Richard Gleason has had an extensive career encompassing TV,
film, and theatre. Last month he completed a short arc on The Young & The
Restless, as a recast for Matt Miller, Victor Newman’s brother. We recently got
a chance to talk to him. We discussed the early days of his career, Genoa City
and his other upcoming projects.
film, and theatre. Last month he completed a short arc on The Young & The
Restless, as a recast for Matt Miller, Victor Newman’s brother. We recently got
a chance to talk to him. We discussed the early days of his career, Genoa City
and his other upcoming projects.
Give us some
background on how you got started.
background on how you got started.
“Acting was my first passion. The day I graduated from
college I moved to New York City. Literally the day I graduated from college, I
move to New York City and started what they called pounding the pavements. I
had really no connections in New York at the time. This is before we do all the
stuff online now. You had to physically walk around Broadway, that area, with a
pile of pictures in your hand. I would shove my headshots under the doors. It
took a bit of guts you know to do that and walk into offices and throw your
picture on a desk. But it did result in me getting a call from an agent pretty
quickly. My first paid gig in television was a soap opera gig.”
college I moved to New York City. Literally the day I graduated from college, I
move to New York City and started what they called pounding the pavements. I
had really no connections in New York at the time. This is before we do all the
stuff online now. You had to physically walk around Broadway, that area, with a
pile of pictures in your hand. I would shove my headshots under the doors. It
took a bit of guts you know to do that and walk into offices and throw your
picture on a desk. But it did result in me getting a call from an agent pretty
quickly. My first paid gig in television was a soap opera gig.”
Which one?
“I think it was One Live to Live. I played a photographer
and I had one line. It was a big deal to me. It was something like ‘Over Here.’
It was a paparazzi guy.”
and I had one line. It was a big deal to me. It was something like ‘Over Here.’
It was a paparazzi guy.”
While In New York, Richard worked in theatre also. He decided to move out to California because
there was “more production.” His first gig in California was a show called The Watcher, filmed in Las Vegas. From
there Richard started building more of a TV resume. He was selected into The
Master Class at the Beverly Hills Playhouse that helped propel him more in the
industry.
there was “more production.” His first gig in California was a show called The Watcher, filmed in Las Vegas. From
there Richard started building more of a TV resume. He was selected into The
Master Class at the Beverly Hills Playhouse that helped propel him more in the
industry.
Going back to soaps.
Have you been on any other soaps before landing The Young & The Restless?
Have you been on any other soaps before landing The Young & The Restless?
“Yes. I also did stints on All My Children, a show called
The Doctors that is no longer here and The Guiding Light I think I also did.”
The Doctors that is no longer here and The Guiding Light I think I also did.”
So, let’s talk Genoa
City. Last month you replaced the prior
actor, who played Matt Miller, Victor Newman’s brother. How did it come about?
Did you screen test? Walk us through how you became Matt Miller.
City. Last month you replaced the prior
actor, who played Matt Miller, Victor Newman’s brother. How did it come about?
Did you screen test? Walk us through how you became Matt Miller.
“I was called in directly by the casting office. I read just
with the casting director and her associate. So, then the audition was then
shown to Mal, who is the show runner. And I’m assuming I was in pretty good
standing with CBS as far as network is concerned because I’ve done a few CBS
shows. It was really cast-off of tape. I didn’t have to go any further than
that. I don’t know what that signifies but I could tell the casting was pretty
happy just off the audition… A week later I was in Genoa City.”
with the casting director and her associate. So, then the audition was then
shown to Mal, who is the show runner. And I’m assuming I was in pretty good
standing with CBS as far as network is concerned because I’ve done a few CBS
shows. It was really cast-off of tape. I didn’t have to go any further than
that. I don’t know what that signifies but I could tell the casting was pretty
happy just off the audition… A week later I was in Genoa City.”
You come in for a hot
popular storyline. Who is Jack Abbott’s father. During your time you (Matt
Miller) were able to do what most are unable to. You got Victor Newman to change
his mind. You got him to change his mind and have the DNA test. You shared scenes with Eric Braeden, Peter
Bergman and Melody Thomas Scott. Tell us how it was on set.
popular storyline. Who is Jack Abbott’s father. During your time you (Matt
Miller) were able to do what most are unable to. You got Victor Newman to change
his mind. You got him to change his mind and have the DNA test. You shared scenes with Eric Braeden, Peter
Bergman and Melody Thomas Scott. Tell us how it was on set.
“First of all, I want to say that I made Victor Newman smile
not easy to do. I’m very proud of that.”
not easy to do. I’m very proud of that.”
You are a magician.
You were the magic man while you were there.
You were the magic man while you were there.
“I think so. My approach to acting is to have as much of a
good time as you can. I’d like to think I was able to infuse a little bit of
that in my time there. But for your question, it was really great. I want to
say a note about Peter, who extended himself extensively to me in terms of working
to get ourselves ready to shoot the scenes. We really spent extra time together
making sure everything was ironed out. And he could not have been more generous
and more complimentary about what I was trying to do there. So that felt like it was a real fit. I knew I
was in a good place because of Peter’s response to the work.
good time as you can. I’d like to think I was able to infuse a little bit of
that in my time there. But for your question, it was really great. I want to
say a note about Peter, who extended himself extensively to me in terms of working
to get ourselves ready to shoot the scenes. We really spent extra time together
making sure everything was ironed out. And he could not have been more generous
and more complimentary about what I was trying to do there. So that felt like it was a real fit. I knew I
was in a good place because of Peter’s response to the work.
Likewise, with Eric who is actually quite funny, people
might not know this, when the cameras are not rolling. He made it a very
pleasant experience. I think it’s fun for people to know that it is a bit of a high
pressure situation. You have a lot of material to get through. So you have to
be ultra-prepared and be ready to hit it the first or second time. I think
because I was Eric and Peter could relax around me a little bit.”
might not know this, when the cameras are not rolling. He made it a very
pleasant experience. I think it’s fun for people to know that it is a bit of a high
pressure situation. You have a lot of material to get through. So you have to
be ultra-prepared and be ready to hit it the first or second time. I think
because I was Eric and Peter could relax around me a little bit.”
I’m sure that was helpful
given the time and budget constraints of daytime that you were prepared. That’s
awesome.
given the time and budget constraints of daytime that you were prepared. That’s
awesome.
“Right. I just want to mention as a side note. I had a
conversation with Mal, who is the show runner, who came down to talk to me
after my first day’s shoot. The changes that he’s made on the show are really
terrific. Really bringing a beautiful level of realism and naturalness to the
show which I hope the fans are noticing because I think it’s a really good
thing. I think he’s doing a terrific job.”
conversation with Mal, who is the show runner, who came down to talk to me
after my first day’s shoot. The changes that he’s made on the show are really
terrific. Really bringing a beautiful level of realism and naturalness to the
show which I hope the fans are noticing because I think it’s a really good
thing. I think he’s doing a terrific job.”
Let me ask you this.
When you were having that chit chat with Mal, if you can tell us, any talk of
maybe us seeing Matt again?
When you were having that chit chat with Mal, if you can tell us, any talk of
maybe us seeing Matt again?
“That is a very closely kept secret that I’m not allowed to
tell you at this time. I’m sorry.”
tell you at this time. I’m sorry.”
Understood. We are
going to move on. Since you do have some history with the daytime audience you
know how loyal and dedicated we are. Let us know what else you are working on.
What else is coming down the pike so we can support you.
going to move on. Since you do have some history with the daytime audience you
know how loyal and dedicated we are. Let us know what else you are working on.
What else is coming down the pike so we can support you.
“I recently shot a series called I am the Night with Chris Pine and produced with Patty Jenkins who
is the Wonder Woman director. It’s coming to TNT in January. I also shot
recently a series called WIPED that
features a few of the cast members of the House Cards, Reed Birney and Michel
Gill. I believe they are going to sell it to one of the cable outlets. But I’m
not sure about what the plan for that is.”
is the Wonder Woman director. It’s coming to TNT in January. I also shot
recently a series called WIPED that
features a few of the cast members of the House Cards, Reed Birney and Michel
Gill. I believe they are going to sell it to one of the cable outlets. But I’m
not sure about what the plan for that is.”
Additionally, Richard has directed two short films. He’s
also currently writing a screen play which is in the finishing stages. Richard
wants to thank the fans for their support.
also currently writing a screen play which is in the finishing stages. Richard
wants to thank the fans for their support.
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