FROM SOAP OPERA DIGEST, JANUARY 5, 1999.

Michael Zaslow was a brilliant actor who redefined daytime villainy when he originated the role of sexily sinister Roger Thorpe on GUIDING LIGHT in 1971. He created ONE LIFE TO LIVE's tormented David Renaldi in 1983, and bounced between the two roles after that. He won an Emmy, a Soap Opera Digest Award and legions of fans, but he'll be remembered best for his role as crusader after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). His efforts, the ALS Association proclaims, "reached untold millions and put him second only to Lou Gehrig himself in raising awareness of ALS."

GL's Holly had a tempestuous, hopelessly dysfunctional relationship with Roger that was nonetheless enduring. Says Maureen Garrett (Holly) of her co-star, "I completely enjoyed working with him. It was like a ride, destination unknown. You never knew where you were going."

Jeff Phillips was one of the five actors who played Roger's son, Hart Jessup. "I learned and watched from him. I admired his integrity. He was an artist. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to see him and spend a moment with him before he died."

Robert Milli has fond memories of his days playing Roger's father, Adam. "He was just a wonderful, delightful man. We used to talk because he was a wonderful conversationalist. He was tremendously intelligent and also very funny. When I went back maybe 5 years ago to GUIDING LIGHT, I had a couple of scenes with him. It was so wonderful working with him again. We had an opportunity during the break to go out and have lunch together. It was very special."

Fiona Hutchison (ex-Jenna, GL) credits Zaslow with her role on the show. "I met with Jill Farren Phelps when she was producing GUIDING LIGHT. In the very beginning, she said, 'Well, there's a choice; two roles we have here at the moment. One for the character of Eve, which is a contract role for three years for which you would have to screen-test. And there's another one that you don't have to screen-test for, because it's a character we think we are only bringing in for about three months, and that's Jenna Bradshaw, a jewel thief.' And I said, 'That sounds right up my alley.' She said, 'That's great, because we want to have you work with Michael Zaslow.' And I said, 'Say no more, Please, if you take me, I'll be there.'"

Roger's charm masked an angry, violent nature, evident when he raped Holly and Rita. Remembers Lenore Kasdorf (ex-Rita, GL), "We both liked to be spontaneous. We would often surprise each other in scenes. He was so much fun to work with in that way. He kept it alive. We learned the lines, did the rehearsals and when it came to shooting it, we let it go."

Recalls Melissa Hayden (ex-Bridget, GL), of her former co-star, "He was amazingly full of life. I am actually happy for him that his spirit is finally free of a broken body. My heart goes out to his wife and his daughters. My prayers are with them all. He'll be missed."

Roger was too damaged to show much tenderness, but in real life, says Ron Raines (Alan, GL), Zaslow had a heart of gold. "Of course, you know Michael loved children very much. He was talking to my daughter, Charlotte, who was about 6 at the time, and he found out that she loves horses. And he said, 'Oh, my goodness. My daughter, Helena, loves horses too. Helena has something that she has grown out of that I bet you would love.' So Michael and Helena came over to our apartment one day, and brought Charlotte this gorgeous sweater that had this huge horse on the front of it. And Charlotte loved it. Michael had a connection with children. I think that is evident with how close he was with his daughters."

Zaslow was a perfectionist when it came to his work, which wasn't always easy for his co-stars. Recalls Jay Hammer (ex-Fletcher, GL) , "One of my favorite memories is a backstage story. The first time that Fletcher and Roger went toe to toe, Michael and I got into a big fight in rehearsal. I was utterly right because Michael had done something unprofessional in my opinion, and had decided to change the dialogue. He talked to the director and producer over the weekend, and didn't call me. It was like a couple of bull elk trying to mark their territory. When it was all over, I went to my dressing room. There was a knock on the door, and it was Michael. I thought, 'We are going to start all over again.'

"He comes in and shuts the door. I thought, 'Oh, my God. This is a small place to have a fight.' He says, 'We never have gotten a chance to know each other, but I feel we worked a lot of things out downstairs. I think we are going to be great together,' and gave me a big hug. No grudges were held. While he was ill, we emailed each other back and forth, and he and I , and Grant Aleksander [Phillip] and Ron Raines would meet in the neighborhood and have a bottle or two of wine together."

Grant Aleksander's comments echoed those of many younger performers, who learned from working with a master: "My favorite thing about working with Zaslow is that in all the years that I have known and worked with him, I have never known him to phone in a performance, and that's a rare thing."

On ONE LIFE TO LIVE, Jenny and David had a tortured romance. In real life, Brynn Thayer and Zaslow became dear friends. "I feel so blessed to have had Michael as a friend," says Thayer, who was instrumental in helping Zaslow research his disease and raise money for a cure. "He taught me so much about life. My hope is that everyone could have a friend like Michael in life."

OLTL hired Zaslow after he'd been diagnosed with ALS and wrote the disease into the show. But whatever gratitude the actor felt for OLTL's compassionate gesture was dwarfed by the indelible impression he made on his co-stars. "He taught us to be courageous in facing all aspects of life," says Laura Koffman (Cassie). "This disease did not weaken his spirit, it transformed him into a true hero," asserts Robin Strasser (Dorian). Adds Gina Tognoni (Kelly), "He was such a strong man. It would've taken a disease like ALS to take him down. Even to the end, it was like a stealth bomber that had to take him down." Says Wortham Krimmer (Andrew), "Michael loved truth and beauty. He abhorred injustice. Like a modern-day Don Quixote, he fought every windmill in sight. To me, he was a brother - the older brother I never had. A brother who could level me with a single look, elevate me with the slightest touch and inspire me by the unmitigated courage with which he led his life. I love you, Michael, and miss you."

When Zaslow worked to combat ALS, daytime rallied behind him. Says Linda Dano (Felicia, Another World), "He was so powerful, so committed to beating this. And so joyful that he made you almost believe it. So, when I got the news (that he passed away) I was shocked because I was convinced that he would survive, that they would find a cure and that he would lead the way for all of us." *

Copyright © 1999 by Michael Zaslow's ZazAngels. All rights reserved.
01/04/06 05:14:22 PM