GH FAN CLUB INTERVIEWS STEPHEN
December 1999
Stephen Nichols graciously agreed to sit down with us to chat about a few things, some poignant, some funny, some just silly. Throughout the interview he was thoughtful and candid, and wonderfully generous in his responses. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
WHAT WERE YOU LIKE GROWING UP?
I was very outgoing some of the time, and very shy some of the time. People used to say to me “That Stevie has a million dollar smile” and I’ve always remembered that. It always stuck in my mind. And I was very careful and I loved my sister and my grandma and grandpa. “Hi Tony! (as Tony Geary enters the room) What were you like growing up?” (laughter) He can smoke anywhere he wants (said to those of us in the green room). Tony replies, “Not anymore. The Smoking Police got me last week. They not only closed me down, but Anders (Hove) too. We can’t smoke on the set anymore. They had written all these scenes where he had given me cigars and stuff and all we can do is sniff them! I’ll just smoke until they tell me to put it out. (laughter) I’ll be back later (and Tony left for the set)!”
HAVE YOU HAD A MENTOR OR PARTICULAR PERSON WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU PERSONALLY OR PROFESSIONALLY?
There have been so many. I’d hate to point to one, you know, I’d have to mention all of them. I can’t really get into that. I’d have to say, though, that my grandfather was really my greatest mentor. He gave me a lot of things that if he hadn’t been there for me when I was a little boy, I would have been in serious trouble. He gave me a good sense of values and work ethic, spiritual values, staying connected to something greater. A faith. That was Grandpa. He gave me all that good stuff.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MEDIUM–FILM, STAGE OR TELEVISION?
I’d have to say I like them all for their various aspects. But my very favorite of all is to be on stage in front of a live audience, and to be a part of the process of putting a play up. Rehearsal, all of the discovery that goes on. Yeah, so theatre is really my favorite. I feel the most alive, the most satisfied.
IF YOU COULD CREATE OR RECREATE ANY ROLE TO STAR IN, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
There are so many. (looks thoughtful for a moment) One role that I have always wanted to do again would be Biff in “Death of a Salesman”. I think it is one of the most amazing plays, #1, and one of the most thrilling parts to play. I played Biff several years ago, about 15 years ago, and they recently did it again on Broadway with Brian Dennehy and (in a very theatrical voice) Kevin Anderson in the role of Biff (lots of laughter from the group)! Where was I when they were reading? (“Spoon Island” we wonder?) Yeah, Spook Island! (more laughter from the group)
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE STORY OR EXPERIENCE ABOUT BEING RECOGNIZED IN PUBLIC?
Actually there is one that comes to mind that I thought was the coolest thing in the world. I was in the Beverly Center and this Afro-American man came up to me and he said, “PATCH!! You are the COOLEST Caucasian on television!!” That just blew my mind, ya know? To single me out and to also use the ethnicity was so funny! “You are the COOLEST Caucasian on television!”
DO YOU EVER HAVE THAT URGE TO THROW ON A PATCH AND A LEATHER JACKET AND JUST GO AGAIN?
I have to say I have very fond memories of the early days of Patch. It was one of those times in my life…one of the most creative times, as were the first couple of years here. The first year was just amazing to me and was so much to do and when you’re first developing a character, it’s always exciting.
COULD YOU BELIEVE ALL OF THE UPROAR BY THE FANS WHEN THEY TOOK PATCH AND “FIXED” HIS EYE?
Well, I definitely believed it because I warned them ahead of time that it’s not going to work. You really should not be doing this. If it works, don’t fix it. And the patch worked. It worked in every way. It was something that didn’t need to be meddled with.
WHAT EVENTS BROUGHT ABOUT YOUR ORIGINAL INCLINATION TO ACT?
I went from sort of trouble adolescence to monk, living a celibate monk’s life for three years, to dabbling in music to getting on stage and feeling once I was on the stage, that was where I belonged. That’s it in a nutshell.
DID YOU EVER GO THROUGH A “STARVING ARTIST” PERIOD?
Yeah. Years and years. Doing lots of theatre and keeping everything oiled up, working and doing anything that came along. I drove limos; I was a customer service phone rep for Frederick’s of Hollywood (laughter!). It only took a couple of days of that before I moved on! (lots more laughter!)
HAVE YOU EVER REFUSED TO DO A SCRIPTED SCENE OR PIECE OF DIALOG?
Oh sure.
AFTER AN INTENSE SCENE, HOW DO YOU HANDLE THE “EMOTIONAL HANG OVER”?
I tend to be pretty good at just letting it go. I don’t hang on to it. I think that the emotions in the scene are enough. It’s enough of a catharsis there, you know. I’m TIRED (laughs). I don’t want to hang on to it. I just want to let it go.
YOU’VE DONE SOME POWERFUL SCENES. WE WONDER HOW YOU CAN JUST WALK AWAY FROM THAT. IT MUST DRAIN YOU.
Yeah, well, talk to Genie Francis and Tony (this was just after they had filmed the scenes where Lucky had “died” in the fire). I mean, a child dying. That’s the ultimate. There’s no greater grief than that.
WHE WATCHING YOUR OWN WORK, WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU LOOK FOR OR NOTICE?
I try to see that I’m telling the story in the most believable way I can.
ARE YOU USUALLY SATISFIED, OR ARE YOU YOUR HARSHEST CRITIC?
I am a pretty tough critic. I just watch to keep track of what I’m doing, and to make sure I am on track. It’s certainly not a pleasant experience (laughter from the group)! Watching yourself? (more laughter)
YOU DON’T LIKE WATCHING YOURSELF?
Sometimes, but most of the time, no. It’s not pleasant. Why be more self conscientious than you already are?
Billy warlock comes over at this point and says “In my questionnaire it asks ‘what’s your favorite thing to watch?’ Me!” Stephen chimed in “Me!” Billy adds “because I’m HUGE!” Stephen agrees. “Billy’s huge and Ingo’s hot, hot, hot!” Billy leave laughing and we begin again.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOUR SHOW’S SET, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
The gargoyles on my gate (laughter)! I want them to be doves and lovebirds. I’m kidding! (laughter) I wish they’d stop giving me paper napkins that were obviously stolen from the PC Grille. I think that Stefan is wealthy enough to afford linen napkins. I talked to them about that and they usually give me the linen now. Each time I’d see the little red squares I’d say, “What’s this, Sal?” and they would come out with linen ones.
IF YOU COULD KEEP ONE ITEM IN YOUR CHARACTER’S WARDROBE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? AND WHAT WOULD YOU DESTROY?
I like my medallion and ring a lot. I’d want to get rid of the very, very tight, light gray disco suit. In fact, it’s already been taken care of! (laughter) It’s off my line. I came out in it one day in the hospital and one of the producers came up and she said, “Where’d you get that suit?” I said, “I’ve worn it three or four times on the show. You’ve never seen it?” She said, “No! Take it off!” (laughter) It really looked bad.
WHAT SONG PUTS YOU IN A GOOD MOOD?
Song? “Zippity Doo Dah” (he begins to sing) Zippity Day…”Are those your glasses, Tony? (Tony Geary has come back into the green room and is signing items for the upcoming fan club weekend) My oh my (still singing) what a wonderful…are they reading glasses or just shades? (they laugh and trade barbs about glasses)
WE’LL ASK JUST ONE MORE QUESTION AND WE’LL BE DONE.
One more. One more!
DO YOU CONSIDER YOURELF LUCKY OR UNLUCKY?
Absolutely lucky. Very fortunate.
THAT’S A GOOD WAY TO END IT.
Yeah!
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