Favorite Classic Soap Star : Mark La Mura

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and though I will be hitting but a few hundred with this post, one picture did begin them all. The shot below of actor Mark La Mura was recently posted on one of my 'friends' profile pages on facebook. When I opened the shot there was somethings so familiar about the face that I was drawn to find out more. I was sure I must know the actor from somewhere. Such a hot picture and such a beautiful face.




When I was able to find out the picture was of actor Mark La Mura I was a bit confused. Mark is known to many of you for his role of Erica Cane's brother on 'All My Children'. Mark played the role through much of the 80's and early 90's. Since I am not a viewer of the show, I was sure I did not recognize him from there. In doing my research I learned Mr. La Mura has guested on many popular tv shows from L.A Law through Law and Order, 30 Rock and Gossip Girl. Still, I was sure I did not know him from there. I am also not a 'trekkie' so it was not Star Trek.



Mark La Mura is also an accomplished stage actor with countless credits on his resume, but by looking at his list or roles, it is unlikely that I saw him on stage.
I am still unsure where I know Mark La Mura from. Maybe I saw him briefly in a project or maybe not. Maybe his face reminds me of someone in my real life. Regardless, I am glad the picture grabbed my attention. I enjoyed spending some time getting to know this beautiful and talented actor. It was great fun to watch some of his work on 'All My Children' on youtube where I also got to watch a young Sarah Michelle Gellar as his niece.

Thanks to who posted the shot of Mark La Mura. It was published originally in 'After Dark' Magazine, and has become a favorite shot of mine. Again something about that beautiful face that drew me in and has kept me there. (If anyone has this shot, or the other After Dark shot of Mark in better quality, please shoot me a line!).





Mark as 'John Doe' on 'Star Trek: The Next Generation'.


Two recent shots of Mr. La Mura, still looking mighty fine!

Kudos to Beth Maitland

As many of you know I don't watch soap operas. I don't look down on them (I dare anyone not to get hooked if you watched a few episodes). I simply don't have the time. I do have fond memories of getting home from school in the 80's and watching with my mother. I have written before the shows I remember watching with her were 'Another World', 'Texas' and 'The Young and the Restless'.

Every now and then I make it a point to record 'The Young and the Restless', when an actor from the old days returns. Beth Maitland (Traci) usually pops up a few times a year. The past couple of years Beth has been back a few times for the death of her father and ex husband Brad. She also returned for the fake death of 'Katherine'. You can always count on great work from Beth when she shows up.


Below: Beth with Greg Wrangler (Steve) and Peter Bergman (Jack)


Beth latest turn on Restless ended this week. Traci returned to deal with her daughter becoming brain dead and the decision whether or not to donate her heart to Victor Newman. (I know I know if your not a watcher it sound silly). Beth hit it out of the park with her performance, even when the writing did not match her skills. Beth has never looked like your typical soap actress. She is short, not pencil thin and can act the pants off most of the other actors on 'Restless' or any other show for that matter. Beth won an Emmy for her role back in the 80's.

I used the ff button to watch only her scenes as there were so many actors under 25 whose acting skills left much to be desired. It always amazes me that soap producers have not realized that fans want the characters they love, not a slew of acting challenged teens running around. Beth has always got shafted on her show while the actress who has played her sister (all of them) have remained a staple on the show. (tall, blonde, great looking). Eileen Davidson is a good actress but really is it her acting that keeps her on the show over Maitland?

I appreciate great acting, and Maitland surpassed what you usually see daily on daytime television. Kudos Beth Maitland. As much as the show continues to send you packing, maybe it is a good thing. If you stayed they would turn you into a loony and have you switch or steal someones baby. (Restless seems to like this). So Restless is once again off my record list, at least until Maitland returns in the future.

Below: Beth with Don Diamont during Traci's second marriage to Brad.

Favorite Classic Soap Hunk of the Day: Michael Leon

I remember back in the early 80's, during school vacations sitting with my mother while she watched 'Days Of Our Lives'. In 1983 they introduced a character named Pete Jannings, who in hindsight was one of a small group of men introduced at the time simply too remain shirtless as much as possible. It was not that the actor who played Pete, Michael Leon was not gifted, he played a gang member turned good boy really well, but you always know when most of his promotional shots were shirtless, and when your character is made a stripper that your appeal is more than just your acting skills.

Michael is half Sicilian Italian and half American Indian and one hundred percent full of sex appeal. Michael got his start when he met Bill White, a producer at CBS while trying to fix his motorcycle. This led Michael to his first agent and his first role in the 1980 John Ritter flick 'Hero At Large'. This talented actor has been mostly focusing on writing and producing with his last acting role being a couple of years ago in the Christopher Atkins flick 'Playback'. There was not much on Michael on the net, but there was a nice site which helped me fill in some facts I could not remember HERE: Certainly looking at these pics of Michael bring back some nice memories.

Favorite Classic Soap Hunk of the Day: Judson Mills

Judson Mills was one of daytimes hottest actors. On As The World Turns, he often had his shirt off and had raw sex appeal which gained him many fans. Judson also spent some time more recently on Walker Texas Ranger.








Above photo from Soaphunks.



Although credited only as young man at pool, I am quite sure this is Judson in Gods and Monsters.

Classic Soap Star of the Day: Thom Bierdz

Actor Thom Bierdz is an example of a true Hollywood survivor. He played Phillip Chancellor on The Young and The Restless for many years. After leaving the soap, he struggled to make a living. He focused on his passion for art and has become an award winning artist and author.

Favorite Classic Soap Star of the Day: Carla Borelli

TEXAS was a short lived soap spun off from Another World in the early eighties. Carla Borelli played the wonderful Reena Dekker who ruled the show and stole every scene she was in. Carla still acts from time to time and should make a return to soaps soon!




With Some of the Cast members of the great show.

With Jerry Lanning

TEXAS- CARLA BORELLI Opening Credits

Hard to find a great 'Reena Dekker' Scene, but here is Carla Borelli in the opening credits of Texas.

Favorite: Soap Stars of The Past: Beth Maitland

Beth Maitland has been been playing Traci Abbott on and off on The Young and The Restless since the early 80's. She was not your typical soap star, overweight and insecure. Some powerful stuff that won Beth an Emmy in 1985. She also got to marry Don Diamont...twice.

Two Traci Scenes

Two BETH MAITLAND scenes, both with the wonderful TRACEY BREGMAN (Lauren Fenmoore)

Anne's Emmy Win

This is one of the scenes Anne Heche submitted for her Emmy win. Of of many awards she won for her role on Another World

Favorite: Soap Stars of the Past

I have not watched a soap opera in years, (unless you count Grey's Anatomy). When I was a kid, I would get home from school, get my snack and do my homework in the livingroom as my mom chained smoked her way through daytime soaps, mostly those on NBC. For awhile after I followed some of my favorites, until I moved on, moved out and did not have the time to devote to watching the soaps.

One of my mothers favorite shows was Another World. I watched on and off for years, although did not catch the shows last 4 or 5 years. In the late 80's and early 90's I watched in awe at Anne Heche in her dual role as Vicky and Marley love. Anne was a powerhouse on the show, for a couple of years, the producers obviously centered the show around her and her twin roles. She was amazing to watch, a spitfire playing the good and the bad. She left after about 4 years and it was obvious she was headed to Hollywood and more success. Her personal life aside, this woman could and can act the pants off anyone, and I hope one day she gets to show the world what she showed the viewers of Another World.

Favorite Soap Star of the Past for the week: ANNE HECHE