For 25 years he was one of the most recognisable men on TV. A dapper Casanova blessed with cheekbones that could cut glass and bulging biceps that were the envy of men half his age.
Ronn Moss’ portrayal of Ridge Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful turned him into a bona fide international sex symbol.
Broadcast in more than 90 counties and attracting a daily audience in excess of 350 million, the hit soap remains one of the most successful TV shows in small-screen history, so it came as a shock when the actor decided to quit his high-profile gig in favour of an uncertain future.
But despite turning 66, the silver-haired hunk is returning to his rock star roots and embarking on a global one man tour – first stop: Australia.
You called time on Ridge in 2012 – how come?
People think it was just because of the money, but it wasn’t at all. My wife and I were involved in a horrendous car accident in 2012 – we were hit very hard – and it really changed things. Afterwards, I just didn’t know if I could do a show like The Bold and the Beautiful, mainly because I just couldn’t remember s–t after the accident! It sounds funny, but it was true. I got to the point where I couldn’t even remember what I was supposed to say in scenes the next day and I thought, “I don’t know if I can continue to do this.”
How has life been since?
I call it my rebirth! My new life has been both difficult, because I’ve had to reinvent myself, but also amazing, because the seeds I’ve planted – tours, music, producing – over the past few years, are finally starting to sprout. I’m doing some really cool things, and this Australia tour is one of them.
Ridge was re-cast the year after you left – any regrets?
The only thing I wish had happened is that they’d just let my character be, rather than re-cast with a new actor who didn’t have the history. I wish they’d given the new actor a different role that he could sink himself into and make his own, rather than trying to take over the character that I played for 25 years.
Before The Bold and the Beautiful you were a rock star in the band Player – did it help prepare you for the fame the show brought?
Everything I went through prepared me for the “celebrity” thing. Growing up I was surrounded by so many amazing, artistic, music people – many of them big stars – and I learned from them. I learned how it worked, saw how they dealt with fans, and it made me humble about it all, and taught me not to not take all this crap so seriously.
Are you comfortable with the “sex symbol” mantle?
I don’t wear it at all – it’s what others project onto me, it’s not who I am.
You’re 66 now. Are you comfortable with getting older?
I’m not comfortable with the way we physically break down, though I know it happens to everybody. I’m not comfortable at all with that. These days I have to work my ass off to stay in shape, but that’s just the way it is. Have your days of partying on tour ended? Pretty much! Although I anticipate a bit of that happening Down Under. I mean, how can you go to Australia and not party?
What’s the driving force behind your stage shows and music?
I just want to be creative. I deal with reality all the time – the same things we all deal with day-to-day – and this is my way of escaping.
There’s so much negative s–t going on in the world, these creative avenues help me give some positivity back to the world. The few people that I’m able to touch … well, that’s my contribution to helping make the world a little bit more positive.
Have either of your daughters expressed a desire to follow in their famous father’s footsteps?
No, they have zero ambition to do that! The youngest likes environmental science and the oldest loves plants and agriculture. They have no desire to be models, or actors, or anything like that.
You’re celebrating your 10th wedding anniversary this year. What’s your secret to a happy marriage?
There’s no real “secret”. We have our ups and downs like any couple, believe me! I guess it’s really all about communication and reaffirming your love and respect for one another – every frickin day. You can’t let a day go by where you don’t acknowledge each other and keep talking. Devin [DeVasquez]and I are very close that way, which is what has made us go for nine-plus years. I’m very blessed.
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