As The World Turns
Van Hansis Reveals Why He Did Not Come Out Publicly While On ATWT!
Courtesy/EastSiders
Fan favorite Van Hansis won the hearts of soap opera viewers for his portrayal of Luke Snyder on As the World Turns. Since the CBS soap opera met its demise back in 2010, viewers have always wondered what would have happened next for Luke post the death of his then latest love Reid Oliver (Eric Sheffer Stevens) and if he would have gotten back together with Noah (Jake Silberman). As one part of the popular same-sex couple, Nuke, Van and on-screen scene partner Jake Silberman became international sensations.
Among numerous projects post-ATWT, Hansis has been appearing in the hit web series EastSiders about the plight of a same-sex couple where infidelity between partners is the cause for much of the dramatic turns in the story. In a fascinating new interview with The Fight, Kit Williamson, the creator, star and writer of EastSiders interviews Van!
During their chat, Hansis revealed why he chose not to come out publicly during his years playing Luke on As the World Turns: “I guess it was a combination of a lot of things—It was my first job, it was a different time back then in regards to LGBT stories being told—I mean, the Luke story was groundbreaking at the time. I was completely green, fresh out of college, and honestly, I was scared.”
Later in the interview, Van spoke of how EastSiders helps break down pre-conceived notions of LGBT characters in the media: “I think this is part of the reason I connect with a show like “Eastsiders” so much. It, along with so many other really remarkable shows—whether LGBT focused, or just including some really great LGBT characters- are changing the narrative on preconceived notions. While for decades LGBT characters in cinema could be the villain, victim, or asexual comedic relief—shows like what you have created have characters so well rounded that you can be all three, and so much more. As we all are, often in the same day.”
EastSiders is currently gearing up for its second season with a kickstarter campaign to raise funds with 13 days to go. To check it out and see how you can participate click here!
So, what do you think about Van’s comments on why he did not feel ready or comfortable to come out given the nature of where things were at with the LGBT acceptance in the media several years ago and that it was his first job? It is very understandable to see where he was at with it at that time in his career. Will you be watching EastSiders season two when it arrives? Let us know!
As The World Turns
WATCH The Replay: ‘As the World Turns’ Reunion With Maura West, Michael Park, Martha Byrne, Don Hastings & Kelley Menighan
Earlier today in a very special You Tube live-stream none other than former cast members from As the World Turns gathered together via Zoom, during the COVID-19 pandemic, to share some screen time with each other and walk down memory lane during their time in Oakdale.
As soap fans know, yesterday was the anniversary of ATWT as it first aired back on April 2, 1956 and ran through September 17th, 2010.
Photo” YoUTube
Former publicist for As the World Turns and Guiding Light, Alan Locher, presided and hosted the live-stream and came up with the idea to bringing together this talented group, with the potential for more of these down the road.
Participating were longtime ATWT favorites: Martha Byrne (Ex-Lily), Don Hastings (Ex-Bob). Maura West (Ex-Carly), Michael Park (Ex-Jack) and Kelley Menighen (Ex-Emily). During the one hour plus show, first days, screen-tests. favorite moments and more were bantered about.
Check out the replay here.
Then let us know what you thought of it and seeing everyone chatting together and discussing life on ATWT and more via the comment section.
As The World Turns
Remembering ATWT On Its Anniversary: Who Was Your Favorite Oakdale Duo?
One of the greatest soap operas of them all, and one that was number-one for quite some time, As the World Turns, debuted on this date back on April 2nd in 1956,.
The CBS daytime drama series was beloved by viewers who were fascinated by the town of Oakdale.
Photo: JPI
The series aired it final episode on September 17th, 2010. The photo that is the header of this post is from the last day of shooting with all of the cast, and crew taking part in one last look at Oakdale and their time together.
Photo: JPI
The series was created by soap icon, Ira Phllips and ATWT had many firsts in the genre. It was the first show to expand to 30 minutes and it was the first soap to expand to one hour in 1975 and at that time ATWT was number one, as it had from 1958 all the way through 1978.
Photo: JPI
As the World Turns gave career starts to so many actors including Meg Ryan, Julianne Moore, and Marisa Tomei, and it certainly had its share of memorable couples through the years from: Nancy and Chris Hughes, to Ellen and David Stewart, to Holden and Lily Snyder, to Carly and Jack Snyder, to Noah Mayer and Luke Snyder, to Lucinda and John Dixon, and so many others.
Photo: JPI
As we remember ATWT on this day, cast your vote for your favorite all-time Oakdale duo in our poll below! Then in the comment section, let us know what couple you chose and why.
As The World Turns
Final Season of ‘EastSiders’ Starring Kit Williamson and Van Hansis Gets Premiere Date on Netflix
The fourth and final season of the much heralded LGBTQ series, EastSiders now has a premiere date of December 1st on Netflix, and fans of the show will see how things will play out for the Silver Lake duo of Cal and Thom, who have gone through quite a lot in their relationship over the last three seasons.
EastSiders stars series creator, Kit Williamson (Cal) along with As the World Turns favorite, Van Hansis (Thom). The last six-episodes that comprise season four will tackle questions such as… what does commitment really look like in a long-term relationship? And what unique challenges does a “gay marriage” present?
In story, Cal and Thom are back home in Los Angeles following season three’s cross-country road trip. The guys are still trying to figure out if they are just best friends with benefits, or more, or less, than that.
Elsewhere, Douglas (Willam Belli) and Quincy (Stephen Guarino) are engaged to be married, but with very different ideas about what a gay wedding should be. Hillary (Brianna Brown) and Ian (John Halbach) are cohabiting peacefully; and Jeremy (Matthew McKelligon) and Derrick (Leith M. Burke) have taken a huge step in their relationship by fostering a child.
Deadline broke the news of the premiere date and the many special guest stars from primetime and more to look forward to this season.
Will you be watching the final season of EastSiders? If you follow the series, how do you hope the relationship between Cal and Thom resolves itself? Do they stay together, or move on from each other once and for all? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
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I love this man so much, I. Live in vancouver bc, canada. I’m a gay man 25 years old, I took a trip to New York in 2011, I ran into Van on the street. I got is autograph and he spent 30minutes talking to me, he is so friendly down to earth and cute too. Lol. I’m also a part time actor now and also do modeling here in Vancouver bc, Canada.
Van is so much more important than he realizes…..he’s yet to own his rightful place…..
Mr. Van Hansis : Hello – congratulations – Thank You – celebrate – I’m with You
“…I was completely green, fresh out of college, and honestly, I was scared.”
this was back in 2010… 4 years later…. strides have been taken… and… I need more
equal billing
the operative word…. “I was scared too” how to get that sense of security within yourself to truly emote, feel, and embody LOVE
Take Care
I think he’s doing on his own terms and love him regardless!!
He is so cute and smart and talented why a soap has not scooped him up is a mystery. I love guy Wilson on days but van would’ve been a great will too
He’s so amazing. Wish every closeted gay actor in Hollywood (and New York) would use him as a role model.
This is so much less about coming out than it is about an industry that tells people that they will find it difficult to work and be accepted if they tell their own truth. Van Hansis is one of a handful — truly a handful — of super-talented young actors to emerge from soaps in the last decade. We should be celebrating his contributions and encouraging more inclusive independent series, like EastSiders. So, if you believe in this, you have to support this Kickstarter!
It’s a huge surprise that a talented actor like VH has not been picked up by any of the current soap operas. It’s wonderful that he is in East-siders and that series is doing well. I like VH as an actor and from his interviews he comes across as a wonderful human being. It is a thorough shame that gay characters (in general) are not treated the same as the straight characters in soaps, shows, and movies. DOOL is a rare exception and aired the same-sex wedding of Will and Sonny. It was really disheartening and disastrous that ATWT gave the burnt end of the stick to the 3 gay characters on the show while giving every straight character/couple a HEA.
What a QT!
I think it’s nice that Van Hansis finally came out and he’s doing it when he wants to do it.Plus he may have put some distance between him playing a gay character and then he himself coming out.
We are hopefully seeing a new world of people living their truths openly and freely as they were born to be. Van is a very talented person who should be on everyone’s screen on a regular basis and like many others here, I am totally surprise that the Networks having been knocking his door down to get him on one of their shows or movies.
Glad to know I have a chance, I ve seen him at the gym…