guys work and anyone could get the Emmy. There’s no clear winner here.  They are all talented guys.

What would you like to say to your fans who are thrilled for you, and have been supportive of you throughout your soap career?

Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos

ERIC: Their loyalty continues to amaze me and it’s why we do what we do.  Thank you for continuing to watch when you have six million other shows to watch on television these days … some people still turn into these soaps! And it’s enough to keep these engines running and I am very, very grateful to all of them.  They had to suffer through Ethan Winthrop on Passions for so many years. (Laughs) Now I am able to give them, not that Ethan was a bad guy, but I am just glad that Brady has gone into this deep dark storyline that has been interesting to watch.  Thanks for all the coke and all the good times!  (Laughs)

Watch Eric’s nominated performance below! Then let us know … what you thought of his scenes?  His thoughts on landing his first Daytime Emmy nomination? If you are looking forward to seeing Eric on-screen again with his one of a kind scene partner, Eileen Davidson in the months ahead? Weigh-in below!

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Gracious : is a FINE attribute : a healthy drive… to let yourself go… and deliver

his daytime resume :

Passions : 2002 – 2008
DAYS : 2008 – present
that’s an ongoing career… with TWINS … thats 12 + years in the business

I am gobsmacked… about OUR “DAYS”

and when it’s time to press…

I’ll banner this : He (Eric Marsolf) does not let up… his choices… his support system… fans + : DOOL production and writing… have ALL (includes Eileen D.) elevated

I am stoked for him

the three golds I want : Eric Marsolf, Eileen Davidson, and “DOOL” BEST SHOW!

I’m glad that he showcased his (characters) drug addiction… Man! Woah… he did not underplay… and nuanced behaviors attributed to … altho.. fans coalesce… ARE LOVING HIS portrayal… in everything!

his living at the Kiriakis Manse… so we can delight in scenes with Victor and Maggie
his being the son of John Black… I love Brady’ machismo and telling him like it is
his being the son of Isabella… John LOVED Isabella… was so beautiful
his stratosphere pairing with Eileen Davidson’ Kristen : she’s BACK… so is Brady
his relationships with Eric and Sammi… his siblings
his dalliance with Theresa : what I mean when the audience loves his new attitude

LOOK at how much he PULLS : and REELS

The DAYS of OUR Lives – cast : must be giddy… animated… acting chops coursing

what a dream job when all the elements of this epic production… audience +

Thank You ! Eric Martsolf… I truly hope you take home gold…

“Days of Our Lives” hasn’t won in the Lead Actor or Actress field at the Emmys in 33 years.

The beginning of the Reagan administration is how far back you would have to go to find a “Days” winner.

Even though i want Bradford Anderson to win this category i do think Eric Martsolf has a good chance of winning too.

Good luck to Eileen Davidson and Eric Martsolf at the Daytime Emmy Awards 2014!
I can’t wait until July/ August for their new scenes together. Eric and Eileen work so well off each other, it’s always a blast to watch their characters interacting. There’s so much improvisation. They’re my favorite pairing on “Days”!

Congrats Eric! 🙂 Based on the reels and not just because I’m a Days fan, I think you should win this.

Same here, Katie. Eric is shining in this storyline. Brady has me equally infuriated and understanding. Proud to be a fan.

I want him and Bradford(gh) to win the emmy…hope its a tie…

Last year in this category there was a tie between Billy Miller and Scott Clifton.So it could happen again this year.However the Emmys may not want a tie in the same category 2 straight year.I think all 5 nominees are good but IMO Eric and Bradford are the favorites to win.

I love Brady and I think that Eric does a great job on the show. My only wish is that the writers would have him stay clear of that awful Theresa. I can’t stand the character. I don’t love to hate her; I just hate her. I would love to see Theresa get “hers!” She’s treacherous. No reason (that we know of) for her to be so hateful and vindinctive. A very one dimensional character.

I think if Theressa messes with J.J., and Bev gets the blame but Brady finds out and dumps her…or she and Kristen gets in a big fight over Brady and Kristen wins because she has brought Bradys baby boy(a prediction) to Salem with her…could happen or not…but i do see Brady and Theressa breaking up and getting back together over and over again like most soap couples usually do!!!

I think Eric and Greg Vaughan are two of the most talented, underrated actors in all of daytime. I wish they could be in a storyline like back in the good old DAYS where we rooted for couples and the couples were close friends….like Bo and Hope and Shane and Kimberly. Good guys battling the bad guys. Well I can wish.

EM for the win!

I know Eric likes this storyline but can’t they have Eric doing something else besides drugs. I m getting tired of him drinking all the time.

I really do think he chose the right reel. I loved both Kristen reveals last year, but Eric played a backseat to ED and though he was good, I didn’t think he was great. I thought, especially during the first reveal after her almost tryst with John, he just went too soapy. In this reel, I found him to be more rooted and grounded. He seemed much more in control of himself and had a more realistic handle on the writing.

I think his real competition is Bradford. But I’d love to see Eric pull it off. He had a great year of work overall, and this clip looks to me like the best choice to represent it all.

Love Eric/Brady! Glad he received a nomination, and hope he wins. He has consistently given strong performances displaying different emotional sides of Brady – loving, caring, angry, mean, sober, drunk, drug addict. Good Luck!

Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives Star, Greg Vaughan, Gives Health Update and Thanks Everyone for Their Support

Greg Vaughan (Eric, Days of our Lives, ex-Lucky, GH, and ex-Diego, Y&R) provided an update on his health on Sunday, March 17th. Vaughan had previously shared that he had become ill during a trip with his sons to Colorado, and had developed altitude sickness when he was having trouble breathing accompanied by terrible headaches and landed in the urgent care.

Now on St. Patrick’s Day, Greg took to his Instagram and shared how he is feeling now, and to thank everyone for their love and support.  As it turned out, Vaughan was diagnosed with high altitude pulmonary edema, commonly known as HAPE. However, he is on the mend slowly and surely.

In his new video post, the DAYS favorite started by expressing, “I just felt such an appreciation and gratitude for everything. . reaching out. Your prayers have been felt. It’s been a struggle, but I’m over the top. And, taking this moment just to say I didn’t realize the things that I was going through. My (original) post was simply just to educate, put some information out there and some things that I was feeling, just share that information and the struggle that I was going through, which I didn’t quite understand. And it wasn’t because I’m stubborn or just because I’m a father, a man, and didn’t want to go to a doctor. It is just something I thought was so minor that I could overcome it, just by taking care of myself.”

Photo: JPI

The Daytime Emmy winner then revealed his actual diagnosis, “So, basically my situation was high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). With some good friends, doctors that had reached out to me, it kind of gave me some understanding on the aftermath, which was very, very beneficial.”

“But I’ve been resting, taking care of myself even though I live in a hamster wheel,” said the dad of three teenaged boys. “I gotta get up and, you know, do my normal domesticated stuff, eventually. I’m tired of laying down in this bed, but, I am feeling much better.”

Photo: GVaughanIG

Talking on his confusion of trying to understand what could have been ailing him, Vaughan expressed, “I couldn’t quite figure it out, even though I was emphasizing and professing to my children going on our spring break getaway about hydration. I professed it. But, even though I was acting on it, it had a greater effect on me, and for which I did not even think, because my head was such in pain, and I was in a very bad state of mind – not being able to be out there with my kids on the mountain, enjoying their time, as well. I thought I was doing the right thing. Unfortunately, my lungs were full of fluids and my head was in severe pain and even migraine pills didn’t even help. So, I just want anybody that goes into the Colorado Mountains to know, it is no joke. It is this very serious thing which I guess is why they call it the Mile High City.”

Greg had a mountain of ‘thank you’s’ to give for the outreach he received from his original post, “For everybody internationally, wherever you are, I love you and I appreciate you and just the time and the thoughts that you’ve shared with me,” said Vaughan. “I didn’t realize that it would make such an impression on so many people around the world. I feel tremendously loved and I can’t say it enough. I’m good. And I appreciate you.”

Photo: GVaughanIG

The actor concluded his video with, “To all the family and friends that have reached out to me, man, it means the world. So take care of yourself, enjoy your spring break with your families. It’s Saint Patty’s Day, obviously. I wish I could be out there.” Vaughan added, “I feel loved and touched and I can’t emphasize that enough. I’ll take better care of myself, promise you will do the same.” Before he signed off, Greg shared, “Just know, that I’m alive and well and breathing, and I’m sore. So, be well, take care. I mean it. Thank you, tremendously.”

Glad to know that Greg has been on the mend, and shared his appreciation for everyone that reached out to him during this trying time? Comment below.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Access Hollywood’ and ‘Couple to Throuple’ Host Scott Evans to Appear on Days of our Lives

Scott Evans, host of Access Hollywood and the Peacock reality series Couple to Throuple, will make a guest appearance this week on Days of our Lives.

Circle the Thursday, March 21st episode of DAYS for Evans’ arrival in Salem. During his tape date last fall (since DAYS tapes months well ahead of when episodes actually stream), Scott posed for a snap alongside Mary Beth Evans (Kayla), Jackée Harry (Paulina), James Reynolds (Abe) and Greg Rikaart (Leo).

Teasers for the 3/21 episode of DAYS share that Leo tries to come up with his next gossip column, and Paulina and Abe return home to a mini-celebration set up by Johnny and Steve. Will Evans pop up in one of those scenarios? Stay tuned.

Photo: JPI

For a long time, soap opera fans knew only of one Scott Evans. The one who played Oliver Fish on One Life to Live from 2008-2010.  But in show business, there are two Scott Evans’ that are widely-known.

Last Thursday, March 12th at the 35th annual GLAAD Media Awards, it found both Scott Evans and Scott Evans together in the green room and they taped this video ditty below, calling out how they both share the same name.

Photo: JPI

Last weekend, viewers saw OLTL’s Scott Evans on-stage at the Oscars when he performed in the musical number “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie led by Ryan Gosling.

As for Access Hollywood’s Scott Evans, he has been with the entertainment news program since 2015, appeared in the recent Ladies of the 80s: A Divas Christmas with Linda Gray, Donna Mills, Nicollette Sheridan, Loni Anderson and Morgan Fairchild, and currently has an overall talent and development deal with NBCUniversal.

So, looking forward to seeing Scott on DAYS? Check out ‘Evans meeting Evans’ below, and then share your thoughts in the comment section.

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Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives Star Greg Vaughan Shares Sudden Health Scare: “I Truly Feel Like I Work & Live in a Soap Opera!”

What started out as an adventure with his sons, quickly turned into a nightmare for Days of our Lives Daytime Emmy winner, Greg Vaughan (Eric Brady).

In a series of Instagram posts, Vaughan shared the sudden health crisis he found himself in.  The images show Greg with an oxygen tank to help him breathe.

The actor began to fill people, sharing, “I’ve said more than a few times, I truly feel like I work & live in a Soap Opera! 🤪 this trip was nothing short of another great Vaughan adventure!”

He went on to say that on a father and son Colorado spring break trip, he began to feel shortness of breath, feeling tired and with a headache and after two days of hoping he would feel better, Vaughan finally went to an Urgent Care to get checked out.

Photo: GVaughanIG

“I finally surrendered & went to urgent care and to my shock I learned that I was experiencing severe altitude sickness.” Vaughan admitted. “My Blood Oxygen was at 54% & my lungs were full of fluids! Blood oxygen, also known as oxygen saturation, represents the percentage of hemoglobin in your red blood cells that is carrying oxygen. Most people have an oxygen level of 95-100%….”

Providing more detail to his health scare, Greg shared, “Well, 4hrs later, a couple of bags of IV & oxygen tank strapped to my face, I was told that I needed to immediately get off the mountain! However I couldn’t, we still had another day to go & wanting the boys to enjoy their last day on the hill tops! I opted to go home with an oxygen tank, a good laugh for everyone, and I know will follow, but my boys looked after their old man & fortunately they had friends on this trip!”

Photo: JPI

The experience of altitude sickness in the Colorado Rockies gave Vaughan a bit of a new perspective, “In all seriousness, no matter your age, and all the times I’ve ⛷️ & 🏂 in my lifetime, Colorado Rockies is no joke! As they say, ‘ take a breathe and smell the roses!’ That is truly something we need to remember & appreciate! #recover”

Share your well-wishes to Greg as he continues to be on the mend via the comment section below.

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