About
"I have to be honest, soap opera acting is a very difficult field. I always feel like I'm in a plane without a parachute and thrown out the window."
In his one-hour interview, Philip Carey (1925-2009) reminisces about his early years in acting under contract at Warner Bros. He describes how Jack Warner compelled him to change his name (from Eugene). Next, he speaks of the television programs on which he starred, including Tales of the 77th Bengal Lancers, Philip Marlowe, and Laredo. Finally, he talks about his years on the daytime soap opera One Life to Live as patriarch Asa Buchanan, and explains how the program and the daytime business have changed since he joined their ranks in 1979. Karen Herman conducted the interview on July 25, 2002 in New York, NY.
Highlights
Phil Carey on starring in Philip Marlowe
Phil Carey on guest starring on the All in the Family episode "Judging Books by Covers" -- where he plays a homosexual character
Phil Carey on being cast as Asa Buchanan on One Life to Live; on the character's traits
Phil Carey on working briefly on the NBC daytime drama Bright Promise
Phil Carey on working with his One Life to Live co-star Erika Slezak
Full Interview
Chapter 1
Introduction
On his early years and influences; on choosing his screen name "Phillip"; on becoming interested in theater; on becoing a contract actor at Warner Bros.
On the film studio's policy about their actors not being allowed to do appearances on radio or television; on moving to a contract at Columbia; on his television starring role in Tales of the 77th Bengal Lancers
On his role in Philip Marlowe; on his role in Laredo; on doing freelance work; on his role on Bright Promise; on guest starring on the All in the Family episode "Judging Books by Covers" -- where he plays a homosexual character
On being cast on One Life to Live as Asa Buchanan; on the character's main traits
Chapter 2
On starring in One Life to Live as Asa Buchanan; on his day-to-day schedule on the series (which he didn't like); on working with his co-stars
On the challenges facing daytime drama actors; on protecting his character by rewriting; on his favorite moments from One Life to Live; on leaving the series in 2000 and later returning; on the week when One Life to Live aired live in 2002; on how Asa Buchanan has changed and how he'd like to see his character depart; on the legacy of the series
On his opinions on the U.S. military post-9/11; on his advice to aspiring actors; on his acting style; on his career highlights; on how celebrity affected him
Shows
77th Bengal Lancers, The
Phil Carey on starring in The 77th Bengal Lancers
All in the Family
Phil Carey on guest starring on the All in the Family episode "Judging Books by Covers" -- where he plays a homosexual character
Bright Promise
Phil Carey on working briefly on the NBC daytime drama Bright Promise
Laredo
Phil Carey on starring in Laredo; on the challenges of acting in a western; on doing a commercial for Granny Goose during Laredo
One Life to Live
Phil Carey on starring in One Life to Live as Asa Buchanan; on his day-to-day schedule on the series (which he didn't like); on working with his co-stars
Phil Carey on the challenges facing daytime drama actors; on protecting his character by rewriting; on his favorite moments from One Life to Live; on leaving the series in 2000 and later returning; on the week when One Life to Live aired live in 2002; on how Asa Buchanan has changed and how he'd like to see his character depart; on the legacy of the series
Phil Carey on being cast as Asa Buchanan on One Life to Live; on the character's traits
Philip Marlowe
Phil Carey on starring in Philip Marlowe
Topics
LGBTQIA+
Phil Carey on guest starring on the All in the Family episode "Judging Books by Covers" -- where he plays a homosexual character
We Considered
Phil Carey on guest starring on the All in the Family episode "Judging Books by Covers" -- where he plays a homosexual character
Professions
Actor
Actor Phil Carey on the challenges facing soap opera actors
Genres
Commercials
Phil Carey on doing commercials for Granny Goose while under contract for Laredo
Western Series
Phil Carey on the challenges of acting in a western
People
Patricia Elliott
Phil Carey on working with his One Life to Live co-star Patricia Elliott
Judith Light
Phil Carey on working with his One Life to Live co-star Judith Light
Clint Ritchie
Phil Carey on working with his One Life to Live co-star Clint Ritchie
Erika Slezak
Phil Carey on working with his One Life to Live co-star Erika Slezak
Robert S. Woods
Phil Carey on working with his One Life to Live co-star Robert S. Woods