| The New Guy By: Delaina Dixon TV Guide Online Dated: January 15, 2003 If you're going to make your debut in daytime, you might as well start at the top. That's exactly what Justin Hartley, who joined the cast of Passions in December, has done. As Nicholas Foxworthy "Fox" Crane, Hartley plays the privileged male heir to the Crane dynasty. Blessed with his family's staggering wealth and good looks, Fox will tap into it all as he pursues his fellow tennis pro, Whitney Russell, and his stepmother Theresa Crane. But fans, take note. Hartley stresses there's more to his alter ego than roguish charm. Every calculated move Fox makes will have an intent and purpose in this daytime newcomer's capable hands. Coming across more like the boy next door than a future corporate lothario, Hartley is destined to leave the broken hearts on-screen - and win over the heart of the viewers. Passions really marks your acting debut. You must have done something in your audition that just wowed the casting director. I wish I knew! I like to think of Michael J. Fox; he just looks comfortable in whatever role he's doing, and he has confidence. That comes from being relaxed. I'm still young and learning, but I think I just relaxed and trusted myself. Maybe I'm just a good actor, and I acted like I had confidence! When did you realize you wanted to be an actor? I didn't really act as a child. I played sports, and I was really into baseball. But I've always loved performing. If you ask anyone from the Midwest, [acting] isn't really something you think about doing as a profession. Once I got older, in my high school years, I realized it was something I wanted to do and got involved in it. What did your family do the first time they saw you on screen? I've always been real family-oriented. When I came out here, everyone was really supportive of me, but at the same time, I could tell that they were worried considering the odds [of becoming an actor]. When I landed Passions and I told them, everyone was excited but they didn't really understand it. It really hit them the first time they saw me on screen. They went crazy. They're my biggest fans. What did you know about Passions before you landed the role? I had auditioned for the show before, and my sister and my mom are avid watchers. It's a cool thing when you get a show, but to get something that your folks actually watch is even better because you don't have to explain it to them. When I auditioned a year ago, I watched it because I like to get involved with a project I'm up for as much as I can. Before I knew it, I was tuning in regularly, then I was turning it on everyday and I got hooked. So I've been watching it for about a year. Were your mom and sister happy that you had been cast as a Crane? My mom is so sweet. As soon as I told her my character, she knew his whole story. Of course, she doesn't want anyone not to like my character. But I think she's warming up to the idea. I loved the description the show initially gave of Fox, that his body is toned and tanned from playing tennis. Do you play the game? I play racquetball. When I learned I would be auditioning for the role, I watched every tennis event on TV that I could, because you never know. I might have to play tennis on air one day. I think I could play. I could learn. So would you describe Fox as a smooth-talking, woman-loving gambler? I don't think he's necessarily a spoiled rich kid; that's just people's perception of him. I think he's misunderstood in that way. People will think he's a heel, but while I'm playing the character, he'll never make choices that are mean just to be mean. He's doing it for a reason. You couldn't have asked for a better person to play your on-screen dad. What is it like working with Ben Masters, who portrays Julian? He's a great actor, and he has great range. But I think the best part of working with him has nothing to do with his acting. He's so gracious, and he's a good man. He's taken me under his wing. He's not intrusive when it comes to acting advice. But if you do walk up to him and ask what he thinks, he's not shy. He's not going to say you were great when he doesn't think you were. If you don't want to hear the truth, don't ask him. What was the most unexpected thing you learned about being on a soap once you got to the set? Obviously, the amount of dialogue you have. You watch soaps on TV and you say, "Wow, they've got a lot of lines," but you have no idea how hard it is to memorize them all. On the set, there's this insane amount of work to do everyday. No one knows when he or she is going to leave for the day because you leave when the work is done. But I've never seen anyone go crazy, lose his or her mind or flip out over it. Everyone is absolutely amazing, and everyone is always happy to be there. It makes it enjoyable to go to work. Since you're the new kid on the block, has anyone played any practical jokes on you? The only thing more embarrassing than playing practical jokes on the new kid is realizing a year later that you haven't played any, and people start doing it a year later. So I don't think I'm going to say anything about that. (Chuckles) What do you enjoy doing when you're not on set? I've been reading a ton. I like plays, and I've been trying to read a play a week. I like Arthur Miller and Sam Shepard. I'm reading a book by Dave Eggers called A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. It's his memoir, and it's a great book. If you're reading all those plays, you must have an interest in stagework. Absolutely. I would love to do some plays. It's the best feeling. There's no take two on stage. From what I hear, there's not a lot of time for take two on soaps either. Unless you beg for one, I guess. (Chuckles) And what about sports? I have to learn to play golf; I need to take lessons. I'm the reason the green fees are so high, because I just tear up the course. I love the game, and I need to get better. Back to Passions. What's the one thing viewers can expect from Fox in the New Year? Just to expect the unexpected. |
| MORE ARTICLES: LINDSAY: DOWN TO EARTH (10/99) TAKE 5 (3/2000) ONE ON ONE (2/2000) TV GUIDE ONLINE (6/2000) FYI (6/2001) SPIDER GAMES (1/2002) TAKE 5 (1/2002) APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE(2/2002) JUSTIN: THE NEW GUY (1/15/2003) (ABOVE) |
 |
 |
 |