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: Mark Collier

Ok Blog readers, one of you really should have given me the heads up about Mark Collier! A couple of weeks ago, I was on the couch doing some reports for work when CSI Miami began. I usually HATE any CSI, especially Miami (Could be that I think Emily Protor is the most annoying actress ever to be on television) but the opening scene had this hottie with dark hair back in the Everglades, so I watched for awhile. Getting on Google the actor was none other than Mark Collier, whom I am sure many of you know from his time on 'As The World Turns'. Well after watching some you tubes and checking out the many sites on Mark, I am officially smitten! Check out Mark's official Site HERE:

Favorite Classic Soap Hunk of the Day: Doug Davidson

Hard to believe this years marks's Doug Davidson's 30 year anniversary on 'The Young and the Restless' as Paul Williams. Doug and his character have lasted so long because there is just something about this guy that is so likable. I am sure this has hindered Doug with roles as it is just hard to picture him as the bad guy. Doug began as a model and began taking on small acting roles in commericals and tv. Doug happened to be on the set of Y & R with a friend when the producer at the time spotted him and eventually cast him on the show.



Doug is most certainly one of daytimes most successful actors. Holding a job in the business for 3 decades is something to be celebrated. I remember the magazines from the 80's full of shirtless pics of the adorable Doug with his amazing smile and blond hair, not to mention his most enchanting chest. Doug has this look which reminds me of old time movie stars like Cary Grant, Robert Redford and others. There is something timeless about his appeal. I only watched Y & R for brief periods of time in the 80's and 90's as a teen and through college, but I have always kept an eye on Doug.








I did not watch Y&R when Lauren turned Paul Williams into a centerfold, but wish I had.


Doug's Official Site found HERE:

Favorite Birthday Boy for August 5th Ethan Erickson

Actor Ethan Erickson who I first saw shirtless in magazines years ago when he was on Guiding Light, but went on to roles in nightime tv and movies turns a hot 38 today.







More Ethan from 'Pact With The Devil' and 'Jawbreaker'.








Thanks to Lost In The Attic for some of the Ethan caps.