Michael Easton, who recently exited his role as Dr. Hamilton Finn on General Hospital, got his soap opera start as Tanner on Days of our Lives. In Salem, he played opposite actress Shannon Sturges, who portrayed ingenue Molly Brinker. When Soap Hub chatted with Easton about wrapping up in Port Charles, we asked him about the possibility of him going back to DAYS.
The Luckiest Man in Daytime
“I’ve been the luckiest guy in daytime,” Easton shared with Soap Hub, referring to the wonderful actors he got to work with on GH including Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth) and Jane Elliot (Tracy).
“But I always have been. I look back at people going back to Shannon Sturges [Reese, Savannah],” he says. Easton also singled out his time as John McBain on One Life to Live where he worked opposite actresses including Melissa Archer (ex-Natalie), Gina Tognoni (ex-Kelly), Renée Elise Goldsberry (ex-Evangeline), and Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair).
Easton says that he’s not surprised that Sturges, whose grandfather was Preston Sturges, a writer/director of such films as Sullivan’s Travels in Hollywood’s Golden Age, has become a talented acting teacher and coach.
“DAYS was my first job and I had no idea what I was doing,” Easton says. “I didn’t even know where to stand. Shannon was constantly saying [helpful things like], ‘Stand there.’
“I have such fond memories of her being so kind to me and being such an amazing actress,” Easton continues. “I thought she’s either going to become the biggest star in the world or an amazing acting coach because she has so much to give. Her knowledge is incredible — the way she communicates.”
Veteran DAYS fans recall Easton and Sturges left the show back in 1992 along with Molly’s mom, Ginger, played by Roberta Leighton (ex-Casey, Young and the Restless), and Tanner’s brother, Brian, played by Robert Mailhouse. (Check out Mailhouse’s beautiful tribute to the late Anne Heche, ex-Vicky/ex-Marley, Another World, here.)
As DAYS is gearing up to celebrate its 60th anniversary, and former OLTL and GH scribe Ron Carlivati is serving as head writer on that show, might Easton be open to reprising Tanner?
“Oh, I don’t know, I just don’t think that would happen,” Easton responds hastening to add he’s not necessarily into visualization the way many may be. “I know some people envision themselves and see themselves doing things.
“I have more of a wabi-sabi approach, which is a Japanese philosophy that takes the position that nothing is perfect,” the actor says. “There’s beauty in that imperfection. Unless it’s in front of me, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it. That’s just a better state of mind for me to be in.”
Now, Michael Easton happily shares, he’s getting to spend time with his family. “I come home and I get a hug from my kids,” he says, adding with a bit of wryness, “They actually still like having me around. I love spending time with them. I’m cherishing those moments. [Creatively,] if an idea comes to me, I’ll jot something down. That’s where my focus is.”
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