Ray Wise is back on The Young and the Restless canvas as master manipulator Ian Ward. Perhaps best known for his role as Leland Palmer on Twin Peaks, Wise initially debuted on the soap in 2014 as the New World Cult leader with a history of tormenting Nikki. Although sent to prison in 2016, he’s now back to wreak more havoc.
Need To Know
The veteran actor has had an impressive career in film and television. Some of his most memorable roles include henchman Leon C. Nash in RoboCop (1987), Jack Taggart Sr. in Jeepers Creepers 2 (2003), and the Devil in The CW series Reaper (2003).
Want to learn more about the actor? Here are seven things to know about Ray Wise.
1. Wise was born in Akron, Ohio, and is of Romanian descent on his mother’s side. He attended Garfield High School before enrolling at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. Upon graduation, he left his native state to pursue an entertainment career.
2. Wise has a daytime past dating back over 50 years. He was cast as attorney Jamie Rollins on Love of Life in 1970, a role he played until 1976. He also portrayed Hal Rummley on Days of our Lives from 1982 to 1983.
3. He’s also appeared on some very popular prime-time soaps. In 1982, Wise landed the role of Blair Sullivan on Dallas. He also appeared on its sister soap, Knots Landing, as well as Second Chances, Savannah, and Resurrection Blvd.
4. Wise has been married to film producer Kass McClaskey since 1978. The couple have two children: a son, Gannon McClaskey Wise, is an actor and writer; and a daughter, Kyna Wise, is an actress and singer.
5. The consummate pro received praise for his portrayal of Ian during his initial run on Y&R. In fact Wise won the 2015 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Performer for his efforts.
MORE: Could Ian have done something to Adam on Y&R?
6. Among his numerous films, Wise has a few favorites. “Good Night and Good Luck, which I did for George Clooney… Robert Downey, Jr., Jeff Daniels, and Frank Langella. That was just a wonderful experience,” he told substack.com. “I loved a film called Robocop—the original—and I really enjoyed Rising Sun with Sean Connery, one of my big heroes. Then… going all the way back to 1982, Swamp Thing, with Louis Jordan and Adrienne Barbeau. I had a ball making that film. Fire Walk With Me… that movie is very special in my heart.”
7. Here’s an interesting tidbit. Wise is a huge Dracula fan. “I’ve always been a Dracula/vampire aficionado, being half-Romanian myself,” he revealed in an interview. “In fact, I have a first edition of Bram Stoker’s book. I read it over and over again as a young kid. I was a fan of the Lugosi film, and I’ve been a fan really of all the Dracula films made ever since. Christopher Lee’s is a particular favorite of mine, and I like Coppola’s film with Gary Oldman.”
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