For the soap world, the news was a bit like deja vu: David Tom, younger brother of Emmy Award-winning yet Heather Tom (Kelly, ONE LIFE TO LIVE), would be joining his sister on her show this March. Unlike in June, 1999, however when David followed Heather to YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (where they portrayed Billy & Victoria), there were some twists in the tale. For one thing, Heather had only been in Llanview for a few months, whereas she'd been on Y&R for either years by the time David arrived there. Both had to leave Californica - and their significant others - behind, as they began new lives in New York City. Both were recast (Heather took over for Tracy Melchior, while David assumed the role from Brock Cuchna) They would be playing siblings, a first for daytime and for them, since they had never acted together. Most importantly, David was armed with three-in-a-half-years of daytime experience, not to mention his own Emmy (that he won in 2000) making him as well respected a vet as his sis.It's that last change that seems to have affected Tom the most, for his confidence is evident from the moment Digest meets him at Nick & Toni's Cafe in Manhattan. When this reporter interviews him for Entertainmenteen magazine four years ago, Tom had been police, but reserved. Now, dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans, Tom greets her with a firm handshake, and proceeds to open up about almost everything in his life.
"No, I really wasn't worried about having to prove myself more because I'm Heather's brother," he responds, when asked whether he was concerned about the perception of nepotism. "I'm just concerned about doing a good job, period. I think being a brother and sister for real adds something because we already know each other so well. But coming in as a recast is difficult in general because fans get used to seeing certain actor. I just hope that they'll learn to like me."
When informed that so far, the reviews have been mostly positive, Tom is relieved ("Phew, I'm so glad!"), but winning over fans was only half his battle. As the central character in OLTL/ALL MY CHILDREN baby-switch crossover (Paul stole his ex-lover, Babe's song from Pine Valley and gave it to Kelly, who had a stillbirth; he then gave Bianca's baby to Babe and lied that Bianca's newborn had died in a helicopter crash), Tom immediately had to learn the ropes on two shows. "Heather warned me that it was going to be a lot of work," he shared, "but on my first day, I had to do 86 pages of dialogue. Plus , I had to carry Babe (Alexa Havins) and Bianca (Eden Riegel), wreck helicopters...birth babies. It was insane."
Tom admits that last task gave him pause. "I didn't know that Paul was going to be delivering Babe's baby until, like, two days before," he admits. "I was afraid I'd drop the kid. It was also weird, because I'd never met Alexa. It was like, ‘Nice to meet you, let me put my hands between your legs [laughs].' She's a cool girl, so the scenes weren't too awkward. They have a good cast over at AMC.
The actor is hoping he cans soon get acquainted with his own cast. "It's funny, because at this point, I've actually worked with more people at AMC than ONE LIFE," he chuckles. "I don't even know everyone's names yet over here."
What he does know is that playing a shady guy is more difficult that he imagined, albeit a lot more enjoyable. "I got this rundown that was all about Paul," he explains. "It had who he's related to, who he's trying to screw over. It was confusing. But I like playing someone who has a bit of an edge. You never know which way he's going to go, so there's a lot to play with. It's more fun than playing the cutesy nice guy."
Like Billy ? "I loved my time on Y&R," Tom insists, "Billy was a nice guy, but he was cool, too. I just needed to see what else was out there, which was why I left (in 2002). It wasn't because I didn't enjoy the experience."
During his hiatus from soaps, Tom "auditioned, worked on my music, did some indie movies, and basically wondered what the hell I was going to do with my life," he explains. "It was worth it, though, and I think I've matured."
Indeed he has. In addition to moving across the country from his mother and twin sister, Nicholle, Tom has found himself worrying about things like mortgages and is involved in his first serious relationship, with actress Renee Sloan. "I met her on the street," He recalls. "Basically, I was waiting for my friend outside of a var, she then tapped on the window and gave me her phone number. We're together a year, which is the longest I've ever been with anyone. She'll be coming here, and I'll be going to L.A as much as possible."
But with the new digs AND A NEW JOB, New York is feeling more and more like home. "I never planned to live here, but you just never know where you life might take you," Tom muses. "I'm just excited for this opportunity. I think it's going to be a great ride."
"Did You Know ...."