Ricky Paull Goldin Speaks on Move to All My Children
It's the news that's rocking the soap opera world:
Within a week, Ricky Paull Goldin left Guiding Light and agreed to join the cast of All My Children. Below, we've posted the actor (long!) letter to his face, courtesy of Golden's MySpace account:
Hello my faithful friends and extended family,
This is a time of great change, it feels like everything is changing, but only for the better. Last Thursday was my final episode of Guiding Light, my final scene as Gus, saying goodbye to Harley forever.
Lunchtime at CBS felt like the last supper. All of our crew, production staff, cast, and security all gathered together in the rehearsal hall to break bread and say goodbye. It is hard to believe that I won't be walking back into the Guiding Light studio or my old dressing room again, but life goes on .
I was and have been a fan of ABC Daytime Television for a very long time, they really seem to do an amazing job, and I'm thrilled at the opportunity to become a part of the ABC family. I've actually been watching all of their shows. This will be the first time that I will be re-creating a character as opposed to creating him from scratch, but I'm excited by that challenge.
I have never seen any of Jake's previous portrayers and he hasn't been on the canvas for over half a decade, so in actuality, the only thing that I will be working with that I'm not used to is his onscreen history created by others before me. It'll be my job to erase all those memories and "de"construct him in my own image. If that was hard to follow, what I'm saying is he won't be like any Jake Martin you've known before.
But I can't and I don't want to do it without YOU. I don't want to go to Pine Valley by myself. I want to take you all with me. It'll be like a road trip, it'll be like us all jumping on a bus together or a ship, I just want us all to take the journey together. So I'm going to ask that you search within yourself, and start watching All My Children, so you can learn the history.
Personally I think it's a great show. There is an actor on there named Michael E. Knight who plays Tad Martin, my brother. It's obvious that he is quick, witty, and makes the dialogue his own. I get the feeling that he does a lot of improvising, and I love that about him. I have a good feeling about working with him.
There is another actor on that show named Billy Miller, who plays Richie, probably my favorite character to watch, he's very inventive. Thorsten Kaye plays Zach Slater, who seems to be the rock of the show, and I'm looking forward to getting into the perverbial ring with him. Cameron Mathison who plays Ryan is probably the nicest, most genuine guy I've ever met and that comes through in his character.
When it comes to the women of All My Children, they are all quite beautiful and charming to watch. Alicia Minshew plays Kendall, the daughter of Susan Lucci, and has all the beauty and grace of a Jane Eyre heroine. Rebecca Budig who plays Greenlee is sassy, feisty, and has the sexiest bedroom eyes on television.
She called me the night I accepted the offer to congratulate me and it was at that moment, that I realized that I was really moving over to ABC. I would be proud to work with either one if these talented ladies.
So I consider myself lucky to step onto their set. If you take this journey with me from the beginning, I'll be able to share all of my experiences with each and every one of you.
Everything from All My Children's rehearsal process to their extravagant sets, from their high production values to their Super Soap weekend at Disney, who knows, maybe eventually I'll be able to take you on a studio tour. Now I know that for those of you who don't watch All My Children, to ask you to start watching is probably asking a lot, but look at it this way, now you have somebody who is working on the inside and can fill you in on any and all of your questions.
This is going to be the first installment of my weekly blog, I will log in every Sunday to do another, so check back every week!
I start filming on or about the week of March 31st, which means I will be airing towards the end of April. So start watching as soon as possible, tape it, DVR it, TiVo it, whatever you have to do. I know you won't be disappointed. Weekdays 1pm ET/12pm PT or check your local listings!
ABC does not have an email system for its actors, so I need you to write to me via snail mail at:
Ricky Paull Goldin
c/o ABC TV
77 West 66th St.
New York, NY 10023
Tell me all your thoughts and ideas and I will respond as fast as I can. You will be added to my mailing list. Who would you like me to get into a relationship with first and how would you like to see it happen? For viewers that already know this show, I'd love to hear everything you have to say about Jake Martin, what you loved, hated, missed about him, and what you wished would have happened with him.
It's going to be fun bringing him back to life for you. So that's it for now, I look forward to all of your input, I'll see you in Pine Valley.
Love, Ricky
March 31st, 2008 4:13 PM
Hey Ricky,
I just want to say that I have watched The Guilding Light for 35 years( I'm only 38). Your potrayal of Gus has brought me more joy and sorrow than you can imagine. I pray that your new journey brings you the happiness that you have brought me. CBS will soon realize that they should've given you the money that you deserve. Death in soaps is relative but I don't think that even YOU can regenerate your heart. So I bid you farewell beautiful prince.
April 2nd, 2008 10:16 AM
ricky, since i heard of your leaving i actually have been have a difficult time of it. ive googled everything about what was going on and i couldn't help but cry. i know that this is just make believe but you really made it seem so real. i never anticipated that there would be a gl without you. i only wish that they would have done a exit where as you could come back when they realize how much you will be missed. i know that you might be better off moving on and i do wish you the best. however you wont be alone. i never looked at amc but i will become a new viewer and as for gl you arent the only one leaving. if they couldnt keep you as part of the cast then they cant keep me as a viewer. best of luck and see you in pine valley.
April 2nd, 2008 11:05 AM
Wow, you babble as much as I do. I thought I was a wind bag. Very informative though. Don't worry, I think it's a charming quality.
So sad to see you leave GL, it will not be the same w/o you. To tell you the truth I didn't care for where the Gus character was going anyway and was disappointed, they should have kept him with Harley. Your character changed so much from the point where Natalia joined the cast. I hated your character when you cheated on Harley with an old love. I am so about commitment to one person that scene just ruined it for me.
However, good to know I will be seeing you on AMC - I also watch that since 2003, not as dedicated but curious to see your transformation from Gus to Jake. It will be interesting to see if I will see some Gus come out in your new character.
I don't have any info to offer you about Jake Martin since I don't think his character was on anymore when I started watching the show. My grandmother who will be turing 92 in August has been watching this show for years and would probably have lots to say. She and I may have to sit down and watch an episode together some time, but because my time is limited these days I don't think that will be happening anytime soon.
Take Care Ricky and good luck in your new endeavors!
Cheryl
April 2nd, 2008 8:59 PM
I WILL MISS YOU SO MUCH I RECORDED YOU ALL WEEK WHEN I SAW WHAT WAS GOING ALL,I LL WATCH THAT FROM TIME TO TIME AND CRY WITH HARLEY BIG MISTAKE GL IT WAS BAD ENOUNG WHEN THEY BROKE UP REVA AND JOS BUT I AM HAPPY TO SEE YOU EVERYDAY EVEN ON ANOTHER SOAP SO NOW I LL LOVE JR AND BABE AND JAKE MAY YOU HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY LIFE JERRY WHO S 60
April 2nd, 2008 11:12 PM
Heyy...Ricky...Ive been a real fan of gl when u started in that show..Having u in that was the most brillant thing to do by the writer or the producer..Like everyone else are saying, they should've ended ur caracter like they did..U brought everything into that show..carisma...humour..a very cute love story between Harley and Gus Aitoro..But on the other hand u deserve nuttin but the best...I hope that ur new journey on amc will bring u happiness..
April 2nd, 2008 11:47 PM
Hi,
I have watched GL since I was a little girl. (Only 25) I found that Gus and Harley were the only reason I would watch the show. I didn't like the things that have been happening on there and will no longer watch it. I have never watched All My Children but I will start for a while in hopes that you will get a great opportunity with this job. Good Luck, Your Fan.........
April 4th, 2008 12:33 AM
Dear Ricky,
I have watched GL for years, but I stopped after they broke you and Harley up. They changed your character! Gus would never have cheated on Harley that way! Those two fought too hard to be together .However, when I heard you were leaving I tuned in! LOVED IT! I hated that they killed you and gave your heart to Olivia!( Let's face it, we know the reason she first started hanging out with Gus! ALAN!My heart just broke when Gus and Harley were saying their good-byes!But on the flip side I watched AMC too. I remember Jake! I stopped watching when Greenlee left. Now she's back and you'll be there! WOW!!! What I remember about Jake is that he had an incredible sense of humor which made him fun to watch. Hey he made all the typical MALE SOAP mistakes but you liked him anyway! I can see you making that character your own and shinning as BRIGHT as any established character on that show. Hey... Watch out Zach ... Jake is back in town. Oh and I think your character will mesh real well with Tad! He's great too. GL loss is AMC gain! Maybe AMC can take Harley and Reva too. I love them! Anyway, Best of Luck at your new job and I WILL be tuning in to AMC , Patty
April 4th, 2008 11:52 AM
Hi Ricky,
I have to say I've been a major fan forever. You did an awesome job as Gus. You brought a story line to life. I'll be flippin back and forth to watch you on AMC too. But I will really miss you on GL.
Take care and I don't have to wish you good luck cause you are a natural!
April 20th, 2008 10:29 PM
Ricky, I simply cannot believe that you are truly gone forever from GL. I tried to watch it without you but it is just not the same. It was a sad day when Gus and Harley ended and I only continued to watch in hopes they would reunite. You are awesome and I wish only the best for you.
May 13th, 2008 8:34 PM
I was realy upset when you left .Ithought you made the show.Also I like the idea of you finding your first love.I for one didn,t like you with harley. And were ever the show was going with you and Olivia.I thought you should of had more love sene with natatly.I realy don,t care to watch anymore I never would miss a show when you were on it before.I wish you well in your new move.
May 31st, 2008 1:06 PM
dear ricky,
i really wish you lots of love and happiness in your new adventure on all my children and now that beth ethers are going to be reunited with you i truly know its going to be spectacular and very inventful and adventurous. i hope all the luck and with much love one of your most top 1 fan of both you and beth's love and hugs. PAMELA
June 3rd, 2008 12:58 AM
hey ricky it sucks that your leaving Guiding light because i loved Gus and Harley. They are the reason i kept watching the show. But i hope that you have a great time at amc and wish you the best of luck.
October 5th, 2008 9:26 PM
Hi Ricky, I have been watching AMC for years and years, and left for a bit when Tad left,because, like you said he improvises so well and is so charming. When you arrived, it was another breath of fresh air. I love all of the characters, and you are certainly a welcome addition. I'm sure you know that Jake had an affair of sorts with Erica. It would be amuzing if there were a hint to that effect in passing. She's back with Adam, you are so young! Well, we are the same age. My friend just told me she grew up in your town in New Jersey and belonged to the same synogouge. Anyway, so happy to see you every day - my family now watches also, although they pretend not to. Just curious, do you wear rings on different in real life or is that just wardrobe? Not every one can pull that off and you do.