Soap Opera Digest: Not That Man Anymore

"Not That Man Anymore" by Lynn Leahey
Soap Opera Digest
December 6, 2005

Michael Zaslow played GUIDING LIGHT's impossibly complex, charismatic villain Roger Thorpe on and off for 26 years. He was a daytime institution, a master of his craft revered by fans and respected by castmates. Then one day, this proud man and consummate performer noticed a slur in his speech.
Eventually, execs at GL decided the actor had to be replaced. It was a bitter pill for Zaslow, but just part of an odyssey that would surpass Roger's most dramatic triumphs and travails. The late Zaslow and his wife, Susan Hufford, describe his battle against ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, in a new book, "Not That Man Anymore".

In one chapter, Zaslow recalls being summoned to the GL producer's office and told another actor would be playing Roger. Recognizing that his speech was impaired -- "Every time I opened my mouth I struggled with revulsion at the sound that came out of me: -- Zaslow asked that his disability be written in to the show. Instead, Dennis Parlato was handed the role of Roger. "I felt ex-communicated, disowned by my Springfield family," Zaslow writes.

But he did not feel deserted by many of his castmates (or Parlato, for that matter, who sent a heartfelt note saying, "I will do my best to fill in for you, but I am hoping you are quickly back in your rightful place.") Zaslow and his wife recount the kindnesses of his friends at GL and at ONE LIFE TO LIVE, where he played David Renaldi from 1983-86 and in 1998. "There were certain people who were afraid," Hufford says now, "and he understood that. But so many were there for him -- Maureen Garrett [Holly, GL], Ron Raines [Alan, GL] was always stopping by, Jay Hammer [ex-Fletcher, GL] would leave messages that meant so much to him. What Brynn Thayer [ex-Jenny, OLTL] did for us was superhuman."

Meanwhile, Zaslow fought for a bigger settlement from GL, but the issue was more than money. "We did finally reach an agreement," Hufford shares now, "but GUIDING LIGHT was never resolved for Michael because he never went back to his dressing room."

Brightening Zaslow's darkest hours were huge packets of fan mail. "Feeling the groundswell of support, I dug in with a new sense of purpose," Zaslow writes.

The actor was also heartened by OLTL's offer for him to reprise the role of David in 1998, with his impairment written in to the show. His first day back, a huge "Welcome Back, Michael" banner at the studio brought a smile to his face. "He just wept," recalls Hufford. "The idea that he was seen as
who he truly was instead of the disease was just unbelievable. He was never happier than when he was on his way to the studio."

"Not That Man Anymore" is available at http://www.amazon.com and http://www.barnesandnoble.com and at book stores. Look for information about book signings with soap stars in upcoming issues.