As The World Turns
Frank Runyeon On His Guest Starring Role On Y&R As An Angel Says, "Hey, If Brian Frons Can Play God On Santa Barbara, I Can Certainly Do This!"
Courtesy/RunyeonProductions.com
As the World Turns beloved soap couple of Betsy and Steve were the “It” couple of Oakdale back in the 80’s. Of course, Betsy was played by Meg Ryan and Steve was played by Frank Runyeon. Today, soap fans got a blast from the past when TV Guide Magazine’s Michael Logan revealed that Runyeon is on his way back to the soaps, and this time The Young and the Restless for a guest star stint!
Runyeon is set to play the character of Angel, who is … an angel! What brings him to the GC canvas? Is someone about to die? Is someone going on a journey to take a look at their life? Whatever the case, look for Runyeon to appear on the May 28th and June 2nd episodes of the number one soap opera!
On how he got this gig, Frank related that having worked with Jill Farren Phelps and Chuck Pratt during their tenure on the NBC soap opera Santa Barbara was how he came to mind for the part: “Yeah. I’m L.A.-based and, apparently, they 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! (Laughs]) 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!”
In addition, Runyeon discusses how he has been doing one-man shows based on Scripture through his production company, and that he is writing a new book entitled, Escape From Hollywood: An Actor’s Unlikely Journey to Faith. He added, “I had a ball getting back into soaps with Y&R and reporting for work in the hallowed halls of CBS. It was really terrific. But now my life is about coloring outside those lines, and telling a much larger story. And I am having the most amazing time doing it!”
So, what do you think about Frank Runyeon coming back to the soaps for a short visit? Excited to see him again? What do you think will happen and to who, that will precipitate a visit from Angel on Y&R? Share your thoughts below!
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AHA! AAAHA! HAAA!
I was waiting for Pratt to get all giggly and bring in the devils, angels and aliens!!
Really looking forward to the Physics!
I knew Pratt would shake the Y&R foundation!
gotta luv Pratt.. He is just getting warmed up, I’m waiting for the body count … aha!
Pratt’s stories= sensationalism ..
You are waiting for the physics, Su? What do you mean? LOL. Elaborate. I’m a PHYSICS teacher, and I’m confused.
Do you mean METAPHYSICAL? Actually, I was thinking that also….where this ‘Angel’ is in the abstract….in other words, in the person’s, (whoever it is) mind. You know what I mean? …..like A CHRISTMAS CAROL’s Scrooge.
So, the Angel appears to deliver or warn this person of his/her comeuppance. Sounds good.
You must love Pratt if you like the GH team in place.
They defined sensationalism! (Wink)
do we really have to love him!!! ??? it seems like urself and pratt himself love him enough for all of us!… what other self absorbed and centred head writer would allow a legendary show to be completly transformed and unrecognizable? in the three short months this once slow burning, character driven show has become plot driven to the point of hollow, shallow and shock induced! the hevon storyline has been halted, nikki s ms and alcoholism halted, michael who fought carmine to save his marriage to lauren is ready to pimp her out to cane of all people which… Read more »
Well, damien…you hit upon many good and viable points. But, the Metaphysical has always been one of the most ingenious tools in writing. I would not call it sensationalism.
We must not jump to conclusion….this ‘Angel’ may exist exclusively in the person’s mind, as I said. If the writer is indeed going with the metaphysical. If not, then I’ll shut up and give you all the floor.
Nonetheless, I’d rather see an angel than crazy Kelly, nefarious Victor , sanctimonious Cricket and her p——-whipped husband.
An angel? Really? This probably means that someone is going to die, but how are they going to make this work? And since they’ve already killed off Austin and Courtney, who’s next? Kelly? Judging by Cady McClain’s recent Facebook post, it seems like it. But how are they going to bring an angel into this? It seems very contrived and not like Y&R at all.
There is a lot of “contrived and not like Y&R at all” lately.
When will enough be enough I wonder.
Too many characters all at once have become pod people.
Wow. never ever watch Y&R Hate with a passion Victor and Kill Farren Phelps. But I just may catch it on YT. Loved Frank on my very favorite soap As The World Turns.. Betsy and Steve were one of my all time favorite couples on a soap. Frons as God , well I guess he thought he was , he killed off Mary on SB. so when he was o he had her return. Lane Davies seeing her made me return also. Just not forever. Welcome back Frank, hope you get more roles,
Ok-
Angels are cool, but-
Monday/tomorr GH has a show strutting awesome male strippers.. 😉
and hot tangos and 80’s housewives.. LOL
Angels just are not fun …. aha!
I have no idea who Frank R is, but I think Y&R needs an angel right now….a few, actually.
I am looking forward to this celestial storyline…Veeery inderestiiiing !!
Is the Angel going to redeem someone? Who? Victor? All the Abbots? The killer? Wouldn’t it be ironic if he weeds out the killer and the Angel finagles
him/her to confess? I think the most poignant twist would be if the killer is someone so out of anyone’s radar, that no one would ever suspect him/her, in a million years.
He is a short stint stay..
perhaps it will be like ”Scrooge” a trip of that kind..
He could blow a horn like Gabriel, that would be musically entertaining lol ..
the killer will be close, Pratt style 🙂
Wow, Su. We had the same idea about Scrooge! Well, look at that! See, we do think alike……sometimes?
I’d like to see some redemption, a strong arc of character redirection. Take your pic! Those stories have resonance with me but it seems in Genoa City, no one ever learns their lessons… no matter how many WONDERFUL LIFE-inspired holiday episodes they give to showcase an actor/character.
I think the redemption and re-emergence of a strong Sharon Newman would be exciting to watch. Not revenge, but genuine redemption, challenges and all that go with that.
How very profound, Iakovos. So very eloquently put!! And, I agree…Sharon needs to be reborn.
CeeCee….”Santa Barbara” is the soap where Alexis’ NLG played the role of another legal eagle, “Julia Wainwright.” Remember when I alluded to those two characters together in one of our posts? You looked it up.
Hey, girl…great to see you here.
Yes, thank you. I did put two and two together. After all that talk about Santa Barbara, I looked it up again…it had escaped me. Sometimes I feel lost.
That’s right…Julia Wainwright= Alexis.
Nancy has not changed much, albeit she wasn’t as ‘exposed’ back then as she is now.
This is true, CeeCee!!!! No “mutton dressed as lamb” looks back in the SB days for “Julia.” But in many other ways, there were vast similarities between that character and Alexis…..same old tortured lovelife, neurotic tendencies, and that cloying need to talk things to death…..just with less cleavage heaving and tacky sex scenes. LOL. As I previously mentioned, I feel like Ms. Wainwright morphed into Alexis after her life fell apart. Anyway, yes, I decided to visit a Y&R thread for a change….I remember FR from his days acting opposite Meg Ryan on ATWT. Another big ’80’s show. That decade… Read more »
I remember him on Santa Barbara as the priest and Mary’s love interest when she was not with Mason.
However, what the h-e-double hockey-sticks has happened to this beloved show?! I guess it is Angels & Demons. I don’t recognize anyone anymore. No one to root for. 🙁
Wrong ! His love interest was Julia when she was not with Mason . The man that came between Mary and Mason was the evil Dr Mark McCormick .
Alas, it has been TOOOO long since SB went off the air. I remember him, just cannot remember who he was with. I remember Julia with Mason and Mary with Mason. Poor Mary getting hit with the giant “C.”
What I remember most is that I LIKED his acting. Sorry if I got the love interest thing wrong. What I would not give to have better memories of SB. 🙁 Gosh I miss that show!
I have no idea what you guys are talking about….Santa Barbara? Before my time, I guess. You are all so very lucky to have experienced the fruits of past writers and so many different soaps.
Nonetheless, nicholas, in Chrystie’s defence, she did not say Mary was the priest’s love interest….but that he was her love interest. Big difference.
No he was a potential love interest for Julia. Mary died in 1986. Frank did not come on the show until 1988.
Ditto to what I said to nicholas. Sorry I got it wrong, Aden. I miss that show to pieces. I wish they would re-run that. I could watch that one over and over.
Thank you for your response . I loved ” Santa Barbara ” too . It was my favourite soap of all time . There is an excellent website in tribute to the show . If you type in Google ” Santa Barbara : le site français ” you will find it . There is a flag on the top of the page with a sentence which i think reads as ” tout le site en anglais ” or ” all the site in english ” just click on that with your mouse and all the sites content will display in… Read more »
Concerning the french website on ” Santa Barbara ” you click with your mouse on the little flag that is located on top at the left of the screen so that the website deploys itself in english . Gave you an incorrect explanation in my previous post sorry . Please tell me if you like the website . I think it is amazing !
Thanks, nicholas! I will check that out for sure. I was such a pre-teen geek when SB was on the air. I kept a scrapbook. I couldn’t remember my Earth Science studies to save my life, but ask me ANYTHING about Santa Barbara (back then and way before two kids) and I could go on and on. Ha! Ha!
I miss SB…i would watch that one over too!!!
I love this man, he is a terrific actor. I loved Frank on As The World Turns. I Hope they sign him, to a contract on any Daytime soap. Still looks sexy.
lol
He is an angel, doubt Y&R would want an angel as a contracted cast member …
(sorta hard to write for lol)
Why not, Su?
Michael Landon had an entire series( that I do watch when it’s aired). And, and, and…..what about TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL?
I may sound childish, but Angels exist….not necessarily in human form, but they do exist in the universe….in many forms. You just have to look for them.
So, before anyone calls me crazy….I have experienced the metaphysical many times…..especially during my baby’s illness. The Angels are in the air…just a breath away…..now, I’m crying….
PS.
Sorry, su….it was on my mind, but I forgot to mention that I watched the ET interview of Taya Kyle with Brooke Anderson. Ms Kyle was explaining that she felt her husband Chris was omnipresent. She said his death did not mean it was over …and as she said”….I don’t know how yet…”, the picture on the wall behind her suddenly fell to the floor. Coincidence? I’d like to believe it was her husband, the Angel.
The movie AMERICAN SNIPER is based on Chris Kyle.
Brian Frons also played The Angel Of Death at ABC…he killed AMC and OLTL!!!
Brian Frons needs to be locked up, I will send Sheila Carter to punish the sob.
For what he did to AMC and OLTL, I’d say he’s the devil incarnate.
Gosh instead of an angel how about Sharon’s long lost father I would love to see him go up against the mumbled Victor and that brat child Nick!
Frank is soap royalty from another era. Can’t wait.
The less said about the Phelps/Pratt version of Santa Barbara the better. That show never recovered from the Dobsons being shut out.
As for who “Angel” will be, at this point I can’t even begin to work up enough interest to care.
Well, I think Jill P. was EP for the whole Robert Barr story and everything that came out of it so her SB was not all bad!
I think the Robert Barr/Quinn Armitage/Flame Beaufort story started under her tenure but the bulk of it played out while Jon Conboy was the executive producer.
Conboy didn’t take over until August 1990 so the story had been going on for a year+ before he got there and ended not too long after he came aboard. Incidentally, Chuck Pratt was the HW who introduced this story as well.
OH, Roscoe Borne! That story with Robert, Quinn, Flame, and Kelly was sooooo good.
I remember the love scene with Kelly and (I think) Robert. They played Moments in Love by the Art of Noise. That scene was THE bees’ knees. So sexy and so romantic, not like the crap I see on the shows today.
I am not against the angel thing– usually when someone dies they just send a departed loved one to come and get them– like when Colleen was drowning, Brad came to her in a vision. Visions of dead loved ones have been on this soap before, John Abbott, Cassie, Dee Dee– And a few years back Michael had a Wonderful Life moment, and an angel that looked like Paul Williams took him on his journey– and one Christmas I think Victor had a Christmas Carol experience. So I don’t think using an angel is all that wacky for this show-… Read more »
I remember him as Father Michael on Santa Barbara – I guess he really likes playing the spiritual roles. Great to see an old school soap star again – even if it’s just for a cameo!
Was a huge fan of ” Santa Barbara ” and boy would i want this soap revived . Remember Runyeon as Michael Donnelly on ” Santa Barbara ” . He was so good in the role . That’s such a nice surprise to see him pop up in Genoa city .
I’m pretty sure many soap fans equate the name of Brian Frons with the polar opposite of God.
JOHN ABBOTT!
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As the World Turns Alum Rita Walter Dead at 71
We’re still losing so many beloved soap opera actors as 2022 comes to a close. Now comes word that former As the World Turns alum, Rita Walter (nee McLaughlin) passed away at the age of 71. Walter had been diagnosed with Multifocal Glioblastoma, an extremely aggressive form of terminal brain cancer.
Rita had an 11-year-run as Oakdale’s Carol Deming Hughes Stallings Andropoulos Frazier.
The former actress-turned-optician, died on Christmas. Rita’s brother, David McLaughlin revealed the news on the 26th which also happened to be the anniversary of Walter’s exit from the defunct CBS soap opera in 1981.
In his posting on Facebook, McLaughlin shared: “My sweet, loving sister Rita was called to Jesus today on Christmas day, his birthday. She was a well known actress as well as dedicated server of the Lord Jesus. May you rest in peace Sis, I love you forever. You’ve taken my heart with you.”
Photo: SOD
Before playing good girl, Carol Deming, who always found herself in distress as only a good heroine could do, Rita started her career as Patty Duke’s double on The Patty Duke Show, before getting her first foray into soaps with a role on The Secret Storm as Wendy Phillips.
We clearly remember when on ATWT, Carol was married to Jay Stallings, but Jay was having an affair behind her back. Carol also had failed relationships and marriages to Tom Hughes and Steve Andropolous. Eventually, Carol left Oakdale after falling in love and marrying Reverend Norman Frazier. In a case of life imitating art, Rita married Reverend Normal Walter in 1976.
Walter is survived by her three children, Brian, Jill, and Amy, and her husband, Reverend Norman.
Share your condolences and remembrances for ATWT’s Rita Walter in the comment section below.
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