The dashing and debonair John McCook has been playing B&B’s passionate patriarch, Eric Forrester, the head of Forrester Creations, ever since the show premiered in the US in 1987.
Asked to name his favorite storylines for Eric over the years, the good-humored actor discussed his choices during a candid conversation with Soap World.
Eric’s love for Brooke
“I loved Eric’s romance with Brooke, his marriage to her, his children with her.” John recalls. “I thought that was all really wonderful, because it was very dramatic and because it also involved Stephanie (Eric’s ex-wife, who was still very much in love with him) and Ridge (Eric’s son, who was Brooke’s former lover).
“What I liked was Eric and Brooke’s discovery that they could be happy together for their own different reasons. I thought that was pretty cool stuff. Katherine (Kelly Lance, who plays Brooke) is such a lovely person and has rally grown as an actress. It was a pleasure working with her.
“Eric and Brooke’s marriage outdoors in Palm Springs was very glamorous and romantic – with the balloon ride and their honeymoon in a tent in the desert. But the really dramatic part came with Eric’s anger and feeling of betrayal when he learned that Brooke had broken her marriage vows and made love with his own son, indicating that she was still in love with Ride.
“Eric was incredibly hurt by that revelation. That brought that story to a very dramatic end so that was a really good storyline.”
Re-wooing Stephanie
“Recently, I liked Eric’s rediscovery of his feeling for Stephanie, wooing her, even though it didn’t exactly work out,” says John.
Viewers will remember that Eric and Stephanie’s second wedding was called off thanks to Sally planting a compromising picture of Eric and Lauren in the prayer book.
“I always like it when Eric and Stephanie rediscover what they enjoy about one another. I think that’s always a good thing – and that’s not a story that has begun and ended. It’s very much a part of the continuing story of Eric and Stephanie. And Susan (Flannery, who plays Stephanie is such a consummate actress that it just makes it a joy to work in scenes with her.”
Fun with Sally Spectra
“I think it’s really fun whenever Eric is teamed up with Sally Spectra. It wasn’t really a storyline but I loved when he flew to Europe with Sally first class, romancing her, even though it was insincere.”
Eric was doing the whole thing to protect his designs from being stolen by Spectra Fashions.
“I thought that was pretty interesting to play – and fun for Eric. There’s a chemistry between those two characters that is undeniable.
“And I love working with Darlene (Conley, who plays Sally). We have a lot of fun together.”
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