Jack Wagner joined General Hospital as Frisco Jones. When he left, he thought his soap opera past was behind him. He had no interest in joining Melrose Place. At first, he nearly skipped the audition.
Soap Opera Strike
Wagner reflected on his acting career during his interview on the Still The Place podcast. He spoke to hosts Courtney Thorne-Smith, Daphne Zuniga, and Laura Leighton about his audition for Melrose Place. Wagner almost didn’t star on the sexy primetime drama. He didn’t want to do another soap like GH.
It wasn’t the genre that he was against. Wagner feared that he would get typecast. When his agent suggested the role as Dr. Peter Burns, he tossed the thought aside. Wagner was asked to audition for the show. His initial reaction was, “No chance. I’m not doing it. It feels like a soap.”
Then, there was one thing that changed his mind. “Then they said, well, it’s a hot show, and you’d be working opposite Heather Locklear. And I’m like, okay, all right,” Wagner admitted. He joined Melrose Place in Season 3. Little did he know that he would meet his future wife.
READ THIS: Jack Wagner returns to B&B as Nick.
Thespian Roots
Still, Wagner was uncertain about auditioning for the role. He wanted to change the trajectory of his career after appearing on a daytime soap for years. The actor admitted that he’s a bit of a “thespian.” Wagner’s goal was to be taken more seriously in the entertainment industry.
“I was really pigeonholeed from General Hospital and having a number one record and never really being taken seriously as a musical artist, etc,” Wagner explained. “I’m a thespian, okay? I’m from drama school and classic theater and Stella Adler.”
He felt that people saw him as a one-hit wonder and soap star. But looking back, Wagner admits it was “huge” to star in shows like GH, Melrose Place, and Santa Barbara. He noted that it was “a big jump” in his career. What are your thoughts on Wagner not trying out for Melrose Place? Does this surprise you? Let us know in the comments section.
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