The Bold and the Beautiful Star Jacob Young Takes on a Real-Life Astronaut Role

On soaps, he’s played an executive at a design firm, but now, The Bold and the Beautiful’s Jacob Young (ex-Rick) is taking on the role of a real-life astronaut in a new film titled Prepare for Launch.

New Role For Jacob Young

“It’s truly an honor to be portraying Lt John S Bull. Pilot, NASA Apollo Astronaut, family man, and patriot,” Young posted on Instagram. “@prepareforlaunchfilm #apolloprogram #nasa.”

Bull was a Navy test pilot, aeronautical engineer, and NASA astronaut. He was chosen as a member of the Original 19 astronaut candidate group in 1966.

He served as a member of the Apollo 8 crew but resigned from the astronaut corps after learning that he was suffering from pulmonary disease. In 1973, he received a Ph.D. in Aeronautical Engineering from Stanford University.

He returned to NASA and worked at the Ames Research Center from 1973 to 1985. He took on additional duties until his retirement in 1989. Bull passed away in 2008.

There’s a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to get the film made. “Welcome NASA fans! Welcome film fans!” the Prepare for Launch GFM page reads. “We are launching a mission to make Prepare for Launch, a biographical movie that follows the story of NASA astronaut John Bull. Bull was a hero and patriot that has never been recognized before. His incredible and dramatic story is one you won’t want to miss out on.

“The crew has secured some amazing resources and connections over the last month. [Daytime] Emmy Winner Jacob Young signed on to play John Bull,” the fundraising page continues. “We have the interior of an Apollo Capsule ready to film in, beautiful space suits from Los Angeles, 1960s’ homes, cars, costumes, and props.

“The only thing we are missing is a community to help this movie financially come to life in helping pay for the items listed above as well as food, transportation, equipment, additional cast and crew. We would love for you to be a part of this important historical and artistic endeavor. The Apollo missions gave millions of people the ability to dream and we want to represent that vision through filmmaking at the highest possible level.”

Prepare to Launch is set to go into production in December and is set for a March 2021 release. For more info on the GoFundMe campaign for Prepare to Launch, click here. Check out Young’s post below, which includes side by side photos of the actor and the hero he’s bringing to life. The Bold and the Beautiful airs weekdays on CBS. Check local listings for air times.