Emmy award-winning actress Laura Wright (“General Hospital”) chatted with Digital Journal’s Markos Papadatos about her 30-year anniversary on daytime television.
‘Loving’ and ‘Guiding Light’
She made her television debut as Ally Rescott on the ABC daytime drama “Loving” on June 25, 1991. Laura played that role on Loving up until the debut of The City in 1995. She played the role of Ally on The City until the show’s demise in March of 1997.
On August 1, 1997, Laura joined the cast of “Guiding Light” in the role of Cassie Layne Winslow, a role she played for eight years before moving to “Port Charles” and “General Hospital.”
Playing Carly Corinthos on ‘General Hospital’
Wright has played the role of Carly Corinthos on “General Hospital” since November of 2005. In 2011, Laura won the coveted Daytime Emmy Award for “Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.” “Winning the Emmy was amazing, that was a really good night,” she exclaimed.
“It was incredible, I didn’t expect to win and it was the first time that I ever got nominated. All around, it was an amazing experience,” she admitted.
She is drawn to her character, Carly, for many reasons. “I love her fire, I love how she is unapologetic in everything that she does, and I love her relationship with Sonny and Jason, and I love that she is a mom,” she said. “There are a million things I love about playing Carly Corinthos.”
Longevity in the entertainment industry
On celebrating her 30th anniversary on daytime television, she said, “It feels amazing, and shocking at the same time. Where did the time go?” she said.
Regarding the key to longevity in the acting world, she said, “Staying there is one because a lot of people leave to do other things, which is amazing for them as well. I just try to stay present, excited and giving it 100 percent all of the time. I am a fan of the genre so that has really helped me. Also, staying connected with my inner self and what characters spoke to me.”
Looking back in a rearview mirror over the last three decades, she reflected, “I see a lot of love and a lot of friendships, and a lot of teachers, people who taught me. I see a lot of amazing actors, hair and makeup artists, set designers, crew, and producers that I’ve gotten to work with over the years. I see all of the faces of the people that have walked with me on this journey. It takes a village, it absolutely does.”
“It takes growth, it takes wanting to grow and wanting to keep evolving. It takes work, mentally, physically, and emotionally,” she added.
‘The Locher Room’ interview
On Thursday, July 22, Wright will be featured on “The Locher Room” at 3 p.m. EST, where she will be interviewed by Alan Locher. “I can’t wait for that,” she exclaimed. “I’ve known Alan for a lot of that time, he was my publicist on the show ‘Guiding Light’.”
Her upcoming interview with Alan Locher may be seen this Thursday on the official YouTube page of “The Locher Room” below. “The fans should make sure to tune in to ‘The Locher Room,’ and hang out with us and send in their questions. It will be streamed so they can see me in person,” she said.
On being an actress in the digital age, she said, “Streaming and technology keep us more available to fans, I think it’s great. I am watching ‘Madam Secretary’ right now.”
Advice for hopefuls in acting
For young and aspiring actors, she said, “You need to love it because you may starve for it. One percent of our union works. It’s really hard what we do. You should definitely do something else to make money until you get your big break, another passion or love, and if you can find that within the business while reaching your dreams that’s amazing. It’s an amazing road but it’s not an easy one. You really need to love it.”
Zoom fan event with Eden McCoy
On Sunday, September 26, Wright will be a part of a virtual fan event with Eden McCoy, which is produced by Coastal Entertainment. To learn more about this Zoom event, click here. “Eden is great. I love it, I can’t wait,” she said. “Eden is super fun.”
Over the years, the Coastal Entertainment events raise funds for such charitable causes as Contractors for Kids, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation. “They do great, great work,” Wright said.
Daily motivations
Regarding the title of the current chapter of her life, she said, “I am riding the wave and enjoying it.”
On her daily motivations, she said, “My gratitude and I have a beautiful life. I get to wake up every morning and open my eyes. My kids inspire me and so does my boyfriend, Wes, and our puppy dog. I love my job, I love the people I get to share every day with at work, and I feel so grateful. I am challenged all the time, and I continue to challenge myself in other ways. I think life is amazing.”
Dream acting partners, alternate career choices
She listed Oscar winner Viola Davis as her dream collaboration choice in the acting world. “I think Viola Davis is amazing and absolutely incredible. She’s at the top of my list,” she said.
If she weren’t in acting, she would pursue a career in health and fitness, as well as meditation and yoga.
Life during the quarantine
During the quarantine, she revealed that she did a lot of reading, binge-watching, hiking, and spending time outdoors. “I went on great road trips with Wes so we had a great time,” she said.
She acknowledged that she saw a silver lining during the pandemic. “I had a great time. I hate to say this, but I never had four months off in my life,” she said. “I really read a lot, binged a lot and I rested. My silver lining was that I got to spend time with myself and I am grateful that I got to spend that time with Wes.”
“We really laugh a lot and we always find what is great in our days. We see and understand that things can be tough and we allow ourselves to have our emotions and frustrations, we visit and we move on. We all went through the pandemic, and my silver lining is that I had a great partner to share it with,” she elaborated.
Greatest lesson that acting has taught her
On the greatest lesson that acting has ever taught her, she said, “Acceptance and open-mindedness.” “Also, not judging at all,” she said. “It was a journey to get to that place. I work on a soap opera with 30 people in a very intimate setting and we are a family. We have to figure out a way to bring these scenes to life and make them beautiful. You can’t do that when you are judging your scene partner or yourself.”
“You have to find acceptance in the moment to tell a beautiful story,” she added.
Success and gratitude for the fans
Wright defined the word success as “how full your heart is and that might change on a daily basis.” “Also, peace within ourselves,” she said.
For her dedicated fans, she concluded, “Thank you and big hugs. I grew up being a soap fan and I still am. I love what I do and I hope I entertain them. I am so grateful for anyone that has found some kind of joy in what I do. I am only here because of the fans.”
To learn more about Emmy award-winning actress Laura Wright, follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
