Y&R's Doug Davidson Shares the Secret to His Success

Actors who have been on soaps for 40-plus years like THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS’ Doug Davidson (Paul) are often asked how they keep their characters fresh. Yet the Emmy winner believes that’s the wrong question. “Who wants to do a mediocre job, no matter what their profession? I can’t think of a time when I didn’t want to do my best,” he reflected to Soaps In Depth.

Of course, Davidson admitted that there are days when it’s more of a struggle. “Sometimes things get in the way, like you have a personal emergency and you are up until 2 in the morning, and have a 7 a.m. call time. That probably won’t be your best day!” he shared with a smile. “But I try to put the biggest shine on it no matter what I am doing. If I’m washing the car, and see a spot, I don’t go, ‘Oh, well, I’ll take care of it next time!’ There’s nothing worse on my drive home, than going, ‘Shoot! I missed that opportunity!’ So I always try to do the best job I can!”

For more on your favorite Y&R stars — past and present — keep reading the CBS edition of Soaps In Depth magazine.

This story originally appeared in our print magazine