Welcome! This afternoon we're talking with David Canary, who plays twin brothers Adam and Stuart Chandler on ALL MY CHILDREN. Winner of four Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor, David's portrayal of Adam and Stuart has captivated viewers since 1983. Welcome David!

ABCStar: Welcome! This is ABCTim and I will be typing for David this afternoon. From now on, all the words will be David's.

Question: Mr. Canary, do you find yourself sometimes slipping between Adam and Stuart? You play both roles beautifully - is it difficult to keep them separate?

ABCStar: Only at home. Actually, it's not tough to keep them separate generally on the show but sometimes, one or the other will take over between scenes and that can be really confusing!

Question: Hi Mr. Canary....how was the name "Candy" come up with on Bonanza?

ABCStar: The characters name was actually "Canaday." Candy was derived from that.

Question: What's your favorite movie and why?

ABCStar: My favorite recently was "Contact." I love good science fiction. I was talking to Walt Willey (Jack) the other day and he said that good science fiction had to be based on good science. This film took me to a place I'd never been before or had never thought about. I loved it.

Question: Is it hard getting into character playing two different roles?

ABCStar: If the writing is good -- and it usually is -- and it's true to character, then it's no problem.

Question: David, who do you like playing better, Adam or Stuart?

ABCStar: Well, it's difficult to answer because I love the fact they are both there. Going back and forth is fun for an actor. Stuart is a little easier because he doesn't have to remember his lines as well. He can kind of hem and haw where Adam can't. Stuart is a little easier because he is more relaxed.

Question: Are Adam and Liza going to get back together?

ABCStar: Even I don't the answer to that one. And I couldn't tell you if I did!

Question: What is the best thing you like about Massillon?

ABCStar: Well, my dad is there. That's the best thing. I love Massillon. It's a little midwestern town with a lot of spirit. It has a great school system. I was in the choir and co-captain of the football team. It's a great town.

Question: Are you more like Stuart or Adam?

ABCStar: I'm probably more like Stuart. I like to think I'm positioned somewhere in the middle. I like to polarize the characters when I play them. I'm a lousy businessman so I'm not like Adam in that way. But at least I comb my hair more than Stuart does.

Question: How do you tape the segments when Adam and Stuart are in the same room?

ABCStar: It's called a split screen process. They electronically divide the screen with an invisible line. I do one side and then we turn around and do the other side. It is usually a line cut down the middle of the screen but it can be other positions if needed. It's a great technical trick.

Question: so....David..... you and Marion getting together soon ?? :-) Tell me, tell me, hehehe. By the way David, you rock!!!! By far one of the best!

ABCStar: Thank you! In my opinion, purely my opinion -- and my wish -- I think Marian and Stuart will get back together. Jennifer Bassey (Marian) by the way, attended RADA with Roddy McDowell, Anthony Hopkins and so many more. She is a wonderful actor capable of so many things. RADA is the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.

Question: David, what is it like working with the beautiful Susan Lucci?

ABCStar: It's fabulous. She's wonderful lady. I've always liked Susan and we are close friends. Our families have gone skiing together. She is wonderful and professional and I think the best thing, one of the best things, is her comic ability.

Question: Tell him that we are long time viewers and we have enjoyed watching him. Ask him what stops him from getting bored or burned out with the role.

ABCStar: I don't get bored when I'm working hard. And they've been working me hard. I view bored and burned out as two different things. The burned out feeling comes from doing so many shows and so much dialogue. It's like stuffing yourself. But, that goes with the territory. It lasts for a few months and then lets off. I'm not burned out, however.

Question: Do you ever participate in the AMC chat room?

ABCStar: No, I don't go online myself.

Question: What is the best part about working on All My Children?

ABCStar: Year in and year out, I love to act. There's a great deal of child left in me and acting is fun. It's a make believe thing. To be able to make a good living in a challenging medium like soap operas is great. The best is that I get to act and am rewarded for it. And the people I work with are great. Funny, intelligent, hard working. They're all great to be around.

Question: Which of your roles do you most enjoy and why?

ABCStar: At the moment I'm rehearsing hard for "Kismet." I'm playing the role of Haj, the poet, a role I've always wanted to do. The Alfred Drake role. I've wanted to do it since college. I'll be doing it in September at the North Shore Music Theater just above Boston. I did "Sweeney Todd" there three years ago. That is another show and part that I loved. I love musical theater probably more than anything.

Question: How long does it take to do a scene with both characters together?

ABCStar: It depends on the scene. It can be anywhere from 20 minute to an hour and a half. Depends on the complexity of the scene and how much split screen is used, meaning how much time is devoted to seeing both Adam and Stuart at the same time.

Question: How do you keep from aging? You look the same as back in 1983 or at least to me!

ABCStar: Thank you! I work hard at it. Basically, it's diet, keeping in shape and luck.

Question: Was doing Candy on Bonanza as much fun as it looked? It was my favorite growing up.

ABCStar: Yes, for the most part it was. Sometimes, it was difficult, especially on location. The desert in LA where we shot could get very uncomfortable. Temperatures well above 100 degrees. Usually it was great fun. It was playing cowboys and Indians.

Question: How will Dixie's coming back to town affect you're storyline?

ABCStar: I honestly don't know. I saw Cady the other day. She looked great and I'm thrilled she's coming back. At the moment, I'm working on having Dixie bring Junior back to Pine Valley but I honestly don't know what will happen in the future.

Question: I bet it is confusing especially since Adam does not care for Marian and Stuart does! I love Stuart and Marian together. Do you?

ABCStar: I'm delighted to hear that reaction from the fans. I love working with Jennifer Bassey. One of the camera men one day asked me if I thought it was out of character. I said I thought it was not, as long as the writing stayed in character. Marian has a depth that Stuart can pick up on. It's great working with Jennifer. And the writing has stayed true, which is what I needed for this to work.

Question: Is it true you will be starring in Kismet this September in MA? Who will you be playing?

ABCStar: Haj, the poet. The older guy! I think I'm singing better now than I was 20 years ago. I'm very excited about it. This role is pulling things out I haven't used in a long time. I'm really excited.

Question: Who has been your all time favorite actor/actress to work with?

ABCStar: That's tough. I would say Geraldine Page. I was on Broadway with her in "Clothes For a Summer Hotel." It was Tennessee Williams' last Broadway play. She was the most amazing acting instrument I'd ever seen. She was a raw nerve. Funny and dramatic, just amazing.

Question: Can you tell us a little about your personal life? Age? I'm sure I've read that you're married and have young children.

ABCStar: I definitely have age. I'm married to Maureen Maloney, a singer and actress who has wonderful credits of her own. Our children are Christopher, who is 14 and Katie who is 11.

Question: what is your favorite type of music and why?

ABCStar: Again, I return to the Broadway theater. I love classical music too. I'm a Beethoven freak. I listen to him all the time. But my favorite is the Broadway musical theater. There's one other show that I'm dying to do and that is the Mandy Patinkin role in "Secret Garden."

Question: Shawn from New Hampshire. How did you start on the show AMC? When did you get on the show?

ABCStar: I started on AMC 15 years, in 1983. It was the same week my son was born. I had done a year and a half on Another World. When I returned to NY, I wanted to concentrate on legitimate theater and I did five years of that. Then I got married and had a family on the way and decided to try soaps. I did Another World and I liked the medium. That eventually led to AMC.

Question: Do you socialize with anyone from the AMC cast? Who?

ABCStar: I don't see a lot of them because I live in upstate Connecticut. I mean, we don't have dinner at the end of the day but we are all friendly with each other. It sounds like a cliche but we are a big family. A week before the Emmys, a big group of us did go out for dinner together. We do that regularly.

Question: Do you plan on making any movies?

ABCStar: Not at the moment. It's a question of time. Too busy! I've done movies in the past, but unless you have a great starring role, making movies is boring. I enjoy the pace of daytime much more and also the immediacy of theater better.

Question: Does your wife mind all the love scenes?

ABCStar: We do have fun, but there's not much passion in those scenes. It's trying to get the lights right and remember your lines. She is an actress herself and she understands.

Copyright America Online 1998

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