John McCook Reveals the Wild Hollywood Stories You Never Knew

Beloved soap opera veteran John McCook, the iconic Eric Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful, joins hosts Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart for a lively, memorable conversation. The Emmy-winning actor reflects on his remarkable journey—from Broadway to Hollywood—thanks to an unexpected invitation from Warner Bros.

McCook shares stories that feel straight out of a classic Hollywood memoir, including the time he hung out with Elvis Presley while performing in Las Vegas, and how he once took Walt Disney on the Jungle Cruise during his stint as a Disneyland cast member. He also recalls performing on the legendary stages of CBS Television City alongside entertainment giants like Carol Burnett and Cher. Let’s dive in.

A Musical Start

McCook opens up about his early background in piano, explaining with his trademark humor:

“My background is piano. I took lessons from the time I was about six because my sisters were older—high school age—and they had to take piano lessons. When they practiced, I had to be quiet. When they were done, I’d sit and try to play, and then they would vacuum, and I’d go, ‘What the hell is that?’ So my mom finally said, ‘If you want them to be quiet, you have to take lessons too.’ And I said, ‘Sold.’ So I took lessons until I was 19.”

Over the years, B&B viewers have seen him put those piano skills to use onscreen as well.

From Y&R to B&B

After appearing on The Young and the Restless and spending seven years in episodic TV (Moonlighting, Three’s Company), McCook was recruited by Bill Bell Sr. for a brand-new soap: The Bold and the Beautiful.

McCook admits he was initially hesitant. But his wife, Laurette, looked at him and said:

“If it fails, it’ll run for five years.”

That nudge was all he needed, and now, some decades later, McCook remains the heart of the Forrester clan.

On Susan Flannery: ‘A Powerhouse’

McCook speaks glowingly about his former co-star Susan Flannery, who played his leading lady, Stephanie Forrester, for many years. He describes her as both strong-willed and deeply knowledgeable:

“She is a powerhouse. She’s wonderful. Very opinionated, but her opinions matter because she knows what she’s talking about.”

He recalls their working dynamic as the show’s patriarch and matriarch. They would often rehearse scenes where they talked about everyone but themselves:

“We’d be sitting with martinis talking about whether Ridge is going to get laid this weekend. And Susan would say, ‘Where’s the conflict?’ And she was right. If we’re talking about the drapes or other characters, it’s a feeder scene. It’s not about us. And it’s boring.”

He laughs, recalling how they’d invent their own inner conflict just to keep scenes alive:

“I’d say, ‘I’m going to play it like I have to pee really badly.’ Okay—there’s my conflict.”

A Family Story: Love, Art, and Advocacy

McCook and his wife, Laurette, have been married for 45 years, and he opened up about their son Jake’s battle with schizophrenia.

The two co-wrote The Cliffs of Schizophrenia: A Mother and Son Perspective, offering insight into their journey and shedding light on mental illness. McCook praises Jake’s remarkable artistic talent and speaks highly of Fountain House—a community organization that supports people living with mental illness.

His daughter, Molly McCook, followed in her father’s footsteps, becoming a successful actress and singer known for her role on Last Man Standing.

It’s clear that creativity runs deep in the McCook family. Watch the full interview with John McCook below!

Photo Credit: CBS Broadcasting Inc.

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