Denise Richards on Why The Bold and the Beautiful Is One of Her Favorite Jobs

Denise Richards has worked in many different forms of entertainment: primetime TV (Melrose Place; Spin City), film (The World is Not Enough), and reality (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills). But until she was cast as Shauna Fulton on The Bold and the Beautiful, Richards had never done daytime.

Denise Richards Loves The Soaps

She says that coming onto any established series can be intimidating, but she hastens to add that the cast and crew of BB could not have been more welcoming to her, making her daytime experience a delightful one.

“I have to say that [being on BB] has been one of my most favorite jobs,” says Richards. “It starts with Brad [Bell, executive producer/head writer]. He has created a wonderful environment. It says a lot when so many of the crew and some of the actors have been there from day one. This is one of my most fun jobs. I have been so welcomed. It starts at the top. And that’s something I recognize and appreciate.”

BB premiered on March 23, 1987. The series was created by Brad’s parents, the late William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell. Original cast members John McCook (Eric) and Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke) appeared in BB’s premiere and remain on the show today. The soap opera has shot at the same studio since its inception.

Richards is in terrific company as many other famous faces have appeared on BB over the years; some have played themselves while others, like Richards, have taken on characters. Singer Dionne Warwick appeared on BB as herself, a pal of Lauren’s (Tracey Bregman) in the 1990s. Romance novel cover model Fabio made an appearance at Sally Spectra’s (Darlene Conley) bachelorette party in 1993.

Steve Allen and Jayne Meadows, along with Broadway star Carol Channing, attended a Forrester fashion show in 1993. Charlton Heston popped up as himself around this time, too, as a neighbor of Stephanie’s (Susan Flannery), which made sense given the show’s Beverly Hills locale.

Other celebs, as Richards does, played characters on BB. Phyllis Diller portrayed wisecracking beautician Gladys who helped Taylor (Hunter Tylo) with a disguise after she returned to Los Angeles in 1994. Singer Usher played Amber’s (Adrienne Frantz) boyfriend Raymond in 1998, and Betty White played the complicated role of Ann Douglas, Stephanie’s mother, from 2006-2009. The Bold and the Beautiful airs weekdays on CBS. Check local listings for airtimes.