paul anthony stewart

 beverly hills charity auction chat

 online transcript (may 13, 1999)

MODERATOR: Our chat with Paul Anthony Stewart will start in 15 minutes. While you're waiting, check out http://www.bhauction.com for the special auction item donated by Paul.

MODERATOR: We will chat with Paul Anthony Stewart in 10 minutes. You still have a few minutes to look at all the Soap Opera items being auctioned on www.bhauction.com

MODERATOR: Our online chat with Paul Anthony Stewart, who plays Danny Santos on the Guiding Light, will begin in just a minute. But first, if you have questions for Paul, type them in the box at the bottom of your screen and click on the send to moderator button. Anyone using profanity or asking inappropriate questions will be removed from the chat. Paul will be with us shortly. Send questions to the moderator now.

MODERATOR: Welcome again. Beverly Hills Charity Auction and Soap Opera Weekly are happy to present the 4th of our 8 scheduled online chats with your favorite soap stars. Tonight we are talking with Paul Anthony Stewart who plays Danny Santos on the hit soap, the Guiding Light.

MODERATOR: The chats are part of the First All-Soap Opera Auction in memory of daytime star Michael Zaslow. Bid on one of a kind items from your favorite daytime stars and shows at www.bhauction.com. Proceeds, benefit ZazAngels, the ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) fundraising organization founded by Michael. Each night's guest will be auctioning items special to them. Welcome Paul.

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Hello everyone. I have been looking forward to spending this time with you and answering your questions. I also would like to remind you to support ZazAngels. While I never met Michael Zaslow, I have always admired him. Supporting ZazAngels is an excellent way to honor him as well as help find a cure for ALS. I encourage all of you to bid on one or more of the items being auctioned at http://www.bhauction.com and help this worthy cause. Now, let's answer those questions.

QUESTION: Did you find it hard to keep a straight face while filming the scenes in which Carmen and Michelle were fighting over Danny's unconscious body?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: No not at all. I was very engaged in the situation that we were playing. But I was internally amused at the two of them fighting over me. But I kept it all inside.

QUESTION: How does it feel to be the topic of a soap opera chat room? Do you get recognized by fans when you go out?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Well, I am very flattered. This is my first time. I am a cyberchat virgin. I'm happy to have chosen my first time with all of you. Also, fans are starting to recognize me in NY. But actually for Casey in Loving.

QUESTION: When did you decide to become an actor? Did you watch soap operas as a child and say—"I want to do that"?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: My very first play was save the kittens and I was in kindergarten. I played a young person who found a liter of kittens and I was pretty hooked.

QUESTION: Who pulls the most pranks at GL? And did you or Joie got a taste of it yet?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I have to say I'm probably gaining speed on some of the others. I just got Paula/Pilar to eat a piece of dog food unsuspecting. But I'm still on my good behavior. My guess would be Frank DiCoupolos.

QUESTION: How did you audition for Guiding Light?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Well I was living in LA at the time and had flown into NY for the screening of an independent film I was appearing in and the casting director for Guiding Light saw the nice review I received in the NYTimes and he called me in to play Mick Santos' brother and was hired later that day. After taping 3 episodes they asked me to stay on.

QUESTION: are you chatting from home?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I am chatting from my temporary home and I'm wearing blue jeans and loose t-shirt. What are all of you wearing?

QUESTION: what is a typical day like for you?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: A typical day at work, I'm up at 6 and I go to the studio around 7 and we lock the scene for that day and go onto the set around 9 and lock for the cameras to noon. If I've got extra time in there I go to the gym or run personal errands. Then we do the scenes in the afternoon. I'm out the door in the late afternoon or early evening. A long day is 9 - 10 in the evening.

QUESTION: Is it hard to be so involved with Joie when she is so much younger?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I was a little nervous until she turned 18. But I don't think about her age difference. It's about how you feel on the inside.

QUESTION: Which character do you enjoy more Casey from Loving or Danny?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: That's tough. I loved Casey. I thought he was such a terrific character. That character felt very close to me. But, I have more fun with Danny Santos because I get to explore the darker side of myself as well as being romantic character. I get to be hotheaded and stubborn and fight a lot with my mother.

QUESTION: How does your family feel about you being on GL?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: My mother had to change her programming. She was Another World fan. She had to add Guiding Light to her schedule faithfully. The rest of my family checks it out. But they know me as one of their family members so they are relaxed about the situation. My brother is pretty unimpressed!

QUESTION: What actor do you most admire?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I most admire Jack Nicholson and Robert DeNiro

QUESTION: Do you think Danny will ever find out that Drew was a part of Mick's death?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: That's a great question. I think it's a good little bit of information to hold off and reveal at the right time and I'm not sure what that time is yet. I wouldn't rule anything out.

QUESTION: Did you ever meet the actor who played Mick?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: No I didn't. His character had already been killed. I hear we didn't look all that alike.

QUESTION: Will you be doing more theatre any time soon?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I hope to get a chance soon. But with the schedule of Guiding Light it doesn't seem like it will happen in the near future.

QUESTION: Do you cook? If so, what's your specialty?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I cook in the kitchen. And, I love chili and pasta—that's the Italian in me.

QUESTION: What is the biggest similarity between you and "Danny"?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Probably our hair and our stubbornness.

QUESTION: Are you ever allowed to ad lib?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Yes, a little a bit. As long as I don't stray from the main dialogue too much.

QUESTION: Who is your favorite person to work with on GL?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I love working with Joie and Saundra and Tammy. They're all interesting actresses and each sort of exciting in their own way.

QUESTION: You & Joie seem to have a connection. Was it there from the beginning or was it something that happened over time?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I hit it off with Joie pretty quickly and hope that it shows.

QUESTION: There is a lot of debate about your actual age... How old are you???

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Old enough to be legal in every state.

QUESTION: Are you scared of rise popularity that you don't deserve it?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: No, I don't really think about it. My life doesn't feel any different.

QUESTION: Are you excited that Manny has attracted such a loyal following?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I've heard about the famous mannyac and I'm very flattered by their allegiance and overall response to Danny. It is terrific.

QUESTION: do you have any new movies coming up?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I did a bit part in a film called Duty Dating but I haven't heard the word on its release.

QUESTION: are you as hot in real life as you are on the show?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Since my apartment doesn't have any air conditioning, I'm always hot.

QUESTION: Can you please tell us—are Danny and Michelle EVER going to be together? :-)

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I don't think you're going to have to wait too much longer before some satisfaction there.

QUESTION: Can you give us any insider spoiler info?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I'll give a clue: tic tic tic

QUESTION: how does it feel to be daytime's new sex symbol?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Is that what you are calling me. It's very flattering.

QUESTION: Hi Paul! Your work on LOVING was great. I cried like a fool when Casey died. Does GL have any plans to put you and Laura Wright together? You work really together.

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Thank you for that compliment. I don't know of any plans as of yet for Laura and me. But, in daytime you never know.

QUESTION: how long is your contract on GL I hope for a real long time

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I have another year and a half on my contract.

QUESTION: Who are you friends with off-screen?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I'm friends with Laura. We've worked together for a long time—since 1992. So we have a history together. Besides that we spend so much time together at work that when we're let out everyone goes there separate ways.

QUESTION: Did you expect the role to pan out like it did?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I'm happy with how it has turned out. I really had no plan or vision for the character. I was originally told it was a 6-month recurring role and that it has turned into something more substantial is a blessing. I like how the writers haven't made him wholly good or bad. It makes it interesting.

QUESTION: Do u watch your performances?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Generally no. I may catch it on occasion when it's playing on the green room.

QUESTION: do you prefer comedy or drama

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I prefer comedy. I love to make people laugh and make people laugh. I'm actually told by the producers to stop smiling when I've being dastardly with the other characters. I see the humor in what my character is doing.

QUESTION: What is your favorite non-opera TV show

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: My favorite it has become Strangers with Candy on Comedy Central Wednesday nights.

QUESTION: How is working at GL—an hour long show—different from working on LOVING—a half-hour show? Which do you like better?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: It's a lot more work. It's a lot more material and a lot more memorization. A lot longer day.

QUESTION: Do you have problems with fans confusing you with your screen persona. Any funny situations arise from this?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Once I was approached by a women recently who called me Danny and insisted that I be nicer to Michelle and very irate that I slept with Drew. I apologized to her and kept going.

QUESTION: Are you Hispanic like the Santos family?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: No, I'm Italian.

QUESTION: PAS why do women love your character so much?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I don't know why. You tell me?

QUESTION: Do the writers ever ask your opinion about how you see Danny reacting to certain situations? Do you get to make suggestions?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: The writers don't generally ask the actors on the show their opinion, but there is freedom in our performance to put our own interpretation of the character.

QUESTION: Women love you because you represent both the good and bad sides of a man. You're deep, moody, complex, and sexy.

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Krissy, I don't really know what to say. But that lets me know I'm doing my job. Thank you.

QUESTION: I love you Paul, and you are a wonderful actor. Are they going to expand the Santos family?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: AnnaML thanks, we really do this for enjoyment. I'm glad you love my character so much. I think the positive response to Danny and the clan will generate more family members.

QUESTION: RUMOR HAS IT THAT DANNY & MICHELLE WILL GET TOGETHER BUT THEN MARRIAGE WILL BE ANULLED IS THIS TRUE? JUST GIVE A HINT.

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I am not at liberty to say.

QUESTION: Are you on the GL fan gathering in October?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I plan to be. I look forward to it.

QUESTION: Pas, Do you have someone special in your life?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I have lots of special people in my life.

QUESTION: How does a little Santos with Michelle sound?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I think Danny would make an excellent father.

QUESTION: Will Michelle and Danny be attending Josh and Reva's wedding?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: One of us will be—I can't tell which one.

QUESTION: When you are drunk on the show, what are you really drinking?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Are you asking because its so convincingly portrayed. I'm only drinking colored water

QUESTION: Is the show an emotional outlet for you, or is it emotionally draining?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I think it is both. Using the material as an outlet leaves me pretty exhausted at the end of day, but in a very satisfied way.

QUESTION: Who would you like to see from Another World come to Guiding Light?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I would to see Lisa Peluso since I worked with her on Loving. I had a crush on her. I'd love it if there were jobs for everyone. It's sad about the loss of Another World.

QUESTION: What do you like the most about being in a soap opera?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: The endless of coffee supply. The snazzy clothes.

QUESTION: Is there anyone you wish you could work with that you don't have the opportunity to on GL?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I'd love to work with everyone. I'm very greedy.

QUESTION: Do you like playing a character who's so sinister? You play the character so well. Do you have a darker side?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I definitely have a darker side and its fun to let it come out to play in work.

QUESTION: Paul—do you read your fan mail?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Yes eventually. It goes through my assistant to me.

QUESTION: Danny & Michelle's Wedding was beautiful; is it the kind of wedding you would like to have some day?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Sure minus the Mantillas.

QUESTION: Paul what is your favorite thing to wear as Danny? The leather jacket?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Yes, you got it.

QUESTION: What are your hobbies and interest other than acting?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I love to read. I love to go to the movies. I love to be outdoors and hike.

QUESTION: Is there a Mrs. PAS lurking on the horizon?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Yes, lurking is a good choice of words

QUESTION: You are very talented, do you plan on moving on to the big screen?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Right now I'm happy and fulfilled but if a good role comes along, I'd be happy.

QUESTION: HOW would you like the manny relationship to be portrayed. I like them to fight obstacles, together not apart.

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Victoria, fighting obstacles is the better way to go.

QUESTION: How are you enjoying your virgin attempt at chatting?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I have to say it was a little slow going at first, but I'm in the rhythm now

QUESTION: hi Paul... i heard that u are orgin. from pa... are u a steeler or pens fan??

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I grew up an Eagles fan. But they've lost me. I'm more of a Yankees Fan now.

QUESTION: What directions would you like to see the character of Danny?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I hope they keep the dangerous side of Danny in tact. I hope the danger and threat of the mob remains an integral part of the storyline.

QUESTION: I'm the husband of a big fan (Lisa1), just logging in to see what the craze is all about. What do you think of the turn out and your popularity?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I think it is awesome. I am really thrilled that everybody digs Danny so much.

QUESTION: what do you put in your hair to make it look so good?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Lots of conditioner. Then I use Ice gel and Sebastian Potion #9. It's like magic.

QUESTION: Is there anyway your fans can get an autographed picture.

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Yes, send a request to me in care of Guiding Light at 222 East 44th street. NY, NY 10017. Then, I'll make sure my assistant gets one off. It may take awhile so be patient.

QUESTION: Hope you win an Emmy someday! What do you think of those type of awards?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Thank you. I don't place too much stock in them. But they are not something to sneeze at either. They are a nice gesture from an actor's fellow community that they are doing good work.

QUESTION: Was it difficult to shoot the scenes with drunken Michelle, we laughed so hard today!!!

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: We had a lot of fun shooting those scenes. Joie was really excited to take off her good goody shoes and be difficult as the character. I think it will lead to something very steamy!

QUESTION: boxers or briefs?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: When I am in bed neither.

QUESTION: time is ticking and I haven't gotten my questions answered, do you believe in fate?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I don't believe in coincidence.

QUESTION: Are you musical? Do you sing or play an instrument?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART I do sing. I performed in a musical in Broadway called Cyrano.

QUESTION: what was your most challenging scene you've had to portray

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Probably the most challenging so far were the scenes between Danny and Carmen.

QUESTION: do you wish you could have participated in the josh strip scene today?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: The strip scene. I was happily removed from it! I was actually in the green room watching the guys on the screen and had a good chuckle.

QUESTION: Do you have a favorite play?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Lots of favorite plays. Arcadia by Tom Stoppard.

QUESTION: I read in an interview that you enjoy reading.... as a librarian I have to ask, what do you like to read?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: I'm reading Charming Billy by Alice McDermott.

QUESTION: Where would you like to be 10 years from now and what would you like to be doing?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: Kicking back on a sandy beach on a remote island with a pina colada in one hand and a... in the other!!!

QUESTION: What is your most memorable experience at Princeton, besides cultivating your great talent in acting?

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: My most memorable experience at Princeton was probably playing hooky and driving around in my convertible MG. Do as I say not as I do.

PAUL ANTHONY STEWART: You guys were great and I can't think of a better way to spend my time then with you and promoting ZazAngels. Most of all, I'd like to thank you for being such loyal fans of the Guiding Light and me. Now, help me support ZazAngels by bidding on the auction items. My hat is guaranteed to have a high sweat content. So thanks again and good night. Sweet dreams.

MODERATOR: Thanks Paul and join us again this Monday, May 17th when we welcome Eileen Fulton who plays Lisa Miller Hughes Eldridge & (you get the picture) from As The World Turns. Good night.