News

Santa Barbara’s Daytime Emmy Winning Actor, Henry Darrow Passes Away; A Martinez Shares Heartfelt Remembrance

March 16, 2021

Photo: JPI

Henry Darrow, one of the most prolific TV actors, and who was best known for his role as Manolito Montoya on NBC’s Western The High Chaparral, passed away on Sunday at his home in Wilmington, North Carolina at the age of 87. No cause of death was specified by his publicist, who made the announcement via a Facebook post

However, soap fans know Darrow best for his Daytime Emmy-winning role on Santa Barbara as Rafael Castillo, the father of Cruz Castillo (A Martinez). Henry played the role from 1989-1992.

In 1990, Darrow took home the gold for the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

Later in his career, he appeared on The Bold and the Beautiful as Dr. Carlos Nunez, as well as roles on One Life to Live and General Hospital.

Throughout his primetime career, he also appeared on Harry O, Quincy M.E., Benson, Hart to Hart, T.J. Hooker, Dallas, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, The Golden Girls, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager and One Tree Hill to name a few.

Photo: SBBlog/NBC

A Martinez posted this remembrance of his former on-screen dad via Facebook expressing, “The actor Henry Darrow crossed over yesterday. (Thanks to my friend Candy Gregorat for letting me know.) The strength of his work as “Manolito” on High Chaparral captured the hearts of so many around the world. I was among the millions who fell in love with the dude –– irresistible as a role model –– and later, when we met and became friends, Henry mentored me. We worked together in six projects over the years, including three where I played his son. (He was only 15 years older, but with his worldly chops, it always worked.) I won my Emmy in 1990 largely on the strength of an episode of Santa Barbara where the two of us confronted one another –– a father seeking to save his edge of suicidal son –– with mesmerizing rage and tenderness in scenes set in the desert. It’s my recollection that Henry also won that year.

Couple of takeaways from our friendship: (1) Don’t be an asshole on the set. His scalding stories of actors who had crossed him were legend. (2) He was as generous to me as any good father would be. He came to me one day in Texas as we prepped to play dad and son on “Seguin,” for American Playhouse. “I have a gift for you, but you have to give it back when we’re done,” he said, and then placed a gorgeous, exquisitely finished , formal leather jacket in my hands. It fit me like a glove, and was a great asset in defining my character’s upwardly trending possibilities (Juan Seguin would eventually become the mayor of San Antonio.) Mr. Darrow was a pro’s pro –– a credit to the profession –– and he was also a wonderful man. A career like this one does not happen by accident.”

Share your remembrances of Henry Darrow and Santa Barbara via the comment section below.

Up Next

‘The Talk’ Extends Hiatus Amid Sharon Osbourne Controversy

Don't Miss

Katie Thurston and Michelle Young Named The Next Two Leads on ‘The Bachelorette’

1

newest oldest

Guest

Violet Lemm

I loved this actor so much, may he RIP, Iam a year older and I was just crazy about him as Cruz’s dad on Santa Barbara and my other favorite The High Chapperalle. He seemed like such a lovely man I think I had a crush watching him on those two shows.

News

B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang in Film ‘The Christmas Dance’ Premieres Friday

July 23, 2021

In another Christmas in July movie that is making its way to on-demand and theatres near you, comes one featuring The Bold and the Beautiful’s Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke Logan Forrester) as well as notable soap vet Scott Bailey (Ex-Sandy, Guiding Light), called The Christmas Dance.

According to the film loglines: Traumatized by her past Christmas is not at the top of Sarah’s list this time of year. However, waltzing through life’s unexpected emergencies, she is taught the Christmas dance. Briana White, Katherine Kelly Lang, Richard Karn, star in the feature.

Lang shared with SOD on the film working on film while continuing her role on B&B as the iconic Brooke, “It’s wonderful because as an actress, you always want to spread your wings and try new parts and new characters. It’s all a learning process, and all about growth, which is great!”

Check out a trailer for the pic below. The film drops tomorrow on July 23rd.

So, will you be checking out Katherine Kelly Lang in this Christmas-style film? Comment below.

News

Korean Dynasty Soapy Drama ‘American Seuol’ Headed to Hulu

July 23, 2021

Here’s a soapy drama on its way to a streaming service for fans to devour. Writer Lana Cho has secured a deal with Hulu for her soapy drama, American Seuol, which definitely has a ‘Dynasty’-vibe to it from what we can tell.

According to Deadline, the hour-long drama is about a young Korean-American adoptee who moves to Seoul for a job opportunity and discovers that she is the heir of a dynastic Korean family.

Cho will write and also be one of the executive producers on the project, which will also EP;d by Sebastian Lee and David Kim, who’s other notable shows right now are ABC’s The Good Doctor and Apple’s Pachinko.

After the announcement on Friday, Cho tweeted, “I’ve always wanted to write my own K-drama. Now I get to – but with Korean-American lead.”

It would appear that Cho is on a hot streak after she also sold her adaptation of her K-pop rom-com, Somewhere Only We Know to Netflix.

Previously, Lana wrote Hulu’s reboot of Four Weddings and a Funeral as well for the TV series Arrow and Timeless. She is serves as co-executive producer on Amazon I Know What You Did Last Summer.

So intrigued to see how American Seuol will ultimately do as some new soap opera fare? Comment below.

News

Eileen Davidson, Judith Chapman and Kim Waltrip Talk Plans & Launch Campaign To Make ‘Dial Emme For Murder’ into a Series

July 23, 2021

Two-time Daytime Emmy winner, and soap opera favorite Eileen Davidson (Ashley, Y&R and Ex-Kristen/Susan, Days) is bringing one of her soap opera mystery novels to life with a proposed six-part series for the soapy and hilarious mystery, Dial Emme For Murder.

Joining Eileen in the cast will be none other than Judith Chapman (Gloria, Y&R) , Knots Landing favorite, Donna Mills (Ex-Abby), and primetime TV and film actress, Nancy Valen. More cast members will be announced in the future.

Photo: JPI

In Dial Emme for Murder, Davidson plays actress Emmanuelle “Emme” Peterson, a successful soap star who finds herself smack dab in the middle of a whodunit.

Now, in conjunction with the Palm Springs Women in Film and Television (PSWIFT), and its president and director/producer, Kim Waltrip, Davidson is launching a fundraising campaign to get the series made.

Photo: EDavidson

In an exclusive interview on the Michael Fairman Channel, Eileen, Judith and Kim exclusive reveal key Intel on the project, campaign and working together. The proposed series has also launched its official website here.

About PSWIFT: PSWIFT (Palm Springs Women in Film & Television) is a non-profit organization, founded in 2001 dedicated to promoting our members, both men and women in the Entertainment, New Media Creative arts community. In 2020 Palm Springs Women in Film & Television created and launched a Filmmakers’ Lab to teach members how to make a film, by making a film, hands-on.

PSWIFT is currently seeking donations through their non-profit – which are 100% tax-deductible – to fund the Filmmakers’ Lab’s next venture Dial Emme for Murder. You can find out more on the different perks and packages if you donate to the project here.

Watch the interview with Michael, Eileen, Judith, and Kim below.

Then let us know, if you think Dial Emme for Murder featuring powerhouse actress, Eileen Davidson, Judith Chapman and Donna Mills, will be a must-see for you via the comment section.