Nelson Branco Int. w/ Jacob Young talks about moving back to LA and becoming a man

[adamchandler]

L.A. Story
By Nelson Branco

2010-09-22

After making the big move from New York to Los Angeles, one of daytime’s TV’s most talented younger actors, ‘All My Children’s Jacob Young finds himself becoming the man he was always meant to be



Forever young?

As one of the genre’s best actors of his generation, All My Children’s much wiser and more mature Jacob Young is beginning a new chapter in his life.

Last year, the Emmy winner reluctantly pulled up stakes and moved his entire life, career and family back to Los Angeles from New York when AMC switched coasts.

While hesitant at first, Young has grown to like the change in scenery — both personally and professionally. However, it took a little while to get used to losing his longtime co-star and acting mentor, four-time Emmy winner David Canary, who opted to quit as the legendary Adam Chandler.

Today, Young’s JR, although only 31, has now succeeded Adam as the Chandler patriarch. With a sizzling new love interest in Melissa Claire Egan’s Annie, critical praise for his recent cancer storyline, and a fledgling business venture, the Renton, Wash., native has embarked on a new chapter in his life from boy to man, husband, father, entrepreneur and actor.

TVGuide.ca caught with the former General Hospital and The Bold and the Beautiful younger actor to discuss sailing on the fourth annual Soap Cruise, how he got back in fighting, tip-top shape, competing with his GH predecessor, Jonathan Jackson come Emmy time next year, switching coasts, and whether or not he’d ever consider soap-jumping to Brad Bell’s sudser.

TVGuide.ca: It’s been almost a year since ABC announced they were moving AMC to L.A. Do you miss New York?
Jacob Young: There are aspects about New York City that I do miss. The seasons, for example. It is what it is. I think the show in general has improved in its look and feel. We have an awesome crew that’s working with us now. Everyone on our team is eager to please and make AMC the best show on TV as much as possible. Our quality is reflecting that right now.

TVG: Well, AMC has improved leaps and bounds, especially after ex-head writer Chuck Pratt was fired and Lorraine Broderick came in as interim head scribe.
JY: Yes, absolutely!

TVG: Initially, it appeared that you were disgruntled with ABC’s decision to switch coasts, going so far as to speak out in the press. I was surprised since you lived in California for most of your soap career. Have you changed your mind?
JY: [Sighs] In order to keep the show around it has to be the right move. The cost of shooting a TV show in New York is phenomenal. The fact that we couldn’t have all our sets up, the small set space, and the high rent, it’s what needed to be done. So yes, I am happy we moved because that means our show will air longer.

When the news came out, I wasn’t necessarily upset. I was sadder for the crew that we were leaving behind. We became a family in New York. Leaving all that behind was a difficult thing — especially considering the amount of people who lost their jobs. I guess that’s where my initial animosity stemmed from. All in all, things have to change. We have to grow and we have to be able to adapt to new situations. I didn’t mean to fall in love with New York, but I did. When I moved out to the east coast, it marked a real growing experience for me. Living in the big city, I found a new maturity, not to mention my wife [Christen Steward] and starting a family. It was difficult to say goodbye, but here I am in L.A. and we’ve all moved on with our lives.

TVG: I’ve known you since your wilder single days on B&B and GH — and I have to say, I’m really proud of your growth, maturity, and the overall man you’ve become recently. Unfortunately, you had to lose your co-star, the iconic David Canary, in the move. What was that like? Do you feel the pressure to take over as the Chandler patriarch/villain now?
JY: Thank you. It is absolutely a great loss not to have David on AMC. Every time I set foot on the Chandler parlor set, I can’t help but feel his presence. I spent so many scenes with him, but to ask someone at his age, with such strong roots in the Connecticut town where he lives, it was a good choice for him because he wasn’t happy in L.A. To give up the time he had to just to come out to L.A. just wasn’t worth it. All My Children, ABC

As for pressure of taking over the Chandler role on the show, they’ve definitely been writing me in that direction. It’s a new challenge for me. I am by no means trying to say that I’m taking over for David Canary — because we all know that’s impossible. But they are writing JR with more integrity and meat, that’s for sure. There is a lot more thought when it comes to my character. I’m having a lot of fun right now.

TVG: You’re one of my favourite actors on the show. You’re always unpredictable in your choices yet consistent in your talent and skill set. Whatever crap AMC writes for you — good or bad — you sell it.
JY: Thank you. Luckily, I met with our new head writers David Kreizman and Donna Swajeski and they told me that they love my work and my character. This is from their mouths, but they said JR was one of the most interesting characters on the show and that they love writing for me. I said, “Well, I’ll continue to deliver as long as you keep writing for me!” So far, they’ve done a great job with my character.

All My Children, ABC TVG: And you look sexier and more in shape than ever. I hope you don’t mind me saying so but you gained some weight there for a while. How and why did you lose that extra poundage? Do you want to talk about that?
JY: Yeah, I did gain weight. I’m not going to deny that. It was after [performing on Broadway in] Beauty and the Beast when my wife got pregnant. I think I was a [victim] of that paternal sympathy weight gain [syndrome] most fathers experience during their wife’s pregnancy. I didn’t do it on purpose. We were also concentrating on our family and I wasn’t putting a lot of effort into myself. As I turned 30, I said, “I’m going to get in the best shape of my life before I’m 31.” It’s all a combination of diet and a heck of a lot of cardio [laughs]! I’m back to my fighting weight.
TVG: I’d say! From the moment you started on B&B as Rick Forrester and then GH as the new Lucky Spencer, you were always a good actor. But when you joined AMC as JR, you really knocked it out of the park. Would you agree that JR is the best role you’ve played to date? Or do you love all three roles equally?
JY: All three parts were individually all right, but JR is definitely the most complex character. He has these elements — his mother’s heart, and the ferociousness and fearless side of his father. He has that balance. There’s a very fine line I have to walk every day when I play him. He’ll have these moments where he’s temperamental and not afraid to say how he feels and take action, so I have to say I really like this character better than any other character I’ve ever played.

TVG: Soaps don’t write roles like that for younger lead actors anymore!
JY: I was very lucky. I’m still grateful every day. Every day, I know I’m blessed and lucky to have stepped into this role.

All My Children, ABC

TVG: You were nominated for an Emmy award for B&B’s Rick but you took Outstanding Younger Actor for GH’s Lucky. Even though you’re an Emmy winner, did Canary, Cady McClain, and Michael Knight up your game?
JY: Absolutely. When you work with an actor of David Canary’s calibre on a daily basis, you can’t help but bring your A game. Canary is always 100 per cent committed to every scene and line of dialogue that it has to inspire you. I’m definitely a better actor because of him, along with acting opposite Michael and Cady. It’s been a great trip.

TVG: Do you wish Cady would return permanently?
JY: I like Cady. It would be great if she could come back. But these things are tricky. Maybe she could be a constant voice of reason in JR’s subconscious, especially when he gets out of hand.

TVG: Like Dexter’s father.
JY: Yeah. They’ve brought ghosts on the show before but it’d be great if she could do that on a regular basis. She’s a pleasure to work with.

TVG: Not since Alexa Havins have you shared such combustible chemistry with a woman as you do now with that sex goddess, Melissa Claire Egan. What’s it like working with Melissa?
JY: She’s a great woman. She’s talented and very beautiful. Since she started on the show, I’ve watched her become a stronger actress. Now, more than ever, she’s a firecracker. She’s really on top of it — and she loves what she does. It’s great that these two characters are similar in their behaviour and fearlessness and have found each other. I think that’s the dynamic that really makes this story work, other than the fact that we’re really committed actors. This story has some serious legs and longevity to it. Lately, Brittany Allen has also really brought some personality as Marissa has become [more unhinged]. All My Children, ABC
All My Children, ABC

TVG: What did you think of AMC recasting Babe only to kill her off a year later?
JY: I don’t know if I agree or disagree. It’s always difficult when anyone replaces a character. I thought they recast Babe too soon. They should have written off Babe for a while and maybe brought her back with a new actress. You know — sometimes an immediate recast works right away but most times it doesn’t.

TVG: Alexis was a tough act to follow. Last year, you were nominated for your first Supporting Actor Emmy for your heartbreaking performance when nuBabe died in a tornado. You will probably be nominated again for JR’s cancer storyline.
JY: Yeah, the cancer stuff will be eligible next year — if the Emmy gods are on the my side.
TVG: You lost last year to two of your former co-stars, Vincent Irizarry and Jeff Branson, who tied. I thought you were the dark horse that year. That was a tough category.
JY: Hey, if anyone on our show wins an Emmy, I’m happy. That’s what it’s all about. Vincent is my friend — and he definitely deserved it. God, that was his first Emmy win, which is amazing since he’s been on soaps for such a long time.

TVG: When JR went through chemo, you shaved off all your hair. Not a lot of actors would go that far for a role. With the exception of Days of our Lives’s James Scott and B&B’s Lesli Kay. Even Guiding Light’s Kim Zimmer refused.
JY: [Laughs] I wanted to put as much truth into the story. To give any kind of acknowledgment to cancer patients who have to go through that battle, I wanted to relate to that experience as much as I could. And what better way than shaving off my hair? I went all the way with it. I still think it was a good move. The right move. And I had to shave it for a long time! Once a day, in fact, which was kind of tricky.

TVG: I recently spoke with your old boss, Bradley Bell, and he gave you a lot of props. Do you miss working with the B&B family?
JY: Yes, I do — a lot, in fact. I had a great time while I was there — and a great story. I just feel that sometimes their stories don’t go deep enough for me. He definitely moves story along very quickly, which is a very good thing, but I never felt the stakes were high enough, for Rick, at least. Yes, the teenage pregnancy storyline did, but with JR he has gone through the gamut — from alcoholism, his wife’s death, being a single dad, to battling cancer. There’s a lot more for me to sink my teeth into as an actor on AMC. Having said that, I would never pooh-pooh the opportunity to explore the possibility of down the road considering re-joining B&B.

TVG: Adrienne Frantz and you worked really well together. Would you agree that the Amber-Rick pairing was your most popular pairing to date?
JY: Oh, sure! We worked really well together — and it reflected on the show and in our story.
The Bold and the Beautiful, JPI; All My Children, ABC
TVG: How do you feel about Jonathan Jackson reprising the role of Lucky on GH? You guys may have to face off at the 2011 Emmys!
JY: [Laughs] Yes, it’s great! I’m happy that Jonathan decided to come back. When I think of Lucky, I still think of Jonathan in the role even though I once played the part. It’s good to have him back. And it’s great to see that he’s as good as ever. I look forward to me hopefully being nominated against him.

TVG: Were you disappointed that ABC didn’t ask you to participate in the What If series? You and Jonathan Jackson would have been cool together!
JY: I didn’t even know anything about the What If series until I started seeing them online! I would have liked to have done them! Yeah, I was disappointed. It would be cool to have done one with Jonathan.

TVG: Did winning an Emmy as Lucky make you feel more confident as an actor — especially in a recast role?
JY: Yes! At the time, I was reading a lot of negative blogs and by winning the Emmy, I felt a lot of the negativity about me had diminished. Winning was definitely a moving on point for me as an actor.

TVG: And you got to work with the legendary Genie Francis and Tony Geary.
JY: Yes, which didn’t hurt me as an actor one bit!

TVG: You have quite the soap pedigree! AMC’s David Canary and Cady McClain, B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang and John McCook and GH’s Geary and Francis! You lucky bastard!
JY: [Laughs] Yes, I have had the best soap parents any young actor could ever possibly have!

All My Children, ABC

TVG: Is there one Emmy pre-nom or nomination you didn’t get that you thought you should have?
JY: Yes, the alcoholism storyline. I had some really strong stuff with Bianca. I felt it stood alone and that no one had done that kind of work before. It is what it is. But I felt it was one year they missed it.

TVG: Speaking of Binks, JR loves the Kane women, as did his father. You had chemistry with Eden Riegel and of course, you still spark with Alicia Minshew today. Would you like more scenes with Kendall and Binks, now played by Christina Lind Bennett?
JY: I haven’t worked with Christina yet. As far as story, JR and nuBianca have been in the same room together once. Yes, I would like to work more with Kendall — it’s always fun working with Alicia.

TVG: I think AMC would be wise to pursue a JR and Kendall romance.
JY: They’re bringing on someone new for her. A new doctor character. As the story progresses, maybe Kendall and JR can plot together.
TVG: Do you watch soaps other than AMC?
JY: Yeah! I tune into our ABC lineup, and I always check out The Young and the Restless and B&B to see what’s going on over there.

TVG: Were you a soap fan before booking B&B?
JY: Um, my mom had always watched soaps, so they were always on in the house. Since I’ve been on them, I watch them all. I want to ensure what we’re doing on whatever show I am on at the time is on par with the industry. I want to make sure my work is coming across the right way. I dissect my work so much, so watching the work of different directors is important so I can adjust my performance for the style of the director.

TVG: You’re a smart cookie! That’s nice to hear. What happened to your business venture? Do you still have it?
JY: Yes. I still have it. It’s called EHomesNeeds.com. Right now, we’re re-introducing the site as a 100 per cent free site for homeowners and contractors, which is the first of its kind. We’re excited about that and for the site to break through.

TVG: Did JR inspire your entrepreneurial side?
JY: [Laughs] Yeah, you know how art imitates art. I love what I do but as an actor you do have a lot of spare time. I always wanted to dabble in dot-coms and this was the perfect opportunity to do it. Down the road, we’re hoping to sell our list to a big company and it’ll pay off.

TVG: In this economy, you have to diversify.
JY: Absolutely! With the economy the way it is, you have to. And who knows what will happen with daytime TV. I know everyone is optimistic about it, but it is what it is. The ratings are still dropping — for all the soaps, which is why we’re seeing cancellations.

TVG: Let’s talk about the fourth annual soap cruise. You couldn’t make it last year due to a scheduling conflict at ABC. But you’re cruising with us this year!
JY: Yeah, last year AMC wouldn’t let Cameron Mathison or myself go. Because of the cross-country move, they had so much to catch up on. We were so far behind in taping that there was nothing we could do. I literally begged and pleaded to go but it wasn’t going to happen. I will definitely be there this year!

TVG: You are definitely the life of the party! What’s the best reason for a fan to set sail on the Soap Cruise with you kooky soapers?
JY: They can ask us the questions that are on their minds over four days — and get to know us as people without having to rush. It’s not like the Super Soap Weekend, which is very regulated. This is a bit but it’s very informal. It’s a really fun time. They won’t regret coming, that’s for sure. You get your money’s worth.

TVG: It’s great because there are so many events that unlike a one-shot personal appearance you don’t have to line up forever to get one brief moment with your fave star.
JY: Yes — you took the words right out of my mouth.



TVG: Real or rumour — Mike Gold informed me that you’re going to be sporting a speedo and a Borat thong?
JY: [Laughs] Only if Michael shows up in one of those!

TVG: Are you singing on the cruise? You are a singer — and even released a self-titled CD back in 2001.
JY: I’ll wing it. If there is something I can do, I will. I’m looking forward to the cruise this year because I’m bringing my wife. I think we’re leaving our little one behind though.

TVG: Have you kept in touch with the fans you’ve met on the cruise?
JY: Yes, a few of them. Some thoughtful fans knitted a quilt for my son, Luke. I have kept in touch with a few of them. When one of them visited New York, I gave them a tour of the studio. Our fans are the best.

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