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As The World Turns

THE VAN HANSIS INTERVIEW – AS THE WORLD TURNS – YOUNGER ACTOR EMMY NOMINEE!

By Michael Fairman

Published

18 years ago

on

Listen to the audio:

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MICHAEL:
What scenes did you submit for Emmy contention in this year’s Younger Actor category, and why did you choose those particular episodes?

VAN:
My birthday fell in September, so I could not submit a lot of stuff I would’ve submitted, because then I was too old. (Note: 25 yrs old is the cut off in the younger Emmy acting categories) I tried to find stuff that had a varying range of me doing different things, as far as acting goes. I found a couple episodes that showcased things that I do best, and I was lucky enough to be nominated.

MICHAEL:
I read that in an interview, you had said that the reason you chose those two episodes to represent your work was because they were stand-alone shows. Is that true?

VAN:
I think I did say that. Last year when I was a judge, I found that if what you pick is so wrapped up in a story, sometimes you don’t know what was really going on, but appreciate the acting by itself. I wanted to find material that had some semblance of that.

MICHAEL:
Are you familiar with the work of the nominees in your category?

VAN:
I have seen Jesse Sofer’s (Ex-Will, “ATWT”) work and I think he is awesome. I have seen Tom Pelphrey’s (Ex-Jonathan, “GL”) work and I think he is incredible.

MICHAEL:
How have you dealt with all the controversy surrounding the amazing Gay storyline being played out on “ATWT” between your character Luke and his love interest, Noah? And, how do you feel the show is handling this subject matter?

VAN:
I like what is happening in the story right now, and some material that is coming up is good. I have always been proud of the story. I try not to get involved in whatever controversy there might be, and thinking about it does not help me do my job at all. With all that has been talked about, I have never been interviewed once about it. I think we are the wrong people to talk to about that, because we are actors who go in and say lines and do it. We don’t make any of the creative choices. So, I feel it was the right way to handle it. It’s as if you are written off a show. Do you necessarily want to be written off, or be killed? No. But you play those scenes anyway, because that’s your job. I am very proud of the story and the work that Jake and I have done. We are treated like any other soap couple, and currently what is being aired is, that they have broken up. Colonel Mayer, the sham marriage, is all good soapy stuff.

MICHAEL:
How did you feel about the abrupt ending to the Ameera storyline?

VAN:
The thing I am saddest about is having Tala gone. She was a great actress, and a good friend of both Jake and I. It was sad to see her go. I think that story was interesting, and what happens after the story. The outcome of the break up of Luke and Noah has brought their characters to a different place. That is the objective of any story; to have the characters end up different than when they began.

MICHAEL:
What happens now when you are out in public? Do people address you as ‘Luke’ and talk about the storyline with you?

VAN:
Sometimes, people scream, “Luke” at me. All the interactions I have had with fans have been really nice.

MICHAEL:
Cyndi Lauper is making a very special guest appearance on “ATWT”. We hear she will be singing “True Colors”, which has become the gay anthem all over the world.

VAN:
Yes it has, and the way they worked her in was great. Cyndi is not just a celebrity who came onto the show. She is not just there for some random reason. The way they wrote her in is really, really smart and pivotal to the story.

MICHAEL:
How was working with Cyndi?

VAN:
It was great! I had done a reading with her for the Matthew Shepherd Foundation a few years ago. I had met her at that time, and to see her perform “True Colors” was incredible. I mean, she is like an icon of my childhood and it was very cool! A glorified rock star serenaded me! That has never happened before.

MICHAEL:
So, it sounds like you were very moved during her song!

VAN:
Her energy is so fun, and as a performer, she is incredible. I was completely blown-away.

MICHAEL:
Because you have such amazing acting chops, and have such a complex character to portray, are there any types of moments that are more difficult for you to play?

VAN:
I think it’s difficult if you don’t know why your character is doing what he is doing. Your job as an actor is to figure it out, even if it has to be the natural thing the character would do. On soaps, no character learns from their mistakes. So, you will come across issues that a person did in real life and they do not make those mistakes again. But with soaps, you have to suspend that part of your brain and do what is asked of you.

MICHAEL:
How is it working with your on-screen partner, Jake Silberman (Noah)?

VAN:
Jake is hands-down my best friend on the show. Honestly, I could not have asked for a better person to act opposite. He is incredibly talented. We get along really well, and he has an awesome sense of humor. He is very smart and an all around good guy.

MICHAEL:
Were you involved in the casting process for the role of Noah, since he would be acting opposite you?

VAN:
Noah is not a contract character; it was the same when I started. Luke was not a contract player. The way it’s done is that you are in the rehearsal hall and they have a camera up. By the time I came into it, they had narrowed it down to six or seven. Each would come in and quickly do the scene once. Chris Goutman (exec prod, “ATWT”) was there and the casting people were there. Chris made his decision.

MICHAEL:
What do you think Jake would say about working with you, if I asked him?

VAN:
Knowing Jake, he would say really nice things, because he is a really nice guy. He would not talk about all the times that I tried to sabotage every scene that I was in. And, he would not talk about the time I pulled a Tonya Harding on him, and tried to hit his knee with a crowbar. He would not talk about it. He would be very polite and not talk about the evil things that I have done. (He laughs)

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MICHAEL:
With Luke and Noah being the premiere gay male couple on daytime… well, the only couple… have you done many interviews with the gay press? You are so vitally important now to so many people who watch “ATWT” because you represent their voices.

VAN:
I have done interviews with the gay press. I think the story resonates with a lot of people. It would be stupid to say that part of our audience wasn’t gay. People are finally seeing a representation of themselves, in a medium where there hasn’t been any. I think it’s very important for the gay community. I think Jake and I are very proud to be telling this story and representing people that have been marginalized.

MICHAEL:
Have there been a few performances you can tell us about, where you felt you just ‘knocked it out of the park’?

VAN:
There are a couple. I think one has not aired yet. There are some scenes with Jake and I that we both felt awesome about. You have these episodes once in awhile, when you go, “Oh, yes. This is why I love to act.” It’s cathartic in a way, and I am not one of those actors who use acting as therapy. I don’t think that’s really healthy, but if you are in the moment, and have a really good script and you are clicking, it’s an amazing feeling that I have had nowhere else but acting. I have had a couple like that. The one coming up is when Noah is moving out of the cottage and we had a good whole day of good scenes. I remember feeling that way when Luke was confronting Damian in the airport. Last winter, I had these scenes with Lucinda at the diner. They were not really big scenes, but I felt those scenes where Luke and Lucinda were just talking about their lives were wonderful. I really like scenes like that.

MICHAEL:
Do you know what you are going to wear to the Emmys?

VAN:
Not yet. I should really get on top of that. I like just going and buying something and leaving. I don’t like spending a lot of time fussing about it. I will probably wear a suit.

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MICHAEL:
Now that Noelle Beck has taken over the role from the recently departed Martha Byrne, in the pivotal role of your on-screen mother, Lily Snyder, how has the transition been for you?

VAN:
Noelle is wonderful, and of course, Martha’s leaving was incredibly, incredibly sad. Martha will always have a special place in my heart, because I do feel I learned a lot of what I am doing on the show is because of her. Her humor and warmth are just one of a kind, but Noelle does not have an easy job. She has to step into a role that has been played by someone else for 20 years. She is doing a phenomenal job. She is such a kind, warm person and I love working with her. I feel she is clicking with the cast very easily, and she is a very generous actor.

MICHAEL:
What can we tell Luke fans to look forward to in the coming months… that you can give away?

VAN:
Luke is contacted from someone in his past who he may not want to be contacted by, but it happens, and that befalls the next storyline. That is what I think fans will have to look forward to.

MICHAEL:
Can we assure your fans, and fans of your story, that Luke and Noah will be on “ATWT” for quite some time to come?

VAN:
As of now, I am pretty sure we will be around for quite awhile.

MICHAEL:
Finally, if your name is called on Emmy night, will you have a speech prepared?

VAN:
I will not have something prepared. I will probably go up there and babble incoherently. I don’t think I want to prepare something, because I don’t like it when people get up there and open up their piece of paper that has been all thought out. I think it will be very spur of the moment. I will go out there and spend a minute and half not making any sense at all.

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As The World Turns

ATWT Alum Martha Byrne Pays Tribute to Eileen Fulton: “The Original Soap Star Who Paved the Way for the Likes of a Susan Lucci or Andrea Evans”

Published

10 months ago

on

July 20, 2025

By

Tributes and remembrances are pouring in for the the late Eileen Fulton, who passed away on July 14th at the age of 91. Fulton broke the soap opera mold back in the early 60’s when she was cast to play Lisa Miller on As the World Turns, who would turn out to be the first villiainess, vixen, and homewrecker of daytime television.

Fans of the soap loved to love to hate her for how she destroyed many lives in her quests to nab a husband; especially one she had set her sights set on. In fact, Lisa was married 8 times during the history of the show. Fulton was with ATWT on and off until the final year of the show in 2010.

Martha Byrne, who has been Fulton’s castmate for a time (Bryne played Lily Snyder from 1985 to 1989 and then again from 1993-2008 where she also played Rose D’Angelo), took to her account on x to share her thoughts on what Eileen meant to the genre, and also spoke on how Fulton handled not being as front and center on the soap operas as the years went by.

Photo: JPI

“What can I say about Eileen Fulton. The original soap star who paved the road for the likes of a Susan Lucci or Andrea Evans,” began Bryne. “Since Eileen started on ATWT when the show was live, there aren’t enough pieces of history for us to truly grasp the enormity of her stardom and presence in the entertainment business. I remember being so impressed that she was a writer. The best part was she would use real stories from behind the scenes and change the names. Maybe that was her way of giving the audience a wink to include them even more.”

Photo: CBS

Bryne went to share, “She (Eileen) loved her fans and she had many. I went to her one woman shows and the place was always packed. As the years went on and her role wasn’t as prominent as it had been she took it with class. I never heard her complain as many did who were frustrated they didn’t have a storyline. She was always a class act and a true pro who knew a storyline or another opportunity was only around the corner. She knew her value and was secure in herself. A national treasure who shaped the entire industry. Thank you Eileen. I’m sure there was a pink feather boa waiting for you just inside the pearly gates.”

So, what did you think about the sentiments shared by Martha on the legendary Eileen Fulton? Would you agree, as we have previously noted, that Lisa as played by Eileen, was really the prototype for all soap opera “bad girls” to follow? Did you appreciate the fact that while having a more diminished role over the last few decades of ATWT, Eileen took it in stride? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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As The World Turns

‘As the World Turns’ Legendary Eileen Fulton Passes Away at 91

Published

10 months ago

on

July 19, 2025

By

The iconic Eileen Fulton, who was daytime’s first bad girl as Lisa Miller on As the World Turns, has died at the age of 91. According to the obituary on her passing, Fulton died earlier this week on July 14th in Asheville, North Carolina, after a period of declining health.

Fulton was born Margaret Elizabeth McLarty in Asheville on September 13, 1933. After studying acting in New York City, she changed her name to Eileen Fulton, when in 1960 she was cast in the film, Girl of the Night, co-starring with Anne Francis.

Eileen would change the face of daytime drama when in 1960 she was cast as the disruptor to the family dynamic, Lisa Miller, on the CBS soap opera. Throughout her ATWT run, the character of Lisa would eventually be married eight times to: Bob Hughes (1960–1964), John Eldridge (1965–1967), Michael Shea (1969–1970), Grant Coleman (1975–1979) ,Whit McColl (1982–1984), Earl Mitchell (1986–1987), Eduardo Grimaldi (1994–1995), and Martin Chedwyn (1996).

Photo: CBS

ATWT historians know that Lisa’s full name by the time the series went off the air in 2010 was: Lisa Miller Hughes Eldridge Shea Colman McColl Mitchell Grimaldi Chedwyn. Fulton played the role with only brief interruptions until the show was cancelled that year making her one of the longest-running tenured soap opera actors in US history. Other performers who took on the role of Lisa in Fulton’s absence included: Jane Powell, Maeve McGuire, Pamela King, Betsy Von Furstenberg, Lynn Rogers and Carmen Duncan.

Throughout her time on ATWT, it was Fulton’s eagerness to play Lisa as a villainess that contributed to the character’s popularity and therefore its longevity. She was inducted into the Soap Opera Hall of Fame in 1998 and was awarded a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.  In addition, in 1988, Fulton received her first-ever Daytime Emmy Award nomination in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series.

The legendary star was also infamous for the grandmother clause she inserted into her contract that guaranteed she would never have to play a grandmother on the soap. In an interview with the LA Times in 2000 she shared, “At that time, grandmothers had no romance at all – and I wasn’t about to let that happen to me.” At some point, this all changed and she became OK with the idea of grandmother-hood. At one point, ATWT fans were so angry at the manipulative villainess played by Fulton that she had to employ a bodyguard to protect her.

Photo: CBS

When Futon stepped away from the show, at one point, she left to star in ATWT”s 1965 spinoff Our Private World, which aired Wednesday and Friday nights on CBS. In the story, Lisa had fled Oakdale after dumping Bob to move to Chicago, where she wed the wealthy John Eldridge (Nicolas Coster, who later would play Eduardo Grimaldi). Our Private World was canceled after four months on the air, and Fulton went back to As the World Turns in 1966.

When Eileen received her Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004, she was part of a group of actors who also received the honor that year including: her ATWT co-stars, Don Hastings and Helen Wagner, plus Ruth Warrick, Frances Reid, John Clarke, Ray MacDonnell, Don Hastings, Jeanne Cooper, and Rachel Ames.

Photo: JPI

For a time early in her career, Fulton not only was appearing in As The World Turns, which at that time was broadcast live, she was simultaneously appearing on Broadway in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and off-Broadway in the long-running musical The Fantasticks.

Fulton performed her cabaret act for many years in venues around New York and Los Angeles. In 1970, she co-authored her first autobiography, How My World Turns. In 1995 she co-authored a second autobiography, As My World Still Turns, to celebrate her 35th anniversary on As the World Turns. She also authored a series of mystery novels. In 2019, Eileen retired from show business and moved to Black Mountain, North Carolina.

Photo: JPI

She is survived by her brother, Charles Furman McLarty (Karen) of Black Mountain; niece Katherine Morris (David) and their children, Everly Ann Morris and Easton Lane Morris of Fort Mill, S.C.; and sister-in-law Chris Page McLarty of Camden, Maine. She was pre-deceased by her parents and her brother, James Fulton McLarty.

Share your remembrances and condolences for Eileen Fulton via the comment section below, but first check out this classic early scene from ATWT featuring Fulton as Lisa, and the 2004 Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award presentation.

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As The World Turns

ATWT Alum Tala Ashe Scores Tony Award Nomination; OLTL Alum Jonathan Groff and ‘Glee’ Favorite Darren Criss Also Receive Nods

Published

1 year ago

on

May 1, 2025

By

Nominations for the 78th annual Tony Awards were announced Thursday morning honoring the best in the recent Broadway season.

The awards will be presented on June 8th live from Radio City Music Hall live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ with Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, a Tony winner for The Color Purple, hosting the show.

While musicals Buena Vista Social Club, Maybe Happy Ending and Death Becomes Her topped the nominations with 10 each, the list of Hollywood names and former soap opera alums who will be part of Broadway’s bigges makes it interesting drama for Broadway’s biggest nights.

Photo: JPI

In addition, there were big time snubs including: Denzel Washington, Jake Gyllenhaal and Kieran Culkin, who failed to make the nominations list, while other big names including: George Clooney are in the running.

Soap fans should take note that Tala Ashe (ex-Ameera Ali-Aziz, As the World Turns – 2007) scored her first-ever Tony nomination in the Best Featured Actress in a play category for her performance in English. The play takes place in an Iranian classroom where four adult students and their teacher leapfrog through a linguistic playground, this is a funny, stunning triumph about the universal foibles of language and miscommunication.

Photo: JPI

On As the World Turns, Ashe’s Ameera became involved with Luke and Noah, after she fled Iraq when her mother died, after her protector, Noah’s father, the Colonel, was reassigned and imprisoned. Once in Oakdale, when he heard her sad story, Noah (Jake Silbermann) agreed to a marriage of convenience, upsetting then boyfriend Luke Snyder (Van Hansis).

Once again, Tony Award winner, Jonathan Groff (ex-Henry Mackler, One Life to Live -2007) had scored another nomination. This year for his star turn as Bobby Darin in the new musical, Just in Time. Groff is competing in the category alongside former Glee star, Darren Criss, who is nominated for his work as a retired robot in Maybe Happy Ending.

Photo: JPI

Interestingly enough, Jeb Brown who is nominated in the Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical for Dead Outlaw, was formerly the bandmate of Beyond the Gates and General Hospital star, Jon Lindstrom.

Audra McDonald made Tony history scoring her record-setting 11th overall nomination, this year for her starring role in the musical revival of Gypsy. However, she will face-off with former Pussycat Dolls singer, Nicole Scherzinger, who plays Norma Desmond in the latest adaption of Sunset Boulevard, where she is getting all the raves this Broadway season.

Photo: JPI

You can check out the full 78th annual Tony Award nominations here.

So, remember Tala from ATWT as Ameera? Jonathan from OLTL as Henry? Who do you think should take home a Tony Award next month in the Big Apple? Comment below.

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