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Guiding Light

THE KIM ZIMMER INTERVIEW – INSIDE GUIDING LIGHT

By Michael Fairman

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zimmer-greyblack.jpgQuestion: What would a behind-the-scenes look be into the making of the longest running soap, without its leading actress and four-time Daytime Emmy winner Kim Zimmer to talk to? Answer: Like not speaking to the on-air heart and soul of it.

During my “Inside Guiding Light” feature and trip to New York, we all sat down inside the rather small and very unadorned green room at CBS studios on West 57th street. We spoke to Kim and asked her thoughts on the production module, Reva’s pregnancy and the leukemia storyline. Also, we asked her about looking ahead to 2009 and the current state of soaps, and other items at the top of our Christmas wish lists.

As many “On-Air On-Soaps” soapers know, I have a very endearing relationship with Kim. So, getting to see her in the big apple and giving her a big hug was such a treat for me! (Being a west coaster for the past 13 years, I only see her but once a year now, and that is at the Daytime Emmys.)

Make sure to also listen to the accompanying audio, because there is nothing better than hearing things in her own words, “The Gospel According to Kim,” as I lovingly call it.

Listen to the audio:

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I did ask Ellen Wheeler her take on the audio situation in Peapack, in regards to what was the deal with audio boom vs. lav mics. She informed me, that it takes too much time to put them on the actors and you hear the rustling of the clothes on the actors. I wanted to go back to our conversation from our last interview together. Your current thoughts on wearing lavs?

KIM:

Personally, I do hate wearing them. You could be in the middle of a great scene and something is distorting the sound. I do like the lavs, and we have a guy who does the sound in Peapack and he knows his business. I think it could work, and there are never more than two people in a scene in Peapack. It’s still a problem for me, but I think it’s gotten a little bit better with the outdoor stuff. I think these interior sets are the one’s I have trouble with, because they are claustrophobic. In the studio setting, the boom guys love me because I come from the theater. You could think of yourself as performing on stage when you had the camera as your audience. In reality, it’s more real to me than how we are doing it now. Now, it may be a two-person scene, but there could be seven other people in a small room with two holding lights, and four cameras, and you are trying to have an intimate scene. It’s very difficult. There are times you want to cross from point A to point B, but you have to go around the crew. It’s crazy. So, I like being in Peapack better then shooting here now.

How do you like the story as it stands now for Reva and the journey that she is on? She is pregnant with leukemia.

KIM:

The more they pile on me the happier I am, but it’s has to be written. I forget I have leukemia, and I have not had chemo in a while. They don’t write her like she is sick; they write her great balls ahead. So I forget I have leukemia and I go full force. They have to be consistent in the writing when they force that stuff on you, and they have not been. There are times you have to remind yourself, it’s your job as an actor to remember those things.

branson-group.jpgHow do you like working with Jeff Branson as the recast as your son, Shane?

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KIM:

It’s fantastic! I am so grateful, because I miss Tom Pelphrey (Ex-Jonathan) so much. What’s weird is that Jeff looks like my real life son Jake, all grown up. It’s uncanny, and he has the same kind of brooding looks. I feel like I am looking at
my son ten years older. They finally got one right.
Jeff is big and his voice is deep. I adore him and
he is fitting in nicely here. I was a fan of his on “AMC”.

Jill Lorie Hurst (co-head writer, “GL”) says Reva will have the baby, and I wanted to ask you will she have a healthy baby?

KIM:

I did say to Jill, “I am not playing it if you are going to kill the baby.” I know the baby is born, and I believe it will be healthy. I laugh, ‘ha-ha’ because my contract is up in June. Now they have given me a menopausal baby and thrown in a little leukemia on the side. I will either die in childbirth or succumb to Leukemia. And with Edmund coming back, there will be more trauma ahead and they are covering their bases! I’m kidding. (She laughs). Speaking of that, Edmund is the reason Reva had to give up Jonathan all those years ago. Being pregnant, she is going to be freaky as long a he is around; even though he’s not trying to claim the throne or anything. We are going to have a lot to deal with together. We will have a lot of interaction, and be connected.

How do you feel about the big return coming in February, with Grant Aleksander returning as Phillip?

KIM:

I am thrilled about Grant being back! I am concerned that I won’t get to interact or play with him much. I mean, there is a connection with Sarah, so who knows if that could come into it, too.

Twenty five years later, did you think you could be playing a grandmother on a soap, or having another child of Reva’s?

KIM:

Oh, no! But, I never had in my contract that I wasn’t going to be a grandmother, because I wanted nothing more than to be real grandmother in real life. I am ready for that. I never thought about it. So, I like being a grandmother, and that’s what’s great about doing a soap opera, as an actor. People always ask me, “How my husband and I stayed together for so long?” I say, “Because I get to have affairs and get paid for it. It’s my job.” I get to go home to my husband who I love and adore, and I get to pretend here.

zimmr-peacock.jpgSome of the “GL” faithful are coming around to the Jeffrey and Reva pairing instead of Josh/Reva. I think it was a transition that started when Cassie and Josh were paired up. Your thoughts?

KIM:

I have said in the soap magazines, that I think it was unfortunate for Nicole Forester’s interpretation of Cassie, that they did that to her. The fans immediately had a problem with her because she was with Josh. When I think of playing that story together with Laura Wright, because we had such history together as sisters, it would be so different. Again, we need to be more consistent in the writing and follow what the story is and stick with it. You have to have a beginning, middle, and an end, and not flounder around until something keeps you interested enough as a writer to stick with it. I think story on a lot of shows just get dropped before they are complete. I think that’s one of the main things that upset fans; when the story is just dropped

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I posed this question to a very impassioned Ellen Wheeler: Does that concern you that the show could be cancelled at any moment?

KIM:

I think the state of soaps across the board is in jeopardy. Look at Deidre Hall (Marlena, “DAYS”), Drake Hogestyn (John, “DAYS”), and Susan Lucci’s (Erica, “AMC ”) pay cut. It’s a trickle down effect. But it upsets me that they (P&G) has money, and it’s there. I think the longer people agree to pay cuts and downsizing their soaps, the more they get a way with it. That angers me, and I understand the economy is terrible. I think there is money there that they could throw our way. I have great faith that this show can recreate itself to keep going, but they have to pay attention to the quality. If it’s going to be smaller it has to be quality, and it has to be good. It’s the hardest thing for me to watch this once fantastic show, just be pissed away. It’s not by anyone doing anything wrong, but it’s just that it’s getting diluted. It goes back to the stories need to have a beginning, middle and an end.

How can Reva have a set with all her children in it, and have them come home for Christmas?

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KIM:

They try to do it, but I don’t know. We do have this Cross Creek living room in Peapack, even though it’s not the old Cross Creek set. I like the room and the feel of that set, and you could get the whole family in that room.Like, “As the World Turns” is always good about bringing people back to highlight a story or a big event. It almost feels they are afraid here to bring back a story or fan favorite, because the fans will scream, “We want them back!” That’s just me. That’s just my feeling. I don’t know why Marah did not come back for Christmas or Dylan is not around anymore. I am optimistic and hopeful though. We will rubble along and hopefully, have success.

zimmer-red.jpgYou are very vocal about your feelings about the show, and passionate about it wanting it to work. Does that cause any problems for you with the cast?

KIM:

People say, “Just don’t watch, if it makes me so angry.” I cannot, not watch. I am a fan of the show! I read the entire scripts and I know all the characters stories, so the actors sometimes get upset with me, and I will say something to somebody. I need to stop acting and create my own little show that I can control. (She laughs)

Guiding Light

Tom Pelphrey Takes on The Role of ‘Jesus Christ’ with Y&R’s Courtney Hope as ‘Mary’ in New Podcast Series

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Since first making a name for himself as Reva’s (Kim Zimmer) son, Jonathan Randall on Guiding Light, Tom Pelphrey’s (ex-ATWT and GL) post-soap career has featured many complex and dark roles in television and motion pictures. Now comes perhaps, Pelphrey’s most stunning role when he will play Jesus Christ in a new four–part audio series podcast, called The Christ.

The series is from the Faith Podcast Network who will be releasing the series for Easter. It is being billed as “an audio epic and the first ever full-scale audio dramatization of Jesus’ life across four immersive episodes using cinematic-quality sound, music and performances.” The podcast series will feature more than 100 different characters and can be heard at TheChristPodcast.com

Joining The Ozark and Task star in the cast are some other high-profile Hollywood names including: David Ovelowo as Pontius Pilot, Paul Walter Hauser as John the Baptist, Patricia Heaton as the host and John Rhys-Davies as the narrator. In addition, none other than The Young and the Restless, Courtney Hope (Sally Spectra) also is featured as Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Photo: FaithPodcastNetwork

According to The Hollywood Reporter, “The Christ comes from a creative team that includes writer and director Paul Cuschieri, co-director and producer Mark Ramsey and producer Jim Young.” The series drops during Holy Week, with the first episode debuting on March 30. A new episode will be released each day through April 2, scheduled accordingly so that the entire series will be available by Good Friday on April 3.

The official logline says The Christ will cover “the life, death and legacy of Jesus of Nazareth. Through betrayal, courage, suffering and hope, the series explores how one man’s story reshaped history — and redefined love, authority and sacrifice.”

Pelphrey who announced he has 12-years of sobriety back in 2025, shared why this project was of importance to him, “Sharing about sobriety and faith are so personal to me, and it means so much to me. The other thing you notice is when people are sharing things, you could say a word to a thousand people, and a thousand people hear a different version of that word. In all humility, to share something that matters to you, you first have to come to an understanding and acceptance that you’re surrendering how it’s going to be heard or what it means to anyone listening. You have no control over it. That’s been an amazing process to go through.”

So, what do you think of Tom Pelphrey playing the audio version of Jesus Christ and Courtney Hope playing Mary, Mother of Jesus? Excited to hear the story of Christ via this podcast series? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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Guiding Light

‘Guiding Light’s’ Kim Zimmer Reflects on Brilliant Scenes with Tom Pelphrey After Initially Telling Producers, ‘Hire Any of Them But the Last Guy’

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Throughout its 57-year run on daytime, Guiding Light introduced television audiences to many actor who would go on to have major careers in motion pictures, primetime television and the stage. One such is the incredible Tom Pelphrey (Task, Mank, Ozark, Outer Range, et al.), who from the minute he debuted on the CBS soap took soap viewers by storm for his raw, relatable and emotional turn as Reva (Kim Zimmer) and Prince Richard Winslow’s (Bradley Cole) son, Jonathan Randall.

In the complicated storyline, Jonathan was conceived and born while Reva was suffering from amnesia and believing herself to be Princess Catherine while living in San Cristobel. As Jonathan grew up his life was torn apart making him a vengeful, menacing young man, who under it all was deeply wounded and who felt abandoned and forgot about.

Kim Zimmer won four Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Reva Shayne, while Tom Pelphrey took home two Daytime Emmys for the Outstanding Younger Actor in a Daytime Drama Series for his performance. On-screen, together, they were a riveting pairing which included many a tense scene including when Jonathan choked out Reva.

Photo: JPI

During last week’s Guiding Light reunion livestream with Zimmer, Bradley Cole (ex-Richard and Jeffrey, GL) and Laura Wright (ex-Cassie, GL, now Carly, GH) on the You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, the three actors reminisced about their time together as romantic pairings: Reva/Richard, Cassie/Richard, Reva/Jeffrey etc, but also talked about many of their co-stars and their deeply personal feelings of what Guiding Light meant to all of them.

REVA AND JONATHAN WERE SOAP OPERA GOLD

Though the years, it’s been no secret that Zimmer, did not initially want Tom Pelphrey cast as her son, because as she admitted, in the audition process with her, she was scared of him based on the power of his performance in the scene.

Kim recalled, “I went in (to the producers) right after I auditioned like seven guys, and I said, ‘Hire any of them, but the last guy.’ And they all looked at me like I had six heads, because they had already decided they were going to cast him. And then when I said that, they were like, ‘we’re definitely going to cast him now! That’s the feeling they wanted. They knew he scared me.”

The beloved GL heroine said that once she began working in a scene with Pelphrey, all was A-OK! “It was almost immediate once we started really working together, and I could trust the story,” shared Kim. “It was such a bizarre story that I was being given, again (also referencing Reva’s Clone story as the other), that I was hesitant about that. But once we started really working together, there was no question that they had made the right decision.”

In fact, fans loved Reva and Jonathan so much, they would vote them top couple as Kim remembers, “And, you know, in the soap magazines, we got voted, ‘Best couple,’ and we weren’t a love couple. We were a mother and son. That was like the biggest compliment to me –  we’d get nominated as ‘Outstanding Couple.’

ONE OF THE FINEST ACTORS IN THE HISTORY OF GUIDING LIGHT

Kim’s real-life son, Jake Weary has also made quite the name for himself in TV and motion pictures and Pelphrey also bonded many years ago: “When my son was living in LA, he and Jake would hang out together. They had mutual friends and they got to know each other pretty well, which I love. Jake actually asked me recently if I had any favorite Guiding Light scenes that I could remember. And I said, ‘Anything with HB (Larry Gates), Billy Lewis (Jordan Clarke) and Tom Pelphrey.

During the livestream, Laura Wright, who worked in many scenes with Pelphrey, added, “In my opinion, Tom took the bar and he raised it. Not just in talent because he had that, but Tom inspired you. He made you want to do like that, and he wanted you to be as great. He just was all around a great guy to work with.”

In case you missed it,  you can check out the Guiding Light live reunion with Kim, Bradley and Laura, followed by some incredible scenes between Tom and Kim as Jonathan and Reva.

Then, let us know, do you think Reva and Jonathan as played by Kim Zimmer and Tom Pelphrey, were the most dynamic mother/son duo all-time on the soaps? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

 

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Breaking News

‘Guiding Light’ Reunion: Kim Zimmer, Bradley Cole and Laura Wright to Chat Live!

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In a very special livestream reunion; three of the former stars of the legendary Guiding Light, who’s on-screen lives were forever intertwined, will visit the Michael Fairman Channel on Friday, January 30 beginning at 7pm ET/4pm PT.

Look for GL icon and four-time Daytime Emmy winner, Kim Zimmer (ex-Reva Shayne), Bradley Cole (ex-Prince Richard Winslow and Jeffrey O’Neill and ex-Warren Bauer, GH), and Daytime Emmy winner Laura Wright (ex-Cassie Layne, now Carly Spencer on GH) to reminisce about their time together and memories of the daytime drama that lasted an astounding 57 years on television and counting radio, 72 years.

Guiding Light fans will recall, Bradley’s first run as Richard and his royal wedding to Cassie, to returning as a Jeffrey O’Neill, and how it caused tension between sisters, Reva and Cassie, and much more.

Photo: JPI

As viewers know, Kim Zimmer played the iconic role of Reva Shayne from 1983–1990 and from 1995–2009. Bradley Cole portrayed Prince Richard Winslow from 1999- 2002, and after the character was killed-off, he returned as Jeffrey O’Neill, a lawyer-turned-special agent, who was with the series from 2003-2009. As the show went off the air for the last time in the September 18, 2009 finale, Jeffrey was presumed dead. Then, in 2010, Cole came to General Hospital to take on the short-term but important run of Warren Bauer, who was believed to have abused his son, Kiefer Bauer.

Laura Wright played Reva’s sister Cassie Layne in a stunning reveal in 1999, and stayed with the series until 2005, before moving to General Hospital later that year to take on the role of Carly Corinthos, now going by Carly Spencer and the rest for Wright is as they say, history.

Not only will the GL alums and stars chat about their time on the soap, but will bring you up-to-date on their lives now. First, Bradley has a new album out entitled Desert Dreams. The 12 track project pays a musical tribute to Cole’s upbringing in Los Angeles and the classic rock, pop, and south-of-the-border influences of the ’60s and ’70s that shaped his musical foundation. Desert Dreams blends a classic rock vibe with nostalgic country and a modern Americana sensibility, highlighting Cole’s clear storytelling and skillful melodic songwriting.

Photo: JPI

Meanwhile, Laura Wright continues to star on ABC’s General Hospital whereas Carly Spencer she is embroiled in a major storyline with Carly’s current love interest WSB Port Charles Bureau Chief, Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). After finding out he enlisted her daughter, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) to be a WSB spy, she believes the guy is bad news, or does she? Laura continues her project Sacred Circle where “women pause, breathe, and reconnect with ourselves — and with each other.”

Then, there is GL icon, Kim Zimmer. She will soon be seen in an upcoming production of  Driving Miss Daisy, in the role Daisy at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre in Fayetteville, NC, running from March 19 to April 4, 2026. Last year, Kim starred in the play The Trip to Bountiful at Theatre Raleigh. Back in 2024, Zimmer went public with her breast cancer diagnosis and that she had undergone treatment. She is also the proud mom to TV and film, actor Jake Weary.

If you cannot be with us in the live chat, but have a question or comment you would like posed to Kim, Bradley or Laura, make sure to drop it in the comment section below, and we just might ask it during the live broadcast.

Now below, also check out the Guiding Light profiler with clips from Bradley Cole’s run as Jeffrey O’Neil and how the character was involved with Reva and Cassie and more.

So, excited to see Kim, Bradley and Laura reminiscing about their time on Guiding Light and more? Let us know via the comment section!

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