Wilson Bethel

(ex-Ryder Callahan, Y&R, 2009-11)

- Tom Stacy

Soap Opera Digest: After leaving Genoa City, could you have ever envisioned the successful career you’ve had since?

Wilson Bethel: I am sure I couldn’t have, man. But I’ll tell you, I am quite tickled, and I am tickled that there are still people who remember I was on that show. On the one hand, it seems like a really long time ago and on the other hand, it seems like just yesterday.

Digest: Soap fans have a long memory.

Bethel: I guess that’s true, isn’t it? Thank goodness!

Digest: What did you learn from your Y&R days that you took with you?

Bethel: I don’t know why people differentiate soaps from other mediums. All of this is in the same wheelhouse. You’re doing the same thing. You’re trying to tell a truthful story from a particular character’s point of view. You’re doing it more under the gun on a soap opera, but doing an hour-long drama isn’t so different, in a way, because you’re under the gun on this, too. Certainly, Y&R was a great learning experience for me.

Digest: In what way?

Bethel: Any time you have an opportunity to go to work every day as an actor is an incredible gift, because a lot of actors spend weeks at a time just waiting and hoping to get an audition. So, to have a job to show up to every day where you’re called upon to do your work is an amazing gift.

Digest: Do you still keep in touch with anyone from your Y&R days?