Catching up With GUIDING LIGHT’s Ron Raines (EXCLUSIVE)
During the 15 years that Ron Raines spent playing GUIDING LIGHT’s dastardly Alan Spaulding — a role that won him three Daytime Emmy nominations — he never gave up his first love: performing on the stage. And in the years since the CBS sudser ended, the Tony Award nominee has continued to juggle soapy drama and musical theater gigs. “I’m still around, but I’m really pulling back,” he told Soaps In Depth with a smile, “and just doing the things I want to do. I’m a little more selective now, and can be, which I like.”
Among the projects that have tickled his fancy is BEACON HILL, the digital series on which he plays Senator Preston. Ahead of its Season 2 premiere this spring, he explained, “The senator is very similar to Alan in that he’s controlling the family by setting up situations the way Alan would. Of course, they never turn out the way they’re supposed to!”
Produced by GL’s Crystal Chappell (Olivia), the political drama reunited Raines with not only his former TV wife but also his TV son, Ricky Paull Goldin (Gus). “We just picked right back up,” he said. “It’s like getting back on a bike.”
The actor will return to broadcast television later this year with a guest spot in HBO’s THE GILDED AGE. “I’m very excited to be a small part of this A+ project,” he shared.
Meanwhile, Raines has continued to occasionally appear in regional-theater productions — like Sweeney Todd in Michigan last November — and tour the country with Broadway-themed concerts.
But whether it’s discussing his stage work or his soap days, Raines always welcomes the opportunity to chat with fans — even if they don’t recognize him at first! “You see, when I did Annie’s Daddy Warbucks on Broadway, I shaved my head for the part. When you shave your head, you don’t look like Alan Spaulding anymore!”
